The Vickers-Vimy is just leaving the coast of England

Images(2)

The Vickers-Vimy is just leaving the coast of England

Artist Hallett Robertson Bartlett (Australian, 1906 - 1989)

Date1919

Object number00027434

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper

DimensionsOverall: 290 x 405 mm, 0.03 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Geoffrey Martin

Terms

DescriptionWatercolour depicting the Vickers-Vimy leaving England by Hallett Robertson Bartlett. Handwritten text on upper right corner reads 'The Vickers-Vimy Rolls machine which Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith flew from England to Australia in 1919 winning a prize of £10,000'. On the lower left corner a note reads 'The Vickers-Vimy is just leaving the coast of England'. This watercolour was drawn by Hallett Bartlett when thirteen years and was originally part of a watercolour album. See 00027420 - 00027528.HistoryIn early 1919, the Commonwealth Government of Australia, under direction of the then Prime Minister Billy Hughes, offered a prize of £A10, 000 for the first flight from Great Britain to Australia. The eventual winners, as depicted here by Hallett Bartlett, were pilots and brothers Ross and Keith Smith, in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber which is now on display at the Adelaide Airport. This album illustrates, in the popular style of the period, portraits of ships and some aeroplanes; all identified. The ships are mainly those of the Australian coastal trade including merchant and government vessels, troopships and cargo vessels in Sydney Harbour and elsewhere, although many intercontinental vessels on the Australian run are featured. Bartlett has also incorporated company house flags and pennants into the works. The aircraft depicted are those seen in Australian skies at the conclusion of WWI. Hallett Bartlett was born in Young, New South Wales. His father Charles Henry Falkner Hope Bartlett was a distinguished solider and aide-de-camp to the governor-general, the Earl of Dudley. Although not a lot is known about 'Hal' Barlett, anecdotal evidence suggests that he had aspirations to be an architect at a young age. His craftsmanship is clear in these drawings as is his attention to detail shows a clear military influence, possibly from his father's career and WWI. Bartlett himself joined the armed forces first with the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a voluntary reservist and later to the RAAF where he served in the Middle East. After his return to Australia due to an injury sustained during service, little is known about Bartlett or whether he continued with his love of drawing. His brother, Faulkner 'Hope' Bartlett, was a well-known race driver in Australia and New Zealand and there is evidence that Hal Bartlett was also involved in the automobile industry. SignificanceThis album of drawings by Hallett Bartlett reflect the aeroplanes and ships of the WWI era that captured the imagination of young Australians.