Stratford Air Show

Spitfire

I was at the Stratford Aero Club's Open Day in central Taranaki on the weekend. Just after we got there, a Spitfire arrived from just off the horizon. The pilot did some close fly-bys and tilted the wings for the cameras. I've heard fighter planes before and this one didn't have a usual deep rumble that a grunty aircraft engine would make. It sounded like there was still a lot of power there but not as loud as I expected. I've read about the Spitfires and they were quite renowned for their performance in the skies. It seemed very classy (and stealthy?) to be 'that kind of fighter plane' and yet have this nice purring engine. These are great planes!

After it landed, and parked on the airfield I started to sketch. I overheard someone say to another enthusiast that this particular Spitfire was a seven-eighth size replica with a V8 engine. 

Oh. 

I just kept drawing...

World Sketch Day - Stratford Air Show

The classic Spitfire and its close US cousin the Mustang at the air show . Well done to the Stratford Aero Club for a most enjoyable day.  MLB

Stratford Aerodrome Open Day.

Today was Worldwide Sketchcrawl Day. Brian had the great idea of going down to the Stratford Aerodrome which was having an open day. There was plenty to see, and too much to sketch!
The open day went most of the day, so we were a bit staggered in getting there, (hence no group photos), but I'm sure we all enjoyed the challenge of sketching aircraft. There were plenty of big planes and a good display of model aircraft as well. I sketched one of each.

Here is my first sketch of a real plane:

Sonerai SS.
Pencil and watercolour.

And my second sketch of a model aircraft:

Stinson Reliant.
Pencil and colour pencil.

Stratford Aerodrome Open Day.

Here are some photos:

 Model aircraft:

 Mount Taranaki and the Spitfire arriving:

Aerobatic demonstration:

Stratford Air Show