Crossing the coast, Skipper!

Woodie

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.

PHOENIX APPEAL donation, Greeting Card only available.

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

"Exceptional Ekphrasis", Aeronautics & Aviation, Hand drawn or painted vehicles, Military Related Art (Past or Present), Realist Traditional Art, War and WARBIRDS Available for sale as

Greeting Cards
Crossing the coast, Skipper! by Woodie
Crossing the coast, Skipper! by Woodie
  • shanghaiwu

    shanghaiwu

    brilliant work

  • crackgerbal

    crackgerbal

    this is a beautiful piece of artwork that derived from a very ugly time. I love it! excellent detail!

  • Brian Towers

    Brian Towers

    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

    paul romanowski

    ALWAYS LIKED AIRPLANES…9.67

  • Woodie

    Woodie

    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

    delobbo

    beautiful scene!

  • Graeme Pettit Photography

    Graeme Pettit ...

    Truly a gem of its genre. Chap – you are mighty good at these!

  • Woodie

    Woodie

    Thanks Graeme. Much appreciated.

  • terry dunnett

    terry dunnett

    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 Bermingham

    Michael Bermi...

    Absoloutely Remarkable Niel!!

  • Hagen

    Hagen

    Nice work…

  • Woodie

    Woodie

    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

    lightsmith

    Another brilliant picture. You have such amazing talent for these.

  • richiedean

    richiedean

    Fabulous painting and narrative.

  • Andy Mueller

    Andy Mueller

    That’s quite a talent you have ! Love the great description as well.

  • SWEEPER

    SWEEPER

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

  • Woodie

    Woodie

    Thanks Phil. Getting the title right is very important in selling your work!

  • Tony Ryan

    Tony Ryan

    Brilliant detail and passion. It is obvious how inspired you are in your art.

  • Woodie replied

    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

    David Taylor

    A very atmospheric painting!

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    perfect catch

  • semperfiguy1770

    semperfiguy1770

    woodie thats an amazing picture!

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Toby.

  • Roland Schicht

    Roland Schicht

    great work.

  • amarica

    amarica

    Great work Woodie, well done

  • Wildwings

    Wildwings

    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 replied

    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

    Wildwings

    It’s one of my favorite of all your excellent work. This is a beautiful composition.

  • Woodie replied

    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

    Nate Owens

    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 replied

    Thanks Nate for comments

  • linskudd

    linskudd

    Excellent.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks for looking!
    Neil

  • Bootkneck

    Bootkneck

    This is 1st class, Excellent.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks mate, you have a great portfolio
    Cheers Neil

  • SMOKEYDOGSOCKS

    SMOKEYDOGSOCKS

    BEAUTIFUL PAINTING NEIL. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH A BOEING B-17 FLYING FORTRESS SQUADRON OR SOLO, BEING ESSCORTED BY A FLIGHT OF NORTH AMERICAN P-51 RED NOSE MUSTANGS. WITH THE SAME TITLE LINE, BUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT. LIKE “LITTLE BROTHERS BRING THEM HOME”. THIS ONE WENT INTO FAVORITES AS WELL NEIL. BOB

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Bob, Thanks for adding this to your favs. There are quite a lot of paintings of B17s being escorted home by P51s or Spitfires on the market.
    Cheers Neil

  • Chookas

    Chookas

    GORGEOUS ART!
    inspired by courage and other art
    you have shown us the courage and the relief in this piece!
    BRAVO! ☼

  • Arrowman

    Arrowman

    Great entry in the challenge Neil !

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Colin,
    but is it good enough for you to vote for it???!!!LOL
    Cheers Neil

  • Woodie replied

    This has been removed from the challenge as there is too much sky. Rule are rule you know.!!!LOL
    Cheers Neil

  • Steve Liptrot

    Steve Liptrot

    Great work, excellent

  • Woodie replied

    thanks Steve
    You have some great work!!
    Cheers Neil

  • Lynda Robinson

    Lynda Robinson

    This is absolutely amazing work Neil!

