Benbulbin

This original oil palette knife painting was painted for the DAA and NCAD open call 4 artists completition 2018.

This aircraft commemorates the original Dragon EI-ABI which operated Aer Lingus’ first service from Dublin (Baldonnel) to Bristol on 27 May 1936. That original aircraft was sold in the UK in February 1938 and was lost during WWII.

This aircraft was built by De Havilland at Hatfield in early 1936 and its first flight was performed by Geoffrey de Havilland himself. Its Certificate of Airworthiness was issued on 18 April 1936, registered in the UK as G-AECZ, and it was operated by several small British operators until it was impressed into military service on 11 October 1939, being later allocated RAF serial AV982. It was restored to the civil register as G-AECZ on 18 June 1946, registered to Air Taxis Ltd of Special arrangements were agreed with the authorities to use registration EI-ABI, the registration used by the original aircraft. It made its first flight post restoration on 10 April 1986 and its Certificate of Airworthiness was issued on 18 April 1986, coincidentally 50 years to the day after its first C of A had been awarded. I felt a connection immediately as this date 18th April  its my birth day and so I just had to paint this magnificent plane.  I loved painting it. I might add I didn't win the competition but it was great taking part. It stretched me as an artist. Congratulations to the winner SIZE 70CM X 140 CM (28 INCH X 55 INCH)