Aviation Art by AJay

Currently taking commissions.............

2012-01-19T18:32:00.004+01:00

Okay, now we're well and truly into 2012, I'm once again taking commissions.

Please remember, while aviation art is a passion of mine, I also enjoy working with any subject matter; the elephant calf below is an example of such a work. To be honest, it's really nice to work on something completely different once in a while.

I would also request that if you enjoy the art you see here, to perhaps join my Facebook Art Page (link top right of the blog). From there you'll be able to comment on the works, suggest subject matters you'd like to see, or maybe even just have a 'chat'.

More soon..........

Petty Officer 1st Class, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa - figure study

2012-01-05T17:39:00.010+01:00

Drawing on A3 acid-free paper.

'Demon of Rabaul' - Petty Officer 1st Class, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa. My figure study shows Japanese Imperial Navy Ace with over 80 kills to his name. I studied a number of original WWII photos before beginning this drawing. One photo in particular showed Hiroyoshi in flight gear, but like many photos from Japan taken during this period, the quality was very poor. I therefore spent many hours researching flight gear, collecting photos of original examples and then 're-clothing' my ace pilot with early-war attire.

As I spent so much time with the research, I'd like to share some of the clothing details with you:

1) The leather flying helmet is a Model Type 30. In my drawing you may be able to make out a small peak. It is folded up in my depiction and there was a 'popper' that held it in place. In many period photos this is shown, 'un-popped', as it were.

2) The goggles are the 'Cat's Eye' type with aluminium frames that could be dark brown, light brown or even maroon. They were padded with dark brown velveteen sewn to the frames.

3) For an IJN pilot, as it was for aviators the world over, the white silk scarf (most probably from parachute material) was very much a status symbol.

4) The flying suit is a one-piece example, chocolate brown in colour (winter examples were fur-lined). There are pleated knee pockets that could be used for maps, charts, etc, and a gabardine belt with a black steel buckle.

5) The float vest was very interesting to draw. The cloth chambers were filled with 'Rapok'. It was a dark chocolate brown in colour (although some had a green tinge when wet). There was a small pocket on the right hand side of the second chamber (just above the vest's main securing (middle) straps. This could be used for pencils, a pocket-watch, etc.

6) The groin cloth is attached to the bottom of the front/rear of the float vest so it can't break free of the body in the water.

7) The early flight boots were brown (although I admit they look black in my drawing)with a rounded toe cap seam. The heels and soles were made from black rubber. Later in the war black boots were also worn, so it's possible my pilot might have worn them......

Not in the drawing are: a parachute harness; some pilots also carried a pistol which was meant to finish oneself off in an extreme case; ceremonial swords were perhaps carried in bigger aircraft. The cockpit of an A6M fighter was very cramped.

Close-up of figure study.

Original drawing available.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:41:00.008+01:00

Hope you've all survived New Year's celebrations and are intact. I had a fantastic time of it but am now ready to get back into drawing mode.

I've decided to enter 2012 with a website. It's still very sparse but I'll build it up in the coming weeks. It's nothing flashy or in-your-face, but just a simple site that hopefully gets my work 'out there'.

My Website

Anyway, if you have a spare moment, check out the link above and please remember, it's a work in progress ;)

Merry Christmas and a Peaceful Holiday Season to Everyone

2011-12-24T01:54:00.002+01:00

Hiroyoshi Nishizawa UPDATED 17/12/11

2011-12-14T15:21:00.005+01:00

Here's a quick preview of my drawing.

I had a very poor quality reference photo so had to spend literally hours researching IJN gear. In fact I read a book about it and noted individual garments, also managing to find seperate detailed wartime photos of the life-vest, one-piece summer flight suit, boots, belt, early flying helmet, cat's eye goggles and the badge on Hiroyoshi's left upper sleeve. There's a still a lot to do........

A rather poor photo, but it's just a quick snap-shot to give you a glimpse of my progress. The size is A3.

