Bristol artist's painting marks air squadron's 100th anniversary
A BRISTOL artist has painted a picture of an aircraft to commemorate the 100th anniversary of an air squadron.
Desmond Davies, of Horfield, has painted dozens of aircraft over 60 years.
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Desmond Davies, a specialist painter of aircraft, who was due to present his artwork today
His latest artwork commemorates the 100th anniversary of 4 Squadron of the Royal Air Force – which Mr Davies actually served with in 1949.
Today he was due to make the journey to RAF Valley in Anglesey, where the squadron is now based, with his wife Mary to present the painting.
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It took Mr Davies, who is 89, about seven weeks to complete the painting, and he was still making finishing touches yesterday.
Mr Davies was sent a photograph of all the squadron members gathered around a Hawk aircraft.
"There was one snag – the photograph was taken one way around but they asked if I would mind turning it around the opposite way," he said. "Can you imagine painting in reverse? It's been an uphill struggle.
"I was working on it for about six to seven weeks, off and on."
The squadron was formed in Farnborough in 1912 – before the RAF was formed – as part of the Army's Royal Flying Corps.
Number 4 Squadron was created out of 2 Squadron on September 16 and later moved to Netheravon.
Mr Davies was in 4 Squadron for just over two years, having originally joined the air force as an apprentice two days after the outbreak of the Second World War.
Mr Davies started drawing aircraft in 1939 and still has some of his drawings from the time.
He painted his first forces painting – a Harrier – in 1971.
But he feels that his latest painting is his best so far.
And when he does hang up his paintbrushes, Mr Davies said that his children and grandchildren have inherited his skills and the family is waiting to see if his great grandchildren will also follow suit.
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