Avro Lancaster Bombers at Woodford

Charles Ernest Cundall 1890 - 1971

Summary

Interior of aircraft hanger at Woodford, the roof is reinforced with steel bars, and strip lights illuminate the scene below. There is a row of Lancaster fighter planes extending towards the entrance of the hanger. Red scaffolding is used to make the planes accessible to those who are tending to them. The planes are in a dark camouflage green colour. There is a white colour across the scene, reminiscent of light mist or smoke. This painting depicts the famous Lancaster bomber, renowned for the Dambusters raids and other missions, being given their final fit-out in giant hangars at what is now Woodford Aerodrome, Cheshire. In the summer of 1945, Lawrence Haward, Director of Manchester Art Gallery, devised a scheme to secure the patronage of local industry in an attempt to build up a collection of Second World War pictures. This was to differ from that of the First World War by including more local artists and by illustrating the industrial work carried out behind the scenes, especially in the Manchester area. Selected firms were invited to commission an artist with Manchester connections to make a record of their main contribution to the war effort, which the directors would then present to the art gallery.