WIP - Rickenbacker's SPAD

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:26 am

Here's another one that I've been working on lately.

This piece will feature Rickenbacker and old #1 at the aerodrome at Saints, circa August of 1918. This is one of those ideas where the cart proceeded the horse. I could picture the scene in my head - a dusty airfield, a profile of 1 main aircraft with others lined up behind, engines running, copious amounts of dust blowing around and late afternoon sun backlighting the entire scene and making the dust in the air really glow and giving the whole piece lots of atmosphere. Now I just had to decided what aircraft to put in it. Originally I had thought of using Nieuport 28s for the scene, but then I realized that it needed something a little beefier. A SPAD was much more suitable. I had been discussing Rickenbacker's SPAD S'4523 (#1) with someone recently, and since I am probably long overdue in depicting that particular machine, I decided to go with it.

Most depictions of S'4523 show it in it's late configuration - shortened exhaust stacks, red/white/blue (front to back) rudder, and patched bullet holes. The problem was, though, that S'4523 was only in this configuration late in the war, while Rickenbacker and the 94th were based at Rembercourt. Rembercourt was known for its mud, and so that killed the idea of the dust kicking up. Prior to Rembercourt, however, the 94th was based at Saints. No problem with the dust there, so that would be my location.

As for the configuration of S'4523 while at Saints - it carried the standard length exhaust, no bullet patches (at least not in August of 1918) and the original blue/white/red French rudder.

I was able to go ahead and work out the perspective drawings this past week. Behind Rickenbacker and S'4523 will be Reed Chambers in #11 followed by Ham Coolidge in #22. (Special thanks to WW1 historians Alan Toelle and Greg van Wyngarden for helping me get started on this!)

If the perspective on #1 looks a little whanked, its because I set this one up to go on a 50" wide canvas. The overall finished size for this will be 50" x 23" - my largest canvas to date.

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:28 am

The pencil study. This was actually purchased by a collector shortly after its completion. The name of the painting will be Starting Line, in reference to Rickenbacker's pre-war career as a race car driver.

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:29 am

And the color study, which I was able to work on this past week. There are a couple of very minor adjustments that I see I need to make (for instance, the crew chief standing in the prop wash needs to look a little more wind blown), but other than that, I'm pretty darn happy with it.

I've actually already transferred the image to the big canvas, and its sitting in the corner calling my name. Got a Bristol that I need to finish first, though.

Holedigger · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:32 am

Very Nice! Having just finished Jeff Shaara's "To the Last Man" that image really captures the stick and wire feeling of the era. I listened to the book on Audible, who has time to read!?!? Good Book.

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:37 am

Thanks Holedigger. That is a good book. I've read it twice, in fact. I personally just finished Jeff's book The Glorious Cause. Outstanding!

Russ

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:37 am

Wow! That is just breath taking.

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:39 am

Thanks. I forgot to mention that the study measures 7.5" x 16.5".

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:16 am

Russell, that's some nice work. On a related subject a couple years back I was at a flea market here in Atlanta & noticed a WWI aviator painting setting in a trailer a guy was unloading. It was a little beat up but nice work just the same. The guy took $15 for it ( he did not know what he had & at the time I didn't either). When I got home & got on the computer do research on my find, I found out I was the proud owner of an autographed painting of the first United States Air Service trained ACE, Douglas Campbell of the 94th Aero. The note with his signature says something to the effect of "To Bob Casey Best Always" signed Lt Douglas Campbell. :shock:

I believe the artist, Bob Casey passed away in Jan of 2004, so I do not know how this painting came to be in a flea market.

Robbie

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:46 am

Wow! What a find. Just a couple of days ago I spoke with a gentlemen by the name of Jack Eder who wrote a book on Doug Campbell back in the 80's. He had interviewed Campbell many times and couldn't stress enough about what a nice guy he was.

Russ

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:09 am

Back to working on this one. The monotone base coat is done in Raw Umber. This establishes a reference for values and hues as I add in successive layers.

Rickenbacker's face isn't painted in yet. I originally drew him with his goggles down, but someone suggested that I raise his goggles so that his face is visible. I kind of like the idea, so I may re-draw him with the goggles up.

The canvas is 50" x 23" - one of my largest yet. To give you a sense of scale:

Smile for the camera!

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:15 am

Great work, maybe you could do one of Frank Luke sometime, there is a major AFB named after him.

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:16 am

Matt Gunsch wrote:

Great work, maybe you could do one of Frank Luke sometime, there is a major AFB named after him.

Thanks.

Been there, done that

http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20 ... eStand.htm
http://www.russellsmithart.com/Small%20 ... Slayer.htm

Holedigger · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:47 am

Seen it, watched that one in progress. Question is, How is the Book! The art looked fantastic. Is it a good read or a thousand pages of dry analysis?

Russell Smith · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:56 am

Holedigger wrote:

Seen it, watched that one in progress. Question is, How is the Book! The art looked fantastic. Is it a good read or a thousand pages of dry analysis?

It actually is a very good read. The author, Stephen Skinner, did a great job. He poured 15 years worth of research and fact-finding into the project. He gives a good biography of Frank Luke, offering plenty of facts and information, while at the same time delivering the story in a dramatic and engaging manner. He is also very good at indicating what information is factual, and what it simply his own opinion.

Russ

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:22 pm

I met Douglas Campbell once and Ken Porter, Ray Brooks and Bob Todd. Totally cool guys very down to earth. I lost my photos they signed but still have the copy of Bob's book he gave me.

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WIP - Rickenbacker's SPAD

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