There is much discussion within the re-enacting world about involvement in Films and TV and certainly members of this association have done their share of work in this field.  However, it was while deployed in Normandy in June 2004, that the group was approached by America's leading Military Artist James Dietz to assist in a painting being commissioned by Major Dick Winters of Easy Company 506th fame.  The picture is of the famous action that the then Lt Winters led to knock out the German guns at Brecourt Manor on D Day, and re-created by the "Band of Brothers" production.

Many will know James Dietz from his work in producing the many WWII Airborne related paintings which have appeared not only in print form but on the covers of many WW2 related publications, he is without doubt one of the very finest Artists in this field and a very nice guy to boot.

How did it go?  It was hard work for the guys, that's for sure, and as we already had a scheduled event riding the tanks into Sainte Mere Eglise, not all troopers took part.  However, many did and all are proud now the finished painting has been printed.

While you will see many photos of the FAAA on these pages, believe it or not individuals in the group do not, in general, get off on the posing of pictures for the sake of it and some weekends it is hard even to find a camera in the group.  However, this was a rare treat and hundreds of pictures were taken.

Before describing how it was all done, you can see the final painting below. If looked at in detail, you will see all the famous characters from this action and I am sure that those who watched the "Band of Brothers" series will be able to relate to the scene.  I will tell you who in the group played the leading parts below.  When it was printed, James Dietz very kindly gave each member of FAAA a signed proof copy, with a personal message. 

All photos and illustrations shown here are the copyright of James Dietz and FAAA.  The Artist's permission has been given for this article to be published on the net.

How was the picture constructed?  Well, first of all, the pictures were posed for and a good few hours were taken up doing this.  The guys of "First Triple A" were in Normandy as part of the Greatest Generation Exhibition, you may have visited us just outside Sainte Mere Eglise.  We were co-located and working with 82nd LHA who were dug in for 4 days (we later used some of their foxholes).  FAAA were representing all units of the 101st.  However, helmet markings and current ranking were not important as the aim of the photos were to set the scene and as long as the kit worn was 100% and in the right place that was OK.

The central character was, of course, Lt Dick winters who was posed by James Gunning on the right of the picture:

This second shot shows how the whole scene was set up and in it can be seen, from left to right: James Gunning, Tim Parker, Scott Thompson, Charlie Silverlight and Darren Bond.  The weapons and detail may have changed a little in the final painting but the guys are all there.

With hundreds of pictures finally posed for, the films were taken back to the States where they were developed and enlarged.

At first, rough sketches were done. The artist kept us informed on how it was all going and the sketch below is one of the first ones he did:

Below is the final, detailed line drawing before the paint was applied:

 The next project depicts an after the battle scene and shows elements of Easy Company after the attack on the Guns at Brecourt.

Once again the new painting starts with photos of the scene.

From L to R: Darren Bond, Charlie Silverlight, Les Brocklehurst, Simon Harrison, Chris Nichols, James Gunning, Scott Thompson, and Tim Parker.

The above photo has been reproduced by Jim in sketch form, below.  This time the drawing shows all the FAAA members exactly as photographed.  The final painting has yet to be completed.

Below is another recent sketch based on a photo from the shoot, complete with a Jeep:

The finished painting, with the Jeep marked up correctly, on advice from the First Sergeant: