I will admit, when I first saw this tattoo… I had no idea what kind of helicopter it was. Considering I can usually find and ID aircraft within minutes (years of reading and aviation interests), I was pretty stumped! My track record for identifying helicopters is pretty poor — since I mistook a CH-53E Super Stallion for a MH-53 Pavelow. Oops.
I was glad when I found a photo of an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior on GlobalSecurity.org — mystery solved! The OH-58D is one of a family of helicopters built by Bell Helicopter based on the 206A JetRanger product. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is the US Army’s fielded armed reconnaissance aircraft and is equipped with a Mast Mounted Sight (MMS) with a Television System — the barely visible bubble that hasn’t been outlined above the rotors.
Though still being worked on, the black and gray work on this work-in-progress tattoo looks great so far. Artist Chris Vennekamp of All or Nothing Tattoo in Atlanta, GA takes the credit for this one and I’m interested in seeing the completed piece when it’s done!
Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.
Click the above image for the full-size photo.
Join the Tattoos In Flight Army! - If you have or find any aviation-themed tattoos on the web, send the photo to us along with the name of the artist, studio, location, and a website! Send them along to tattoosinflight@gmail.com, or use the “submit” tool at the right.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Scott WRG Editor Says:
Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, you know you should have asked me and I could have told you what it was… next time pick up the phone
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Amber OBryant Says:
Love this one. My dad flew an oh-58d. I was surprised to see this
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Gabe Says:
is there a pic of the completed work or a shot that shows all the names?
Posted on April 24th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
cj Says:
my dad also flew a OH-58 for the PAANG..will have to show him this sweet ink!
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 11:41 pm