Brithis Classics Aircrafts painting

British Classics

We are showing a twelve-painting series of small format works depicting the golden age of British sport aviation. This series is based on the old cards and postcards, Which were so popular in Britain in the 1930’s decade and more Particularly in some astonishing albums published by the company sold Players That Cigarettes. The painting technique is always the same: oil on canvas glued on canvas esta plus a wood board (dm) Whose format is 20 x 30-cm. The style of These works is required and neat; furthermore, I have tried to show a great variety of colors and backgrounds. British Classics series includes the following aircraft.

De Havilland DH.94 Moth Minor, 1938,

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

The lines of this flying beauty were depicted with some difficulty as the drawing is so really small. The DH.94 with license plate G-AFNG is still in service but converted in the Moth Minor Coupé variant.

De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth, 1934,

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

The DH.85 with license plate G-ACOJ is still in service and holds the honour of being the oldest aircraft that crossed the Atlantic Ocean (although this took several stages). I have worked hard on the background which seems much more realistic than others.

British Aircraft Swallow 2, 1937,

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

The Swallow 2 seems a little gangly with those straight lines and no careenage in both the engine and the landing gear; nevertheless it is possible to take advantage of this wonderful beast. It has been necessary to look for a background fitting the yellow shade.

Hendy 281 Hobo (King´s Cup, 1934),

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

This is the only painting of this series with some landscape added. The painting scheme with two different blue shades was used by the company Aircraft Exchange & Mart; I found the references of this really by chance.

Southern Martlet

(National Aviation Day Displays scheme, 1932),

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

Another beautiful scheme using pastel green and dark green, flying with the well-known Sir Alan Cobham’s “circus” in 1932. Sometimes, in order to depict these much delicate backgrounds I take a look to the paintings by Fernando Zobel.

T.K. 2 (London-Isle of Man Air Race, 1938),

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

The design of this racer was carried out by one class of students from the De Havilland Aeronautical Technical School; it is the first painting of this series. The tip of a blade was used to make the white profile of the license plates.

Airspeed AS.5C Courier (Napier Engine), 1934,

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

The Courier with license plate G-ACNZ caught my attention as it was equipped with a Napier straight engine and big exhaust pipes. The grey shades in the background are given green and red touches.

Percival Gull Prototype, 1932,

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

A nearly flat creamy background to emphasise the wonderful lines along with the turquoise blue and doped silver scheme; This Gull was a three-seaters aircraft, that’s why the pilot head is located much in the front.

Miles M.2R

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

The much elegant designs of the Miles Aircraft stand out due to their “deco” lines. The painting scheme in the usual one in this particular period: a light creamy-yellow shade with red license plates and hubcaps.

De Havilland DH.60X Moth,

(DH Technical School scheme, 1932),

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

While carrying a series of British Classic aircraft it is impossible not to take into consideration the very well-known Moth. The top view allows us to feature the whole, just because of the colours and the big-sized lettering painted on the wings.

Chilton D.W.1A, 1939,

oil on canvas, 20 x 30 cm.

This small and nearly unknown aircraft is so pretty at any angle. The black finish has been replicated by applying very dark blue-grey paint added some light touches of green. The background seems nearly abstract.

Comper CLA.7 Swift (King´s Cup, 1932)

oil on canvas 20 x 30 cm.

Another small Classic that has to be taken into consideration: the well-known G-ABUU has been given different painting schemes; with a longstanding career, it is still in service. Both the airplane and the clouds in the background are painted white.