I am self taught and have been at it (painting) for over 40 years now. Don’t get bogged down with aviation try a bit of everything. For technique, study the masters, if possible in galleries. I was once given advice by Michael Turner..’Take your pencil, pen, paints whatever and paint outdoors from life.’ Best advice I ever got. Whether you paint aviation or not paint the sky from life: it’s always there and its free. Enjoy it.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

3rd Sept 1940 heinkel 111 was shot down South of Amble at Duridge bay which covers a large area,,
shot down by Aircarft from 43 Sqd out of Ackilington,,all 3 bodies recovered and have been laid to rst in Chevington church yard,,

info from NE Diaries 1939 1945,i would think this is the one

happend the same day the first german aircraft to be shot down and crash on British soil and the allied craft came from
ACKLINGTON,,, agin info from the Diaries

I think there may be a date mix up here. 43 squadron were based at Usworth, County Durham, September 1940. Only He 111 that fits in with 43 Squadron was shot down February 3, 1940. Last seen flying out to sea east of Coquet Island lighthouse…3 bodies washed up some days later and buried at Chevington Cemetery…..one crewman missing. Shot down same day as HE 111 at Whitby, Yorkshire…first enemy aircraft to come down on English soil.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Hi Julian,
The white band you refer to was sky type S added to fighter aircraft in November 1940. The multi colour spinner was in fact: red, white and blue. The cowling is covered with a cover but, if you look near the bottom there is also a horizontal white line. This was part of the red, white and blue stripes which were from the prop to the cockpit.
Two photos of this Spitfire appear in two copies of Flypast c 1980s. The code was JZ followed, I think, by Z. This Spitfire was identified in the Flypast article as being the OTU ‘Jumper’ flown at one time by Ginger Lacey: if I remember right it’s still around. Bit of waffle but it may be of interest.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

just thought it sad to deprive the wider audience of seeing a superb painting of an amazing event that should be more celebrated than it is….no offence intended.

Oh forget it…..none taken.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Seemingly, you know have to apply to RAF Cranwell. There is a form that you can download however, reading down the form, you send it completed to RAF Innsworth…a bureaucratic body swerve.
To be fair, your money, now £30, does not go to the RAF, they don’t charge anything in my experience. It goes to the agency at RAF Innsworth which, like all agencies, is orientated to releiving you of your dosh. NOK should get the record free but this does not always happen according to some. What you get for you £30 is a double sided piece of A3 paper. Not trifling for what you get but it depends on how much you want it.
I am aware that other countries provide this free. Australia I know used to but I think they have now reverted back to charging.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Colours??? Is that all? Look at the panel lines, if they were to scale you could grow spuds in those. If this was a plastic scale model a self respecting modeller would bin it.

And then a cannon was installed in F, G & K variants:cool:

Quite so…….

‘The Lion Has Wings’, 74 Squadron is shown taking off from Rochford in 1939. There’s a shot of 74 Squadron office, a tent, and some good shots of 74 Squadron pilots: a moody couple of Ernie Mayne looking skyward.

Best Wishes.
Robert.