Lot 153A: John Pittaway 'John Cobb Railton Mobil Special 1947',

signed, dated 1994, depicting Cobb blasting down the Bonneville Salt Flats on the way to a shattering new World Land Speed Record of 394.19 mph, 50 x 75cm, framed.

Born on the 11th January 1933 in Birmingham John Pittaway came from a family with artistic talents, demonstrating a natural talent for drawing at an early age and following his early years at local schools, he went on to study art at the Birmingham School of Art and followed this with a 3 year scholarship course at the Birmingham College of Art.
Over the years, he gained considerable experience working for several art studios, before going freelance, this included Fine Art commissions, illustrating history books and brochures for the Rootes Group, Alvis and Land-Rover. Aircraft were his first love being elected a full member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 2004 having been an associate member for many years. One of his more recent paintings, a very evocative view of a Lancaster B1 overhead and at low level, gained a much coveted ‘Highly Commended’ at a recent annual exhibition of Guild members paintings. John's work has been exhibited at many important venues including the Paris Air Salon, and in the United States.