Simon Atack. Aviation artist Simon
Atack's range of aviation art prints signed by crew members, published
by Military Gallery, are available at these great prices from the
Military Art Company, a subsidiary of Cranston Fine Arts. Simon Atack
has produced naval art prints which are also available.
Simon Atack: About the Artist Simon began drawing aircraft and warships at
a very early age, his sketches mysteriously appearing on the end-papers
of his parents hardback novels, nursery books, and any other clean white
surface he came across. Invariably using biro, still one of his
preferred sketching instruments today, his efforts were indelible, if
not always appreciated at the time.
At about 8 years of age he was given his
first set of oil paints, possibly to save the family library, and has
painted with little else ever since. After regularly winning the school
art prize it became obvious to all concerned with his education what his
next step should be, and at age 16 he commenced formal training at
Wakefield College of Art. There he studied graphic design, illustration
and life drawing, all of which matured his ability to sketch into a
disciplined skill. Though grounded in the disciplines of art during this
period of training, his skills as a painter in oil are however largely
self-taught. After leaving art college, like thousands of
other art students, the young artist found it impossible to get a job
where he could employ his skills. Though the agencies he approached
liked his portfolio, without practical experience he was always left to
try his luck at the next interview. Recognising the need to find an
alternative line of work, and with his interest in aircraft still very
much alive, the young Simon Atack joined the Royal Air Force.
Following training, upon arrival at his
first posting, by a stroke of good fortune his new Commanding Officer
noticed the word artist on his file, and asked Simon if he'd like to
produce a few aeroplane pictures to cheer the walls up a bit! It was an
opportunity the ex-art student, now professional airman seized with both
hands. His first pictures soon led to commissions for other units,
Squadrons, and individuals throughout the RAF, to such a degree that in
no time he became an unofficial military artist for the Service. However, his RAF days were not long to end
and his success had given him the encouragement to pursue a career as a
full-time professional artist upon his return to civilian life.
Throughout the 1980s, like any young artist making his way, he would
draw and paint the wide variety of subjects that clients asked him to
tackle. Florals proved popular, with daisies in particular demand! Two
of his large examples being exhibited at the 1989 Paris Salon, which
brought commissions for similar works from galleries and corporate
clients all over Europe. Landscape paintings were published as prints, a
series of paintings for greeting cards was commissioned, and at last the
fledgling professional artist began to feel he was starting to make his
mark.
Working from his studio in a haunted 18th
century farmhouse in Yorkshire, by the mid 1990s he returned to his
favourite subjects, painting aircraft, ships and the sea. Much
influenced in his early career by the aircraft and ship paintings of Roy
Cross, Simon remembers slavishly copying this artist paintings in an
effort to get some idea of how they were constructed, even spending his
spare cash collecting aircraft model kits solely for the Roy Cross
artwork on the boxes! He credits much of his inspiration today to this
artist. In common with many aviation artists, he also much admired
the work of Frank Wootton, particularly the beauty of his cloudscapes
and his rich use of colours.The standards set by both these artists were
the benchmarks Simon strove to attain in his paintings, employing a mix
of technical accuracy and painterly vision. In later years he has come
to appreciate and enjoy the work of David Shepherd, who became a mentor
during the long climb of his career, and he is a great admirer of Robert
Taylor whose paintings, according to Simon, are everything aviation art
should be. Today Simon Atack's has achieved the kind of
recognition that his blend of natural talent and studious application
deserves. His original paintings, always in great demand, have great
impact and dimension. Now published by Military Gallery, his fine
quality work is available to a wide audience where his talent will be
easily recognized by those who appreciate the finer points of aviation
and maritime art.
