Any blog that gets as many posts as JSVB will only get a 633rd post just once. I saw this as my opportunity to provide a showcase for the thrilling tales of 633 Squadron RAF. You can almost hear the brassy roar of the Merlin engines and the deadly drumbeat concert of ack-ack batteries!
War buffs and even science-fiction geeks of a certain age will recall the first time they read the 633 Squadron novels by Frederick E. Smith, or watched the 1964 movie. The main story features a fictional squadron of Allied WWII bomber pilots called upon to destroy a Nazi factory. The target facility was built under the overhang of a massive cliff at the end of a narrow Norwegian fjord covered by dozens of anti-aircraft cannon. The enemy plant cannot be touched using conventional bombs, since it is situated deep into the rock face. The Allies decide that the only way to take out the installation is to run a squadron of small Mosquito bombers full speed into the fjord underneath the anti-aircraft fire and try to lob their earthquake bombs into the narrow opening, thereby causing the cliff to collapse onto the building. It's a suicide mission made worse when the Norwegian Resistance is unable to incapacitate the defensive guns. This is the event that I have chosen to represent with today's action-packed painting: "633 Squadron".
If you feel that you're familiar with this story, then likely you know it from another source. George Lucas has stated that the final mission in 633 Squadron was the inspiration for the Rebel run on the Death Star trench in "Star Wars" (1977). Watching the 633 Squadron movie, I felt there were indeed similarities. There is terse "Stay on target!" dialogue in both movies, and they share many visual set-ups with regards to the harrowing flight into the trench or fjord.
633 Squadron isn't a great war movie, though. The wooden acting and hackneyed script bring the quality of the picture down. Even so, the visuals remain very impressive. 633 Squadron was the first aviation film to be shot in colour using widescreen Panavision lenses. Since they could not use old stock footage, the film crew resorted to hiring their own bombers and fighters and to shooting much of the action using real aircraft. The music is also notable, with a memorable score by film composer Ron Goodwin that truly soared. If you've played the arcade videogame "1942", you'll have heard the score: it's the same music as in 633 Squadron.
I have some good sentimental memories of the 633 story. I recall reading the books for thrills as a teen, and watching the movie on television. There's a lot of blustery soap opera in 633 Squadron, and it's derivative of the far superior true story of The Dam Busters. I did think enough of 633 to paint this picture, though, which took quite a bit of work.
Fortunately for me, people in Norway have taken many pictures of their fjords, and aviation buffs have detailed records of what a deHavilland Mosquito should look like. I feel that I even have the correct insignia for the bombers. I owe thanks to online resources from Don Color, Chris Davey, and Den Pascoe for their Mosquito reference pictures.
This image is presented in low resolution on JSVB. I do have a high-resolution poster-sized master copy without the yellow signature watermark that can be made into prints. If you are interested in one, please contact me at the e-mail on the top of my blog page!
This image is presented in low resolution on JSVB. I do have a high-resolution poster-sized master copy without the yellow signature watermark that can be made into prints. If you are interested in one, please contact me at the e-mail on the top of my blog page!
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