WIX Art Department checkin' in ...

[Chicoartist]

I finally got this monster scanned (took 12 sections, all carefully stitched together manually in PhotoShop) and loaded on my site. Here she is along with a few "extreme" closeups ... a detailed WIP thread on this project can be found here on WIX in the "Photo" section.

Wade Meyers Studios (and WIX) Technical Advisor Gunny Perdue pointed out a glaring technical error a long time ago to me, but I left it in (artists like to do that to see if people are paying attention! ) - can you spot it?


Mission From Debden
19 x 42. Oil on linen
Completed 2008

Private Collection

Having returned from the first Russia Shuttle mission (Operation FRANTIC) less than two weeks earlier, 4th Fighter Group pilot Capt. Neil "Dutch" Van Wyk steals a quick glance at his dog "Colonel" as he prepares to depart from Debden on an escort mission circa mid-July 1944. Van Wyk's P-51B was appropriately named FLYING DUTCHMAN. "Dutch" flew with the 4th from October 1943 until February 1945. Though not an ace, Van Wyk was regarded as a solid troop and promoted to squadron operations officer, leading many missions.

This painting was juried (along with my Fighting 17 Corsair) into the American Society of Aviation Artists 2008 International Aerospace Art Exhibition, to take place at The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA - June 16 to Sept 14.




A very special thanks to fellow artist Russell Smith for posing with his dog Rembrandt as models for the officer with "Colonel".








Wade

[muddyboots]

Wade, you just freakin RAWK!

[bdk]

Wade Meyers Studios (and WIX) Technical Advisor Gunny Perdue pointed out a glaring technical error a long time ago to me, but I left it in (artists like to do that to see if people are paying attention! ) - can you spot it?

Yes, the corners of the winscreen frame on the Jeep should be square, not rounded since it is made from round tubing that it mitered at the joints.

[daveymac82c]

That is a really great painting! I love it. It really comes alive the more you take note of all the detail.

Cheers,

David

[warbirdguy]

Awesome job as always!

[Robbie Roberts]

Wade Meyers Studios (and WIX) Technical Advisor Gunny Perdue pointed out a glaring technical error a long time ago to me, but I left it in (artists like to do that to see if people are paying attention! ) - can you spot it?

Yes, the corners of the winscreen frame on the Jeep should be square, not rounded since it is made from round tubing that it mitered at the joints.

That, and the area below the inner windshield frame(which doesn't show the line around it well) looks a little tall:this would probably look right if the inner frame were better differentiated. Studs along the top of the windshield for the canvas top missing. Connector bar between windshield wipers missing: vacuum motors not visible (if not equipped with manual ones with connector bar.) Cowl doesn't angle out enough at the back. Hood is a little too "CJ" rounded down at the front: look at the jeep's left front corner, it is prominent- looks like an M-38A1 or CJ5 hood shape at the front. Also, should have only one mirror, driver's side(although I am sure one or two drivers may have thrown on a second). Rims look real odd, front crossmember shouldn't be visible as much, tie rods should be visible, jeep muffler missing. Windshield hold down catches on hood missing/or not well defined...

But then again I am a nit-picky Willys MB/GPW expert(over 25 years working on them...) All in all, a very nicely done piece of artwork! Excellent.

Robbie

[JimH]

Great job!!!

technical? I've never seen the backs of the props with yellow tips

keep up the good work wade!!!

jim

[Taylor Stevenson]

Are you going to make prints?

[Chicoartist]

Thanks, guys - I fully expected the microscopes to come out when I made the comment, "Can you spot the error?" It's actually fun seeing the nits, believe it or not.

Of course you're right about the jeep - not a major concern of mine (my bad ) when planning the painting, but I'm just not a jeep guy. I had lots of photos from the net as basic reference, but I didn't get into the nitty details of the various jeep models, just the general stuff plus how they were painted, specifically 4th FG. Guess I just lost out on all the jeep sales of prints if we do them.

Yellow warning tips on the BACK of the prop blades? I'll let wartime photos do the talking for me there.

None of you I guess have ever flown a P-51 or T-6G (hint - hint) ... so far only Gunny has spotted my 'glaring error'. That's why he's one of my high-paid tech advisors ... the jeep expert wanted too much money so I had to let him go before I started on this one.

Thx!

Wade

[JDK]

None of you I guess have ever flown a P-51 or T-6G (hint - hint) ... so far only Gunny has spotted my 'glaring error'.

Tailwheel-rudder.

[fritzthefox]

Outstanding work! Your art always inspires me to greater efforts.

After I kick the dog and mutter to myself for a while, anyway.

[Planenutok]

Tailwheel-rudder.

Before i could get logged in you posted that. Thats would be my guess also

[Planenutok]

Now that i look at it a little more I change my guess the elevator-tailwheel. The tail wheel doesn't unlock until stick forward correct???

[Chicoartist]

Tailwheel-rudder.

You're getting warm ... but technically the tailwheel and rudder CAN be in those positions relative to each other ...

I'll let Gunny or somebody else fully explain the 'error' after somebody guesses it - unless the 'guess' is accompanied by a detailed explanation itself. I have flown a T-6G (P-51 tailwheel steering system) a couple of times with Mark Henley in the back, so I should have known better.

Wade

[Chicoartist]

Now that i look at it a little more I change my guess the elevator-tailwheel. The tail wheel doesn't unlock until stick forward correct???

You know your stuff! CORRECT!

OK, somebody explain in detail why the stick should not be fully back with the tailwheel cocked over that much ...

Wade