Gazelle Over Salisbury
Plain by Michael Rondot. Fast and
manoeuvrable, the Gazelle has proved itself as one of the worlds best
light battlefield helicopters. Since its introduction into the Army Air
Corps in 1973, Gazelles have been used in every major conflict involving
British Forces from the Falklands to the Gulf Wars. Used
extensively on anti-terrorist observation and troop support operations
in Northern Ireland, Gazelles have also been heavily committed to NATO
operations in Bosnia.
Concorde Farewell by Michael Rondot
Concorde made supersonic history, bringing Mach 2 international travel
in luxury surroundings at the edge of space to millions of air travellers.
It is instantly recognisable, but Concorde is far more than just a sleek
and pretty aircraft. Its sheer size, combined with the glorious
power and noise of its Olympus engines endow Concorde with a unique
charisma. There is no other aircraft capable of stopping people in
their tracks and making them look to the sky in awe like Concorde taking
off in full reheat. Artist Michael Rondot has captured this sense of
power and energy in Concorde Farewell, a painting that pays tribute to one
of the most impressive aircraft in a century of flight.
The Marham Wing Over Sandringham by Michael Rondot
At the beginning of her Golden Jubilee Year, Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II visited Royal Air Force Marham, the Norfolk airbase close to
the Royal family's winter residence at Sandringham. RAF Marham personnel
are very proud of their unique association with Her Majesty who became
Honorary Air Commodore of the station in 1976. To mark the occasion of her
Golden Jubilee Year this magnificent oil painting was commissioned by all
ranks of RAF Marham and presented to Her Majesty. The aircraft in Michael Rondot's painting represent the five
squadrons of The Marham Wing. A Canberra PR9 is portrayed lading four
Tornado GR4's, with aircraft tail letters specially marked to spell E II R
L for the Golden Jubilee, in a formation flown over Sandringham in Her Majesty's
honour. In the background, surrounded by wooded grounds, lawned
gardens and 20,000 acres of estate, stands a fine red brick and standstone
house built in 1870 for Prince Edward (later King Edward VII).
Buccaneer Thunder by Michael Rondot
Built to fly low and fast over very long distances, the Buccaneer
reigned supreme during the Cold War years both as a carrier-borne and
land-based strike aircraft. For 30 years, first with the Royal Navy Fleet
Air Arm then with the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force, the
Buccaneer's achievements in the low-level strike role approached the
proportions of legend. Roy Boot's classic design is unbeatable in many
respects even by the latest and most potent fighters and this much-loved
aircraft is still immensely popular. It enjoys a unique reputation as a
tough and reliable shipyard foundry-built aircraft and is sorely missed by
those who flew it or worked on it and regarded it as irreplaceable.
Pressed into service at short notice during the Gulf War, the Buccaneer
and its aircrews finally proved in the most spectacular manner what many
had been saying for years, - that the Buccaneer was a truly outstanding
machine that could only be replaced by another Buccaneer. As a tribute to the mighty Buccaneer, artist Michael Rondot has
painted in his Classic Combat Aircraft Series a striking and powerful
image of a Buccaneer "smoking" at 540 knots at low level.
Blue -Fire! by Michael Rondot Nightmare scenario. Dusk over an empty sea. With lights out and in
radio silence, three Buccaneers, each armed with 4 Sea-Eagle missiles,
prepare to attack a Surface Action Group still beyond radar range. 150
miles away, 3 more Buccaneers are approaching the same target in a pincer
attack timed to hit the target at exactly the same time. The first warning
that the target will receive of the attack is when all 24 missiles radar
seekers switch on at close range for the final phase of the attack. Whilst
the Buccaneers escape unseen, the defences will be swamped with their
worst nightmare - two volleys of missiles approaching without warning, at
wave-top height, at 180 degrees to each other.
Michael Rondot's painting captures the moment when the leader of the
first element (callsign 'Blue'), achieves firing solution and initiates
the ripple launch of his formation's missiles by breaking radio silence
with the traditional 208 squadron radio call of "Blue-Fire!"