Ride of the Valkyries by Simon Atack
No aircraft came to symbolize the war in Vietnam more than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known to the men who flew, and fought from this aircraft - and to those who were to owe it their survival, by just one never to be forgotten name - the Huey. Ideally suited to the terrain of South Vietnam - formidable mountain peaks, dense jungle, almost every other acre of land under water, and the fact that large tracts of the countryside were controlled by the Vietcong and impassable, the Huey became one of the US Armys most effective weapons of the war. With the ability to carry eight fully equipped troops, the Huey was also ideal for use as Medevac flying ambulances, which were to create their own legend. By the end of the conflict the Hueys had notched up a staggering 34 million combat sorties flown! In July 1965 the 1st Air Cavalry, equipped with 500 Hueys arrived in South Vietnam to begin what became the longest tour of duty in American combat history. Under the command of the flamb.........
Simon Atack has recreated an action flown by Pilot Officer Bob Doe during a fierce battle over the south coast, near the Isle of Wight on 18th August, 1940. Flying a Mk I Spitfire of No 234 Squadron, Boe Doe is seen bringing down an Me109 High over Southampton, one of 14 Victories he achieved during the Battle of Britain. The third highest scoring fighter pilot of the battle, 20 year old Bob Doe was one of the few Aces to fly both Spitfires and Hurricanes during the battle. Simon captures the very essence of the most tumultous of all aerial conflicts in his dramatic painting, August Victory, with Bob flying his trusted Spitfire, D for Doe.
Item Code : SA0328
August Victory by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
Flying his Messerschmitt Me109G6, Major Günther Rall, Group Commander of II./JG11 with over 200 air victories already to his credit, clashes with a P-47 Thunderbolt of the 63rd Sqn, 56th Fighter Group high over the Rhine south of Koblenz, May 12, 1944. Led by Colonel Hub Zemke, the 56th Fighter Group played advance guard to a deep penetration bomber raid to central Germany. As his forty eight P-47 Thunderbolts arrived to sweep the sky around the Koblenz –Frankfurt area, the Me109s of II./JG11 pounced from a 5000 feet height advantage. Simon Atacks high-impact painting shows Major Günther Rall bringing down Hub Zemkes wingman, the first of two victories he claimed before himself being brought down by 56th Fighter Group P-47s later in the combat. Günther Rall returned to combat flying, commanding JG300 until the end of hostilities by which time, with 275 air victories, he became the third highest scoring Ace in history.
A classic view of a Mk I Spitfire belonging to 609 Squadron, flown by Battle of Britain ace John Bisdee, high over South East England in that fateful summer of 1940. After the first fifteen months of the war this famous fighter squadron, initially made up of week-end flyers, became the first RAF squadron to claim 100 victories. Made up of pilots from so many nations, 609 Squadron was described as the most international brotherhood in arms since the Crusades. This evocative image, endorsed by Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots, pays tribute to all those who flew and fought this supreme little fighter in the hostile skies of war-torn Europe, so long ago.
Item Code : DHM2608
Into the Blue by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
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Signed limited edition of 500 prints, with 2 signatures. Full Item Details
Print paper size 20.5 inches x 19 inches (52cm x 48cm)
Just 50 miles north west of Hanoi in North Vietnam, lies the long and winding valley of the infamous Red River - a name that was to become bitterly familiar to the F4U Phantom pilots of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Flowing for miles through the countrys deep interior, the waters of the Red River fed the strategically important steel mills at Thai Nguyen, and the power stations at Viet Tri; they also irrigated the rice and shrimp paddy fields that fed the armies of the North Vietnamese and Vietcong, distributed to the combat areas through a sophisticated network of hidden trails and tracks, bridges and railways. Defending these vitally important targets was a vast array of anti-aircraft systems of every conceivable type and calibre; at Yen Bai the North Vietnamese even established a secret fighter airfield where their Mig jet fighters were hidden in hangars dug by hand deep into the surrounding hills - in short it was one of the most heavily defended and awesome places on Earth. Bu.........
