Female ATA Pilot from WW2

[PLG]

A few days ago I watch a documentary called "Spitfire Girls' about the ladies who as part of the Air Transport Auxiliary ferried new aircraft from factories to the front lines. They were expected to fly any and every type of aircraft without any formal training on the particular aircraft. Often only being given some flight notes.

The documentary has one story of a lady who on her own delivered a Wellington bomber, and on arrival the ground crew searched the plane for the pilot - not believing that she flew it!

If you missed the documentary, keep an eye out for it being repeated, it is well worth watching it.

Having watched the documentary I decided to paint a bust of an ATA pilot I released under my Sarnia Miniatures brand a year ago.

Here is a link to see the box art version: https://sarnia-miniatures.co.uk/p/010-raf-ww2-air-transport-auxiliary-pilot


I used to paint busts using oil over an acrylic base, but recently /i have changed and am learning to use only Vallejo acrylics.

Here is the initial painting of her face:


The uniform has been blocked with a rough idea of the colour just to give some tonal value.

Next will be to paint the uniform.

Peter

 

[Chris Oldfield]

Very nice work Peter - I like the flesh tones you’ve used for her face.

 

[PLG]

Hi Chris

The colours i used are: red leather, sunny skin tone, and off white and a very small amount of burnt cad red.

Peter

 

[Nap]

Coming on nicely there Peter

How are you finding just using acrylics ?

Are you using a retarder ?

Following as I have my one in my "to do" line up !

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Nap]

Couple of references as well as of ATA of all nations and a couple of very good books there are others of course

Nap

 

[PLG]

Nap. - Some nice references. The Mary Ellis biography is a very nice read.

I think /i am slowly getting to grips with acrylics rather than my old oil over acrylic technique. I find the big advantage is that it acrylic does not build up in the way oils had a habit of doing, so does not lose details - and of course the drying time is a lot less.

I have been experimenting with using the Vallejo retarder, but do want to develop a level of skill which does not need it. Much of the fun is experimenting.

Peter

 

[Babelfish]

Great set of photos from a bygone era when men were men and women were women!

The bust is coming along nicely too. Flesh tones look good.

- Steve

 

[PLG]

Thanks Steve

According to one of the recollections in the documentary at least one woman was more daring than some men: All of the US flight crews at a base decided the weather was too bad to fly until one of the ATA ladies delivered a plane to them, they were amazed she flew in such poor visibility!

Apparently the death rate amongst the ATA was 10% which made it one of the most hazardous jobs in the War.

Peter

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys

Been reworking the wings a bit on mine but thought I would share this book and contents for interest


Look forward to seeing more from Peter

Nap

 

[PLG]

Nap - great references, a book i may have to get hold of.

Here is the finished bust (sorry for the poor photo, using my Ipad). I am still getting to grips with painting using only acrylics, and there is still a lot to learn but I'm reasonable pleased with her.

Peter

 

[Nap]

Hi Peter

Looks good , mines all ready to fly !

Another couple of interesting pictures , showing diversity of nationality ,

This is Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochrane ...from United States

And Mardi Gething from Australia

Nap

 

[PLG]

Yes - an amazing array of nationalities. Apparently, some from Australia paid their own passage to get to the UK specifically to join the ATA.

Peter