Robert William Bradford
Encyclopedia
Robert William Bradford (C.M.)
(December 17, 1923) is a pioneering Canadian
aviation artist, instrumental in the founding of the Canada Aviation Museum
.
when they were 18. Bradford trained on the de Havilland Tiger Moth
and Avro Anson
, but he never saw operational duties. He was injured in a crash while waiting assignment, which required several months of hospitalization. After the war, Bradford became an aviation illustrator first for A. V. Roe Canada Limited
in 1949 and then, in 1953, for de Havilland Aircraft of Canada
.
While serving as Chief Illustrator for de Havilland, in 1961, Bradford drew the attention of Ken Molson, curator of the recently formed Canada Aviation Museum
. Molson commissioned Bradford to produce a series of historical aviation pieces. Bradford produced eighteen images depicting historically significant aircraft and events, and, in 1966, was hired as the museum's Assistant Curator. Eventually, Bradford succeeded Molson to the curator position.
At this time in the museum's history, the collection was housed in WWII-era hangars at Rockcliffe
. In 1978, Bradford began collaborating with the new National Air Museum Society (Friends of the National Aviation Museum) to secure a new facility from the Federal Government. This was a project that continued over the next several years, as Bradford served in 1982 as Director of the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Aviation Museum's parent and returned in 1984 to the National Aviation Museum as Associate Director. Their efforts paid off, and the new facility opened at Ottawa's Rockcliffe Airport in 1988. That same year, Bradford was named Patron of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. In 1989, the collection secure, Bradford retired from the Museum, but continued his career as a painter.
's trans-Atlantic flight, the first winner of the McKee Trophy "Doc" Oaks, and Billy Bishop's
Victoria Cross
winning aerial action. For his artistic achievements, in 1974 he became the first Canadian artist to receive the American Aviation Historical Society's Aviation Award. In 1982, he received the Paul Tissandier Diploma from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
for his curatorial and artistic accomplishments. In 1989, he became a Member of the Order of Canada
, and in 1996 he was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(December 17, 1923) is a pioneering Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
aviation artist, instrumental in the founding of the Canada Aviation Museum
Canada Aviation Museum
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is Canada's national aviation history museum. The museum is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport...
.
Biography
Born December 17, 1923 in [Toronto, Ontario], Robert William Bradford and his twin brother Jim enlisted together in the Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
when they were 18. Bradford trained on the de Havilland Tiger Moth
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
and Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
, but he never saw operational duties. He was injured in a crash while waiting assignment, which required several months of hospitalization. After the war, Bradford became an aviation illustrator first for A. V. Roe Canada Limited
Avro Canada
Commonly known as Avro Canada, this company started in 1945 as an aircraft plant and became within thirteen years the third-largest company in Canada, one of the largest 100 companies in the world, and directly employing over 50,000...
in 1949 and then, in 1953, for de Havilland Aircraft of Canada
De Havilland Canada
The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
.
While serving as Chief Illustrator for de Havilland, in 1961, Bradford drew the attention of Ken Molson, curator of the recently formed Canada Aviation Museum
Canada Aviation Museum
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is Canada's national aviation history museum. The museum is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport...
. Molson commissioned Bradford to produce a series of historical aviation pieces. Bradford produced eighteen images depicting historically significant aircraft and events, and, in 1966, was hired as the museum's Assistant Curator. Eventually, Bradford succeeded Molson to the curator position.
At this time in the museum's history, the collection was housed in WWII-era hangars at Rockcliffe
Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport
Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport or Rockcliffe Airport, , a former military base, is a non-towered airport located on the south shore of the Ottawa River, northeast of Downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...
. In 1978, Bradford began collaborating with the new National Air Museum Society (Friends of the National Aviation Museum) to secure a new facility from the Federal Government. This was a project that continued over the next several years, as Bradford served in 1982 as Director of the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Aviation Museum's parent and returned in 1984 to the National Aviation Museum as Associate Director. Their efforts paid off, and the new facility opened at Ottawa's Rockcliffe Airport in 1988. That same year, Bradford was named Patron of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. In 1989, the collection secure, Bradford retired from the Museum, but continued his career as a painter.
Legacy and honours
In addition to murals for the Museum, Bradford also produced sixteen Canadian postage stamps featuring historic aircraft as well as accepting commissions commemorating such events as the 50th anniversary of Alcock and BrownAlcock and Brown
British aviators Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June 1919. They flew a modified World War I Vickers Vimy bomber from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Clifden, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland...
's trans-Atlantic flight, the first winner of the McKee Trophy "Doc" Oaks, and Billy Bishop's
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
winning aerial action. For his artistic achievements, in 1974 he became the first Canadian artist to receive the American Aviation Historical Society's Aviation Award. In 1982, he received the Paul Tissandier Diploma from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
for his curatorial and artistic accomplishments. In 1989, he became a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, and in 1996 he was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.