Michael Rondot

Michael Rondot was born in Ontario, Canada but has lived in the UK since the mid-1950s. His surname is French-Canadian, hence the "silent T", pronounced like "Rondeau". Growing up as a young man during the so-called Golden Age of British aviation, he developed a lifelong interest in military aircraft that led eventually to his 25-year career as a reconnaissance and ground-attack pilot in the Royal Air Force.  

He is best known in aviation circles as a Jaguar pilot but also flew the Canberra PR9 and Hawker Hunter before joining his first Jaguar squadron in 1980. He flew combat operations in Jaguar fighter-bombers during the first Gulf War in 1991. He was a founder associate member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 1971 and has been painting professionally for over 40 years, publishing his first limited edition print of a Hawker Hunter FGA9 in 1980.

His paintings of modern combat aircraft have a unique authority and accuracy, and are much sought after by both aviators and enthusiasts for their realism and powerful atmospheric settings. Of all the Gulf War aviation art prints published, none can match the quality and authenticity of his series based on personal experiences and eye-witnessed events.

He is now one of the most popular and widely collected aviation artists, with paintings and prints in private, royal and corporate collections in many countries. In 2002, his painting “The Marham Wing over Sandringham” was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the occasion of her Golden Jubilee.

Michael’s work encompasses every type of aircraft from modern combat jets to World War II aircraft, airliners and helicopters, and also includes unlikely subjects such as armoured fighting vehicles and trucks.