Mutual Support by Michael Rondot In any conflict, accurate intelligence about the enemy is important,
but during the Gulf War it was crucial to the rapid ending of hostilities
with minimum Allied casualties. US Air National Guard RF-4C Phantoms,
flying deep-penetration photo reconnaissance mission into Iraq and
occupied Kuwait, provided much of the vital intelligence which enabled
Allied ground forces to outflank and overwhelm Iraqi opposition with such
devastation. Their missions were dangerous, taking them into the most
heavily defended air space over Baghdad and the Kuwait Theatre of
Operations in broad daylight. They were fired on by SAMs and AAA barrages,
but none were lost in over 300 missions.
The aircraft belong to 192nd PRS (Nevada National Guard) and the
second aircraft from the 106th TRS (Birmingham Alabama national Guard)
Michael Rondot's painting portrays a classic formation of 2 RF-4Cs in
action over Iraq, flying in company to provide lookout and mutual support
in case of attack. On the ground palls of sand and smoke drift away from
Iraqi positions following an air strike, as the Phantoms accelerate and
turn in for their battle-damage assessment photo run. In the next minutes
they will come under fire from heat-seeking missiles and flak defences
around the target before escaping South, back to their base at Sheikh Isa
AB, Bahrain.
Phantom Thunder by Michael Rondot There are few aircraft even today that can match the sheer power and
brute performance of the F4 Phantom, portrayed here on a breathtaking low
level high speed 'lake burner' run.
Coltishall - End of the Line by Michael Rondot. Life on the flightline at Royal Air Force Coltishall with the 41
Squadron engineering line building in the background.
Broken Silence by Michael Rondot. The Jaguars are en-route to Cape Wrath to carry out precision-guided
bombing attacks at Garbh-eilean weapons range. The lead aircraft is armed
with a Paveway II laser guided bomb, whilst the No 2 is carrying a TIALD
pod to laser designate their target. In the background mighty Ben Hope,
soaring up to 3040 feet, forms a massive backdrop against a darkening sky
as the Big Cats get down to business.
Distant Thunder by Michael Rondot This print shows a Jaguar in particularly aggressive pose during a high
speed low-level training mission to demonstrate modern fast-jet
operations. As a serving Jaguar pilot, artist Michael Rondot was in a
unique position to take passengers flying in this remarkable ground-attack
aircraft and to put their experience onto canvas. Each print is signed by the Base Commander and all 3 Squadron
Commanders of RAF Coltishall.
Desert Cats by Michael Rondot Fact- no matter what type of aircraft, the
world record for low flying can only ever be equalled; it cannot be beaten
without hitting the ground. But getting close to it became an everyday
routine for RAF Jaguar pilots on operational service in the Gulf after the
Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The barren featureless wastes of the desert
offer few opportunities for a low-flying aircraft to hide from enemy
defences by terrain screening or ducking below radar cover. The only
effective counter over a flat desert is to fly so low that any missile
fired at the aircraft hopefully will proximity-fuse on the ground before
it reaches its target. Faced with an unprecedented threat from
surface-to-air missile systems and fighter aircraft, the Jaguar pilots who
deployed to Thumrait, Oman, as the spearhead of Operation Granby in August
1990 trained as they expected to fight, - at ultra low level.
In October 1990 the Jaguars moved to Al-Muharraq, Bahrain, and
continued to train at ultra low level, but as the outbreak of hostilities
drew close and it became apparent that US fighters were more than capable
of dealing with any Iraqi air threat, they switched to medium-level
tactics, preferring to take their chances with the AAA and SAM threat
rather than low-flying through a hail of small-arms and short-range
defensive fire around their targets in Kuwait and Iraq. Blessed with the
sustained luck and inspired leadership of Wg Cdr Bill Pixton DFC AFC, the
gamble paid off, 3 aircraft were hit by Iraqi AAA fire during the 6 week
war, but none were lost.
The Longest Minute by Michael Rondot Michael Rondots painting depicts the moment when the last man to
attack, the number 8 at the tail end of the formation watches and waits
before tipping for attack. For him the longest minute is about to begin.
