Ben Heywood :: Battle Action

Action Annual 1983: The Fantastic Fall (1982)

Artist: Graham Coton (Painter)

2 Comments - 288 Views - 4 Likes

Action Annual 1983: The Fantastic Fall (1982) Comic Art

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Additional Images:

verso

as printed

Cover

Next Item:
Battle Action #278, (26 July 1980); Charley's War, pp2

Artwork Details

Title:	Action Annual 1983: The Fantastic Fall (1982)
Artist:	Graham Coton (Painter)
Media Type:	Paint - Watercolor
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	288
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	10/2/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

From Wikipedia:

'On the night of 24 March 1944, 21-year-old Nicholas Alkemade was one of seven crew members in RAF Avro Lancaster B Mk. II of No. 115 Squadron. Returning from a raid on Berlin, east of Schmallenberg, the Lancaster was attacked by a Ju 88 night-fighter. The Lancaster caught fire and began to spiral out of control. Because his parachute had caught fire and was unserviceable, Alkemade jumped from the aircraft without it, preferring to die on impact rather than burn to death. He fell 18,000 feet (5,490 m) to the ground below. His fall was broken by pine trees and a soft snow cover on the ground. He was able to move his arms and legs and suffered only a sprained leg. The Lancaster crashed bursting into flames, killing pilot Jack Newman and three other members of the crew.

Alkemade was subsequently captured and interviewed by the Gestapo, who were initially suspicious of his claim to have fallen without a parachute. This was until the wreckage of the aircraft was examined and his parachute was found as Alkemade had described it. The Germans gave Alkemade a certificate testifying to the fact. He was a celebrated prisoner of war, before being repatriated in May 1945.'

The Action annuals reliably dramatised great action-packed feats, and none is so memorable as Flight Sergeant Nicholas Alkemade, especially when depicted by Graham Coton. Coton uses his deceptively simple style with quick, yet incredibly accurate, brush-strokes in quick-drying gouache, showing the moment Alkemade leaves the burning Lancaster. There was none better than Coton in depicting the horror and glamour of war. The moonlit sky, snowy countryside, searchlight beams, bursts of flak, and the blazing bomber hurtling to its destruction.

We're in the moment with the airman AND the artist.

Gouache on thin artboard
Image 15 1/2 x 19 1/2
Board 17 1/2" x 21 1/2"

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About the Owner

	Ben Heywood Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2009
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	eggwood
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

Posted on 10/2/2023

A truly exciting scene!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/2/2023

The flying fortress in flames is a big moment to turn the tide of war and symbolic of one side's will to bring it down.

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