In 1938 Armstrong moved to Essex, and in 1940 was commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee. During the 1940s he developed a new way of making his painting by covering the surface with a single colour and then building the image by short strokes of colour which allowed the original ground to show as part of the finished surface. The base colours tended to be sombre, maybe to reflect the times.

The Mosquito was a remarkable aircraft for its time; not only was it made largely of wood, but it was designed as an unarmed bomber relying on its superior speed to escape enemy fighters. It was nicknamed 'The Wooden Wonder'.

This work was presented to the Collection by the War Artists' Advisory Committee.