I'm currently aiming to complete a figure drawing of IJN Ace, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa.

He is thought to of been Japan's top WWII ace, although his claims seem to vary some what. This might be due to Japan's Naval Air Service accounting for a unit's victories and not an individual's. It seems generally accepted that at least 80 enemy aircraft were downed Hiroyoshi (he himself claimed the number was 87). In combat he flew the Mitsubishi A5M (with fixed landing gear) and later the infamous A6M, more commonly known in the West as the 'Zero'.

What is certain is that he was an exceptional pilot. Sadly he was killed aged 24, not at the controls of a fighter, but as a passenger on a Nakajima Ki-49 shot down by F6F Hellcats.

Hiroyoshi fought in New Guinea and both the Solomon Islands and Philippine's campaign of 1944.

Below is a WWII photo of him.
(Photo source: Wiki)

Current WIPS

2011-12-03T23:14:00.005+01:00

Today's been a good studio day. It's been a while since I've managed one.

1) I've completed my outline drawing of the chap below's Spitfire. Richard Hillary - author of 'The Last Enemy' - a very inspirational character deserving of a graphite tribute.

2) I've long wanted to create a figure drawing. In fact, I don't think I've ever done one as most people request 'head and shoulder' portraits. So, today the opportunity arose to give it a whirl. I'd already collected a number of original photos so had a good idea how I wanted my pilot figured outfitted. Today saw the long overdue completion of the line drawing, basically my foundation. If this part is wrong, then it's all down hill from then on and nothing will go right. Next up will be the shading; this is where my pilot will come to life! Pictures mean more than words so I'll take a WIP photo when I get a moment.

3) Finally, I've finished off the evening by re-starting a P-51 profile study I began earlier this year. I'd originally intended to make my B/C model one that operated with the RAF. As an aviation artist this is something that needs to be considered carefully - very carefully. I find collectors normally like their Mustangs wearing U.S. attire. Now, it could be that not too many artists produce RAF P-51s.....and, my creating one dressed a little differently might therefore be instantly snapped up by an eager collector? However, years of experience has shown me that straying from the well-trodden track could also mean a drawing will stay tucked away in the deepest depths of my art folder - not good for the poor drawing or me.

I'll have to sleep on this one.

More soon.

Hurricane Mk1 Work in Progress

2011-11-30T21:53:00.004+01:00

Douglas Bader's Hurricane well under way now. There's been a big delay on this while I deal with other matters, but it will be done. In the mean time, if you're interested in buying the completed original, drop me an email: Email Me

And purely as a historical reference, here's the actual aircraft.

P-38J Lightning, 370th FG, 9th Air Force

2011-07-23T15:26:00.012+02:00

Just completed this drawing about an hour ago. Took many evenings of working into the wee hours, which sadly the photo doesn't justify. However, I'm pleased with the way this turned out and hope the new owner will be, too!

To commission a similar drawing, please email me for details: Email Me

SOLD

Private U.S. Collection

B-17G 'Little Patches', 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force

2011-05-24T21:14:00.013+02:00

Here's my latest drawing. A B-17G called 'Little Patches' from the 91st Bomb Group (the same outfit that the 'Memphis Belle' flew with earlier in the war.

The real ship was olive-drab with the early style 'stinger' tail gun compartment. My references tell me the waist windows should have been open to the elements, however, in at least one reference she has the three-piece type window for her waist gunners, so I can only assume these were installed at a sub-depot later on.

She successfully flew many missions only to return Stateside to be scrapped along with many of her sisters.....

To commission a similar drawing, please email me for details: Email Me

SOLD

The drawing is A3 and has the nose art pin-up girl, etc, albeit very small. However, I created it using an eye glass, and it's all there as it should be.

Above: here's a wartime photo of the real, 'Litte Patches'.