  • Woodie replied

    Not the best photo of this piece Lynda.
    looks like a delicate water-colour as opposed to a strong acrylic!
    Cheers Neil

  • Xadrik

    Xadrik

    Excellent Work. Congratulations on Front Page Feature.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks but I missed it being on GMT time.
    Changed before I saw it!!
    Neil

  • Alf Caruana

    Alf Caruana

    wonderful work Woodie, well done

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks but I missed it being on UK English time
    Changed before I saw it!!
    Neil

  • Alyson Pearson

    Alyson Pearson

    beautiful work

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks but I missed it being on GMT time in England
    Changed before I saw it!!
    Neil

  • Jewd

    Jewd

    Stunning piece, brilliantly illustrated

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks but I missed it being on British time!!
    Changed before I saw it!!
    Neil

  • piacere

    piacere

    wow! that’s a movie that doesn’t move.

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks but I missed it being on British GMT time.
    Changed before I saw it!!
    Neil

  • Catherine Veal

    Catherine Veal

    Congratulations Neil on making the home page.x

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Catherine
    Thankyou very much but I missed it as we retire early!!!
    Changed before I saw it!!
    Cheers Neil

  • Tracey-Anne Pryke

    Tracey-Anne Pryke

    stunning

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Tracey
    but I missed the home page as it was put up about midnight and we retire early at our age!!!LOL
    It was gone this afternoon. Love the variety in you portfolio.
    Cheers Neil

  • Mark Gardner

    Mark Gardner

    brilliant work mate, just stunning, many congratulations on a well deserved home page feature, even if you did miss it !!!!!

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Mark!!

  • piacere

    piacere

    I mean that your picture and your bg story make me feel like I’m watching a movie, but the still isn’t moving. It’s amazing!

  • Woodie replied

    Hi,
    I meant I missed the Home page feature as it was put up after my bed time and taken down before I logged on again next day!!!
    Cheers Neil

  • William Forbes

    William Forbes

    Fantastic picture, love the composition and light. I like the shafts of light coming through the clouds

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks for favouring this William,
    Love your a/c digital work.
    Cheers Neil

  • ISMAIL ALAOUI ABDALLAOUI

    ISMAIL ALAOUI ...

    this work has been featured as the best plane in =>

    congratulation!!!!

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks to all who voted for this painting!!
    Cheers neil

  • ISMAIL ALAOUI ABDALLAOUI

    ISMAIL ALAOUI ...

    CONGRATULATION!!! RB VOUCHER SECOND PRIZE FOR OUR GROUP

    Second prize goes to: Hand drawn or painted vehicles for the challenge What’s faster with 0.33 entries per member
    http://www.redbubble.com/people/redbubble/journal/3117777-challenge-a-thon#comment-16854486

  • Woodie replied

    Cheers Ismail

  • drucifer67

    drucifer67

    I’ve invested a bit of time looking over your aviation art and I must say I am incredibly impressed. Your work is all so very well done!
    This one in particular spoke to me more than the others due to its atmosphere—the overall warm feeling of the painting seems to echo the feelings of the Lanc crew as the announcement comes over the speaker.
    You have great talent! I’m half-inspired, half-jealous.

  • Woodie replied

    Thank you very much for your kind words.
    It’s nice to know that I inspire as well as making someone jealous!!LOL
    Please feel free to B Mail me ifyou have any question you wish to ask. I have one . What is you name Please?
    Cheers Neil

  • Lynda Robinson

    Lynda Robinson

    This just got my vote in a challenge Neil. I LOVE this painting!!!! I agree with everything that person above has said.

  • Woodie replied

    Thankyou very much Lynda for your vote. I hope it’s the one to clinch the title!!!
    Cheers Neil

  • thekornerstone

    thekornerstone

    nice sky and good view …

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Korn,
    Love your portfolio!!
    Cheers Neil

  • Marlboro

    Marlboro

    Brilliant! i love the clouds

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks for looking and commenting.
    Cheers Neil

  • Scott d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    brilliant

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks Scott for favouring this.
    Cheers Neil

  • banrai

    banrai

    magnificent art, story of the era, superb!

  • Woodie replied

    Hi Banrai,
    Thanks for looking and commenting. A little story behind the painting adds greatly to the overall impression.
    Cheers Neil

  • Shane Ransom

    Shane Ransom

    Cracking piece of artwork.
    The angle is really good.

  • Santamaria

    Santamaria

    Beautiful painting – and the clouds are so well done!

  • Woodie replied

    Thanks for looking and favouring this painting!
    Cheers Neil

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.