For many years, this was my medium of choice. I’ve since switched almost entirely to pencil/graphite, but could be persuaded to pick up the pens again for the right project!
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SHE’S GOT LEGS
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker & Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon
Size: 18” x 24” Media: Pen & Ink
The second oldest aircraft in the USAF inventory is the C/KC-135/137 family. Having flown missions from cargo carrier to airborne command post to VIP transport to “Air Force One” to aerial refueler to electronic surveillance platform, this aircraft has logged a truly phenomenal service record.
This scene depicts a KC-135R model completing a refueling of an F-16CJ Wild Weasel. The F-16 has just completed disconnect and is starting a separation roll to clear the tanker. Now the F-16 has the fuel necessary to complete its mission, thus the title “She’s Got Legs….”
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ONE OF THE FEW
Supermarine Spitfire Mk II & Messerschmit Bf-109E
Size: 24” x 18” Media: Pen & Ink
“One of the few” refers to a quote from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill “Never… Have so many owed so much to so few.” The Prime Minister was referring specifically to the pilots of Fighter Command who suffered grievous losses, but still did what no one had been able to do up to that time – stop Hitler’s vaunted Luftwaffe.
This scene depicts a typical combat scenario during the summer and fall of 1940. A Luftwaffe Bf-109 tries to use an altitude advantage to get into a favorable position to kill a RAF Spitfire. The Spitfire is beginning a hard roll to the right, intending to put himself behind the diving -109….
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ONE LAST BLAST
Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird
Size: 35” x 12” Media: Pen & Ink
The world’s fastest, highest flying operational aircraft. This title has belonged to the SR-71/YF-12/A-11 family of aircraft since the mid 1960’s. The SR-71 flew operational missions where no other aircraft could go. It was retired from service (the first time) in 1990.
On March 6, 1990, Cols. Ed Yielding and J.T. Vida flew SR-71A 64-17972 from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, D.C. for it’s retirement to the National Air & Space Museum. Along the way, they set 7 new records for speed & distance, one of which was Los Angeles, CA to Washington, D.C. in 64 minutes 19.9 seconds at an average speed of 2,144.8 mph.
This scene depicts “972” at altitude and speed, somewhere over the central United States. The huge shock diamonds in the exhaust, and the full aft position of the intake spikes tell the tale – these guys are smokin’….
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EAGLE 1, FOX 1
McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle
Size: 18” x 12” Media: Pen & Ink
The F-15 Eagle was designed in the late 1960’s to “defeat all current and projected aerial threats.” Now an aging warrior, the F-15 is still one of the most potent combat aircraft in the world. New airframes are still being produced, with South Korea becoming the latest country to add the Eagle to it’s arsenal.
This scene depicts the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing’s flagship with Col. John “Boomer” McBroom, Commander of the 1st TFW during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm at the controls. Call sign “Eagle-One,” fires and AIM-7 Sparrow missile “Fox-One.” Periodic live fire exercises are one of the thrills a fighter pilot lives for – who knew that just a few months after I completed this illustration that the 1st TFW’s F-15C’s & D’s would be loading up to fire guns & missiles for real….
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