A precise watercolour by Eric Ravilious depicting a de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft in flight over a training airfield.

Eric Ravilious produced this watercolour during his tenure as an official war artist. The work depicts a de Havilland Tiger Moth, a primary trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force, in flight above an airfield. Ravilious employs his characteristic technique of layering translucent washes to build the atmospheric conditions of the sky and the textured surface of the ground.

The composition relies on a strong sense of perspective, drawing the eye along the runway markings towards the horizon. The aircraft itself is rendered with precision, its yellow wings providing a sharp contrast to the muted, earthy tones of the surrounding environment. The repetitive, rhythmic shadows cast upon the ground demonstrate the artist's interest in geometric patterns and the structural qualities of the scene.

Unlike many depictions of military aviation that focus on combat, this piece captures the quiet, technical nature of pilot training. The artist avoids dramatic flair, opting instead for a measured observation of light and form. The work reflects the specific aesthetic of mid-twentieth-century British watercolour painting, where clarity of line and controlled colour palettes were prioritised. Ravilious was known for his ability to find order in complex subjects, and this image of the Tiger Moth is no exception. It remains a clear example of his approach to documenting the machinery of war through a lens of calm, disciplined observation.