Vegaskip

Just me being sarcastic about all the 'kerfuffle' the two new Carriers, and what to fly off them, catapults or VTO.and the rest of the indecision from HMGovernment.

Not ships today, but certainly 'Naval'

Fleet Air Arm Phantom about to refuel from a Buccaneer 

a 'poster' type cartoon I did for the Centenary of British Naval Aviation.

jim  

Thanks for commenting, it's good to get feed back. I like doing thes kind of harbour scenes , but there's not a lot of reference material on service craft  an dock side equipment.

jim

Two small ones  7" X 5"

Portsmouth Dockyard, a bit before my time.

jim 

Some more Square Riggers. Both paintings are on A3 16" X 10" paper

jim

Thanks Scott, just a pity all this didn't happen 30 years ago.

jim

Thanks Nils, here are another couple of beauties

Printz Eugen Along with Hipper in a Norwegian Fjord

Jim

Hi guys, being retired I can paint more or less when I want (subject to domestic chore from 'she who must be obeyed). I normally paint for about 3 to 4 hrs in the afternoo, probably 2/3 times a week.

The Belfast pic started about 1.50pm, and I took the photo about 5pm, I'll probably have an other half hour fixing bits , the after funnel top is wrong, and horizon on the right needs lifting a bit. The longest painting I have done, was three afternoons and was a diptych of  'the Tail o' the Bank' on the river Clyde .

see pictures.

jim

Thankyou Nils. Here is one you might like.

SMS Thuringen and a typical Torpedo boat
Jim

Here are some from a series of vignettes , small watercolour painting in the centre with pencil sketches around. 

A3 size approx 15" X 10"

jim

Thanks for commenting BE,and all the others who 'liked'  the paintings.

jim 

Thanks for commenting Allan. Here's three more .

1 pursuit

2. Self Maintainence 

3. Age of Enlightenment

Something a bit more light hearted

imaginary Fleet Limbo Championships (Limbo was an anti sub Mortar)

 Here can be seen the esteemed pannel of judges.
Left to right.

Admiral Titas Zaduxass USN. CinC NorLantStanForFlatPac.

Admiral Sir Roddy McScunner of MacScunner RN, 9th Barron of Auchenshoogle Better Known to his men as ...Sir!.

Dame Euphrosney Pramhandle-Smith PMT. RPM, NSU,GNP, WRVS. Commandant WRNS.

The Ships Pennant No and Name plate had been painted over and covered up to protect the innocent.

Thank you Mark, thing is, galleries are not that keen to exhibit my type of paintings. You really have to have an interest in the sea and ships. This one for example isn't every ones cup of Tea. I called it 'Keeping The Few Flying' featuring HMCS CHILLIWACK.

Jim 

Thank you both for commenting, I probably have about a thousand, good bad and what ever.

here you are Nick. Recognise this place?. Reserve Fleet and redundend, waiting for scraping ships. At the back of Portsmouth Harbour. HMS Vanguard  running aground at the 'Still and West' while being taken away for scrap.

Three square riggers

1  Fortuna.     2. Moshula and  Hougomont  3 Rajore

it would be nice to have a bit of interaction.

 Jim 

Battle for Grand Port, Mauritius (we lost) although shortly after this the British took Mauritius from the French
Google for details if interested 
14" X 10" watercolour

jim

Thank you all for your comments.

Last year I was fortunate to be invited, along with my wife, to take part in 'Dervish75’ the celebrations commemorating the arrival of the first Convoy to Russia. We were part of a group of WW2 convoy veterans and their carers ( the Vets were all in their 90s) flown up to Arkhangelsk where we took part in various events in memory of those who were lost during the what Winston Churchill called 'The Worst Journey On Earth.'  We then moved on to St Petersburg and Kronstadt for more of the same. We shared all of these events and receptions at various consulates and embassies with our Russian hosts. We made many friends and shared lots of memories as sailors do, helped along of course with copious supplies of Vodka. A year before the trip I had been asked if I had any paintings of convoys that could be used as a small exhibition during the event. However this snowballed into 50 of my paintings being made up into a book ( printed in Moscow) 250 copies were printed and were given free to the veterans, VIPs, museums, schools and anyone who provided assistance to the venture. Each year reciprocal visits take place between Vets from Russia and UK and other allies.  Efforts are being made to continue these international visits after the original veterans are gone. 

Our governments may have 'frosty' relationships, but at the grass roots I know our Russian friends had exactly the same hopes and fears we have. We both want to get on with living life in peace and happiness.

jim

Here are some pages from the book 

Thanks Jason, I've had lots of practice. I try to keep away from the Ship Portrait type of painting, if possible I like to tell a story. Here are some more

1.  HMS Hood ( no not that one ) coaling at Portsmouth, and early Submarine and Gun Boat.

2.  Master Shipwright. Ship building at Bucklers Hard.

3.  Stepping the Fore Mast with a Sheer Hulk.

I have always been interested in Ships and maritime history, and did spells in the British Merchant Navy and Royal Navy. I have built models most of my life ( not the really serious ones like on here ) but I always had great pleasure building them.  As well as model making, I have always  had an interest in art, well, marine art really, and do a lot of painting, especially now I've retired. I don't consider my self an Artist, more a ship painter. I do it for my own pleasure, and get as much pleasure researching the subject as I do painting them.

Her are a few of my paintings, please feel free to comment. Jim

1 Convoy Rescue ship passing. Liberty ship   2. Envoy class rescue Tug  3. Death of. windjammer Flamburgh Head with Rocket Rescue Team

Hi David, the Fleet Air Arm Is the Aviation part of the Royal Navy like the Aviation  Branch of the  US Navy.

 I don't do a lot of modelling these days, more research for my paintings 

. Building 'Alert' gives me a brake, and they say a change is as good as a rest.

Here is a painting of a model Armed Trawler ( not built by me) I believe it is available as a card model

'Home Guard' military class Trawler.

Hi Mike, nice to 'meet' you. I did my deck training on Eagle just before she went in for her big refit in 59. Can't remember the sqdns, but it was Sea Hawks , Venoms and Sky Raiders  with some Whirlwinds. 

Jim

Thanks for the welcome. Jim and Mick.  You are right about FAA.  Fleet Air Arm . I was an Aircraft Handler, we did Fire Fighting, Aircraft movement ( flight deck and Ashore) and Air Trafic Control. Ships. Eagle, Ark Royal and Victorious (twice). Most of my time now is painting. 'Alert' makes a nice change now and again.

pic is Alert so far.

Jim

Hi, my name is Jim, ex RN. FAA. 1958/1968. Built models most of my life. Main pastime is painting, mostly Marine subjects, Ships old and new. Currently building Shipyard Alert kit.. I am retired and live in Fife Scotland 

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