This page will be for all post WWII jet aircraft in my portfolio (minus the F-4 Phantom II which deserves it’s own page). As time goes on, I may split this into categories, but for now this is the place.
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ZULU VOODOO
McDonnell Douglas F-101B Voodoo
Original Size: 25” x 15” Media: Pencil/Graphite
During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the Air Defense Command of the USAF operated several advanced interceptors, stationed around the country at various “alert” facilities. One of the most powerful was the F-101B Voodoo. This huge fighter, carrying two Falcon infra-red missiles and two unguided Genie nuclear rockets, was propelled to supersonic speeds by two afterburning J57 engines.
For this illustration, I chose to show the Voodoo blasting off on a “Zulu” alert scramble, afterburners blazing with waves of heat and noise rolling back from the accelerating fighter. This particular F-101 was assigned to the 84th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Hamilton AFB, in northern California during the early 1960’s.
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LAATSTE VLUCHT VAN DE STARFIGHTER
(Last Flight Of The Starfighter)
Lockheed/Fokker F-104G & TF-104G Starfighter
Original Size: 16” x 12” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The Dutch Air Force flew their first F-104 Starfighter on December 12, 1962. Over the next 22 years, the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu) logged more than 345,000 hours in three models of the F-104.
What initially started life as a high performance interceptor became the backbone of several NATO air forces, fulfilling the rolls of fighter bomber, fighter interceptor and tactical reconnaissance aircraft. Never a particularly easy aircraft to operate, The KLu lost 40 of the 138 Starfighters it received, but also learned to use their F-104s effectively.
On November 21, 1984 the last KLu Starfighter unit, the UFO flight (Uitfaserings onderdeel) at Volkel sent 5 F-104’s on a flyby tour of all KLu Bases. This drawing depicts two of these aircraft, an F-104G and a TF-104G, breaking for their return to Volkel.
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SEMPER VIGILIS
North American RA-5C Vigilante
Original Size: 18” x 12” Media: Pencil/Graphite
What began life as the intended nuclear bomber for the US Navy, in the end became a truly phenomenal carrier based reconnaissance platform. With bags of fuel on board, and the ability to scream along at nearly Mach 2, and the most sophisticated reconnaissance systems available at the time, the Navy definitely had a winner.
The first Vigilantes to see combat went to sea with RVAH-5 in August of 1964 aboard the USS Ranger. After and abbreviated training period around Hawaii, the Ranger arrived in the South China Sea in mid-September. After several months of restricted operations over South Vietnam only, the Savage Sons of RVAH-5 began taking their “Vigi’s” into North Vietnam in early 1965. I’ve chosen to depict one of RVAH-5’s Vigilantes exiting North Vietnamese airspace in rapid manner – somewhere right around Mach 2.
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BLACKBIRD AT 3, PLUS
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird
Original Size: 16” x 12” Media: Pencil/Graphite
Speed and altitudes still unmatched by any operational aircraft, and it’s been “retired” now for over 5 years. Nothing compares to the “Blackbird,” and I just can’t help myself. This is probably my 10th illustration of the “Blackbird,” and I’ve got plans for at least one more!
One of the most challenging aspects of being an artist is finding a different perspective or view of the subject. When it’s a popular subject, that task becomes even more difficult. It took me months to settle on this particular view of the “Blackbird” – I think it captures the major design features well; additionally, it’s a view nobody ever saw of an operational SR-71. You couldn’t catch the thing, much less stay ahead of one….
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GOLDEN BEAR 6
Convair F-106A Delta Dart
Original Size: 16” x 12” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The F-106 Delta Dart was initially conceived as a more capable model of the F-102 Delta Dagger. Coined the “Ultimate Interceptor” the “Six” ended up being an entirely new (and much better aircraft) for the mission of Air Defense. This fact is evidenced by the 30 year operational life of the Delta Dart.
The 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the California ANG showed up at the William Tell ‘78 competition wearing one of the most attractive tails ever to grace a “Six.” I’ve chosen to illustrate the California Bear tail on a “Six” during an intercept profile at the William Tell competition. The afterburner blazes as the “Six” accelerates through Mach 2 on it’s way to end the flying career of a target drone somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico….
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CORSAIR II, CHARLIE 0
LTV A-7E Corsair II
Original Size: 20” x 16” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The A-7 Corsair gave the US Navy it’s first all weather, precision medium attack aircraft. Able to carry a vast array of weapons, and deliver them accurately, the Corsair II was a great success and was even purchased by the US Air Force. Continuous improvements kept the Corsair II on the front lines from Vietnam to Desert Storm, and it still flies with the air forces of several friendly nations.
Flying from the USS Ranger, this A-7E from VA-113 has just dropped it’s load of bombs somewhere in North Vietnam and is egressing the target area. The pilot, my friend Terry Freedman is looking over his shoulder, checking for SAM’s and AAA as he pulls up and rolls left. By changing directions and speed constantly, (known as jinking) Terry makes it impossible for the NVA to track his aircraft, keeping their score where it belonged – at Zero!
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HAVE A NICE DAY, CHARLIE
McDonnell Douglas A-4E Skyhawk
Original Size: 16” x 20” Media: Pencil/Graphite
Often referred to as the “tinker toy” by her detractors, the A-4 Skyhawk family is one of the great aviation stories. First flown in 1954, there are still air forces around the globe flying the Skyhawk as a front line fighter. Performance and avionics upgrades keep the A-4 a viable attack aircraft – 50 years after it’s first flight!
This drawing depicts my friend Terry Freedman on a dive bombing run over Vietnam. The “daisy cutter” fuse extenders were designed to detonate the Mk-82 bombs 6 feet above ground level. The result is basically a 500 pound hand grenade… ouch!
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TOKYO/CHICAGO EXPRESS
Convair B-58A Hustler
Original Size: 28” x 17” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The B-58 Hustler was Strategic Air Command’s first foray into the world of the Supersonic Bomber. During its unusually short operational life (barely ten years) the performance of the B-58 was nothing short of spectacular. The plane set many records, some of which still stand today, almost 40 years later.
On October 16, 1962, a B-58A Hustler flown by Lt. Col. George Andrews, Maj. Josheph Guastella & Capt. Clifford Youngblood set a speed a speed record between Tokyo, Japan and Chicago, Illinois of 8 hours, 36 minutes, 38 seconds. The average speed was 740.76 mph over the 6,371 mile distance including three subsonic periods required for aerial refuelings.
This scene depicts one of the supersonic portions of the flight somewhere over the Pacific ocean. The B-58’s four J79 engines are in full afterburner, pushing the 150,000 pound bomber at over 1,000 mph….
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