So, you’ve come into a little bit of cash and realise you can at last afford to have that painting you’ve always promised yourself.

Namely the WWII, West country, twin engined canon fighter, the Westland Whirlwind…

Trouble is you can’t decide exactly what scenario to have immortalised…

What would you have…

I would simply have it against a blue sky with white summer clouds, seeing the top surface as if the plane is in a very tight turn.

Have you chosen an artist to take on the commission yet? That sounds a great idea. I love the stormy sky with an evening sun peeking through tobacco clouds, carrying home the limping, battle worn bird of war at low altitude, so there is a chance to paint in a sleepy hamlet and rural landscape. Just makes a lovely contrast to the ravages evident from the aeroplanes condition. The Wirlwind's a tricky bugger to find the best angle to paint it at, I'd possibly favour a front quarter shot as if seen from the ground. Can't wait to know what you decide on at any rate.
Best regards.
John.

How abut one of a flight scrambling. Or anything as long as its not another spit/hurri romanticised images. No offence john.

Strafing is the way to go!

quote:

Originally posted by b2spirita:
How abut one of a flight scrambling. Or anything as long as its not another spit/hurri romanticised images. No offence john.

Absolutely none taken, I've been a painter for thirty odd years, so I know we all see things differently. I just like to tell a little story sometimes in my work. Often I just make studies for customers too. Apart from portraits, I have three vehicle and aircraft paintings on the go at the moment and they're all just studies. Not my cup of tea, but I'm not paying for them and I respect my clients' wishes. We all like 'em different.

Hmmm....

Flying low over Glastonbury Tor, perhaps.

How about a poignant one of the last Whirly in her 1947 blue paintscheme at the Westland works with a Sikorsky Dragonfly in the background as the shape of things to come?

Working on the railway in Normandy - with a steam loco in the background.

Escorting Blenheims on the way to Germany, maybe.

Buzzing off duty comrades at the Frampton Arms, Moreton. That's the pub on the level crossing near Warmwell.

A tricky one, old chum - maybe commission a set.

137 Squadron in action against the German crusiers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen and their air escorts of Me-109's during the Channel Dash/"Operation Cerberus".

On 12 February Warrant Officer Robertson (Whirlwind P7107) with Flight Sergeant Mercer (P7055), Red Section, and Pilot Officer Häggberg (P7093) with Pilot Officer DeHoux (P7012), Blue Section were recalled from a training flight and briefed to escort the 16th and 21st Destroyer Flotilla. They took off at 13:10.
Unfortunately they were unaware of the Channel Dash by the German battle cruisers "Scharnhorst", "Gneisenau" and "Prinz Eugen", which took place during the day. While looking for their destroyers they saw several ships through a hole in the clouds twenty miles off the Belgian Coast and dived down to investigate. Around 20 Bf109s immediately bounced them. Flight Sergeant Mercer got a Bf109 in his sights, but his cannon would not fire, Pilot Officer DeHoux fired all of his ammunition ’without apparent result’ whilst Häggberg and Warrant Officer Basil Lionel Robertson (RAF No. 748333) failed to return.
Totally 137 Squadron lost four Whirlwinds to German Bf109s during the day (the other two were Pilot Officer Martin (7106) and Pilot Officer Sandy (P7050) who were lost after attacking "Gneisenau" and being shot down by Bf109s). Known German claims against Whirlwinds during this day is Oberleutnant Egon Mayer of 7./JG 2 (totally 102 victories), who claimed a Whirlwind north of Ostende at 13:38 (14:38 German time), Feldwebel Hans Stolz of 9./JG 2, who claimed a Whirlwind at 14:12 (15:12 German time) and Unteroffizier Willi Reuschling of 7./JG 2, who claimed one north of Ostende on 14:24 (15:24 German time).
German records also states that German fighters and five Whirlwinds clashed during an attack on "Gneisenau" at 13:55.
At 14:20 two Whirlwinds attacked "Gneisenau" from the port side and one of them was shot down by German fighters.
At 14:24 one Whirlwind was shot down over "Scharnhorst" by German fighters. Other Whirlwinds became involved in combat with other German fighters. One Whirlwind was seen leaving with heavy smoke coming from one of the engines. There was also heavy combat over "Gneisenau" at the same time.
It is possible that Mayer shot down Häggberg.
Häggbergs body was never found and he is commemorated on Panel 69 of the Air Force Memorial, Runnymede.

Link: http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharncerberus.html

Alot of interesting idea's and suggestions here, thank you all for your imput... I've been looking through alot of aviation prints & films for something to catch my eye, one in particular I've posted here on YouTube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMUevhSGFaA

It's the impression of speed and power of the aircraft low down that I like...

Still, thanks for your choices, it's given me something to think about...

This would make for a great picture.

Good Luck... will be looking forward to the finish product.

LoL... Mint!

Archie,

I do not know if you get Flypast Magazine, that incidentally has suddenly improved no end..

But on the final page of this months edition ( one with the 109 nose on) it says and I quote

NEXT MONTH:
"And also pays Homage to Westland's incredible Whirlwind Fighter"

So start looking for it around the 28th of August month

Before allegedly succumbing to mal de chat, leitmotiv wanted me to pass this link to Archie---a delightful Whirlwind romp by Steven Heyen:

http://stevenheyenart.com/OriginalsForSale.html

quote:

Originally posted by Taylortony:
Archie,

I do not know if you get Flypast Magazine, that incidentally has suddenly improved no end..

But on the final page of this months edition ( one with the 109 nose on) it says and I quote

NEXT MONTH:
"And also pays Homage to Westland's incredible Whirlwind Fighter"

So start looking for it around the 28th of August month

No, I don't...

But I think I will be putting an order in very soon for next months issue...

Thanks for that news TT...