At the height of the Cold War during the 1970s and through the 80s, low level, fast-jet training sorties were absolutely crucial to Britains air defences. This was an era of the true, thoroughbred supersonic jet fighter like arguably the greatest of all jet combat aircraft of that time; the McDonnell Douglas F.4 Phantom. Scorching down the peaceful beauty of the Spey river valley, Scotland, four RAF Phantom FG-1s led by (at that time) Wg. Cdr. Ian Macfadyen and his navigator flying XV500, flash over Craiglockhart Castle on an ultra low-level training sortie during the squadrons period of transition from its formation at RAF Conningsby to its home station at RAF Leuchars.
Item Code : DHM2618
Phantom Country by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
Piloted by RAAF skipper T.N.Scholefield, No. 467 Squadrons Lancaster S For Sugar, one of RAF Bomber Commands most famous Lancs, heads out on her 100th mission on May 11, 1944. Embellished with a bomb symbol painted on the fuselage signifying each raid completed, and the infamous Hermann Goering quotation No enemy plane will fly over the Reich Territory, the mighty bomber leads a formation bound for Germany. In total she completed 137 bombing raids. Today, beautifully restored, S For Sugar proudly rests in the RAF Bomber Command Museum at Hendon, London.
Item Code : DHM2186
One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
On the 30th April 1982, flying from Wideawake airfield on Ascension island, Flt. Lt. Martin Withers and his crew, flying RAF Vulcan (XM607) launched the first Black Buck bombing operation of the Falklands War. There and back the non-stop flight covered 7,500 miles, lasting 15 hours 45 minutes – at the time, the longest combat flight in history. The Vulcan was refuelled by Victor tankers five times on the outward journey and once on the return journey.
Item Code : DHM2644
Return to Ascension by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
A scene played out daily by Fighter Command squadrons throughout the defining air battles fought in the summer of 1940. Mk I Hurricanes of 249 Squadron are seen returning to North Weald after heavy action over London during the culmination of the Battle of Britain in September of that year. It is evening, and the squadron has been operational since first light. Most of the pilots have flown four missions on this day, and they will be in the air again tomorrow at dawn. And so it will go till the battle is won. In this quite beautiful painting, Simon Atack shows Tom Neils Hurricane in the foreground. He has suffered battle damage but, as so often with the trusty Hurricane, his steed will carry him safely home to fight again.
Item Code : DHM2607
At the Setting of the Sun by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
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Signed limited edition of 500 prints, with 2 signatures . Full Item Details
Print paper size 20.5 inches x 19 inches (52cm x 48cm)
A dramatic recreation of an event that took place on 14 May, 1965. Flying ground attacks, F-100D Super Sabres of the 416th Squadron of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing - the Silver Knights based at Da Nang - execute an attack on communist NVA guerrilla forces in the Bac Lieu region of South Vietnam.
Item Code : DHM2611
Knights Charge by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
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Medal of Honor limited edition of 300 prints, with 1 signature. Full Item Details
Print paper size 31 inches x 23 inches (79cm x 58cm)
Lancaster of 617 Sqn carrying its cargo of the Barnes-Wallace bouncing bomb on its way to its target of Germanys western dams. The Dambusters raid was to become one of the most celebrated missions ever carried out.
Item Code : DHM2713
Enemy Coast Ahead by Simon Atack. - Editions Available
Typical of the aggressive fighter pilots led by the great Hub Zemke was Robin Olds. Having completed his training on the P-38 in America, Olds arrived at RAF Wattisham, England in May 1944, assigned to fly the remarkable twin-boomed fighter with the 434th Squadron. It didnt take long for the novice pilot to make his mark. After flying interdiction missions over France and Germany, with the 479th Olds took part in the D-Day operations, then on August 13 opened his score by jumping two Fw190s at ground level. After a brief but hectic fight, he brought both down. A couple of weeks later he bagged three Me109s – his wingman got another two – when attacking a group of some fifty enemy fighters while escorting bombers high over Muritz Zee. Converting to P-51D Mustangs, Olds completed two combat tours, flying deep penetration missions, engagements with the Luftwaffes new Me262 jet fighter, and strafing attacks on German facilities and airfields. By the end of the war, at 23 years of age with.........