The first four Jaguars have already attacked and are 'feet wet' returning
to base, having dropped their load of 1000lb bombs on the target. During
the next few minutes the second four-ship will press home their attack,
releasing sixteen 1000lb airburst bombs totally devastating the target
before escaping out to sea, away from the coastal AAA flak belt and back
to their base at Bahrain.Michael Rondot flew on this mission and on 28 others during Operation
Desert Storm. His Gulf War series of paintings reflect an authority and
atmosphere which can only come from having witnessed the stark realities
of war from the cockpit of a combat aircraft. The print is signed by all 22 Operational Jaguar pilots who flew combat
missions during the Gulf War.
Coup de Grace by Michael Rondot Heavily armed and using Victor tankers to in-flight refuel, Jaguars
flew from Al-Muharraq, Bahrain during the Gulf War, their mission to seek
and destroy targets in Kuwait and southern Iraq. The results were
invariably the same: the targets were hit and the Jaguars, despite coming
under fire, returned safely home. Coup de Grace captures the aggressive lines of the weather beaten
Jaguars against the background of a stricken Iraqi ship. Signatories: Grp Capt. William Pixton DFC AFC, Flt. Lt. Pete
Tholen.
Jaguars Over Kilduff by Michael Rondot since its introduction in the 1970s to front-line service in the ground
attack, nuclear strike and reconnaissance roles, the Jaguar has defied
sceptics and proved itself to be one of the finest tactical aircraft in
the history of the Royal Air Force. Battle-tested in the Gulf War, where
618 sorties were flown without loss by just 12 aircraft, the Jaguar has a
reputation as a rugged, effective and exceptionally reliable combat
aircraft.
The painting portrays the Jaguar at 450 knots and 250 feet during a
four aircraft low level sortie over Southern Scotland. Jaguars are from
number 6, 41(F) and 54(F) squadrons based at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk.
Signed by two distinguished Jaguar pilots: Air Chief Marshal Sir John
Thompson GCB CBE AFC, Wing Commander Steve Griggs AFC.
Jaguars Over Bosnia by Michael Rondot Royal Air Force Jaguar strike aircraft in action over Bosnia on close
air support and reconnaissance operations. All prints bear the colour Royal Crests of Royal Air Force Coltishall
and Number 6, 41 and 54 Jaguar Squadrons. Prints can be personalised with
remarque drawing of individual squadron aircraft.
54(F) Squadron
Farewell by Michael Rondot A famous fighter squadron with a
glorious history, No.54(F) Squadron began its distinguished career in
the fierce fighting on the Western Front during World War I. In
1940, flying Spitfires, it was the highest scoring RAF fighter squadron
in the Battle of Britain and went on to become one of the few squadrons
to fly Spitfires operationally during the whole of World War II.
Always a front line squadron, No.54(F) Squadron flew Tempests, Vampires,
Meterors and Hunters before graduating from F4 Phantoms to Jaguars in
1974. Commanded by Wg Cdr Terry Carkton, it became the first RAF
Jaguar Squadron at Coltishall, so continuing its tradition of flying
only fighter/ground attack aircraft during its distinguished history.
Magpies Over Baghdad by Michael Rondot
During
February 2003, fourteen RAAF F/A-18 Hornets flew to Al Udeid airbase in
Qatar for air operations over Iraq as part of Operation Falconer.
This was the first overseas deployment of Australian fighter aircraft
for combat operations since July 1953 when RAAF Meteor F8s flew their
last ground attack missions of the Korean War. The Australians
were airborne from the start of the airstrikes on 20th March and
continued in the thick of the action of the air campaign until the end
of combat operations on 27th April, by which time they had flown 350
combat missions and dropped 122 laser guided bombs. Their missions
ranged from air defence to interdiction and close air support and
included operations with Australian SAS and Commando forces, as well as
numerous missions flown in support of US Marines involved in fierce
street fighting around Baghdad and Tikrit. The Hornets returned to
Australia in May after one of the most successful combat deployments in
the history of the RAAF.
