Issue 83 DECEMBER 2014
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Front and back covers have been selected from the entries for the Avro Cup
Editorial
Hello and welcome, The Southport Airshow has become our main exhibition with good sales at the bottom end of the market. Unfortunately our other showcase in MOSI, prestige but low sales, looks to have an uncertain future. After a poor turnout for August’s Front cover this issue is Workshop, the November Workshop was from “Camel better attended. It looks as if email Patrol” by reminders from Colin and P.G.N. Saved Keith Stancome the day. Carl Jacobs is a nice guy and interacted well with his audience. The workshops are great places to meet and learn, even if one chooses not to go hands on. Happy painting, Dave
Rear Cover Images, “Two Camels” by Ron Sargeant and “RE8 6th August 1917* by Colin Taylor
Remember Ian Burns’ book is up for grabs for February’s competition.
If any member has an objection to the Society holding Membership records on a computer and using the information for society purposes deemed suitable by the Committee, eg; the production and distribution of a membership list, please notify the Editor
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Contents The Southport Airshow
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The Dutch National Aviation Museum
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Ron Sargeant`s Watercolour workshop
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Charcoal drawing demo by David Steeden
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The Avro Cup Competition.
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Introducing David F. Steeden
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ns11.org, a website devoted to the North Sea airships
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Meeting November 2014
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Workshop November 2014
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Newsround
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Diary Dates - keep up to date
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The Southport Airshow was remarkably successful. Our exhibition was frequently packed with people throughout the two days.
Sales were excellent, the vast majority by Steve, who had brought a run of prints of the two Lancasters flying together and sold them all. Also, all the remaining John Pierson prints were sold.
Quite a number of our cards went and several people suggested that they may attend our next meeting. We'll see!
We w and M spent Mayo trail would aviati be in one
The S Airsho Airsh
were visited by the Mayor Mayoress of Sefton who t some time with us. The or is creating a history through Sefton that d include the history of ion in the area and MAY contact with us - he took
Southport ow 2014 how
20-21 September 2014
member of GAvA, also attended and said some very nice things. He's particularly impressed with our magazine.
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Going Dutch A Visit to the Aviodrome – the Dutch National Aviation Museum The Dutch National Aviation Museum first opened in 1960 at Schipol Airport, funded by a number of organisations including the Dutch national airline, KLM, and aircraft manufacturer Fokker. Over time, it outgrew its Schipol facility and the decision was taken in 2003 to relocate it to Lelystad Airport, about 40 miles out of Amsterdam. The airport had been opened in 1971 as the new regional airport for the Flevopolder district, land that had been reclaimed from the former Ijsselmeer in the 1960’s and which, by then, had a growing population. Whilst there are no scheduled flights operating from Lelystad at present, it remains the headquarters of AIS Airlines, a charter and wet-lease operator, and the AIS Flight Academy. Getting to the airport from Amsterdam by car takes about 40 minutes, or about an hour by train and bus. The Museum is accommodated in three buildings - the main building where most of the aircraft on display are located and where there is a restaurant and a cinema, a replica of the old Schiphol terminal building from 1928 and a hangar for “operational” aircraft storage with viewing access for visitors. One of the first surprises, I suppose, was the number of British aircraft types represented, from the VW-powered Evans VP1 suspended in the foyer to the Spitfire and Meteor F.8 displayed outside, although Meteors (and the Lockheed F.104 Starfighter) had in fact been licence-built by Fokker. Other types British included a Tiger Moth, an Auster and a DH Dove.
