Keith Ferris Originals

The subject is Boeing P-12Bs of Kelly Field’s 43rd School Squadron landing in a farmer’s field during a 1932 “strange field landing practice,” a required part of the Air Corps Advance Flying School training syllabus of those days.  The students had selected the field as they “cut” their engines on a hand signal from their instructor who has landed behind them and awaits their take-off.  This could prove a dangerous position as farmers often defended their property with shotguns.

 

Instructing in aircraft #2 is the artist’s father, Lt. C.I. Ferris.  The artist formed his love of aircraft as a child while living within 100 feet of those P-12s at Kelly Field.

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Please note: This painting was originally sold to a collector in 1996. During a divorce it was sold back to the artist family.

 

(Currently held in the family estate as a family favorite)

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