New Sopwith triplane painting - "Furball"

[Russell Smith]

Furball is a portrait of Sopwith Triplane N5377. This machijne first served with 9S Sq RNAS before being transferred to 1 Sq RNAS. N5377 carried a red fin and wheel covers. It was lost in combat on October 5 1917. The pilot, MJ Watson, was taken prisoner and the victory was credited to Ltn Wilde of Jasta 4. Although Sopwith Triplanes are often depicted in PC10 camoflage, which is a greenish brown, they were often finished instead in PC12, a more reddish brown. No one can really say for sure which finish N5377 carried, and the decision to depict it here in PC12 was purely an artistic decision.

Although only about 150 Sopwith Triplanes were built, it was considered a successful design, and is acknowledged to be the inspiration for Anthony Fokker’s more famous Dr.1 triplane.

The title, Furball, is term often used by pilots to describe an intense, swirling dogfight.




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[sator]

Another great painting Russell, you have mastered the art of realism in your work.

[ONEALM]

Saw this one in person when I vissted Russ - had a great time btw - and it's even better in the flesh. The flat screen does not give you a sense of the depth that Russ gets with his oils.

Another nice one....

[NewBill]

Russell

Just great, so nicely done. The drama is so vivid. After looking at it for a while it's starting to dawn on me how important the background is, and lighting. Can you tell us a little about how you came up with that cloudscape?

Bill