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“Battling Typhoon Cobra”

USS New Jersey battling through Typhoon Cobra in 1944. Acrylic on board.

“Battling Typhoon Cobra”

USS New Jersey, with her camouflage Measure 21 (Navy Blue overall with dark blue decks) and USS Hancock as part of Task Force 38 sailing off the Philippines on Nov 8, 1944, During Typhoon Cobra or Halsey's Typhoon.

Typhoon Cobra, also known as the Typhoon of 1944 or Halsey's Typhoon (named after Admiral William Halsey Jr.), was the United States Navy designation for a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the United States Pacific Fleet in December 1944, during World War II. The storm sank three destroyers, killed 790 sailors, damaged 9 other warships, and swept dozens of aircraft overboard off their aircraft carriers.

“Into safe hands”

Into safe hands. Acrylic on canvas.

“Into safe hands”

Client: MG99

A group of 99 South Vietnamese refugees is assisted aboard HMAS MELBOURNE by Royal Australian Navy sailors.

Boats from HMAS MELBOURNE (R21) and HMAS TORRENS (DE53) ferry refugees from the stricken NGHIA HUNG adrift in the South China Sea, 21 June 1981. This group of men, women, children and infants was officially designated as MG99.

Detail of HMAS MELBOURNE's Utility boat disembarking Vietnamese refugees.

Into safe hands close up.

“A chance for hope”

A chance for hope. Acrylic on canvas.

“A chance for hope”

Client: MG99

RAN Tracker 851 over the NGHIA HUNG adrift in the South China Sea, 21 June 1981.

All 99 South Vietnamese refugees on board the stricken vessel were safely rescued by HMAS MELBOURNE (R21) and HMAS TORRENS (DE53) later that night.

This group of men, women, children and infants were officially designated as MG99.

It was a very moving ceremony at the 40th anniversary of the MG99 rescue. It was also a chance to reunite Vietnamese refugees and the Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors who rescued them.

It was an honour to be there, and an emotional time for all to hear the stories from the refugees and the sailors who were there.

HARS Facebook page

MG99 40th reunion at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.

Detail of Tracker 851.

MG99 40th reunion at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.

“The life line”

The life line. Acrylic on board.

“The life line”

'The life line' depicts the moment Tony Bullimore is sighted, emerging from his upturned yacht in the Southern Ocean, January 1997.

“The Signalman”

HMAS Swan crashes through the Southern Ocean as the 10-inch light calls out to HMAS Torrens. Preview of what is to be released in October

“The Signalman”

Client: Personal

This is a personal piece that was entered in the Australian Society of Marine Artists' 20th Anniversary Exhibition in Sydney, 14 October 2016.

One of my favourite memories from serving in the Royal Australian Navy is a time on HMAS Swan. We were in the Southern Ocean, in company with HMAS Torrens, and it was a very rough day!

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I was on watch and there wasn't much to do until the Officer of the Watch handed me a signal to send to Torrens. I was about to reach for the voice radio, then thought “no, that's too easy”. I went out onto the bridge wing, fired up the 10-inch light and called up Torrens.

The signalman on Torrens must have been very unhappy, being called out of a nice warm bridge. As I was sending the signal, I could feel the ship rise over the crest of a wave and I knew we where about to 'dig' into the next one.

As the ship did, a mass of water burst into the air and I remember a wall of spray passing over me as I sent the signal. I often wondered what the view would have been like from Torrens. This painting is an attempt to visualise that moment.

Prints available

small image of the print of The Signalman which includes crossed Juliets and HMAS Swan crest

Price: $270.00 AUD which includes postage within Australia or New Zealand.

Dimensions: Image is 65cm X 32.5cm plus border and title area.

Details: 225gsm Watercolour paper, the title is accompanied with 'crossed Juliets' (Signalmans rate badge) and HMAS Swan crest.

For purchases and payment options, please .

"Don't muck with the Duck" mugs

Products available with the Duck motif

View range on Redbubble | Standard mug

“In It's Wake”

The Destroyer Escort crashes through the waves

“In It's Wake”

Client: Personal

As the Destroyer Escort crashes through southern seas, a solitary albatross glides on the winds that whip up the white caps and chill the sailors keeping watch on the upper deck. Albatrosses spend most of their life soaring above the seas, with the sighting of an albatross by sailors considered a good omen.

“Farewell Sydney”

HMAS Sydney II sails out of Fremantle inner harbour

“Farewell Sydney”

Client: West Australian Cricket Association

HMAS Sydney II departs Fremantle inner harbour.

It is a serene scene looking over Fremantle from North Mole. Wharfies taking time out to fish are joined by a woman and child to watch the sleek lines of HMAS Sydney slip by, her crew lining the decks.

At a dedication ceremony at the WACA, the painting was unveiled 11 November 2011 to coincide with the day, 70 years ago, Sydney departed from Fremantle.

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It's a clear November morning and Sydney has left H wharf and is sailing out to a buoy in the outer harbour. She leaves behind Fremantle port as it begins to buzz with its daily activity.

MS Charon, berthed alongside B shed, takes on stores as the smoke from a steam train at Fremantle Station drifts over the neighbouring buildings. In the distance, the memorial on Monument Hill catches the morning light as it watches over the town of Fremantle as it prepares for the commemoration of Armistice Day, 11 November 1941.