As an interesting side note, my research showed that the author, Bert Stiles, flew at least one mission aboard 'Little Patches'

Private UK Collection.

Framed P-47 Thunderbolts

2011-04-22T21:08:00.008+02:00

SOLD

To commission a similar drawing, please email me for details: Email Me

Above is a photo taken by the new owner of my Thunderbolt drawings, one from the 5th Air Force, the other from the 9th. They've been treated to museum quality frames, mounting, and non-reflective glass.

Harrier GR9 drawing completed!

2011-04-13T23:59:00.008+02:00

Price: 195.00 plus postage and packing.

Graphite on heavy weight Bristol paper. Original available for purchase. Contact me for details: Email Me

At last I've finished this drawing! I'm actually really pleased the way it came out, despite a rather dubious beginning. It depicts an RAF Harrier GR9 sitting on hardstanding in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Captain Leroy Grossheusch's P-47D, 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 5th USAAF

2011-03-10T15:31:00.013+01:00

SOLD

To commission a similar drawing, please email me for details: Email Me

Here is my latest drawing depiciting the P-47D of Captain Leroy Grossheusch, commanding officer of the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. I'd like to point out that this photo doesn't do the original justice at all! I'll blame my poor photography. The actual drawing is wonderfully crisp in its clarity, not to mention, highly detailed.

A friend in the United States who loves P-47s asked me to create a drawing - and what made it extra cool - was the fact I was free to choose any unit I wished.

Not often seeing the 5th Air Force represented with the 'Jug', I opted for a rather fetching unpainted,(so it was bare aluminium)P-47D Razorback. The cowl wore a pale blue band, and just below the cockpit were two diagonal fuselage stripes. There were 3 black bands (similar to European 'Invasion Stripes') to the top and lower surfaces of the wings aswell as two black fuselage bands (Nick, a good friend of mine and aficionado of U.S. insignia, informed me that these were added to aircraft after the invasion of the Philippines). The rudder wore red, white and blue stripes, as per pre-war U.S. aircraft.

Captain Leroy Grossheusch and crew chief (Photo for discussion purposes only; source:internet site).

This particular aircraft was in use at Luzon around February of 1945. I had no clear photo of the airstrip here, but on viewing other airfields in the South West Pacific Theatre, many were lined with thick undergrowth and palm trees. I wanted to make it clear this P-47 was not in Europe, so decided to use palm trees as my back drop; if in fact there weren't any lining the Luzon strip, perhaps Grossheusch had landed at another nearby........

My research threw up conflicting information regarding Grossheusch's kills. I've seen some sources say 8, while others mention 7. He flew several Thunderbolts, but I believe my drawing depicts the one in which he scored 6 of his kills. Later this fighter group converted to the North American P-51 Mustang and I believe Grossheusch scored a kill in a '51 (2 days before the Pacific War ended) when he downed a Nakajima K-84 Hayate (allied codename: 'Frank').

'Amelia' pencil portrait

2011-01-12T00:20:00.012+01:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

Graphite on heavy weight Bristol paper. Original available for purchase. Contact me for details: Email Me

After listening to a radio show about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, I found myself inspired to find out more. While researching I came across a great vintage reference photo; it 'cried out to me', and I instantly knew I had to use it as a reference/basis for a pencil portrait.

With this particular portrait, unlike previous my work of this type, I've opted to concentrate on her face alone, and merely hint of her flying clothing in a more 'sketchy' manner.

A6M2-K - training flight drawing

2010-12-21T17:49:00.012+01:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

A6M2-K - training flight.

Graphite on heavy weight Bristol paper. Original available for purchase. Contact me for details: Email Me

Just today finished this one. There are very few references for this 2-seat training version of the A6M2. In fact, my research suggests this aircraft might not have been based on the A6M2 version at all, but on a later model. I looked through my references and scraped together some schematics and wartime photos of the aircraft, and then basing my work on one particular photo, built upon it further with new unit insignia and composition (in reality this aircraft's main colour was an orange/yellow).

