The Lightning by Humphrey Ocean, oil on canvas

A decade after his musical explorations with singer Ian Dury’s band Kilburn and the High Roads, painter Humphrey Ocean was commissioned by the RAF Museum to represent the English Electric Lightning F6 aircraft at RAF Binbrook just before its withdrawal from service.

An iconic British jet age aircraft, the Lightning had served since 1960 as an interceptor in the Cold War, developed to defend V-bomber airfields from possible attack by Soviet supersonic nuclear-armed bombers. Although never used in the attack, Lightnings intercepted ‘Russian Bear’ (TUPOLEV) long-range reconnaissance aircraft that regularly probed UK airspace. Commissioned in 1987. Preparatory drawings for the work, including a squared-up compositional study, were also acquired for the collection. Copyright: Humphrey Ocean licensed by DACS / RAF Museum.