Aviation art and artists

[halthepainter]

The FB111 was a great fun at low level. It had terrain following radar linked into the auto pilot. The lowest setting was 200 feet but we weren't allowed to fly our "Oil Burner" routes that low though. That was our war time setting. One Guy on one of our prime routes had a mink farm and kept trying to sue the Air Force for freaking out his animals as we flew over his farm at around a 1000' and 500 knots.

Between the computer, terrain following radar, and inertial navigation system, the pilot and Radar Navigator were on board just to refuel and drop the bombs. Of course I wasn't about to take my hand off the stick when we were down there.

My pastel painting "Into the Sunset" and Haiku reflecting my current life status:

"Into the Sunset"
The sunset beckons
I fly the valley of clouds
Tracking the beacon home.

[NeilF92]

There's still a fair bit of low level training done here in the UK but numbers are getting thin on the ground .
I enjoyed a spell of being able to get out in the countryside ,400ft or so up the side of a hill and shoot the jets as they came through below at 250ft . Got some good reference material that way .
The F15E's out of Lakenheath have great fun hauling round a series of valleys in Wales known as the Machloop or roundabout - some stunning shots appear online of them pulling vapour and mile long wing tip vortices.
Pity I hadnt discovered that pastime till long after the F111 and Buccaneer disappeared from service!

[halthepainter]

Neil sounds as if you have some fantastic reference photos.

The humid air of southeast Asia produced some fantastic vorticies as well.

Here are some photos of a deployment of f102s from California to Okinawa.

Also a couple of aerial shots of a KC135 over Nevada.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8324728

[NeilF92]

Fascinating shots Hal. Back in the mid sixties we had Daggers drop into Leuchars occasionally - QRA out of Iceland chasing Bears. The view through that windscreen didn't look brilliant to to me when I got the chance to sit in one. I gained an even greater respect for those who flew them.

[halthepainter]

One more post and I'll drop back into the background for awhile.

Couple of photos of my pilot training back in the old days of 1960: During a formation training flight, I took photos while the instructor flew the plane from the back seat.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8323136

[NeilF92]

Thanks for sharing your photos Hal - I've enjoyed looking back with you .

[Shamrock15]

Always loved the B-58 - what an amazing piece of tech that was, and fantastic looking as well. Too bad the world changed, would have loved to see it in real life. Also on my "To Do" list, sometime...

[shadwell]

some most enjoyable shots there hal , for some reason shots taken by crew ( with all their flaws ) are much more interesting than those prestine examples by pro or accomplished ammetures , love the t33 shots and artwork they were a cool simple early jet !!

[shadwell]

a few more finnishing toutches and i'll be calling it done !!

[NeilF92]

The aircraft comes to life with the addition of the vapour - it would be tempting to show the jet wash from the engines - but that would obliterate most of your hard work on the castle!
You've got a great result here after a long slog through all the detail.

[halthepainter]

Shadwell, that is an awsome piece of work.

[Shamrock15]

Looking good! one suggestion - the vapour and the mountain in behind the drop tank are just about identical in colour/value. Maybe darkening the mountain a bit would be a good idea to keep them from being read as the same. Could also be the picture or my monitor though...

[shadwell]

calling it done !! it has been there on the easel for quite long enough , and i have commisions to be getting on with that have waited quite long enough !!

i have been asked for a painting of ryan giggs by a reds fan so it will be something difrent to break up the usual !!

[PattyC]

Hello. I am not really an aviation artist, but I did just complete a sketch of a Cessna intended as a gift for a friend who flies. Rather than repost, I will share where I posted it in the WC Gallery. Thanks for looking.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show....php?t=1000532

[halthepainter]

Patty, I made some comments on your work in the WC. I think the circle of the moon is a distraction that detracts from an otherwise delightful piece of art. The bright moonglow is a good contrast to the darker aircraft but the circle of the moon, at least to me, is an unnecessary distraction.