The overall airframe was identical to the fighter version, apart from the cockpit being pushed forward to accommodate the student. Notice the ridge on the aft fuselage, between the cockpit and horizontal stabilizer - there's another on the port side and their function? 'Spin stabilization'. The instructor sits behind the pilot and his 20mm cannons have been removed, leaving just the 7.7mm guns for target practice. There is also a heavy duty tail wheel, not doubt put to good use with the heavy landings suffered at the hands of eager students.

These aircraft were used primarily for training, while others had a modified tail configuration for target towing. Later in the war, some of these types were no doubt also squandered in Kamikaze attacks.

V-22 Osprey

2010-11-04T18:26:00.013+01:00

SOLD A3 drawing on quality, heavy weight ivory paper.

To commission a similar drawing, please email me for details: Email Me

From the moment I saw these aircraft, I was hooked! Okay, they're not everyone's cup of tea, but they're different, and I like different..... While working on this project, I had the good fortune to correspond with a gentleman from the States that was involved in both the development and flight-testing of the Osprey - needless to say, I had a 'blast' working with this piece.

This original drawing is no longer available and is now part of a private, U.S. collection.

I'd like to thank Richard Hunt for supplying one of his excellent airshow photos for use as a reference.

P-47N 'Air Cooled Injun' - nose art

2010-10-10T12:41:00.013+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

‎'Air Cooled Injun' - P-47N.

Original available. Please email for details: Email Me

I found some references for this ship in my nose art collection, but they failed to mention her outift. I believe it was an 'N' model which served with the 7th Air Force, 318th FG, 333rd FS. If anyone can confirm this, I'd be most grateful.

Spitfire PR XI

2010-08-27T20:14:00.010+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

Spitfire PR XI

Original available. Please email for details: Email Me

This un-armed, photo-recon Spitfire was part of No.16 Squadron based at Melsbroek, Belgium, in the winter of 1944.

Photo-recon ships in this theatre of ops were often painted blue, as this one was. And of course, she still wears her 'invasion stripes.'

The PR XIs were based on Mk I, Mk V and Mk IX Spitfires, but had extra capacity for fuel. I believe some were armed, but the Spit in my sketch lacks its weapons, saving weight and thus gaining speed.

This one appears not to have a rear-view mirror - if I'd been the pilot, I'd have wanted one! Maybe my references are incorrect;let me know if you know any different.

Swiss Messerschmitt 109 E-3

2010-08-14T13:19:00.015+02:00

Price: 195.00 plus postage and packing (Please note: border is for viewing purposes only).

Bf-109, or Me-109 if you're that way inclined, in Swiss service with late-war 'Neutrality Stripes'. (A4 drawing on heavy-weight Bristol paper) - original available for purchase. Email Me

I've never really worked with German warbirds in depth, but recently decided to research the 109.

I began studying the 'Emil' to begin with, purely from the aesthetics of its design, and soon decided this aircraft was pretty damn awesome! When researching warbirds of this era, to me it almost seems as though designers were using 'form over function' as their philosophy, especially when the aircraft look as good as the 109!

Of course, this warbird is just that - a 'warbird', and it's function was proved in combat throughout World War II, as many unlucky allied aircrew discovered.

I chose do depict a Swiss version, because during the course of my novel writing, I 'met' these very birds wearing the same striking insignia. For the viewer's info, the bands on the fuselage, upper and lower surfaces of the wings, were bright red and white. The fuselage itself was a dark green and the engine cowling white. The Swiss 109s also had different armament, thus the lacking of the bulge aft of the cowl mounted machine guns.

'The 489th Bomb Group in Suffolk'

2010-08-07T14:57:00.009+02:00

Here's the final version of a great little series of books produced by good friend, Peter Bodle. It's a pictorial history of the 489th BG (Heavy), and features jacket-art by yours truly.