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Lockheed L.749 Constellation and the Boeing 747-200 flight decks The second surprise was the accessibility of so many exhibits, with freedom to climb aboard aircraft such as the DC3 (tail down, sloping floor), the Lockheed L.749 Constellation and the Boeing 747-200 (which is parked outside but linked to the main exhibition hall by walkways). The Wikipedia website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviodrome appears to list the entire collection (not all on display) although it may not be quite up to date as the Meteor, for example, is not listed.With a strong emphasis on education and history, there are interactive exhibits for all age-ranges as well as displays marking the German invasion in May 1940 and the RAF, RCAF and US Air Force “food bombers” of Operation Manna Bread and Operation Chowhound in April and May 1945. Not surprisingly, the growth of both KLM and Fokker feature prominently in the displays. KLM was founded in 1919 and made its first commercial flight in May 1920, from Croydon Airport to Amsterdam, operating a leased DH 16 carrying two British journalists and a number of newspapers. Models, dioramas and full-size planes track the history of KLM’s growth between the wars and celebrate its rebirth after 1945. Dutchman Anthony Fokker studied automobile engineering in Germany after leaving school. At the age of 20, he built his first aircraft, the Spin (“Spider”) in 1910 and this was the first Dutch-built aircraft to fly in the Netherlands. Anticipating better opportunities in Germany, he founded his first aircraft company in Berlin in 1912, subsequently moving to Schwerin, where he built several of his “Spin” monoplanes for the German government.
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Fokker D VII, During WW.1 he designed and built many successful fighter aircraft for the Germans including the Eindeckers, the Dr1 triplane and the D VII, returning to the Netherlands in 1919 to found his new company near Amsterdam.
In the 1920s, Fokker became the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer (according to Wikipedia) and in the 1930s it’s most successful plane was the F VII/3m, which was licence-built in the UK as the Avro 618 “Ten”. In 1923 Anthony Fokker moved to the USA, where he founded the American branch of his company. He died in New York in 1939, aged 49. Post – 1945, the Fokker company became a major player in the civilian airliner and aerospace markets until bankruptcy forced it’s closure in 1996. Other Fokker products found in the Museum and familiar to schoolboy spotters of the 1950s through that great publication, “The Observer’s Book of Aircraft”, include the S.11 Instructor with it’s unique “knees bent” undercarriage and the first Dutch-built jet trainer, the S.14Mach-Trainer. They are clearly so fond of the S.11 that they have another five in the flight hangar, evidently operated as an aerobatic team.
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Finally, a mention of a particular little favourite of mine – the HM 14 Flying Flea. MoSI has one – we walk past it going to and from every MAvAS meeting – but the Aviodrome has two and one of them has no clothes on, so to speak! Arguably the first popular home-built aeroplane, certainly in the UK, its design and construction was championed by the influential “Practical Mechanics” magazine in 1937. A large number were built and some flew successfully before a series of fatal crashes and some rather damning wind-tunnel tests led to the design being banned in the UK. Subsequent modifications in France effectively vindicated the design (but not in the UK, where it remained banned) and modern developments of it still fly in many countries, including France, Canada and the USA. The Mignet Aircraft Company survived into the 21st Century but has now ceased trading. This account of my visit to the Aviodrome in November 2013 is intended to give just a flavour of the museum. It’s a pity that it is not sited closer to Amsterdam, but I found that the effort of getting there was rewarded by the variety and quality of the museum displays and the overall visitor experience. I have not mentioned passenger flights in the Catalina (with “splash-down” on the Ijsselmeer) or aerobatics in their Fouga Magister, neither of which was operating the day that I went, but perhaps another time - - - .
Ron`s Watercolour Workshop
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Colin’s delightful sailplane.
Ron Sargeant`s Watercolour workshop was attended by Colin Taylor, Peter Nield and Keith Stancombe, a very poor turn out whichever way it is viewed and not very supportive of Ron. We can all make the usual excuses but these practical workshops – only three or four per year – are beneficial to our artists and non-artists alike and, if we are to think of ourselves as a “Society”, it is incumbent upon members to check the diary sheet, plan ahead and make more effort to attend. Otherwise, what`s the point? Suffice it to say, thanks to Ron`s efforts, that the event was a success and more was learned about the intricacies of watercolour materials and techniques.
Peter uses watercolour in light washes and solid body colour.
Keith’s different treatment of two similar subjects.
Ron’s
big
sky
approach.
