Obituary – John Constable Reeve
John Constable Reeve had been involved in the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum since in the early 70s when it was still located in a Nissen hut behind the Post Office.
Early memories of him are driving a tractor; towing the Meteor to its present site, towing a carnival entry “Me 109” on a trailer, and trying to manoeuvre an F-100 Super Sabre into place on a meadow, with “counterweight” persons hanging on for dear life in the front bucket.
John was there at the beginning, and he was still there, with hoover and broom, until very recently
As a young man at Hintlesham in WW 2, John witnessed at first-hand, the air war and its grim aftermath. He described seeing a Tiger Moth which landed in fog at Burston, a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire which finished up in a garden at Sproughton, and the horror of seeing human remains following a mid-air collision between a P-51 and P-47 in April 1945. He also told the amusing story of how his first solo attempt at ploughing with Suffolk Punches was ruined by the aerial explosion of a V-2 rocket over Raydon on 5 Jan 1945. The horses, of course, bolted.
To most people, John will be remembered for his amazing paintings. All around the museum there are images which sprang from his brush, backdrops to dioramas, galleries of wartime aircraft, nose-art and much, much more. Many of his paintings were auctioned off or used as raffle prizes to raise funds for his beloved museum. Some of his work even appeared in a book on 8th Air Force art, an extraordinary achievement considering the high professional standards of other artists featured. In addition to his aviation art, John was also known for his landscapes and farm scenes. He was prolific in both oils and watercolours.
John acted as a trustee for the museum for many years, acting as a sounding board for many good ideas, and some others too. His advice was ignored at your peril.
We were greatly saddened to hear that John had passed away on Saturday the 14th March 2020, aged 90. His legacy at Flixton comprises an incredible collection of paintings covering the whole spectrum of aviation history. We will always have wonderful memories of John. He was a quiet man, but his contribution to both the museum and the local community with his paintings was a huge one. Here’s hoping that he has an easel up there with him.
John Constable Reeve 1929 – 2020:
A true Gentleman
Sad news, it was a privelage to have called him a friend.He will be missed.
Such a lovely man. I so enjoyed my tour of the museum given by John. Not only seeing all the amazing equipment and memorandum but also seeing John’s spectacular paintings made it a special visit.
A gentleman. I had the pleasure of presenting a oil painting Janie and Marinel The Mustangs owned and flown by Maurice Hammond to him back in 20/12 which is on display in his hanger to this day, he will not be forgotten , Leslie Lloyd
So sorry to hear the news of John’s passing. My father, Austin Lloyd,Piloted “Ronnie” in the latter months of the war. He just loved John’s rendition of “Ronnie” (B-24) landing after a mission.
curious; is that painting in the museum? Is it possible to get a copy or print of that painting through the museum. Again, so sorry for your loss.
“I’m not sure whether we do still have that painting. I will look next time I’m over at the museum which should be this weekend. We do have postcards of many of John’s paintings that are on display, but otherwise the only way is to photograph it. Could you contact us via the web site link. Steve Bell – Chairman”
I’m afraid that we do not have a painting or print of B-24 Ronnie in the museum. All we have is a 446BG B-24, but that aircraft is unnamed. Steve Bell – Chairman