There are books available for each of the 2nd Division's B-24 Bomb Groups (8th Air Force), all of which are very reasonably priced. (UK price, including P/P, is £6.00 a copy)

If you would like to order a book, or have any queries, please drop me a line. Email Me

Peter Bodle's website: http://www.liberatorpublishing.co.uk/

P-51D 'Duchess Arlene', 301st FS, 332nd FG

2010-08-04T21:56:00.014+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

Original available. Please email for details: Email Me

Here's my lastest and a labour of love - It's 'Duchess Arlene', serial number 44-15648. This particular P-51D was almost certainly flown by a number of pilots in the squadron, but was the personal mount of 1st Lt. Robert W. Williams, 301st FS,
332nd FG.

It was in this very aircraft, on 30th March, 1945, that he shot down 2 Focke-Wulf
190s while carrying out a fighter sweep over the Munich area. In my drawing you can see his two kills proudly displayed on the fuselage.

(Photo credit: U.S. Air Force).
In the photo above, and to the far right, we can see 1st Lt. Robert Williams. He is seen here collecting his escape kit with fellow pilots. As an interesting side note, Williams later became an actor and interestingly, wrote the screenplay for the feature film, 'The Tuskegee Airmen', released in 1995. It's one of my personal favourites!

Graphite on heavy weight Bristol paper.

'Short Crusader' Seaplane Racer

2010-06-17T20:35:00.007+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

'Short Crusader' - built by the Short Brothers for the RAF's backup/trainer aircraft for the 1927 Schneider Trophy staged in Venice. Pencil on heavy weight Bristol paper.

Original available. Please email for details: Email Me

Sadly this aircraft crashed, perhaps due to the aileron cables being reassembled in the wrong order on arrival in Italy!

Here's a little background information about this racing seaplane:

The wings and fuselage aft of the cockpit are of wooden construction; from the cockpit forward was of metal construction, as were its floats.
Powered by an 808HP Bristol Mercury, 19 cylinder, single row, air-cooled engine, she was capable of a maximum speed of 270 mph. Okay, by today's standards it's not scarily fast, but remember, this was 1927!

'The Bug', P-47D-20-RE, 510th FS, 405th FG, 9th AF

2010-06-06T13:08:00.024+02:00

SOLD
'The Bug', 510th FS, 405th FG, 9th USAAF - personal mount of Capt. Arlie J. Blood.

For a similar commissioned piece, please email for details: Email Me

A fascinating story told to me by the man himself.

This aircraft was lost on May 24th, 1944.

UPDATE: Having 'spoken' with Mr.Blood this week (thanks Richard), I have confirmed a few details.

Arlie told me that casualties in his squadron were very high, all of the pilots in his squadron either being shot down or shot up by the deadly German ground fire.

A direct hit in the engine of 'The Bug' forced Arlie to bail out.

He evaded the Germans and fought with the French Maqui for four months, blowing up bridges and capturing German patrols. Unfortunately he and two fellow resistance fighters were eventually captured at a German roadblock.

While the two Frenchmen were shot, Arlie was put on a train bound for a German POW camp (although he was in civilian dress, he had thankfully retained his dog tags), from which he escaped by cutting a whole in the wagon.

He rejoined the French Maqui and continued to fight alongside them.

Pencil on quality, acid-free paper.
Private U.S. Collection
For a similar commissioned piece, please email for details: Email Me

14th Air Force B-24D sketch

2010-05-28T17:42:00.009+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

Original available, please email for details: Email Me

My latest drawing, so hot off the drawing board I’ve burned my fingers!

This little beauty is a sketch of B-24D, 41-24143 'Dippy Dave and his 8 Dippy Diddlers'.

She was part of the 373rd Sq, 308th BG, 14th USAAF flying missions from Yankai, China. Sadly she was lost on May 4th, 1943, when she ran out of gas after successfully bombing an enemy barracks/airstrip.