Colin adds aerial perspective to linear.
perspective to give depth
Saturday 9th August, 2014
Charcoal Drawing Demo by 11
David Steeden Eleven members attended the event which was a charcoal drawing demo by David Steeden. David`s subject was based upon a photograph of an Auster, the main features being lightly outlined beforehand in pencil on cartridge paper. The artwork in the demo was carried out using a basic Willow charcoal stick with much assistance by finger rubbing and the skilful use of a putty rubber. The drawing proceeded steadily, showing how easily charcoal can be blended and, if necessary, removed. David worked from dark to light and the result demonstrated just how dark the darks can be, resulting in a final image with lots of dramatic contrast. Surprisingly, there was very little mess, achieved mainly by David holding the sides of the Willow stick and avoiding the working end. For fixative, David`s preference was to use a fairly cheap clear aerosol hairspray. Altogether a good evening with members encouraged to have a go.
Meeting – 2nd September, 2014 Ron’s drawing
Keith’s
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The Avro Cup Meeting – 7th October, 2014
Fourteen members attended tonight`s event which was the Avro Cup Competition. Eighteen entries were submitted by twelve artists to meet the chosen subject “World War 1 Aviation”. Adjudicators, invited by Roger Markman, were Chris Hamilton of Number 10 Gallery in Rochdale and her colleague, Art and Design Tutor John Mikulin. The Trophy winner was Dave Bates, for his evocative and artistic watercolour painting entitled, “Another Empty Chair”. Terry Jones received a first commendation for his oil painting, “Far from Home”, and a second commendation went to Keith Stancombe for his watercolour painting, “Camel Patrol”. A general appraisal of the entries by John Mikulin rounded off a very enjoyable evening. Colin Taylor, Peter Grove, Keith Stancombe and Peter Nield assembled the new works on the panel next day.
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Winning Painting
“Another Empty Chair” By Dave Bates
“Far From Home” by Terry Jones
“Camel Patrol” by Keith Stancombe
Dawn Patrol 46 Sqn by Peter Nield 14
Pup-Camel by R. Sargeant
Albatros and SE5A by R. Sargeant Out of the Blue by W. Leeming
Zeppelin by R. Sargeant
Be2a August 25th 1914 by C. G. Taylor
Two Camels by R. Sargeant
RE8 August 6th 1917 by C. G. Taylor
AVRO Cup Meeting 7th October, 2014
tt t
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The Hills are Alive by P. W. Grove
Friendly Fire by J.Shevelan
Fokker Fodder by P. Flitcroft
Lawrence`s New Taxi by D. Bates
Echoes of Chivalry by C. Jones
Scouting for Men by D. Bates Looking for Trouble by S. Kerry
TSR2 AT WARTON (Oil on Canvas) 16
Introducing
AVRO TUTOR (Soft Pastel)
MOSQUITO (Oil on Board)
MUSTANG AT LATROBE, AUSTRALIA (Oil on Board)
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David F Steeden The summer holidays in Lytham St Annes in the late 1950's and early 1960's were a very busy time for a young boy. As a keen train spotter, bus spotter and collector of vehicle registration numbers, I would set off armed with my Ian Allen loco or bus spotters book or my I-spy car spotters book as the holiday makers descended on Blackpool, particularly so during Lancashire wakes week. The whole area was alive with activity. Moreover, I was also very fortunate to live near two very active airports, Squires Gate and Warton. Our house in St Annes was close the the approach flight path of one of the shorter, but busy, runways at Squires Gate. Also from my school, King Edward VII in Lytham, I could watch the aircraft flying in to Warton and hear the sonic bangs of the Lightnings as they flew overhead. Gradually, I became increasingly interested in aircraft, and as I was allowed to venture further afield on my bicycle, I would cycle round to Squires Gate airport to join the plane spotters or visit my aunt who owned a haberdashery shop directly opposite the main entrance to British Aircraft Corporation at Warton. I would watch the planes from her house. Incidentally, during the post war years my aunt used to serve teas to the USAF personnel who would visit the cafe she ran from a shed in her garden. At Squires Gate, although scheduled flights were very limited, the airport was home to several very active flying clubs. The Air Navigation and Training Club, Blackpool and Fylde Aero Club and Westair Aviation were all very popular with of plenty of private flying.