Unquestionably the most beautiful commercial aircraft ever to enter service, during 27 years of flying passengers supersonically, Concorde earned a unique place in aviation history. To watch this remarkable aircraft thunder down the runway at Londons Heathrow airport, with afterburners belching flame in a crescendo of deafening sound, but for her distinctive airline livery one could be excused for thinking a mighty warbird was scrambling. Yet aboard, a hundred passengers, relaxing in sumptuous comfort, are looking forward to arrival in New York effectively before they left - such was the speed of this remarkable airliner as she travelled westward faster than the sun.
Knights Charge by Simon
Atack. A dramatic recreation of an event that took place on 14
May, 1965. Flying ground attacks, F-100D Super Sabres of the 416th
Squadron of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing - the Silver Knights based at
Da Nang - execute an attack on communist NVA guerrilla forces in the Bac
Lieu region of South Vietnam .signatories: Colonel George E Bud Day
MOH, Captain Vince
Scott, Colonel Jack Hartmann.
At the Setting of the
Sun by Simon Atack. A scene played out daily by Fighter Command
squadrons throughout the defining air battles fought in the summer of
1940. Mk I Hurricanes of 249 Squadron are seen returning to North Weald
after heavy action over London during the culmination of the Battle of
Britain in September of that year. It is evening, and the squadron has
been operational since first light. Most of the pilots have flown four
missions on this day, and they will be in the air again tomorrow at
dawn. And so it will go till the battle is won. In this quite beautiful
painting, Simon Atack shows Tom Neils Hurricane in the foreground. He
has suffered battle damage but, as so often with the trusty Hurricane,
his steed will carry him safely home to fight again.
Into the Blue by Simon Atack. A classic view of a Mk I Spitfire belonging to 609
Squadron, flown by Battle of Britain ace John Bisdee, high over South
East England in that fateful summer of 1940. After the first fifteen
months of the war this famous fighter squadron, initially made up of
week-end flyers, became the first RAF squadron to claim 100 victories.
Made up of pilots from so many nations, 609 Squadron was described as
the most international brotherhood in arms since the Crusades. This
evocative image, endorsed by Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots, pays
tribute to all those who flew and fought this supreme little fighter in
the hostile skies of war-torn Europe, so long ago.
Speedbird by
Simon Atack.Unquestionably the most beautiful commercial aircraft
ever to enter service, during 27 years of flying passengers
supersonically, Concorde earned a unique place in aviation history.
To watch this remarkable aircraft thunder down the runway at Londons
Heathrow airport, with afterburners belching flame in a crescendo of
deafening sound, but for her distinctive airline livery one could be
excused for thinking a mighty warbird was scrambling. Yet aboard, a
hundred passengers, relaxing in sumptuous comfort, are looking forward to
arrival in New York effectively before they left - such was the speed of
this remarkable airliner as she travelled westward faster than the sun.
Ride of the Valkyries by
Simon Atack No aircraft came to symbolize
the war in Vietnam more than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known to the
men who flew, and fought from this aircraft - and to those who were to owe
it their survival, by just one never to be forgotten name - the
Huey. Ideally suited to the terrain of South Vietnam - formidable
mountain peaks, dense jungle, almost every other acre of land under water,
and the fact that large tracts of the countryside were controlled by the
Vietcong and impassable, the Huey became one of the US Armys most
effective weapons of the war. With the ability to carry eight fully
equipped troops, the Huey was also ideal for use as Medevac flying
ambulances, which were to create their own legend. By the end of the
conflict the Hueys had notched up a staggering 34 million combat sorties
flown! In July 1965 the 1st Air Cavalry, equipped with 500 Hueys
arrived in South Vietnam to begin what became the longest tour of duty in
American combat history. Under the command of the flamboyant Colonel
John Stockton, the 1st Air Cavalry went on the immediate offensive,
swiftly creating a devastating impact on the enemy, bringing them to
battle wherever they could be found.
