Dambusters - Dusk Departure

After seeing the painting 'Dambusters - A Moment in History', and finding that the original had already sold, a private client commissioned a similar painting of this momentous evening. I had previously considered an elevated viewpoint for the first painting but couldn't find enough references of the airfield to follow it through with any confidence. This time however, I managed to find enough information to make it possible and so set the easel at about 50ft! 

This painting shows Squadron Leader Henry 'Dinghy' Young leading Flt Lt Dave Shannon and Flt Lt David Maltby into the air as the second vic from the First Wave, heading for the Mohne and Eder dams on 16th May 1943. In the background you can see Scampton's hangars and a few Lancs scattered around from both 57 Squadron and 617 Squadron and in the far distance you can see Lincoln cathedral on the skyline.