New online military art gallery

Aswell as being a genuine fan of military aviation art I'm also the website and marketing director for a new online military art gallery entitled "The Colours Call". The website is a showcase for the very best military artists from around the world and as you would expect features Robert Taylor, Nicolas Trudgian and Simon Atack.

I lot of time and effort has gone into the website and we really hope you find it a pleasant browsing experience. We are adding all the latest releases to the gallery and also some very rare and collectable prints so make sure you pay us a visit from time to time.

Tags: military art, military aviation art

Cracking new WWI aviation movie

If like me you wanted to see more of the great CGI arial dogfighting sequences that were in Pearl Harbour then the new WWI flick, "FlyBoys" will be just the ticket for you! It follows the story of the 38 idealistic young american volunteers that joined the war effort and formed the squadron that became known as "Lafayette Escadrille" or "legendary Fly Boys".

After watching the trailer I was blown away by the amazing dogfighting scenes between the Sopwith Camels of the British and French armies and Fokker Triplanes from "Richthofen's Flying Circus" and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more of the Reb Baron in action.

Despite a slightly dodgy Indiana Jones-esque scene upon a Zeppelin I was very impressed by the trailer and I think the movie will end up being a huge success and surely one to see on the big screen.

Its released on September 29th and I'll get a full review posted as soon as I've seen it. Now roll on the remake of "The Battle of Britain"!

Watch the trailer for Fly Boys.

New website for Nicolas trudgian

I'm sure many of you aviation art enthusiasts will know that Nicolas trudgian, the world renowned military aviation artist has left the military gallery. He has since set up a website over at http://www.nicolastrudgian.com and although in the early stages it looks promising.

Of particular interest to collectors is the fact that Nick is offering an exclusive free print with your first order so make sure you join the Collectors club.

Tags: nicolas trudgian, military aviation art, military art

Fancy a flight in a WWII warbird

Now if this doesn't get you salivating I don't know what will. Delta Aviation are selling experience flights in DH82A de Havilland Tiger Moths.

These de Havilland Tiger Moths dates back to the golden age of flying - the 1930s - when the RAF used the Tiger Moth as a training aeroplane for almost all their pilots including those who flew Hurricanes and Spitfires. All flights are flown as a trial flying lesson with a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) qualified flying instructor as your pilot who will give you the opportunity to take control of this beautiful aircraft. Awesome!

Whats even cooler is they have a AT6 harvard WWII US Air Force trainer and ... wait for it ... a P-51 Mustang at very limited availability. I have to be honest I almost wet myself when I found this out as I had no idea anything like this was available in the UK.

I dare you to book a flight today and if you do make sure you come back and tell us all about it. I'm saving right now I can tell you.

Delta Aviation

Tags: experience flights, tiger moth, de Havilland, P-51, mustang, AT6 harvard

Air Shows!

Well its coming around to that time of year again and I've promised myself I will at least get to one air show this year! I tell you its not easy when you have a little toddler to look after and organising anything seems like a military operation. Goodness knows what it will be like when we have our next.

My personal airshow recommendation of the year is the "Flying Legends Air Show" at Duxford on 8 Jul 2006 - 9 Jul 2006. It's probably the best established air show for propeller-driven combat aircraft of the two World Wars and to put it their words...

"In beautifully staged and choreographed flying sequences, classic American and European fighters take to the sky with both days culminating in the emotive spectacle of the mass flypast finale. The veterans, the pilots, the aircraft and the atmosphere are all here in this wonderful, nostalgic two-day action experience."

It's going to be a classic I can tell you!

Perhaps if your like me and in the South West of england you might want to try out the Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford (near Swindown) on 15 Jul - 16th Jul 2006. It's a far more modern affair but you'll still get to see the old RAF classics like the Spitfire, Hurricane and Avro Lancaster. Actually you might be interested in the Air Tattoo Shop they have some great products from T-shirts and other clothing to Corgi die cast models, its well worth a visit.

If anyone knows of any smaller air shows, particularly in the South west that are worth a visit then leave a comment below.

Bye for now.

Tags: air show, air tattoo, flying legends, duxford, military aviation

Are you a fan of the 352nd Fighter Group?

Well if you are then your going to love this work by Troy White. He specialises in the P-51 Mustangs of the 352nd Fighter Group dubbed the "Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney". To quote the website...

" The Bluenosers flew 420 combat missions and destroyed 519-1/2 Luftwaffe planes in the air and additional 287 on the ground against the loss of 118 of their own in combat. The group produced 29 aces with five or more aerial victories."

Checkout the website for more details over at http://www.starduststudios.com

And if you can't wait then have a look at the eye candy below.




Click on the image for a larger version.

Tags: 352nd Fighter Group, p51, mustang, Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney, Bluenosers, military aviation art

New Robert Taylor print

Just found out what the next Robert Taylor painting is and its an absolute cracker! Its called "The Fighting Red Tails" and features the Mustangs of the Tuskegee Airmen. I know there are many Mustang paintings out there now but I think the Tuskegee Airmen are due a fitting tribute from one of the finest military aviation artists in the world don't you?

