WAAF – Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, furthering our WW2 flight theme look at this tiger gaped Bonneville. Jerry can pannier is a appropriate detail, and the big wartime yellow ringed roundel seals the deal. As they say: ” Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast!”
Air Force Blue – here’s what the pilots would have used to tear across the airfield to get to their aircraft and take off to fight against the Luftwaffe. A BSA M20 in splendid condition sitting under the wing of a Hawker Hurricane.
Royal Air Force – turns 100 today. From beginnings during The Great War, through protection of various Empirical Territories it revealed its true strength in the skies over England during The Battle of Britain where, in Churchill’s words “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,”
Reach for the Skies – Sir Douglas Bader (1910-1982) was. WWII fighter ace who flew Spitfires and Hurricanes against the German Luftwaffe onslaught early on in the hostilities. However he’d lost both legs ten years prior and was not recommended for flying duties. Being very impressionable, with Air Command and a lack of skilled pilots he was recommissioned into the RAF. He flew over Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain (One of The Few). However he had to bail out over France in August 1941, was captured, and spent the remaining part of the War imprisoned at the infamous Colditz Castle. As was required of RAF POW’s he continually attempted to escape. He was threatened with confiscation of his prosthetic legs. Very much a traditionalist conservative on many issues; he’s still considered one of Britain’s hero’s.
Why is this blog subject posted today you may ask? Well I had hip surgery to repair damaged tissue in the joint and shave some protruding bone down. So in my post operative discomfort I can think of Kenneth More Douglas Bader as inspiration.
Jet Fighter – this day in 1942 saw the Messerschmitt ME262 become operational. It’s shark-like appearance and brute speed must have been an eye opener for the allied pilots. A far cry from the bubble car a decade later as seen in yesterday’s posting.
Bubble Trouble – this bright red three-wheeler beamed at me by the side of the road today. I had to screech to a stop, park nearby and get some snaps. It’s a Messerschmitt car KR200 or Kabinenroller. Not being allowed to manufacture aircraft after WW2 these were Designed by Fritz Fend with Willy Messerschmitt only putting his name on them. 40,000 were made between 1954 and 1965. The streamlined appearance with fuselage inspired body gives it a futuristic look even today. Flying cars anyone?
Aces High – the little fighter is complete. Though I rushed and mucked up the tissue a bit, it is presentable and probably decent enough to wind up and fly.
A Skin Game – delicate less than paper thin tissue sheets glued over the spars, ribs and stringers; then a spray down with water and the covering becomes drum tight. Need to find a cellulose dope alternative to give the paper added strength.
Supermarine – the balsa Spitfire is taking great shape. Indeed the classic elliptical wing designed by Canadian aerodynamicist Beverley Shenstone is obvious. RJ Mitchell’s overall layout is pure in form and elegant in execution. Tissue paper covering next!
Spitfire! The V12 Rolls Royce Griffon engine belches into life of one of the most marvelous machines ever created. This is a Mk XVI
Nose Art Tattoo – Bonneville Belle takes the saddle on this graphic trackster steed. Looks ready enough to be emblazoned across the fuselage of a B-17 Flying Fortress.
Fun on Three Wheels – as I was wandering the motorcycle show this vehicle trundled up. A couple with big grins where sat as pilot and navigator. Gleaming v-twin engine afront, grey fuselage, and amaranth wire wheels with knock-off hubs. As British as tea & scones with a whiff of a WW1 ace heading into the French skies to see off Hun. “Smoke me a kipper I’ll be back for breakfast!”
Motorcycles in Wartime. This weekend sees another time to appreciate what others did to ensure a less troubled world. Sacrificing your life is the ultimate act of selflessness for freedom. I’m posting this image of some Harley Davidson Rotax engined dirt bikes used by troops probably somewhere in Southeast Asia. A Cobra stands idle behind.
More dirt bikes being utilized; this time the dry sandy conditions of the Middle East. It’s one way of traversing rough terrain quickly.
As had been mentioned before when I was growing up I loved to build model kits. Aircraft, tanks, spaceships, the odd car; but I never got around to motorcycles. Well did I miss out! I could’ve had fun with kits such as this Revell treat. A 1/8 scale Triumph Tiger.
The full page advert for their particular lines is a period piece from the mid-sixties. Even Ed Roth hot rods are featured. “Wot is… Is.. Wot. ain’t…. Ain’t!!!”
One of the most important pieces of Mid-Century Pop Art is 52 today. Created by Roy Lichtenstein it uses classic comic book imagery of war with crisp enlarged pen and ink line work filled with stipple coloring seen in the pulp illustrations of the day.
The original dynamic visuals are brought to stark graphic life to create one of the most iconic art pieces of the last fifty years (along with Warhols Marilyn…).
It’s a large 11’x 5′ canvas two piece ‘diptych’and hangs at the Tate Modern in London. He saw his pieces as fun industrial art.
A pencil study shows a clean composition with each hand being able to stand on its own yet coming together in stark visual drama.
Alternate versions exist like this hyper real rendering of the F86 Saber coming in for the kill.
Or this Star Wars version of a rebel X-wing pilot destroying an Imperial Tie-Fighter.
Contemporary commentary. Pilotless drones destroying remotely…
Or a commentary on Pop Art itself…
Side Note:
Jackie Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier in a Saber in 1953. Here with fellow supersonic pilot Chuck Yeager. Look her up she’s one helluva gal!
