Wilfred Hardy (7 July 1938 - 2016; Brentford, UK)
Wilf Hardy began working for Treasure in its early days after working as a commercial artist. Some of his earliest illustrations were designed to help youngsters understand subjects ranging from building a motorway to the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Hardy is best known for his technological paintings, in particular planes, ships, trains and spacecraft.

Hardy became one of the mainstays of Fleetway's educational titles, working for Look and Learn, Ranger, Speed & Power and World of Knowledge. His best known series was the long running Into the Blue which helped establish him as an aviation artist of renown, an area he has continued working in - nowadays in oil and other media - for posters and private commissions.

Producing the series 'Into the Blue' in Ranger and Look and Learn for some years helped Hardy develop an ability to depict aircraft of every description, from the days of stick and string to futuristic zeppelins. Hardy often picked the subject matter himself, although the text was usually editorially written, and designed the layouts for his pages.

'Hardy's Drawing Board' was a popular feature in later issues of Look and Learn. Hardy is a member of the Guild of Aviation Artists.

Hardy enjoyed a long association with the International Air Tattoo (started 1971, became the Royal International Air Tattoo in 1996) and illustrated many advertising posters, brochure covers, (and latterly, quite possibly T-shirts and mugs) for this and other air shows and events.

Wilfred Hardy lived in Kent. He married Barbara Woolstencroft in 1960 in Kent. They had three sons (born 1961, 1963 and 1965).
Source: Illustration Art Gallery & Bear Alley Blog