There are artists and there are top flight artists. Isle of Wight artist Ivan Berryman is a master of detail who has executed this extraordinary painting of the Spartan bi-plane G-ABYN flying over Queen Victoria’s beloved home of Osborne House, East Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The plane was built by Spartan Aircraft, a subsidiary of Saunders Roe of East Cowes, in 1932.
Ivan was commissioned to paint this picture as part of the fundraising campaign to buy the aircraft and return it to England and the Isle of Wight from New Zealand.
Ivan has incorporated into his painting pilot Pauline Gower and her engineer Dorothy Spicer.
Dorothy Spicer and Pauline Gower with Spartan 3-seater G-ABKK. Copyright Michael Fahie.
Both women are forever associated with Spartan bi-planes, in which they made their names in the 1930s pioneering days of flying circuses. Dorothy trained in secret for one of her aircraft engineering licences at Saunders Roe, East Cowes, and Spartan Aircraft, Somerton Airfield, West Cowes. It was done in secret because women were prevented from gaining advanced qualifications at that time – preserved for men only.
Ivan’s original painting has been reproduced as a limited edition of 250. Each print is individually numbered and signed by the artist. Actual size of the print is 48 x 33 cm (19″ x 13″).
All profits from sale of the prints will go towards to fundraising campaign.
If anyone is interested in having one of these prints, please make enquiries here where you will be given details of how to obtain one.
Alternatively, visit Wight Aviation Museum website if you are not able to actually visit the museum yourself at Sandown Airport.
Saunders Roe Princess Flying Boat G-ALUN model at Wight Aviation Museum, Sandown Airport.
See more of Ivan Berryman’s artwork on his own website, including other Isle of Wight historic aircraft, painted with the same level of accurate attention to detail. Browse and enjoy. http://www.ivanberrymandirect.com/print_store.htm
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