Eric H Day - Aviation Artist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waleshire
Age: 60
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eric H Day - Aviation Artist
I've seen a few of Mr Day's piccies hanging up in various messes around the RAF and being a bit of a fan of his style, was wondering if anyone has ever had anything commissioned by him?
If so, what does he charge?
I've searched the internet for weeks now but haven't found any mention of him anywhere other than a) A vulcan print on ebay a few weeks back, and b) A mention at ehangar.com. (Trouble was that it was only a mention, not a jot of detail anywhere!)
Although he's no Ronald Wong, his pieces have a charm to them and I assume he'd be reasonable enough as he's not so well known.
Can anyone help?
If so, what does he charge?
I've searched the internet for weeks now but haven't found any mention of him anywhere other than a) A vulcan print on ebay a few weeks back, and b) A mention at ehangar.com. (Trouble was that it was only a mention, not a jot of detail anywhere!)
Although he's no Ronald Wong, his pieces have a charm to them and I assume he'd be reasonable enough as he's not so well known.
Can anyone help?
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: East Midlands
Age: 84
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not disparaging the gentleman when I say that I saw him in Oman at least 20 years ago and he was in the early stage of some debilitating disease like Parkinson's and had a noticeable tremor in his hands. This obviously gave him some diffiulty with sketching and painting. I would have thought that by now he will certainly have given up art and may well, regretfully, have passed away. I shall be happy to be corrected if anybody knows differently.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Somewhere flat
Age: 68
Posts: 5,559
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes
on
30 Posts
Not fully sure but...
I think that he is now the late Eric Day... I am open to ridicule (normal day to day for me) if I am wrong but I think that he passed away a couple of years ago. One of my ex-sqns has a watercolour by him, but sadly we were too late to ask permission from him to make copies.I agree that his paintings captured that certain character of the aircraft. I would have liked a copy myself.
From what I remember, he died something like 10 years ago. I was in a similar position, thinking 'how much does he charge?' and then found out I was rather too late.
Last edited by MG; 22nd Nov 2006 at 17:52. Reason: Can't spell
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waleshire
Age: 60
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks rudekid, I tried the guild of aviation artists a few weeks back. No dice I'm afraid. Although he was a member, it seems that the site admin bod had had no correspondance with Eric in many years.
It seems like sadly, the first couple of replies might prove to be bang on the money. There goes that commission I think, looks like I was too late.
One of life's regrets then maybe.....
Thanks for the replies gents.
It seems like sadly, the first couple of replies might prove to be bang on the money. There goes that commission I think, looks like I was too late.
One of life's regrets then maybe.....
Thanks for the replies gents.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Late Eric Day
I got one of his paintings as a present in 94 from my parents and heard from them shortly after that he had passed on. I think 3 independent rumours of death constitues proof.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: western europe
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
here's one .... a must for the Herc guys surely .... 
5 days to go .....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAF-C-130-HERC...em300051599675
5 days to go .....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAF-C-130-HERC...em300051599675
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waleshire
Age: 60
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's gorgeous. It's a shame I'm not a Herc man! (Although I am tempted!) Wonder if there is still a GR1 painting out there somewhere....
Thanks hobie. And thanks to all who answered, I'm sure you'll understand me saying that I wasn't pleased to hear many of the replies, but you have my heartfelt gratitude all the same.
Thanks hobie. And thanks to all who answered, I'm sure you'll understand me saying that I wasn't pleased to hear many of the replies, but you have my heartfelt gratitude all the same.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I was informed that Eric died several years ago. He occasionally visited RAF Finningley (where many of his water colours hung in the Officers' Mess and in other locations on the Stn) and, when he was there on one occasion I asked him for a commission for, yes, you've guessed it, some water colours of a couple of GWR steam locomotives. I thought he might be dismissive (most of my colleagues are!) but he welcomed a change from aircraft and produced some lovely images, quite cheaply iirc. What did I do? I sold them at a car boot (to an RAF Officer I might add!) because I didn't have room any more in the house for them (its called marriage I think!) and I regret selling them.
Tightgit
Bograt (M** R**v*s) is not a bad hand with the old sable and oil. He's with the AEF at Church Fenton or Leeming, not sure which one..
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waleshire
Age: 60
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're not Charles McHugh then are you? Shameless hijacking of someone else's thread sir!
This is about Eric H Day!
I wonder if any of the Herc crews have seen that post by Hobie earlier? I see it's being bid on by a sapper. Be a shame to see it go to the Army!!
This is about Eric H Day!
I wonder if any of the Herc crews have seen that post by Hobie earlier? I see it's being bid on by a sapper. Be a shame to see it go to the Army!!
I think Mel R is still on 11 AEF at Leeming. I have seen some of his stuff and although it is a different style (oil) from the late Mr Day, i thought it was VERY good. A guy I know got him to knock up a painting from a photo he had so he is very flexible. Ex Chinook pilot and an absolutely top bloke!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: East Midlands
Age: 84
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Squadron and Mess silver and paintings
At slight tangent to hobies question, where does all the disbanded squadrons' and closed stations' silver and paintings get sent for storage? Used to be Quedgeley I think. Sometime ago an inventory of Governement and MOD paintings showed hundreds to be 'unaccounted for'.
Last edited by A2QFI; 22nd Nov 2006 at 21:47.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK Sometimes
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There used to be a lot of Eric's fine work on the walls of North Luffenham Offs Mess. Wonder where they all went? Somewhere suitable I hope, as I believe Quedegley shut some years ago!
It would be an absolute scandal if these (and other works of art) were languishing in a damp, cold shed. ... or worse, on some underhand sh!t's lounge wall!
It would be an absolute scandal if these (and other works of art) were languishing in a damp, cold shed. ... or worse, on some underhand sh!t's lounge wall!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waleshire
Age: 60
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As for paintings, I couldn't tell you, probably the same place!
Back in around 1978 I went with a couple of chums to Eric's studio near Market Rasen. An unbelievable place, untidy as hell with some weird wallpaper, but clearly the lair of a mildly eccentric genius. Chum wanted a couple of Vulcan water colours commissioned and after a chat, Eric agreed....
And fabulous they were too!
And fabulous they were too!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ripon
Age: 64
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'd think the Sqn would be interested in bidding for it.