The North American P-51 Mustang is considered by many to be the dominant fighter of World War II.  Despite others being faster, more maneuverable, or having longer range, the P-51 was a good combination of all those traits.  Even after WWII, the P-51 still stayed in front-line service with other air forces and the Air National Guard.  Even now, the airframe of the P-51 is considered to be one of the best for the basis of Unlimited Air Racers like those seen at Reno each year.

This bold black and gray chestpiece tattoo was created by artist Mike Devries of Mike Devries Tattoos in Encino, CA.  Devries is also the artist behind another tattoo seen here on Tattoos In Flight featuring a B-17 — one of our more popular posts!

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Read the rest of this entry »

We’re striking back up our “Space Saturday” feature with this inner arm tattoo of a Russian (former Soviet) cosmonaut. The tattoo is of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to be launched into space on April 12, 1961 and the first to orbit the Earth.  Gagarin was a pioneer in the early space race as the USA and USSR fought to match or beat each others triumphs in spaceflight.  Tragically, Gagarin lost his life on March 27, 1968 at the young age of 34 during a routine training flight when the MiG-15 UTI he was flying with an instructor, crashed near the town of Kirzhach.

Artist Jason Butcher of Immortal Ink in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, United Kingdom fittingly immortalized Gagarin in this tattoo.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Sikorsky CH-53E (S-80) Super Stallion is the latest operating derivation of the HH-53 (S-65) “Super Jolly Green Giant” Sea Stallion helicopter originally developed in the 1960’s for search and air rescue and heavy lift missions.  Unlike the earlier twin-engined HH-53 variant, the CH-53E is powered by three General Electric T64-GE-416(A) turboshaft engines and incorporates a host of other changes from the earlier S-65 model - though dimensionally they are similar. The CH-53E is one of the largest helicopters in the world and its main missions are heavy-lift to forward zones, amphibious assault support, mine sweeping, casualty transport, and SAR (Search and Rescue).

**Please note, the earlier post here listed this tattoo inaccurately as an MH-53 Pavelow III - we have corrected this to the CH-53E - our apologies to veterans and servicemen of the type**

In honor of the monstrous helicopter, artist Niko of Hold Fast Tattoo in Chandler, AZ created this black and gray tattoo piece.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator, though not as immortalized as it’s sister ship, the B-17 Flying Fortress, certainly made its mark in World War II.  With over 12,500 being built from 1940 to 1945, it was easily the most produced multi-engine aircraft of its time (an honor I believe still holds true even today).  The B-24 flew more missions and dropped more ordinance on enemy territory than any other aircraft of the war — and sadly, more crewmen gave the ultimate sacrifice aboard the B-24 than any other as well.

Honoring the B-24 and the crews who flew on her, artist Jim Rosal of Jim & Jenni’s Quality Tattoo in Yakima, WA immortalized this B-24 on the back of a gentleman in tattoo form.  The quality of the artwork is superb and I give Jim high marks for working around the freckles there — looks a bit like the B-24 is flying through the 88mm anti-aircraft fire, also known as flak.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Read the rest of this entry »

For enthusiasts of modern-day air racing, the ultimate event is the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV.  For many years, Reno has been the place to see the fastest piston-engined aircraft and some of the most skilled pilots on Earth.  Certainly one of the fastest (if not the fastest) is Race #77 “Rare Bear”.  The “Bear” is actually a heavily modified Grumman F8F Bearcat, powered by an R-3350 in place of the stock R-2800 found on mil spec Bearcats.  Owned (and flown) for many years by air racing legend Lyle Shelton, the “Bear” is now owned by collector Rod Lewis and remains a competitor at Reno each year being flown by John Penney.

The wearer of this tattoo, an airframe and powerplant mechanic himself, was inspired to get the tattoo after helping the race team one year at Reno and got the opportunity to sit in the cockpit.

The tattoo was created by artist Erik Campbell of Kleen Sting in Grand Junction, CO.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Read the rest of this entry »

Another colorful tattoo of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk — continuing the trend we’ve been seeing over the past few weeks of the P-40 being the icon of the aviation tattoo.  I must admit that I even had the temptation of getting a Warhawk tattoo when I first started my tattoo project — but now am heading in the direction of a WWI aircraft sleeve (no one seems to do much with the First World War planes!).  This tattoo brought back memories for me as the position of the plane is very similar to one of my first air-to-air photos with a New York-based P-40 as the subject.  Good times.

Artist Pat B. of Green Man Tattoo in West Hartford, CT must have had a good time with this tattoo!  His attention to detail shows it!

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Read the rest of this entry »