The Cold War 1941 C47 Dakota

The Cold War 1941 C47 DakotaThe image shows Spitfires of 317 Polish Squadron being prepared for another day on standby. The featured aircraft is JH C. This particular aircraft can still be seen flying at Duxford during the airshows throughout the year. The interesting vehicle is in fact a six cylinder Bedford glycol water bowser. I found it an irresistible temptation to include this in the composition when the guys at East Kirby offered to wheel it out of the museum hanger for

The original painting is owned by Cpt

I thought the writing desk was a suitable backdrop to the composition as it is synonymous with the completion of a successful mission and a well earned rest period for the aircrew member

Part of the brief was to include a fence running across the foreground but I do feel the image benefited from the well dilapidated old fence allowing the viewer to walk into the scene

in a none agressive way

I took advantage of the water in this image to yield some vertical reflections that add a balance to the painting and of course helps in the illusion of making it look like water

Print - image 13" x 9¾"

Designed to supersede the Spitfire and Hurricane

runways looking tired

the Tornado is an all weather day or night fighter capable of carrying all types of present day weaponry including DMS and Legacy Brimstone

Watching the scene

one can only be left wondering why it took designers so long to realise the advantage of actually having the gunner in the back seat

The actual aircraft was flying whilst it was being painted which I thought was rather nice