Mike Badrocke RIP

[pigsty]

I've just read in Flight that Mike Badrocke has died.  He was one of the country's most prolific cutaway artists, as well as all the full-colour illustrations and three-views he did.  You may know his work as Aviagraphica.  They really helped feed my interest in nailing models together, as I'm sure a lot of us found back in the day, and there's nothing to beat a good bit of artwork.  Sorry to see him go.

[tempestfan]

Another one of the old guard - RIP! Air International will be one of the mags I will be keeping, along with SAM. Even though it covered much what was contemporary (40 years ago...), it was always a very good read, in particular Roy Braybrook pieces ("Shhh! Want filthy plans?") and superbly illustrated. Not the least with Mr Badrocke's superb cutaways. It took me quite some time to find out that he "was" Aviagraphica, and I always wondered why the cutaways were signed as such but the remaining artwork with his name. Some time later (90s?) he also started signing the cutaways as himself.

[Michael Leek]

Mike Badrocke was always very kind and enjoyed a good chat! I met him in Bremen when I was working on the VFW 614 feeder jet. He was there on behalf of Flight International - before he went freelance. Mike was in Bremen making preparatory drawings for an eventual cutaway of the VAK 191B, which was being built in the same hanger as the prototype VFW 614. I subsequently contacted him many years later to discuss using his cutaways of various Harriers for my proposed photobook on the type. He was very happy to be asked, and was willing to oblige, but sadly fell ill before he could meet my request.

 

During Mike’s time at Flight International, he worked alongside two other great aviation technical illustrators: Frank Munger and John Marsden. (I knew John Marsden well. Much to my surprise, even though one of the finest aircraft illustrators, his hobby was model railways!) There was a distinct difference in illustration styles and techniques between these three technical illustrators. Munger and Marsden, having been trained in the 40s and 50s, frequently drew details freehand, whereas Mike always used instruments, regardless of how small the detail.

 

It would be good to bring together all, if not most, of Mike’s cutaways into one volume! Such a volume would be an incredible reference source, besides being an appropriate tribute to his skill and life’s work.

[Nils]

The good old heroes are passing away, by each year