"Richthofen the Younger" - Lothar's Dr1

[Russell Smith]

I just finished up this piece which I first shared as a WIP in a previous thread. Its entitled Richthofen the Younger and features the Fokker Dr.1 of Lothar von Richthofen. The tail and upper wing of this machine were thinly overpainted in yellow, while the struts, cowling and wheel covers carried the signature red of Jasta 11.

Lothar was flying this machine on March 13, 1918 when Jasta 11 ran into a flight of Bristol F2b's from 62 Sq. Lothar's machine was hit, and at the same time suffered a leading edge failure of the top wing. Lothar later stated that "My triplane suddenly became a biplane...". Despite the damage, Lother managed to glide the triplane down, but he suffered severe facial injuries upon his crash landing.

Richthofen the Younger
13.5" x 9"
oil on linen on masonite

[Kaiser Bill]

Russell... that is one excellent piece of art. Superb is the word that comes to mind.

[Rittmeister]

Excellent Russ.... To my minds eye a perfect rendition of the colors and markings of this somewhat elusive bird. The poor covering qualities of the yellow dope or lacquer are especially nice, revealing just the right amount of underpainting of the markings. Personally I've always had a lot of problems getting yellow to cover well on a variety of projects without a complete undercoat of white primer.

[Russell Smith]

Thanks guys!

[digit]

A perfect rendition of the colors and markings, when following the publications of today.

What's really known is that this bird died in late winter 1918 (13th of March). It never saw such a landscape as illustrated, where the trees are full in green, the fields of wheat becomes yellow and a summer cumulo nimbus rules the background.

How much historic truth is needed, even by such an excellent illustration?

(Tom Lovell may have asked.)

PS See Lothar, suffering from his injuries in 1917. A rare photograph: The Aerodrome Forum: People.

[ONEALM]

How much historic truth is needed, even by such an excellent illustration?

Ah Digit ! But it is truthful... historical accuracy is a completely different thing than truthfullness - at least to we painters !

Besides, how do we know this is France at all.... or 1917/1918 ?. Maybe it's Pennsylvania - 2011....

(Note the green trees and rotary engine.....).

[tcrean7828]

Originally Posted by Russell Smith

I just finished up this piece which I first shared as a WIP in a previous thread. Its entitled Richthofen the Younger and features the Fokker Dr.1 of Lothar von Richthofen. The tail and upper wing of this machine were thinly overpainted in yellow, while the struts, cowling and wheel covers carried the signature red of Jasta 11.

Lothar was flying this machine on March 13, 1918 when Jasta 11 ran into a flight of Bristol F2b's from 62 Sq. Lothar's machine was hit, and at the same time suffered a leading edge failure of the top wing. Lothar later stated that "My triplane suddenly became a biplane...". Despite the damage, Lother managed to glide the triplane down, but he suffered severe facial injuries upon his crash landing.

Richthofen the Younger
13.5" x 9"
oil on linen on masonite

Mate,
An outstanding rendition of Lothar's Fokker Dr.I - truly outstanding.

tcrean7828

tom

[digit]

Nothing against a joy ride of a repro over Pennsylvania in Summer 2011.

Re we painters: an illustration of an historical event ask for historical accuracy when known: Awoingt, Département Nord, France, late Winter 1918. Otherwise it fails.

[Rittmeister]

Originally Posted by ONEALM

Ah Digit ! But it is truthful... historical accuracy is a completely different thing than truthfullness - at least to we painters !

Besides, how do we know this is France at all.... or 1917/1918 ?. Maybe it's Pennsylvania - 2011....

(Note the green trees and rotary engine.....).

LOL !!!

Good one! I think I can see RT 78 off and the distance, and that might be Allentown on the Horizon.

Could be retitled Mission to Golden Age Air Museum

[Russell Smith]

Originally Posted by digit

A perfect rendition of the colors and markings, when following the publications of today.

What's really known is that this bird died in late winter 1918 (13th of March). It never saw such a landscape as illustrated, where the trees are full in green, the fields of wheat becomes yellow and a summer cumulo nimbus rules the background.

How much historic truth is needed, even by such an excellent illustration?

(Tom Lovell may have asked.)

PS See Lothar, suffering from his injuries in 1917. A rare photograph: The Aerodrome Forum: People.

If the background spoils it for you then I think that perhaps you're missing the point, Digit. Its a painting of an airplane. The landscape is just a backdrop.

We historical aviation artists are called to do a lot of research for our work, and anyone here will tell you that I go to great ends to make sure that my work is accurate. Sometimes, though, I simply want to painting a picture of an airplane.

Originally Posted by digit

Nothing against a joy ride of a repro over Pennsylvania in Summer 2011.

Re we painters: an illustration of an historical event ask for historical accuracy when known: Awoingt, Département Nord, France, late Winter 1918. Otherwise it fails.

Fails? Wow, sorry its such an awful painting, then.

BTW, thanks everyone else for your compliments.