So we’re ten days into the blog. Have you found it interesting? Is there anything you’d like to see but haven’t so far? Any further thoughts on the various images? Which of the images above hasn’t yet been discussed? An enquiring mind wants to know. James Kightly, Vintage Aero Writer.
‘Briefing File’ – Aeroplane, Ian & I
After we finished with 100 features of the ‘Aircrew’ spreads in Aeroplane Monthly, Ian Bott (of Ian Bott Illustration) and I, in consultation with Aeroplane editor Ben Dunnell, developed the new ‘Briefing File’ feature where we could explore aspects of aviation technology. This particular issue, March 2018, on the ‘weight of fire’ was only really…
A Sawed-Up Gauntlet Set
A traditional, wooden proper ‘jig-sawed’ jigsaw puzzle, featuring a flight of RAF Gloster Gauntlet fighters. At the RAAF Museum, Cosford, taken by the author in 2008. Does anyone know the artist? The original painting is signed, but unreadable in the photograph, unfortunately. James Kightly, Vintage Aero Writer.
Great G-8
An action packed cover from the American pulp magazine G-8 and his Battle Aces. I honestly doubt the contents can live up to the promise of the picture! James Kightly, Vintage Aero Writer. Image found low-res on the internet.
Doncaster – 1909
Today’s Poster. there’s often a charming naievete in pre Great War aviation images. On the one hand there was often a confusion about how aircraft worked, and what was possible in the air, while on the other hand the artists hadn’t subscribed to the condification of how aviation was represented; as here, drawing the propeller…
Middleton Madness
This blog isn’t the first time I’ve looked at aviation illustration and design. Here’s one from my main blog from last year – I bet you didn’t expect to see a Kim Possible TV show reference! But here’s the fascinating story of ‘Middleton’s Starjet’. Click on the image: James Kightly, Vintage Aero Writer.
No Jersey Airways
Today’s poster. Two de Havillland DH.86 Express airliners. I think they’re advertising a ‘straight to the beach’ service, and Jersey Airways did operate off the beach at a lower tide. Advertising with bathing beauties is no new thing either. Internet find. James Kightly, Vintage Aero Writer.
King’s Cup – Three Tones
A nice poster, with only three ink tones, I suspect, blue, black and orange. The block colour on the aircraft also works well, I think, and the choice to leave the propeller on the edge and invisible also facilitates the image’s success. While the aircraft depicted in the poster has a de Havilland tail, the…
A Coming Knockout Punch?
Aviation regularly appeared as a feature in general magazines such as Britain’s Punch (1841 – 1992). Here a made up, toylike British military machine (note the roundels) is piloted by Mr Punch with his dog Toby, over a idyllic British countryside scene, with a field with some very smart pup tents of the army (no…
Four Engine Security
This classic poster from the 1930s celebrates the four engines on the Handley Page H.P.42 ‘Heracles’ airliner of Imperial Airways. Back then, engine reliability (from your family car to an aero engine: pre-space travel, the latter was one of the most advanced forms of technology) was nothing like the ‘turn key’ and never open the…
A Year of Aviation Illustration & Art 