Crossing the coast, Skipper!

Artist: Woodie
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Card: US$3.42

Crossing the coast, Skipper!

As the dawn breaks and the bombers leave the protective darkness of the night, “Crossing the Coast” is one of the most welcome intercom messages that returning bomber crews can hear after hours flying over enemy territory.
“Crossing the Coast” was inspired by a previous commission I’d painted called “Skipper, we are on fire!” These most feared words were quoted to me by John ‘Jock’ Morrison.
An ex-Sergeant wireless operator, he now lives in County Durham and returned to Norway in 2000, to collect his flying helmet from the grandchildren of the family who had looked after him and his fellow crewmen, when they crashed their Halifax bomber in Norway after depth charging the Tirpitz in April 1942. You may have read about his Norwegian visit in the newspapers.
“Crossing the Coast Skipper” has been used to illustrate the front cover of Tony Eaton’s book “Two Friends, Two Different Hells.” The story of two school-friend’s different wars.
Acrylic on canvas board 18×24 inches approx.

Crossing the coast, Skipper! belongs to the following groups:

Aeronautics & Aviation, Realist Traditional Art and War

shanghaiwu, 11 months ago

brilliant work
crackgerbal, 11 months ago

this is a beautiful piece of artwork that derived from a very ugly time. I love it! excellent detail!
Brian Towers, 11 months ago

Welcome to Redbubble Neil Woodie – weren’t you in Toy Story? I bet you’re glad I got you to join this happy band, Your paintings – and the history that goes with them – and stunning. Let’s see more. Brian.
paul romanowski, 11 months ago

ALWAYS LIKED AIRPLANES…9.67
Woodie, 11 months ago

Hi guys, Thanks you all for your kind remarks and being gentle with me on my first day on RedBubble.
It makes an old man very happy.
delobbo, 11 months ago

beautiful scene!
Graeme Pettit ..., 11 months ago

Truly a gem of its genre. Chap – you are mighty good at these!
Woodie, 11 months ago

Thanks Graeme. Much appreciated.
terry dunnett, 11 months ago

Lovely work Woodie – I envy your ability in painting aircraft. As an aircraft ‘buff’ – a Duxford visit whenever in the UK – the talent required to put an accurate man made object, in a realistic natural environment, whilst keeping all the correct perspectives and the atmosphere – four merlins growling !!!
Great job – I look forward to seeing more
Michael Bermi..., 11 months ago

Absoloutely Remarkable Niel!!
Hagen, 11 months ago

Nice work…
Woodie, 11 months ago

Thank you all for comments. All very much appreciated.
A special thanks to Terry for putting it so eloquently.
This painting was hung along side all the greats of the GAvAs at Aero Art Winter Exhibition, East Fortune, Scotland in 2002. It didn’t made the Mall Gallery.
It was sold to an ex-RAF WW2 bomber pilot who lives locally. He’s 80 odd now.
lightsmith, 11 months ago

Another brilliant picture. You have such amazing talent for these.
richiedean, 10 months ago

Fabulous painting and narrative.
Andy Mueller IPA, 9 months ago

That’s quite a talent you have ! Love the great description as well.
SWEEPER, 8 months ago

As you said to me earlier matching the title to the work completes the picture , a perfect match .
Woodie, 8 months ago

Thanks Phil. Getting the title right is very important in selling your work!
Tony Ryan, 7 months ago

Brilliant detail and passion. It is obvious how inspired you are in your art.
Woodie in reply to Tony Ryan’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Tony,
I think we are all inspired by our art on RB, I can see you are by your portfolio
Cheers Neil
David Taylor, 6 months ago

A very atmospheric painting!
Antanas, 6 months ago

perfect catch
semperfiguy1770, 6 months ago

woodie thats an amazing picture!
Woodie in reply to semperfiguy1770’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Toby.
Roland Schicht, 3 months ago

great work.
amarica, 2 months ago

Great work Woodie, well done
Wildwings, 2 months ago

This is a beautiful watercolor. I especially like the warm colors of the clouds on the right. Perspective is excellent. This is an instant favorite for me. Wonderful work.
Woodie in reply to Wildwings’s comment, 2 months ago

Hi Widwings
Thanks for comment.
This was painted in acrylic using oil technique. It looks softer because the photo is not too good!!
cheers Neil
Wildwings, 2 months ago

It’s one of my favorite of all your excellent work. This is a beautiful composition.
Woodie in reply to Wildwings’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you very much for taking the trouble to look at my work and commenting as well. You make an old man very happy.
Cheers Neil
Nate Owens, about 1 month ago

Exceptional piece… the technical detail is great and the atmosphere, the warmth of the sun rays speaks of the hope and promise of better days ahead for the warriors. A great story of courage and resilience.
Woodie in reply to Nate Owens’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thanks Nate for comments
linskudd, about 1 month ago

Excellent.
Woodie in reply to linskudd’s comment, about 1 month ago

Thanks for looking!
Neil