Although their B-24D crashed and burned out, her crew bailed out and evading capture, eventually made it back to Yankai.

B-24H, 'Malfunction Junction' of the 489th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force

2010-04-07T00:44:00.008+02:00

SOLD
B-24H, 'Malfunction Junction' of the 489th Bomb Group, 847th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force.
A3 drawing on acid-free ivory paper.

For a similar commissioned piece, please email for details: Email Me

Private U.S. collection.

20th Fighter Group P-51D 'Josephine' flown by 1st Lt. Joe Peterburs

2010-03-01T15:00:00.010+01:00

Price: 295.00 GBP plus postage and packing

While working on this drawing I had the honour to correspond with the veteran pilot, Joe Peterburs. This in itself made the research alone worthwhile.

Original available for purchase, please email for details: Email Me

With this drawing, I endeavoured to make it my most accurate P-51 study to day, and would like to thank Mr. Peterburs for his advice and answering my many questions.

Joe told me he 'buzzed' the field several times, so this is my depiction of one of those occasions.

P-51C 'The Yankee Kid III' - 339th Fighter Group

2010-01-30T00:59:00.015+01:00

Hot off the drawing board is this latest P-51C (serial number 42-103737) that was the personal mount of Lt. Merle F Caldwell. This ship was flown as part of the 504th Fighter Squadron,339th Fighter Group, 8th Army Air Force.

Price: 295.00 GBP plus postage and packing

This original drawing is available for purchase; please email for details: Email Me

As a side note, Bert Stiles, author of 'Serenade to the Big Bird' flew with this very fighter group, and was sadly lost on the 26th November, 1944. He'd previously flown a tour as a B-17 co-pilot, before realising his original dream of becoming a fighter pilot. I'll be drawing the ship he was lost in, 'Tar Heel' at a later date.

'Red Dog XII' - 4th Fighter Group P-51D Drawing/Sketch

2009-12-23T15:16:00.014+01:00

Price: 295.00 GBP plus postage and packing.

Original available for purchase, please email for details: Email Me

'Red Dog XII' - 4th Fighter Group P-51D 44-73108 flown by Major Louis Norley, who if I've researched correctly, scored 11.33 victories in the air and 5 on the ground. He completed 3 tours of duty during WWII!

(Note: this P-51 drawing of course has both it's wings, but this piece is too big for my scanner, and until my new camera arrives, this is the best I can reproduce it. It's better in real life, believe me).

56th Fighter Group P-47D / Gabby Gabreski's P-47D

2009-12-01T14:46:00.010+01:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing

Original available for purchase, please email for details: Email Me

Medium: Pencil on high quality acid free paper.

Approx size of drawing: 15'' x 8''

Here's a re-worked drawing. I've not ever revisited a piece of art before, and tend to always move onto new projects. However, maybe I should revisit more often, as very happy with this one now.

This piece depicts a blister hangar at an 8th Air Force fighter base in England. During the time-frame this drawing depicts, it was home to the famous 56th Fighter Group. In the foreground is the 'Jug' of 'Gabby' Gabreski, E.T.O. American fighter ace. His ship is seen awaiting repairs, another P-47 already occupying the blister hangar.

489th Bomb Group B-24H, 'The Sharon D.'

2009-11-29T22:56:00.009+01:00

SOLD

Original pencil drawing on A3 acid-free Daler and Rowney paper.

This drawing is part of a private UK collection

To commission a similar drawing, please email Email Me

381st Bomb Group B-17G 'Dreambaby'

2009-10-26T17:01:00.011+01:00

SOLD

Title:'Buzz-Job!''

Meduim:Pencil drawing on acid-free, heavy weight paper.

Size: 297mm x 420mm

A 381st Bomb Group B-17G beats up the field.

The war-weary ship depicted here is 'Dreambaby', serial number 42-32025. She flew with the 533rd Squadron and survived the war only to be sadly returned to the States and scrapped in 1945.

