McCudden and the B flight 'Children'

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James McCudden VC and 56 Squadron RFC SE5a - Oil painting by Graham Turner GAvA

McCudden and the B flight 'Children' Ref: GT-Mc

James Thomas Byford McCudden began his military career as an engineer, his skills as a mechanic being so valued that this perhaps delayed his ambition to train as a pilot, restricting his flying experiences to the role of observer until early 1916 when he began his pilot training. He quickly qualified and, after a frustrating period as an instructor, was posted to the Western Front with 20 Squadron flying the two-seat FE2B. Transferring to fly the single-seat DH2 with 29 Squadron, McCudden soon scored his first victory and was commissioned on 1st January 1917.

It was with 56 Squadron flying the SE5a that McCudden really made his mark, proving an exceptional flight commander and setting him on the path to become one of Britain's highest scoring aces and recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Graham Turner's painting is set in August 1917 at 56 Squadron's airfield at Verte Gallant, with McCudden cleaning his hands on a rag after doing some fine tuning to his SE5a, perfecting and improving his aircraft being something his engineering background instilled in him.

On the right are the three members of McCudden's B flight who became known within the squadron as 'The Children': Keith Knox Muspratt, Arthur Rhys Davids, and Maxwell Henry Coote.

Oil on Canvas, canvas size 27" x 20" (69cm x 51cm). Painting is framed - overall size including frame is approximately 32"x 25" (82cm x 64cm) (Scroll down to see a photo of the painting in its frame)

click on image to enlarge

Carriage is not included - please contact us to discuss options (see below)

Price: £3,950.00

Below left - 'The Children': Keith Knox Muspratt, Arthur Rhys Davids, and Maxwell Henry Coote. Below right - James McCudden takes the place of Davids in the centre of the group. Bottom right - Captain J B T McCudden in the cockpit of his SE5a B4863 'G', while serving as B flight commander with 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. (IWM (H(AM) 1111)

Purchasing an Original Painting

Graham Turner's original paintings are offered for sale by the artist himself, rather than through Studio 88, which is our print publishing business. Consequently, payment directly to him is preferred. If you are interested in purchasing an original painting, please email Graham Turner at graham@studio88.co.uk to discuss the purchase or to arrange to visit.

The cost of shipping original paintings varies, depending on their size, value and destination. Our usual shipping rates do not apply, but we would be happy to provide a quote for shipping to your address if you are unable to collect.

(Right) Graham Turner creating his oil painting 'Contact'.

Award Winning First World War Aviation Art

Graham Turner's original oil painting Into the Hands of Fate (right) achieved award success at the 2013 Guild of Aviation Artists annual exhibition, held in the prestigious Mall Galleries, London, where it was awarded the Cross and Cockade prize for the best First World War aviation painting, the Roy Nockolds Trophy (voted for by the public), and was runner up for the two top awards - the Aviation Painting of the Year and Flypast Fellows Award for Excellence. It also sold straight away (for £7,500).

He also won the Roy Nockolds Trophy in 2011, the first time he exhibited with the Guild, for his painting 'Steady Boy', and was Highly Commended for 'Thank You Harry Tate' in 2012, both 'Victor & Vanquished' and 'Contact' in 2015, 'Replacements' in 2016, and 'Letter from Home' in 2017. Letter from Home also won the Wilkinsons Sword Poignard for the Best Oil Painting.

2018 saw Graham win the Cross and Cockade award once again, for his oil painting 'Dawn of the Machines', and again in 2023 for 'Letord Artillery Spotting', where he also won the Hawker Siddeley Trophy for 'The SE5 Proves its Worth'.

RFC FE2b original WW1aviation painting by Graham Turner