Gritty Hornet Photo

[clipper1801]

Found this image on Facebook, just had to have it!

[Baxter]

On the way to make history.

[Flying Helmut]

That's a great picture!

Thanks for posting it.

[hawkhurst]

great picture

thank you for posting

[BobP]

Funny for how secret this was that they would leave early in the morning in plain view of anyone to see. Great photo.

[Teaticket]

Great photo. Agree with Bob. Funny they let themselves be seen leaving port. I guess they thought the odds were low anyone would figure out what was going on.

[OldGuy59]

CGI image, from an aviation Sim? Doesn't look exactly right to me.

[Scrivner]

Thanks for sharing!

This is a painting titled "Approaching the Gate to Destiny" by a Navy Aviation artist William S. Phillips.

http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/phi...ingthegate.asp

I did a little research which confirmed that the Hornet did indeed leave in clear view from Naval Air Station Alameda at San Francisco around 9AM on the morning of April 2, 1942.
Apparently a cover story about the Hornet ferrying the bombers to Hawaii was circulated.

[Biggles downunder]

William Phillips - my favourite aviation artist! Years ago my wife gave me a book of is artwork with his comments on each painting. It’s one of my treasured possessions. For a number of years I bought calendars that used his artwork.



And Stephen Coonts - love his novels!!

[zenlizard]

Nice bit of work, that.

[Naharaht]

That is a very realistic looking painting. Thank you for sharing it, David.

[CappyTom]

Thanks David for sharing. Wow! just think about what they were about to do.

Thomas