Product Description

This second volume of Air Combat legends by Nicolas Trudgian shows 50 aviation paintings, most completed since the artist's first volume was published in 1998. One of the world's most popular painters of military subjects, Nick's fascinating narrative compliments this splendid collection of aviation art. - Trudgian's clever interplay of light, shadow and colour, set in boundless landscapes and fascinating skies, provide intensely exciting snapshots of aerial combat not achievable with the camera. - The artist's detailed narrative describes the background to each painting, his methods of research, discussions with combat aircrews, and how these relate to his finished canvases. - The paintings, none of which has appeared in Trudgian's previous successful volume, are supported with wonderfully detailed pencil drawings - a medium in which the artist excels. - Renowned and much admired for the wealth of detail found in his works, Trudgian's paintings maintain a freshness that can be returned to time and time again. - Trudgian brings a reality and authenticity to this work that has made him a favourite with the pilots and crews of the combat aircraft featured in his paintings - an accolade achieved by very few aviation artists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2565139 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Review
One of the world's most popular painters of military subjects presents 50 full colour aviation paintings, including depictions of aerial combat not achievable with the camera, supported by detailed pencil drawings and the artist's narrative. Will be launched at Duxford Air Show.

Customer Reviews

Military art at its finest
This is an excellent example of military artwork at its best. Gives the reader an excellent background on the thought process behind each of Trudgian's masterpieces. I own 11 separate prints of his and this book is a welcome addition to my Trudgian collection. Highly recommend this book to any WW2 historian or fan.

Masterful Aviation Art Collection!
Nicholas Trudgian has to be one of the top five or six aviation artists in the world. David & Charles provides a generous sampling of his art in this 1998 volume which showcases over 30 of Trudgian's best work. It's the next best thing to owning a print!

Following a brief, 16-page biography by a fellow illustrator, Trudgian presents 31 full-page reproductions of various WWII air combat scenes. The facing page includes interesting comments by Trudgian on the event depicted, problems encounted with that particular painting, etc. along with close-ups views of the artwork or related paintings. The 'Operation Tidal Wave' painting, for example, includes another Trudgian B-24 artwork on the facing page.

In perusing the book, it's easy to see why Trudgian is so highly regarded. That self-same 'Operation Tidal Wave' artwork gives the viewer a marvelous, evocative feeling of "you are there" as USAAF B-24s thunder past you, fleeing Ploesti at rooftop height. Other Trudgian favorites of mine include 'The Battle of Kursk,' 'Thundering Home,' 'A Welcome at the Inn' and 'One-Tens Over Kent.'

For those of us who love aviation history but have limited budgets, books like COMBAT LEGENDS are a god-send. You not only get to sample a major talent at work but you get to hear some interesting history along with
stories about painting. Pick up a copy of COMBAT LEGENDS and see a master at work! Highly recommended.

beautiful book, gorgeous paintings by a talented artist
A great book with lots of info about the paintings and comments from the artist about the way he develloped the pictures