Part of a Private UK Collection

To commission a similar drawing, please email Email Me

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski Portrait

2009-05-24T19:32:00.011+02:00

Price: 225.00 GBP plus postage and packing

Original drawing is on A4 size Bristol paper, and is available for purchase Email Me

At last I've finished this portrait.

It depicts American WWII fighter ace, "Gabby" Gabreski, who achieved 28 kills while flying P-47s with the 56th Fighter Group in the European Theatre of Operations.

On 20 July, 1944, he was shot down and became a prisoner of war.

This ordeal survived, he later went on to serve in the Korean conflict, where once again, he reached ‘ace status’.

Guess it goes to show, you can’t keep a good man down!

WWI Sopwith Pup Fighter,

2009-04-06T18:27:00.009+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing

The original drawing is available Email Me

Just finished my Sopwith Pup drawing. I lost count of how many hours it took, but when I thought I was almost finished, I still spent another 6 hours on it! That will give you a rough idea......

Drawing is A4 size on acid free paper.

445th Bomb Group Publication

2009-03-21T19:00:00.008+01:00

My good friend, Peter Bodle, has released yet another title in his series of booklets covering the 2nd Air Division's B-24 bases. These great little publications are a pictorial history, featuring many original, previously unseen wartime photographs donated by veteran airmen themselves.

This particular booklet features the 445th Bomb Group, and as you can see from the jacket art, wears a drawing by myself, especially commissioned by Peter.

For further information, or to purchase this, or any one of the other booklets (series covers every B-24 group in the Eighth Air Force during WWII)Contact author, Peter Bodle

'Pappy' Boyington sketch, U.S.M.C

2009-01-12T21:55:00.014+01:00

SOLD

'Pappy' Boyington was the Commanding Officer of VMF-214, better known as the 'Blacksheep Squadron,' and flew the famed FU4, gull-winged Corsair during WWII.

He personally shot down 26 Japanese aircraft. It was for this and his outstanding leadership, he was been awarded the Medal of Honor.

Private Collection of Roger Watts, CO, USA. Email Me

Battle of Britain era Spitfire Mk II drawing, 603 Squadron

2008-12-01T22:30:00.016+01:00

SOLD
Pencil on a cream, acid-free paper. Approx: 16'' x 10'' without mount/matting.

To commission a similar drawing, please email Email Me

Just finished my Spitfire Mk II drawing. The aircraft depicted is flown by 603 Squadron pilot, Gerald 'Stapme' Stapleton DFC. I'm pretty happy the way it turned out. Unfortunately the great detailing and overall quality of the finish doesn't do my art justice in the scan. The art itself is a lot bigger but my scanner is only an A4 size, thus there is a lot more grass field to the left and especially right which gives a feeling of the Spit's movement.

Private UK art collection

B-24 'Will-er Run?' final drawing complete

2008-10-31T13:33:00.008+01:00

Finished off the commission for the 445th book cover design, and here it is. The client has kindly given me permission to offer prints, so if you're interested, please contact me via the 'Contact Artist' button.

For a similar drawing, please emailEmail Me

SOLD

Ki-61 Hei of 18th Sentai IJAAF

2008-10-07T13:13:00.010+02:00

The original drawing is available Email Me

At last I got some time to finish my sketch. I originally wanted to depict just the aircraft itself, however, after finishing the piece it looked a little lost with no backdrop.

I began looking through my collection of period photos and also studying old black and white film footage (in Japanese of course!); I was lucky enough to find some original WWII footage showing practically the same scene as I’d depicted in my drawing!
As the aircraft in the footage touched down, there in the background were distant hills and mountains...........Perfect! I had my setting.

'Red 13'

2008-04-18T12:03:00.012+02:00

SOLD

Original sold. For a similar drawing, please email Email Me

Here's my latest pencil study in the form of Oberstleutnant Heinz Bar's Me 262 'Red 13'.

