Best sources of reference for aviation paintings?
 

I'm an illustrator by trade and I'm looking to produce a series of aviation paintings over the next year.

The best examples I've seen all seem to be illustrations of a specific event or encounter that really happened, and are thoroughly researched.

So my question is this: what's the best way to find out about specific details such as exact aircraft model and markings, weapons loudout etc. If I find a scenario that interests me in a book for example, where would be the next best place to go to fill in all of the visual details?

To narrow the field a little, let's confine it to the Battle of Britain for the moment.

Any pointers or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

PS: also, besides biographies etc. what's the best way of finding these scenarios? Would I be best looking at diaries? Are there logbooks available that would provide sufficient detail? Thanks again!

i use thi site a lot has lots of pix paintings and other stuff look n see for ur self... http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/album/index.php

hello
there are a very nice collecting of books of the osprey publishings.u must find colors profils to help u
for the battle of britain there are a books of osprey publishing which are good:
-the spitfire I/II the legend
-bf 109d/e aces 39-41
-spitfire markI/II aces 39-41
-hurricanne aces 1939-1940
hope u will find an interresting things in those books
very nice job u do!!congratulations

Hi, I just finished reading The Battle of Britain by Patrick Bishop. It's a day by day account of the entire battle and would be a really good way for you to pick up some inspiration as there are lots of personal accounts and extracts from the people involved. It's also got the technical info about the aircraft and some nice paintings done at the time in there too, and lots of photos.

It's out in hardback in the UK atm. I'd also recommend it to anyone else on here.

Also http://www.battleofbritain1940.net has a day by day account and a section on all the Aircraft used. Check out the chronology, it's very thorough. It details who did what where and when.

Great, thanks for the help guys. I'm reading Patrick Bishop's Fighter Boys at the moment, so I'll definitely check out that one as well.