Hell's bells - A.K 446

Accession Number ART21005
Collection type Art
Measurement framed: 55.5 x 60.5 cm; unframed: 41.1 x 46.1 cm
Object type Painting
Physical description oil on canvas on cardboard
Maker Norton, Frank
Place made North Africa: Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, El Adem
Date made 16 December 1941
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

One of the Tomahawk aircraft used by No.3 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force in Syrian and Libyan campaigns. American-built aircraft, they have 12 cylinder AIIison engines developing 1050 H.P - top speed of 348 mph. Above the engine are two .5inch guns with four machine guns in wings. 'CV' is Squadron identification; marking 'P', that of the plane. Brown and yellow markings on upper and blue on under portions of aircraft make detection difficult both from ground and air. Flying Tomahawks, this Squadron accounted for 24 enemy aircraft with only one loss to themselves during the Syrian campaign. Scene is typical of dromes in this area. Beyond the plane is A.A gun post with gunner's and ground crews' tents, El Adem. In 1941 Frank Norton joined the Royal Australian Navy and was appointed in March that year as an Official War Artist, travelling to Western Australia, the Middle East, Tobruk and the Western Desert. Norton was again appointed official war artist for the Navy in Korea in 1952.