The painting was commissioned by the West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) to form part of their HMAS Sydney II Commemorative Display.

Artists statement

My intention was to create a piece that conveys an emotional sense of what was happening the day Sydney sailed, as historically accurate as possible.

With our knowledge of the events that were about to unfold, the juxtaposition of Sydney and a typical day in Fremantle creates tension in the viewer. We can also admire the ship and her company for the courage and inspiration they gave to the Australian people in the early war years, becoming a symbol of strength in an increasingly turbulent time.

Detail of HMAS Sydney II painting.

Detail of HMAS Sydney II painting.

“Final escort”

HMAS Sydney II is escorted by seagulls coming to life from the Dome of Souls

“Final escort”

Client: Geraldton Navy Cadets - fund raiser.

HMAS Sydney II sails towards the sunset as the gulls from the Dome of Souls come to life and escort the light cruiser on her last voyage.

Created for TS Morrow, Geraldton Navy Cadets, to comemorate the finding of the Sydney II and the Kormoran. The original was raffled to raise funds for the Cadets.

“No Time For Thoughts Of Home”

HMAS Sydney IV

“No Time For Thoughts Of Home”

Client: Personal

HMAS Sydney FFG 03

Specials have fallen out, watches have closed up and it's down to business. Flag Hotel is brought to the dip in preparation for helicopter operations as HMAS Sydney steams away from the city of her namesake.

“HMNZS Southland”

HMNZS Southland heading out of Waitematā Harbour

“HMNZS Southland”

Client: Brother

HMNZS Southland F104 heads out of Waitematā Harbour.

“Homeward Bound”

HMNZS Waikato

“Homeward Bound”

Client: Personal

HMNZS Waikato F55

Created to commerate the decommissioning of HMNZS Waikato, the original was given to my father who was commissioning crew. My brother and I were also christened onboard her in the 1970's. So this ship holds a special place in our families heart.

“A New Era”

Collins class submarine

“A New Era”

Client: Personal

Collins class submarine

“Crossing Neptune's Realm”

Pencil sketch of HMAS Stuart at sea

“Crossing Neptune's Realm”

Client: Personal

HMAS Stuart D48 cruising "up top".

One of my 19 or so pencil works depicting Royal Australian Navy ships or World War II bombers.

“Dawn Manoeuvres”

Pencil sketch of HMAS Canberra at sea

“Dawn Manoeuvres”

Client: Personal

HMAS Canberra FFG 02 at speed.

I spent a couple of days on her back in the mid 90's. I cross-decked (temporary transfer) from HMAS Westralia from Thailand to Singapore. It was a fantastic experience, especially the high speed breakaway after the replenishment at sea (RAS) from Westralia.

TThis is the second ship drawing I've ever created, following Homeward Bound. It's a piece I'm truly proud of and one of the rare ones I genuinely enjoyed working on—not just completing!

“The Green Ghost”

Pencil sketch of HMAS Hobart at sea

“The Green Ghost”

Client: Personal

HMAS Hobart DDG 39 at speed.

The title comes from her nick-name, earned during the Vietnam War. One of my 19 or so pencil works depicting Royal Australian Navy ships.

“Closing In”

Pencil sketch of HMAS Perth at sea

“Closing In”

Client: Personal

HMAS Perth DDG 38.

“The Bat”

Pencil sketch of HMAS Vampire at sea

“The Bat”

Purchased by: The Australian National Maritime Museum.

HMAS Vampire D11.

HMAS Vampire with her original open bridge at speed.

“Big John”

USS John F. Kennedy lauches Puk'in Dog F-14 Tomcat

“Big John”

Client: Personal

USS John F. Kennedy CVN 79.

During Gulf operations, a Gruman F-14 Tomcat of the Pukin' Dogs squadron is catapulted from her deck.

“HMAS Hobart”

USS John F. Kennedy lauches Puk'in Dog F-14 Tomcat

“HMAS Hobart III”

Digital artwork of HMAS Hobart III adorning multiple items.

About Darrell

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Darrell moved to Perth in the mid-1980s with his family. Although he had a passion for drawing and painting from an early age, he followed in his parents' footsteps and pursued a career in the Navy.

As a signalman, Darrell served on several Australian Naval ships, including HMAS Westralia and HMAS Swan. In between watches, Darrell continued with his passion for drawing, leading him to produce art works frequently mistaken for photographs. One of his first photo-realistic pencil drawings was of HMNZS Waikato, a ship that is close to his family's heart; his father was part of the commissioning crew and both Darrell and his brother were christened on-board.

After leaving the Navy in 1997, Darrell traveled throughout Europe and the UK, returning to Australia to enroll at the WA School of Art, Design and Media. Graduating in 2002 with an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design and Multimedia, Darrell continued with his drawing and expanding his range of prints.

Over the years he moved from pencil to oils and acrylics. The National Maritime Museum of Australia purchased two of his pencil drawings for their collection. The West Australian Cricket Association commissioned an oil painting of HMAS Sydney II, as part of their 'Lest we forget' display. This painting has subsequently appeared in several publications on the Sydney.

Another side of his work includes a large range of illustrations for the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. These adorn promotional material, activity books for kids, signage and even playground equipment.

Darrell now resides in Wellington, New Zealand with his wife and children and continues to produce works for clients around the world.