Basil Smith: Astra - 1912 Seaplane

Artist: Basil Smith
1925 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1981
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 10 by 9 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Nowhere did aviation fever become more intense in the early days of flight than in France. To be the first to drive aloft in an "aerial automobile," as the new machine was often, but mistakenly, conceived to be, had seemed the birthright of the French. France was, after all, the country of the legendary Montgolfier brothers, who in 1783 had first lifted humans off the earth by means of a gaily painted cotton balloon filled with heated air, and in 1884 French inventive genius had produced the world's first successful dirigible. Thus, a legacy so rich seemed to make France's sweeping victory at the world's 1912 rally for seaplanes a foregone conclusion. This highly publicized air race across the water to Jersey and back to St. Malo subjected the participating aircraft to a grueling endurance test which had never before been attempted. Among the entries was the French-designed hydro-biplane Astra, a remarkable seaplane which, built that same year, had already achieved worldwide recognition as one of the most dependable seaplanes in existence. Only five of the original twelve entrants were recorded as having finished the race which was easily won by the remarkable Astra. The forty-foot wing-spanned Astra was built of wood and powered by a one hundred horsepower Renault engine which, to the astonishment of early aviators, was able to reach and hold a maximum speed of fifty-six miles per hour throughout most of the race.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Astra - 1912 Seaplane.

Artwork Copyright © 1981 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): XB07402

US$ Price: $950.00

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.