Phantom Raiders by Simon Atack Simon Atack’s powerful new limited edition depicting the high-speed,
low-level attack by F4 Phantoms of the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron
on the bridge near Viet Tri, 24 May 1967
Eagle Strike by Simon Atack
Signatures: Günther Rall Painting shows Major Günther Rall bringing down Hub Zemke's wingman,
the first of two victories claimed before himself being brought down by
56th Fighter Group P47s later in the combat. After recuperation, Günther
Rall returned to combat flying, commanding JG300 until the end of
hostilities by which time, with 275 air victories, he became the third
highest scoring Ace in history. "My dread would have been all the greater had I known that the
pilot I had just seen dispatch Johnson and Piper was the third ranking
Ace of the Luftwaffe." Col. Hub Zemke. In the early spring of 1944, the Luftwaffe's 'Sturmgruppe' tactics -
large assault groups comprising as many as 100 heavily armoured Fw190s -
were bringing down large numbers of USAAF bombers. Shrewd ground control
kept the assembled German assault groups clear of advance Allied fighter
sweeps, while above high altitude Me109s provided top cover to protect
the weighty, vulnerable Fw190s. The scene was set for massive aerial
engagements, and the action fought on May 12, 1944 was typical of that
period.
Led by Colonel Hub Zemke, the 56th Fighter Group played advance guard
to a deep penetration bomber raid to central Germany. As his forty-eight
P47 Thunderbolts arrived to sweep the sky around the Koblenz - Frankfurt
area, the Me109s of II/JG11 pounced from a 5000 feet height advantage.
Led by Gruppe Kommandeur Major Günther Rall, already with 250 air
victories to his credit, the sharp-shooting Luftwaffe fighter pilots had
immediate success.
Final Victory by Simon Atack Painting depicts Robin Olds last air victory of the second world
war. Flying Scat VII he is seen bringing down an Me109 G10 high over
Germany in the late spring of 1945 while flying escort to B-17 bombers of
the 381st Bomb Group. Remarkably, this P-51 survived the war and in 1958
was sold to a private owner for the princely sum of $1196. In
1992 it was returned to its old wartime configuration. Signatories: artist and Brigadier General Robin Olds (13 air
victories
One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack
Whichever way one looks at it, the Avro Lancaster became the
backbone, indeed the heart and soul of RAF Bomber Command during the
arduous air war of World Wart II. Following its introduction in mid
1942, the mighty "Lanc" took part in almost every night
bombing raid on Europe, and some of the most daring missions of the war:
the sinking of the Tirpitz, the destruction of the missile sites at
Peenemunde, and perhaps most famous of all, the legendary raid on the
Möhne and Eder Dams in 1943. In a salute to the bomber crews of World War II, Simon Atack has
painted one of RAF Bomber Command's most famous Lancasters. With
an 8000lb "cookie" blockbuster bomb tucked into her bomb bay,
RAAF skipper T N Scholefield pilots the 467 Squadron Lancaster "S
for Sugar" out on her 100th mission on May 11th 1944. Embellished
with a bomb symbol painted on her fuselage signifying each raid
completed, and the infamous Goering quotation "No enemy plane will
ever fly over the Reich Territory", the mighty Lancaster leads a
formation bound for Germany. In total she completed 137 bombing raids.
Today, beautifully restored, she proudly rests in the RAF Bomber Command
Museum at Hendon, London. Signatories: Flt Sergeant Stan Bradford DFM and Flt Lieutenant Bob
Knights DSO, DFC. Stan Bradford: Stan Bradford
was a mid-upper gunner on Lancaster ED308 'D-Donald' of 57 squadron RAF
Bomber Command, then based at Scampton. By the end of his tour in March
1944 Stan had become an air Ace, credited by 5 Group with the shooting
down of 6 enemy fighters, including a Bf109 over France on his very
first operation on the night of August 27th 1943. Bob Knights: Lancaster pilot Bob
Knights joined 619 Squadron RAF Woodhall Spa in September 1943,
successfully completing his first tour of 26 operations. In January 1944
he was asked to join 617 Squadron with Leonard Cheshire, and carried out
the precision bombing attacks for which 617 Sqn was famed. These
included three attacks on the Tirpitz, and attacks on factories, U-boat
pens, and V1 rocket sites. Bob Knights completed a further 44 operations
with 617 Squadron.
