‘All in a day’s work’

By the Spring of 1942, production of the various types of Master had been completed and, in its place, for the next three years, the factory at Woodley produced a target-towing development of the Master, known as the Martinet. In all nearly 1,800 Martinets were built, including 65 pilot-less radio-controlled versions known as the Queen Martinet.

In the painting, a Martinet is seen, about to be flown out for delivery to the R.A.F. by a female A.T.A. pilot. She had probably been flown in to Woodley by a ‘taxi’ aircraft from White Waltham and the Martinet’s delivery would perhaps be just one of five or six such flights she would make that day around the country.

Already taking off is a Spitfire, perhaps flown by another A.T.A. pilot. Late in 1940, FG Miles had won for Phillips & Powis a contract to repair damaged Spitfires, perhaps surprisingly for a company that had previously only built wooden aircraft. Two new large hangars were constructed close to the existing Repair & Service hangars at the eastern end of the airfield and a dedicated team of metal-workers was recruited. Over the following five years, it is thought that well over 1,000 Spitfires were repaired and returned to service, making another important contribution to the war effort by the Woodley factory.

In the background, two Tiger Moths from Woodley’s R.A.F. Flying Training School can be seen on a circuit of the airfield.

____________________

Gallery                Next painting               Contact me

 

 

 

 

_________________________

Index Next painting The sales pitch

Painted in oils on canvas. 2007. 500mm x 600mm.