On Sunday 29th May 2011, at the Tower Museum, Bassingbourn,
Steve Harper - noted Aviation and Motorsport artist - unveiled his most recent piece of work; a print entitled "
Honouring the 91st". To witness the unveiling of the print were members of the
91st Bomb Group Memorial Association, (based in the United States) including three WWII veterans; two of whom were aircrew on B17 Flying Fortresses, based at Bassingbourn during the Second World War.
It was a special moment as Steve removed the black fabric covering the print, and revealed to the seated guests the original canvas painting.
Many months of hard work, plenty of coffee, "sticky buns" and late night emails between Steve and Amy Murphy (Company Secretary of the Tower Museum), had come to their end in that moment and the visiting Bomb Group Memorial Association showed their appreciation in the rapturous applause that drifted out across Bassingbourn airfield.
Steve said ...
"The painting is unveiled today, at the Tower Museum, as a special tribute to what may well prove to be the last UK reunion of 91st Bomb Group veteran's".
"To receive comments such as "a truly beautiful painting" and "you feel like you can almost walk into the picture and back into 1943" from the veteran's and their families made today and the unveiling all the more special for me".
Steve, who has pledged his support to the Tower Museum, will be painting a further four Bassingbourn themed prints, which will be launched at the Tower Museum over the course of the next 18 months.
Amy said of the day ... "it has been amazing. To have the veteran's, their families and the Bomb Group accept our invitation to come back to Bassingbourn and be here for such a special day is just amazing. Steve's painting is beautiful and captures the spirit of Bassingbourn so well - we can't thank him enough for his support".
The No. 1 print of the painting "
Honouring the 91st" was signed by Steve and the three visiting WWII veterans, and will now be on permanent display at the Tower Museum for visitors to enjoy for years to come.
Copies of the print, along with other "Honouring the 91st" merchandise are available to buy from the Tower Museum's shop or the
brand new online shop launched this week.
Please click "
here" for more on the
amazing painting by Steve and photographs from the day.
For more information about Steve and his work, please click "
here".
Outside the Tower
Steve with
veterans Don Murray, Guy Bechtel and Mel Dart, the Museum's Director and Curator Chris Murphy, and
re-enactors who supported the event.