This machine was part of III./EJG2. Oberstleutnant Bar was the leading daylight jet ace with a total of 16 kills with the 262 (total wartime victories: 220).

The leading jet ace was Oberstleutnant Kurt Welter, a night fighter pilot, with at least 20 kills in Me 262s.

Crash-landed A6M5 - 1945

2008-04-10T16:45:00.010+02:00

Price: 195.00 GBP plus postage and packing

Original available. Email Me

Here's my sketch of an abandoned A6M5 in around 1945. It was inspired by photos I've seen of crashed Japanese aircraft on Pacific islands. There's something fascinating about coming across something like this.....

USAAF Photographer Portrait

2007-10-21T17:55:00.003+02:00

Summer of 1945

Jack Heyn who spent 3 years in the S.W. Pacific, as a photographer-labtech with the 3rd Bomb Group.

Original sold - for a similar drawing Email Me

Crash-Landed A6M5 - 'Zero' Fighter

2007-06-09T16:49:00.000+02:00

Inspiration's a funny thing. It can hit you at the most unexpected moments, but this time I was ready for it!

A new piece of art is currently in the planning stages, along with too many other pieces.

Anyway, the topic of my art will be a crash-landed Japanese fighter. I may have it shown as:

1) recently crashed in full navy paint/insignia scheme (the paint always chipped off these, even when when new),

or

2) perhaps it can be shown lying on some Pacific island where it's rested for the last forty years.

I like the last idea best.

If you visit some of the Pacific islands, there are still WW2 relics to be found. Aircraft having gone down in remote jungle areas can sometimes be quite well preserved, turning up from time to time, unfortunately sometimes with the remains of its pilot!

I'd love to get my Indiana Jones costume out and go relic hunting!

Anyway, I have begun a preliminary sketch which will be a stand-alone piece of work and available for purchase as a one off original, then they'll be a version in acrylic that will be available in the not too distant future.

That’s it, folks.

Book Jacket Art for 25th Bomb Group - A Proud Moment

2007-05-30T11:50:00.004+02:00

Today I have the first copies of a book by my friend Peter Bodle, which has been published and is out right now and ready for purchase (contact me for Peter's contact details).

On the book jacket, is art he commissioned me to do featuring every warbird enthusiast's favourite: the De Havilland Mosquito! I'd like to remind you I have in stock some prints that would be perfect for the collector, or as a gift for the Mossie fan.

Anyway, below is the book: (sorry for the poor quality of the photo, I was too excited to get a steady shot)

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B-17 Ball Turret Gunner WW2 Portrait (381st Bomb Group)

2007-04-26T19:57:00.004+02:00

''S/Sgt. Robert Gilbert''

For a similar drawing, please email Email Me

Bob Gilbert served with the 381st Bomb Group, 533rd Bomb Squadron, flying as ball turret gunner aboard B-17s. He and his crew successfully completed 35 combat missions, including notorious targets such as Schweinfurt and Big B(Berlin).

Bob kindly gave me permission to use his photo as a reference for my graphite artwork, and tells me it was taken in approx. October of 1944. I would also like to mention the original photo is featured in Mr. Gilbert’s wartime memoir,

"The View From The Bottom Up.''

Private collection of the artist.

'Loco Buster' painting complete!

2006-09-17T19:40:00.003+02:00

Today I have more or less completed my P-51 painting. I may still make a few last minute 'tweaks', but this is more or less the finished piece. The Mustang involved, The Millie G, was flown byMajor Edward Giller of the 343rd Sq, 55th Fighter Group, of whom I had the honour of 'speaking' to while planning this painting.

I would like to point out that my aim with this work was not just to create a straight-forward P-51 study; I chose to show as little detail as possible, relying on composition and tonal values to present the story, while also setting an atmospheric backdrop in which the aircraft would fly.

Original painting available Email Me