Charles Knotek: Sopwith Snipe

Artist: Charles Knotek
1933 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 16.25 by 13.75 inches
Overall Size: 20.5 by 18 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

World War I in Europe witnessed the first military use of aircraft on any appreciable scale. Despite this aerial breakthrough, air operations during the war actually had little direct influence or impact upon the fighting. But, this embryonic period set the stage for the theory that air power would one day be a major decisive agent in military strategy. Proponents of such theory maintained that an air force's mobility and speed made it inherently more powerful than surface forces. Bitter debates ensued throughout the war over the proper military function of the airplane, as most traditional military leaders maintained that aircraft should be strictly a scouting weapon. As the nature of the war gradually changed into a bitter deadlock in the trenches, the combative spirit of the airmen increased and various types of arms were added to their aerial equipment. Breaking with arbitrary restrictions, the airplane was finally added to the arsenal of military weapons. And, as the war dragged on, battle planes emerged. It was in scout/fighter planes that the great aces of World War I fought. Among those greats was Canadian Major William G. Barker who fought a single-handed engagement in a Sopwith Snipe against several formations of enemy aircraft. Attacked by sixty enemy planes, Barker managed to shoot down four planes before landing his bullet-riddled Snipe in the British trench lines. Depicted on this artwork is a Sopwith Snipe much like the one Barker flew into the enemy's aerial armada.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Combination Cover for the Canada 17¢ Lancaster and 17¢ CF-100 se-tenant stamps issued November 10, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06634

US$ Price: $1,200.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Shipping and handling will be added to the first payment. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.