Top Cover by Michael Rondot
With Top Cover, Michael Rondot portrays a pilot's eye view of the speed
and excitement of modern high-tech aerial warfare. High over a panorama of
broken clouds, a pair of F/A-18C Hornets from VFA-81 'Sunliners' dive onto
a group of F-16s simulating an attack on a formation of low flying
A-7 Corsairs far below. The low-flying A7s are in deep trouble, having
been bounced by the F-16s, and will evade as hard as they can to shake off
their opponents. For the F/A18 Hornet pilots the priority id to kill the
F16s before they can threaten the A7s. The fight's on!
You could easily be forgiven for believing that US Navy and Marine
Corps aviators enjoy an unfair advantage in life. They fly the finest
aircraft around, in the most demanding and exciting roles, and they get to
practise their art in some of the most beautiful and exotic parts of the
world, basking in the glamour and mystique of US Naval Aviation. the
reality is more down to earth. Flying the F/A18 Hornet in both the air-defence and the ground attack role is hard, challenging work. Pilots
from the attack community have to learn the skills of air-to-air fighting,
and air defenders have to learn the art of putting bombs and bullets onto
a pinpoint target from a first pass attack in bad weather. It is an
uncompromising and unforgiving environment, with no room for bullshit.
Hornet the Hunter by Michael Rondot Military pilots do not easily heap praise on one another's aircraft,
but when the object of their attention is the McDonnell F18 hornet, they
really do talk in superlatives. Whether displaying its awesome maneuverability
and firepower in the air-to-air combat role, or delivering
a hefty war load with unerring accuracy in the ground attack role, this
aircraft has few, if any, equals. Hornet the Hunter is the 6th print in Michael Rondot's authoritative
series of Gulf War paintings. set against a deep blue sky receding into
the pink heat haze of the desert, a pair of Canadian Armed Forces CF18s
head for the danger zone on a Combat Air Patrol mission. The aircraft are
loaded for action with a full war load of AIM7 Sparrow and AIM9 Sidewinder
missiles, in addition to their 20mm M61 cannon. Each print is counter signed by operational aircrew from Desert Shield
and Desert Storm. Concorde Farewell by Michael Rondot
Concorde made supersonic history, bringing Mach 2 international travel
in luxury surroundings at the edge of space to millions of air travellers.
It is instantly recognisable, but Concorde is far more than just a sleek
and pretty aircraft. Its sheer size, combined with the glorious
power and noise of its Olympus engines endow Concorde with a unique
charisma. There is no other aircraft capable of stopping people in
their tracks and making them look to the sky in awe like Concorde taking
off in full reheat. Artist Michael Rondot has captured this sense of
power and energy in Concorde Farewell, a painting that pays tribute to one
of the most impressive aircraft in a century of flight.
767 by Michael Rondot A British Airways Boeing 767-300 at the start of its take-off roll on a
rain-soaked runway moments after a thunderstorm has cleared the airfield.
You can almost hear the Rolls-Royce RB211-524H engines accelerate to full
power in this dramatic study. British Airways 767 pilots are also
qualified to fly Boeing 757, which is featured in the background. Both the
757 and 767 can perform fully automatic landings in the extreme weather
conditions of fog and low cloud, and are cleared to operate down to the
almost incredible visibility of only 75 metres. The 767 was one of the
first twin engine passenger aircraft allowed to operate over the North
Atlantic.
747 Classic by Michael
Rondot British Airways Boeing 747-200 at the moment of lift-off on a sunny
winter afternoon at the start of another intercontinental flight. In
British Airways service the 747-200 and its older sister the 747-100 are
known affectionately as the 747 'Classic'. 'Classic' by name and 'Classic'
by nature the 747-200 has served British Airways since entering service in
1977, for many years providing the backbone of the company's longhaul
fleet. An aircraft which has seen service in nearly every corner of the
globe, the 747-200 has the range to fly from London Heathrow to Hong Kong
non-stop, and features a three class cabin seating up to 382 passengers.
With a wingspan of almost 60 metres and a maximum take-off weight of
nearly 372 metric tonnes, 'Jumbo' is a very appropriate nickname.