Tags: military aviation art, robert taylor, Fighting Red Tails, Tuskegee Airmen

Nicolas Trudgian paintings

As promised I've put together a nice entry about Nicolas Trudgian and his paintings.

After graduating from Falmouth College of Art in Cornwall where he specialisied in technical illustration and paintings of machines and vehicles for industry, Nicolas trudgian pursued a career as a professional illustrator but soon turned to fine art and in particular, military aviation art and Steam engines. After three years of formal training in this area of painting he became a teacher of the subject and after several years of teaching he turned to painting full time.

In the summer 1985 Nick moved away from Cornwall to join an energetic new design studio in Wiltshire. Here he painted detailed artwork for many major companies including Rolls Royce, General Motors, Volvo Trucks, Alfa Romeo and, to his delight, the aviation and defence industries.

He is a fine landscape artist and paints in the time honored tradition which shows in his aviation art. You only have to study his work briefly to see his paintings have tremendous impact and detail. He is particularly adept within military aviation art and this is where his most popular paintings can be found.

His crisp style of realism, attention to detail, compositional skills and bright use of colours have found favour with collectors all over the world and demand for his original work has soared in recent years.

In a recent independent poll Nicolas Trudgian was ranked in the top three military aviation artists in the world. Today the popularity and quality of his limited edition military aviation art is so widely recognized that he has built a following of loyal collectors from all around the world

Here are some of my favourite Nicolas Trudgian paintings



Victory Over Gold

Frustrated by the absence of Luftwaffe aircraft over the Normandy beaches on D-Day, Allied fighter pilots were spoiling for a fight. When a dozen JU88s appeared over Gold Beach on the following morning, June 7, 1944, the patrolling Spitfires of 401 Squadron wasted no time in getting into the fray




Kursk - Clash of Steel

In July 1943 two huge armies clashed on the rolling steppes around the town of Kursk, 300 miles south of Moscow.
The Germans had launched Operation 'Citadel' to try and regain the initiative on the Eastern Front. It was to be an encounter of epic proportions - the largest tank battle in history



Head to Head

A spitfire despatching the enemy Me109 aircraft to notch up his second victory of the day. 602's tally amounted to 13 aircraft destroyed without loss.



Invasion Force

Almost every major invasion that took place in Europe in World War II began with para drops, and in almost every case the C-47 was the aircraft that delivered these elite fighting troops. Few C-47 pilots had more combat experience than Sid Harwell, seen flying his Dakota in this typical action scene, dropping airborne troops into occupied Europe soon after D-Day. No matter what resistance he encountered, the good C-47 pilot put his aircraft right over the Dropping Zone, every time.

Recommended military aviation art online retailers

If your in the UK, USA or Canada then I'd recommend Cornwall's best military art gallery

Tags: Nicolas Trudgian, military aviation art

Nicolas Trudgian "Winter Wolves"

I'll be posting more about Nicolas Trudgian in the future and he certainly has my vote for artist most likely to succeed Robert Taylor.




In the meantime checkout Winter Wolves which captures the FW190s of JG-26 at full tilt, as they power across the spectacular winter landscape in the Ardennes. Flying at tree-top height to avoid radar detection, the Luftwaffe pilots hurtle above German tanks and trucks lumbering towards the battlefront. The early morning glow glistens in the crisp morning snow bringing an air of serenity to a poignant and historic scene.

I'll be putting up a list of recommended UK and US dealers very soon so make sure you check back.

Tags: nicolas trudgian, winter wolves, military aviation art

Company of heroes by Robert Taylor

I came across a fantastic painting ( see below ) called "Company of heroes" by Robert Taylor and was quite literally amazed. I've always been a big fan of Roberts work but had somehow managed to miss this one.



It shows B-17's of the 34th Bomb Group returning to base after another gruelling daylight raid.

Queenie, first home to Mendlesaham today, has come to a standstill, the co-pilot already briefing the crew chief on the state of the aircraft. Meanwhile the last man home makes
his final approach, streaming vapour from a badly overheating engine.

The level of detail, character and atmosphere in the painting is just amazing and worthy of any collection.

New found appreciation for WWII fighter pilots

Coming back from our holidays in Ireland this month I was very lucky to be able to fly in the cockpit with the pilots. It was a real buzz I can tell you and I feel very priveliged to have had such an enlightening experience, especially in this post 9/11 era.

It was about half way through the hour or so flight and after the co-pilot had gone through what all the controls were that I realised just how much control both the pilots and traffic control had over the aircraft. They had GPS, three artificial horizons ( two digital and one traditional) aswell as countless gauges and readings for every element of the plane. One of the devices even detected and communicated with any other plane in a 12 mile radius and told the pilots whether to climb or descend, Amazing!

This really gave me a new found appreciation for WWII fighter and bomber pilots and just how much skill it took to fly the planes let alone survive a dogfight with the enemy. With no GPS, collission detection or digital readouts must have a meant a extremely high level of concentration was needed to survive in the skies.

Found a nice military art blog

This military art blog fromVincent Wai makes an excellent read and features some nice paintings and works in progress. Its good to see a military artist embracing blogging like this.

Vincent hopes to produce some military aviation art in the near future so make sure you bookmark his blog.