RAN Gannets over HMAS Melbourne
© David Marshall Aviation Art 2025
This painting illustrates two RAN Gannets flying over HMAS Melbourne. The RAN ordered 36 Gannets and they served with 816 and 817 Squadrons aboard Melbourne. These unique machines were replaced in their sub-hunting role by the rugged twin piston-engined Grumman Trackers in 1967.
In this painting the aircraft are rendered with technical accuracy: correct proportions, panel lines, markings, and serials. Although the forms are precise, the light is soft and diffused. The gold‑brown palette suggests dawn or dusk. The sea and sky are treated as broad, blended fields of colour rather than sharply detailed surfaces. This creates depth and mood, letting the aircraft and ship stand out as the crisp focal points.
The diagonal sweep of the aircraft across the canvas, with the aircraft carrier set low on the horizon, conveys motion and operational purpose. The angle and spacing of the aircraft imply formation flying not combat.
- About David Marshall
- About Ships and aircraft in company
In this section a wide variety of artworks with more than one ship, submarine or aircraft are featured. When two or more naval vessels are operating together they are said to be ‘in company’.
The diverse nature of activities, exercises and deployments undertaken by ships, submarines and aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy means that a ship may spend long periods conducting single ship operations or periodically join with large numbers of other ships for such events as a naval review or fleet entry to a port. These latter events are generally scheduled to commemorate a particular event. During such events a prominent or royal figure will review the fleet as part of the ceremony. Throughout its history ships of the RAN have participated in major fleet entries and reviews both in Australian waters and overseas.
Details of Ships in the First Fleet
Name Class Commission Dates HMAS Australia Indefatigable Class 21 Jun 1913 – 12 Dec 1921 HMAS Melbourne Town Class Light Cruiser 18 Jan 1913 – 23 Apr 1928 HMAS Sydney Town Class Light Cruiser 26 Jun 1913 – 8 May 1928 HMAS Encounter Challenger Class Light Cruiser 1 Jul 1912 – 1 Jan 1923 HMAS Warrego River Class 1 Jun 1912 – 22 Jul 1919 HMAS Parramatta River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 22 Jul 1919 HMAS Yarra River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 30 Sep 1929
More reading
- Additional resources for Ships and aircraft in company
RAN Grumman Tracker takes off from HMAS Melbourne
RAN Sea King over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
Korean War Battler – A RAN Firefly V makes a low pass over HMAS Sydney
Hawker Sea Fury – The ultimate piston-engined fighter
805 Squadron RAN Sea Venom makes a low pass over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
Aircraft carrier, with Grumman Avenger aircraft on flight deck
Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approach, HMAS Supply, Hobart and Sydney
MV KRAIT and Japanese Destroyer in 1943
Troop Convoy and Escort and Hudson Bomber
N Class Destroyers off Libya
Sydney Harbour looking east to Garden Island from Dawes Point
Second Convoy that left Albany, Western Australia on the 31st December 1914
RAN tribute to Anzac dead Dardanelles 12th November 1918
Proud Entry
HMAS Arunta HMAS Westralia with US Navy Light Cruser
HMA Ships MORESBY and ATTACK post 1967
HMA ships LABUAN and FREMANTLE with OBERON submarine
HMAS VAMPIRE, MELBOURNE and PARRAMATTA
Howzat Good Catch Sea Fury RAN
