Hell-For-Leather

[Skyraider3D]

Hell-For-Leather

After their nuclear attack against a Soviet industrial target, the crew of this TSR2 dive back to the relative safety of supersonic low-level flight. With the bomber’s cover now broken, a “Shilka” self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is the first enemy unit to respond. As they speed away from the target, hopes are high for a safe return to their forward air base in West Germany... if it is still there. This is the doomsday scenario that could have unfolded, had the Cold War turned hot and had the TSR2 not been cancelled in 1965.

Around the height of the Cold War, the British government released a specification for a nuclear-capable strike and reconnaissance aircraft. The result was the British Aircraft Corporation TSR2. Sadly Britain was in a poor financial position at that time and simply couldn't afford this state-of-the-art machine. The cancellation that followed in 1965 nearly wiped out military aircraft production in the UK.

This image was created for Damien Burke's superlative book TSR2, Britain's Lost Bomber, published by Crowood. If you have any interest in the TSR2 at all, this is the one book to get. Freshly researched, it debunks all the misinformation and myths that surrounds it and adds lots of new insight, information and fantastic technical detail that has been hidden in archives for over four decades. An absolute must for anyone interested in Cold War aviation. More information about this book can be found on http://www.tsr2.info

Prints of the cover art are available through my web store at http://www.digitalaviationart.com

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ronnie

PS. Below a few close-ups:

Edited December 24, 2010 by Skyraider3D

[Speckled Jim]

I take my hat off to you sir!

this is particularly impressive, the attention to detail, the ambient yet eerie colours its fantastic, when they say a picture means 1000 words, they must have had this in mind - however unfortunately I dont know 1000 words to best represent my thoughts and feeling regarding this picture the best would be sheer awe!

Oh and I have to say, If my Aircraft's markings were XS666 I certainly would be praying never to be dropping anything along the lines of nuclear weapons... in fact I would point blank refuse to fly an aircraft with XS666, but that's the brilliant thing about this picture as that its self can be perceived as an image a sort of cursed aircraft on the most hellish of jobs.

[Mentalguru]

WOW!

[Andy Mullen]

Another stunning image Ronnie

[Nick Millman]

Come on Ronnie, get on with the proper job and stop messing about with these blowtorches!

Seriously, though, this is superb.

[Col.]

Stunning work as ever Ronnie. Recall seeing this one start to take shape on eHangar and good to see where you've taken it.

[Mike]

Excellent work!

[Spence]

That's utterly fantastic! I really must build one of these things..!!!

Brilliant!

Spence

[F111Fan]

Absolutely stunning work, the very pinnacle of digital design

[jimbuna]

Tremendous...brilliant

[TonyG]

Wow! Excellent work, but damn you sir, I've now got to decide on whether to build my 1/48 TSR-2 as-is, as a 'what-if, or see if I can get a second one...

Was the serial number XS666 deliberate?

[Skyraider3D]

Thank you very much guys for your fantastic replies!

"XS666" was a serial allocated to the anticipated first production batch of TSR2s. Client and author Damien Burke suggested it, as it was very fitting to this hell-on-earth scenario. The work's title is of course another play on the hell theme.

Edited December 24, 2010 by Skyraider3D

[keefr22]

Absolutely fantastic! Brilliant work!!

Keef

[mrvr6]

thats just awesome

iv built a whiff in almost that scheme

[AnonymousDFB1]

Wonderful....

[Col.]

Having got the book for which this is cover art as a Christmas present I'd say you can judge a book by it's cover in this instance as both are wonderful.

[Skii]

Best.picture.ever

[stevehnz]

Seroiusly impressive, makes me want to get mine out of the stash. It was always going to be finished "in service". What book is that the cover art for, it sounds like it might become a must have?

Steve.

[Col.]

... What book is that the cover art for, it sounds like it might become a must have?

Steve.

TSR.2 Britain's Lost Bomber by Damien Burke. Not cheap but well worth it.

[larkie]

Even on my little netbook this looks absolutely awesome

[Skyraider3D]

Thanks a lot guys! I am really glad it's so well received here. I definitely will do some more artwork with the TSR2. Should I do another what-if or perhaps a nice one of XR219?

Impressive bomb load there, mrvr6!