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As I got older my school lunch breaks at school would be spent either cycling to either Warton or Squires Gate to see the visiting aircraft. So began my keen interest in aircraft. At home I had always been happy with a pencil and paper to do drawings, however my love of painting really took off when I started at grammar school. The first subject our art teacher asked us to paint was a dinosaur and to my surprise, when he came round looking at our efforts he wandered back to his desk, called me over and handed me four drawing pins and asked me to pin my painting on the wall. I was elated, being the first of our year to actually have a painting on the wall. I went on to win several end of year art prizes throughout my school years.
FLYING FLEA – Sketched on location at MOSI
After leaving school I worked for a short time for BAC at Warton in their flight test department. I was thrilled to find that my desk overlooked the airfield which enabled me to watch all that was going on. I always remember Roland Beamont, the chief test pilot at that time, when he would occasionally 'buzz' the flight test department in his light aircraft when he used it to come to work. It was a great place to work. On leaving Warton in 1970 I headed off to Manchester University where I studied Aeronautical Engineering, graduating three years later with a First Class Honours degree. Surprisingly, following university, I soon found myself back working for BAC at Warton, but this time in the Stress Office. The office working conditions couldn't have been more different than those in flight test. There were no
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GLIDER – Sketched on location at MOSI
external windows, as they were reserved for the manager's offices and there was a haze of smoke filling the place. I think the 'stress' of the working environment caused people to smoke even more. After a year I had had enough and decided to return to Manchester, this time
UMIST, to do a one year postgraduate degree in Metallurgy. In 1976, after a short spell of teaching engineering drawing at St Anne's college I was offered a job at Mirrlees Blackstone in Hazel Grove working with diesel engines in their R&D department. It was during this period that my love of art re-emerged. I started painting portraits of colleague's kids and the occasional aircraft or steam locomotive. Mirrlees was a very happy, friendly place to work but it was obvious that diesel engine manufacture was on the decline and that gas and steam turbines were the future for power generation. So in 1979 I started looking to move on. In August of that year I was offered jobs at Westland Helicopters in Yeovil and Slingsby Sailplanes in Kirkbymooorside but decided to accept a job as a trainee plant and machinery valuer for an American Company who had set up in the UK. I was sorry to leave Mirrlees as I had made so many good friends, many of whom I am still in contact with today - but you have to move on. Eventually I joined an old established UK valuation company based in Manchester and it was whilst working in there, in 1984, that I did a very large oil painting of a hurricane in flight. By chance, whilst chatting to a colleague at work, he mentioned about an aviation art exhibition in the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. I went along and it was
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there I first met Peter Nield, who persuaded me to join MAVAS. It wasn't a hard decision as I was starting to combine my love of painting with my interest in aircraft. Over the last thirty-five years my valuation work has taken me all over the world, working in over forty-five different countries. Travel plays a large part in my work and I spend a lot of time in airports and travelling on aeroplanes. In the early days I would still be able to travel on Tridents, Boeing 707's, BAC 1-11's and Caravelles but now it is anything from AVRO AVIAN – Sketched on small Bombardier or Embraer aircraft to location at MOSI (Charcoal) Airbus A380's and large modern Boeings of today. My only regret is that I never flew on Concorde, although as part of my university course we visited BAC and Rolls-Royce at Filton and managed to take a look inside some of the mock-up aircraft. Whereas originally my artwork was restricted to poster paint at school and pencil drawing and oil painting at home I now use many different media. I now work in soft pastels, acrylics, pen & wash, charcoal and watercolour as well. I have a great preference for working plein air whenever possible and have recently joined an ever increasing number of Urban Sketchers from around the world. I have also won several Derbyshire 'Pro Loco' competitions whereby paintings are done on location within the day and judged by a public vote. As I near retirement I am relishing the thought of moving into new exciting areas of art and discovering and experimenting with new techniques and approaches.
