SKY TROOPERS

With rotors thumping in the dense humid air, Bell ‘Huey’ UH-1Ds race to insert sky troopers of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment during a rapid deployment at the height of the war in Vietnam.

The war in Vietnam saw a battleground that ushered in several forms of revolutionary warfare. One of these was the rapid deployment of elite cavalry units using helicopters in place of their four-footed charges of old, as dramatically captured in Richard’s powerful piece Sky Troopers. Applying his compelling technique with a pencil to maximum effect, Richard depicts an aerial armada of iconic Bell ‘Huey’ UH-1Ds on their way to insert troopers of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, operating as part of the US Army First Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). Travelling light but fighting hard the troopers know from experience that the forthcoming encounter may prove to be brutal.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost pencil artists in the aviation art industry, Richard has created this inspiring drawing to add to his growing repertoire. Already internationally renowned for his stunning depictions of WW1 and WW2 scenes, he has excelled with this stunning piece, unbelievably his first-ever composition of Hueys in Vietnam. 

Completed in Richards ‘trademark’ style of graphite, wash and coloured highlights on toned buff paper, this atmospheric piece serves as a lasting tribute to all those who fought in Vietnam.