Clipper Flying Boats Artwork

[ColesAircraft]

Over the past week I managed to complete these pieces, one for a client and the other because I liked how the former was coming along. Both a/c were utilized by the military in WWII, though they became more famous as long range transoceanic commercial airliners for Pan Am.

The Boeing 314 Yankee Clipper was painted as a commission, but I pretty much had the freedom to do what I wanted with the composition.

The Martin M-130 China Clipper was my own project: I wanted to celebrate the technology and advances of America in the 1930s, hence the Manhattan skyline.

 

[nuuumannn]

Nice work. I particularly like the bottom one; very atmospheric Pacific Island vista. As an aside, the Boeing 314 California Clipper, renamed Pacific Clipper became the first commercial aeroplane to fly round the world. Departing from California on 2 December, it was en route to Auckland, New Zealand at the time Pearl Harbor was bombed (8 December local time), returning to New York on 6 January 1942.

 

[GregP]

You do good work, Ron. Thanks for posting and letting us see it.

 

[vikingBerserker]

I like both, the last one is amazing!

 

[ColesAircraft]

Thanks for the comps and comments! It's interesting to me that the Boeing seems to be more popular than the Martin, as the Martin was painted with the experience gleaned from the Boeing and I think it's a better piece. But I'm terrible at judging my own work. My favorite piece of mine has actually been one of my worst sellers!

If anyone's willing to tell me: I'd like to hear which is your favorite of these two and why. That would help me in my future work.

 

[Marauderman26]

Both are Great works..but personnally Im a Martin fan so my vote go's to the M-130.

 

[Gnomey]

Excellent work!

 

[vikingBerserker]

I think the Martin is better technique wise, but the Boeing just looks so serene to me.

 

[oldcrowcv63]

Beautiful job on all three... last week, I received an email with this image and this you-tube video link celebrating the clipper.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms84WfJwalI

 

[Marauderman26]

Ron,
Have you thought of doing a Sikorsky S-43/ JRS-1? An Inter-Islands Airways S-43 in Hawaii similar to the B-314 would be excellent or how about the JRS-1 aboard USS Yorktown (being loaded?) or on the ramp December 7, 1941. See: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aircraft-picture-requests/sikorsky-jrs-1-a-35893.html
Added some shots of the sole survivor.