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NS11.org
Peter Lewry at ns11.org, a website devoted to the North Sea airships in general and to NS 11 in particular, gently took me to task for using an image from his site without acknowledging it’s source. He is a nice bloke and let me give him this plug as an apology. On the subject of airships in art and using photographs he wrote; Alfred Egerton Cooper was certainly an official war artist with the airship service and created some fantastic images. As with N.S.11 over London he certainly did seem to use lantern slides as ‘inspiration’. I had never seen this mentioned until I started flipping and matching his images with official photographs Another official war artist with the airship service was Sir John Lavery. He again used the same lantern slide A.E.C used (for NS11 over London) for his painting of the surrender of the German fleet. It’s an exact match. He did fly in one of the N.S. airships some time during the war (see his autobiography Life of a Painter). The site is a good introduction to the use of naval airships and some superb photographic reference. www.ns11.org is a serendipitous place to be, given February’s Naval Aviation challenge.
22 Keith Stancombe
Meeting – 4th N Peter Nield
Aviation Still Lif
A poor turnout forwit attending. Colin Taylo related items to ske helmet, a headphone couple of old Gloster M the evening went w undoubtedly being Rog the world of sketching. one of the Meteor asht from the photographs t did a pretty fair job. Roger!
Chris Jones Roger Markman
David Steeden
November, 2014
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Colin Taylor
fe Sketching
th only eight members or brought along several etch, including a flying e set, binoculars and a Meteor ashtrays. Overall, well, with the highlight ger Markman`s foray into . Roger elected to tackle trays and, as you can see taken at the meeting, he Keep up the good work
Roger Rumbold
John Williams
November Workshop 24 Acrylic Demonstration by local artist
Carl Jacobs
The presentation showed us an interesting technique that might usefully be applied to aviation art. At least this approach would get us away from the usual technical constraints that can frequently put a block on artistic content. Our thanks to Carl for the down to earth way he answered our questions and the variety of paintings hebrought to show us. Also the way he handled our crit and altered his painting in response, something many artists find hard to handle.
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Carl produced two paintings during the course of the session. The first was a street scene in Cattolica and the second an imaginary harbour scene based upon Carl`s memories of Cornwall. Both were created in Carl`s very individual and attractive style
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NEWSROUND Double OOps AN APOLOGY In my D-Day Competition report on page 12 in the last magazine I stated that John Williams`painting of Dakotas, “The Beginning of the End”, was “voluntarily withdrawn later for personal reasons”. John wishes it to be made clear that he did not volunteer to withdraw the work, neither was it withdrawn for personal reasons. In reality, John was asked by the Committee to withdraw the painting because of a copyright issue. My personal apologies to John for the misrepresentation. Peter G Nield An apology also to Peter Lewry at ns11.org, for using an image from his site without acknowledging it’s source…Ed If you missed it on page 21, look it up its worth
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Dates for Your Diary Meetings are held from 7-00pm to 9-30pm in the Conference Room in the Air and Space Hall at the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester on the first Tuesday in the month unless otherwise stated. Note - At short notice the venue may change to the Large Meeting Room in the Great Western Warehouse which is adjacent to the main glass gates on Lower Byrom Street. Any problems on arrival, please telephone the
Security Team on 07540702032 Tuesday 13th January Quiz Night Hosted by Peter Flitcroft
Tuesday 3rd February MAvAS Trophy Competition Subject “WW1 Naval Aviation” Trophy to be decided by consensus A further award of the book “Ben-my-Chree” by author Ian M. Burns in Canada will be made later for the painting of his choice. Workshop – 10-00am to 4-00pm Medium –Derwent Pencils Sketching Demo with Steve Abbott
To Be Confirmed. Tuesday 3rd March “A.G.M.” - Election of Officers and Committee Discussion of future of MAvAS at MOSI To be followed by presentation of Ian Burns’ book “Ben-my-Chree” to his choice of winner for last month’s “WW1 Naval Aviation” competition.
“Two Camels” by Ron Sargeant
“RE8 6th August 1917” by Colin Taylor
Editor: Dave Bates Tel: 0161-284-3467 Email: david-bates@ntlworld.com Society website: www.mavas.co.uk