August Victory by Simon Atack
The Battle of Britain is totally unique in the annals of aerial
conflict. Never before, or since, was there such prolonged air fighting,
day in and day out, with the outcome so decisive. For one hundred days in
the summer of 1940, from first light until dusk, the battle raged in the
skies above southern England, the fighters of the RAF pitted against the
might of the Luftwaffe. The prize was control of the sky above the English
Channel - vital if Hitler's planned invasion of island Britain was to be
repelled. For this brief period in history the future of Europe, possibly the
world, was held in the balance by a small band of RAF fighter pilots as
they desperately defended their homeland. Outnumbered more than four to
one, their skill, determination and courage won the day. By autumn the
Luftwaffe was defeated, the invasion cancelled, and Hermann Goering's
reputation in shreds. Simon Atack has recreated an action flown by Pilot Officer Bob Doe
during a fierce battle over the South Coast, near the Isle of Wight on
18th August 1940. Flying a Mk I spitfire of No.234 Squadron, Bob is seen
bringing down and Me109 high over Southampton, one of 14 victories he
achieved during the Battle of Britain. The third highest scoring fighter
pilot of the battle, 20 year old Bob Doe was won of the few Aces to fly
both Spitfires and Hurricanes during the battle. Signed by Wing Commander Bob Doe. DSO,
DFC.
(The third highest scoring ace of the Battle of Britain) Joining the RAFVR
in 1938, Bob Doe was posted to 234 Sqn in Nov 1939, and 238 Squadron in
Sept 1940. Achieving great success during the Battle of Britain scoring 14
and 3 shared victories, he was one of the few pilots to fly both
Hurricanes and spitfires. in October he was shot down and wounded,
rejoining the squadron soon after, but in Jan 1941 he suffered engine
failure and was forced to crash land suffering severe injuries resulting
in plastic surgery and 22 operations. However he was able to resume operational
flying in may 1941, joining 66 Squadron . he moved to 130 Squadron
in August, In July 1943 he joined 118 squadron, then 613 squadron flying
the p51 Mustang. In October he was posted to the Far east to from 10 Squadron
n Indian Air Force, Which he led in Burma, flying Hurricane
Fighter-bombers.
Art and aviation have been like a brother and sister to me. We have grown up together, learned together and made our adult lives together. But you do not have to have an appreciation of aircraft to admire the graceful lines of a Spitfire or the functional simplicity of a Focke-Wulf 190. They are themselves a work of art and they cry out to be painted - not as machines of war and destruction, but as objects of beauty, born of necessity and function, yet given a life and iconic classicism beyond their original calling. My interest and love of art and aircraft was gifted to me by my father, a designer and aeronautical engineer of considerable repute. Denis Berryman C.Eng. FRAeS. He gave me his eyes, his passion, his dedication and his unwavering professionalism. I owe him everything. And I miss him terribly. A love of art and of beautiful and interesting things takes you on a journey. You discover new interests, new fascinations, and you want to paint them. You want to paint them in their environment, in their element. Whether it is an aeroplane, a warship, a racing car or a beautiful woman, their gift to an artist is the same: Their lines, their texture and the way that light and shadows give them form. These are the food and oxygen of an artist. Not the paint and the canvas. These are mere tools. The secret is in the passion and the perception...
New Dambusters Paintings, Prints and Drawings!
A brand new series of releases featuring the aircraft and airmen of the Dambusters Raid.
This superb new collection of aviation art shows may of the famous events of the raids, but also shows some of the lesser known aircraft and details - the bomber that was so low that the tallboy bomb was ripped from the aircraft by a high wave (above), or the below treetop route to the target taken by one of the bombers, or the trains that were shot up by the gunners of the Lancasters on their way to the dams.
