'Coming Home', watercolour, 54 x 34 cm.
A Shackleton Mk 3 aircraft comes in to land over Findhorn Bay at RAF Kinloss. The approach to runway 08 at RAF Kinloss in northern Scotland comes in over Findhorn Bay, a large tidal bay on the River Findhorn just before it enters the Moray Firth. I've landed here many times myself and the view over the bay is fantastic!
The aircraft shown here is XF730, delivered to the RAF in 1959 and which flew with No 120 (better known as CXX) Squadron between 1963 and 1966, coded as aircraft 'B'. In 1966, after assisting in trials with the new additional Viper engines for assisted short take-off, she was transferred to No 42 Squadron where she remained until she was retired in 1971.
In this painting she comes home after a long patrol (and Shackletons were capable of very long patrols) to her base at Kinloss.
On a personal note, I joined the maritime patrol force as a pilot in the 1980s on the Nimrod, which replaced the Shackleton. I never flew 'The Growler' but a lot of my friends have history on this type; I hope I've done her justice!
The original painting was produced as a commission. By kind permission of the owner, we are able to add it to our aviation prints stable as a limited edition run of only 100 prints!
A limited edition of 100 prints are available. The prints are available in our medium or large sizes:
Medium: Image 37 x 25 cm, £32 unmounted or £39 mounted to fit a 20 x 16" frame.
Large: Image approx 55 x 35 cm - £40 unmounted or £54 mounted to fit a 70 x 50 cm frame.
Framing Options:
Please note that we can only provide framed prints for customers who can pick up from us in Mosstodloch - we are unable to post framed prints.
Medium framed print: £65
Large framed print: £96