RAF Short Sunderland

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STUNNING

Powerfull waves, beautiful sky, nice detailled flying boat. Everything on ist own is a delight. A story of a painting David.

Thanks for the comments folks, much appreciated

Lovely work David, you can tell your heart was in this painting. Well done.

RAF Castle Archdale in County Fermanagh during WW2 was a large flying boat base. Being the westernmost base in the UK it provided the required facilities from which these aircraft could operate to try and protect the North Atlantic convoys from U boat attack. A Short Sunderland Mark 5, ML 778 NS-Z, of 201 Squadron Coastal Command is depicted commencing its take off run. They were called flying porcupines by the Luftwaffe because they were bristling with defensive armaments. Approximately 750 Sunderlands were built including 133 at the Belfast factory. The aircraft was flown by Wing Commander J Barrett ( commanding officer Castle Archdale ) on the last operational sortie of the war undertaken by Coastal Command. Whilst it returned safely the painting is dedicated to the memory of the brave souls who answered the call but never returned. Enjoy.