De Havilland Bomber by Norman Wilkinson
De Havilland Bomber by Norman Wilkinson
A watercolour and gouache on board of a De Havilland DH9 Bomber.
The biplane is shown flying low near the forward most positions of the trenches with a tethered observation marker balloon in the background. It is signed Norman Wilkinson 18.
The back of the board has a label noting 'Up Front, D.H Bomber France 1918, R.F.C - RAF, Norman Wilkinson, Lille. 3'. Further writing direct to the board state ' 3, D.H. Bomber D.H 9., War Ill 1920, Card' along with an arrow to each edge with the top one also marked N.
It is likely that the illustration is of the DH 9A, or the 'Ninak' which superseded the DH9 and its unreliable engine. The DH 9A had the more powerful American 400 hp Liberty engine. The DH 9A came into full production 5 months before the end of WWI and continued to be used by the RAF until its retirement in 1931. The De Havilland Aircraft Company didn't come into being until after the war in late 1920. Before then, Geoffrey de Havilland was working for Airco as their chief designer and technical director.
The intended purpose of this illustration, if it was used at all, is not known. The picture is well painted, as you would expect of Wilkinson, with detail to the subject whilst the background is far looser. Dated 1918.
Dimensions:
1918
Watercolour & Gouache on Board
England
Norman Wilkinson 18
WW1 Biplane Illustration
Unframed. Some uneven edges and shadow marks suggesting it's previously been framed.
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