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A Rare Bear Indeed: Record-Breaking Racer Tattoo

Posted on December 16, 2008

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.

Click the above image for the full-size photo.

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