It’s hard to believe that out of over 14,000 built, there are only two Consolidated B-24 Liberators still in flying condition.  Though the B-24 was the most produced aircraft of World War II (and still holds the record for most produced multi-engine aircraft) most of them were scrapped after the war for the metal they were made from.  So in other words, your toaster or Frigidaire may have some B-24 in it. 

Despite the scrapping, the two remaining in flying condition are a tribute to the tenacity of American character and a testament to the great craftsmanship and design allowing them to survive for more than six decades.  The oldest B-24, an A model, is flown by the Commemorative Air Force as “Ol’ 927″ and can be seen around the U.S. at airshows and events — and will be joined in the future by it’s sister ship, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress “Fifi”.  The second B-24, a J model, flies as the 8th Air Force’s “Witchcraft” and is operated by the Collings Foundation as part of the Wings of Freedom Tour.  It is operated with the B-17 “Nine O Nine” and the TP-51C Mustang “Betty Jane” at over 120 visits annually.

This great half sleeve featuring two B-24 Liberators was created by tattoo artist Travis Grabhorn of Patriot Tattoo located in Spring Valley, CA.

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There’s not much more we could say about the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk that we haven’t said here before — it’s one of the favorite aviation tattoo themes out there today.  As can be evidenced by our growing collection, the P-40 is a true tattoo symbol. 

Perhaps one of the reasons why the P-40 is so popular is it’s connection to the American Volunteer Group (AVG) or the “Flying Tigers”.  The AVG was a covertly created group of American pilots and aircraft that fought in the defense of China from the Japanese Imperial threat.  When the AVG was formed in 1940, the United States was clearly not at war, so the pilots and aircraft were acquired under private means - though much of the funding came through U.S. Government loans.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt even approved the creation of the group… though clearly away from the public spotlight.

So as a result, these “mercenaries” of sorts were some of the first “front line” fighters from the U.S. engaged in World War II.  Their renegade spirit persisted through the American entry into the war and even after they eventually were incorporated into the 14th Air Force as the 23rd Fighter Group as of July 4, 1942. 

The intricate black and gray chestpiece featuring Curtiss P-40 Warhawks of the American Volunteer Group was created by tattoo artist Mike “Bisquette” Bewley of Otherside Ink in Port Charlotte, FL. 

It should also be noted that the wearer is tattoo artist Lynn McNew of Almighty Tattoos in Belleville, IL - a fan of WWII aviation!

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Easily the world’s most recognizable airliner - the Boeing 747 turned 40 years old on February 9th.  On that day in 1969, test pilots Jack Waddell and Brien Wygle took the aircraft aloft from the new Boeing facility built specifically for the 747 at Paine Field in Everett, WA.

Being the aircraft that inspired the term “Jumbo Jet”, the 747 revolutionized high-volume passenger air travel and continues to be operated on long-haul routes worldwide by many airlines.  The latest commercially produced version, the 747-400, concluded production in 2009 and Boeing is currently re-evaluating the 747-8 program which would continue the line, but the current economy may stall or cancel the program.

One of the most famous 747’s, Air Force One - the aircraft of the president of the United States, made the news this past week as President Barack Obama took his first trip aboard the aircraft to an event in Williamsburg, VA.  There has been talk of a possible replacement of SAM 28000 and 29000 — the specially designed 747-200B aircraft, and some believed the Airbus A380 would be a possible option. EADS (manufacturer of the A380) has stated that it will not bid, which leaves only Boeing with the 747 as the option for a replacement ship.

Today’s tattoo features the Boeing 747 and ironically comes to us from an artist in Russia — home of the Antonov An-225 Mriya — an aircraft ranked with the 747 as one of the largest aircraft ever built.  Artist Andrey Smolentsev of Mir Tattoo in Moscow, Russia created the beautiful tribute piece to the jumbo jet for us to admire today.

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The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was easily one of the more exotic fighters of World War II and that attribute stayed with the aircraft well beyond the war and continues today.  In the modern warbird market, the P-38 has attained something of a “holy grail” status for collectors — with the few still flying being treasured possessions by the owners.  Several have been bought and sold over the past several years and have traded hands for millions of dollars a-piece. Though there are no flying examples for sale currently, there is a project aircraft being advertised on Courtesy Aircraft — one of the best-known warbird sellers in the US and the world.

This beautiful backpiece tattoo featuring a pair of olive-drab USAAF P-38’s in formation was completed by Jeff Croci at Seventh Son Tattoo in San Francisco, CA.  According to the write-up on the tattoo on Jeff’s MySpace page, the woman who wears the tattoo got it as a memorial to her grandfather.

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Today’s featured tattoo was created by artist Jason Stephan of King Street Body Gallery in Cocoa, FL.  We’ll talk about it more later on though.

(Editor) I’m going to take a break from my normal discussion of an aircraft’s lineage or history and how it relates to the tattoo featured, and instead I am going to talk a little about the devotion a person feels for a certain subject — in this case, aviation — to have a significant tattoo permanently added to their body.  Call it my early post for Valentine’s Day, professing my love for flying.  It’s fitting the tattoo we feature today has the “heart” to help me out don’t you think?  Oh yeah, and the tattoo at the left isn’t mine…

For me, aviation has been as much a part of my identity as my hair, or the small freckle I have over my lip.  People know me by my love for the sky — despite the fact I don’t have as many hours of flight time in my logbook as many others nor have I flown a great number of aircraft. 

What I DO know is that I have traveled hundreds and thousands of miles to see an airshow or airplane.  I have trusted people who were strangers only hours before to take me flying in an airplane I know little about.  When I’m driving, I plot my route to pass as many airports as I can and have been known to drive the perimeter at many to catch a peek at what surprises may have in store.  I have read thousands of books, magazines, and websites filled with facts, figures and stories on a wide range of flying-related topics.  I work in aviation, I dream in aviation, I LIVE in aviation.

And as a result, I display that love upon the one canvas that will stay with me through my living days, never needs a wall to hang upon or a frame to live within.  My gallery, or rather, my tribute to a life aloft is permanently recorded on my skin.  I have devoted my back and my left thigh to it thus far — and I have plans for many more hours under the needle to expand it. 

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The biplane is one of the earliest airplane designs — in fact, from 1914 through 1925, almost every aircraft design was a biplane.  Despite the logical thought that two wings creates twice the lift, this isn’t so.  In reality, a biplane only produces about 20% more lift than wings of a similar planform. For those of you who are math and science enthusiasts, you know that each wing negatively interferes with the aerodynamics of both and it considerably increases drag without creating as much lift as a monoplane of the same wing area as the combined wings.  What is an advantage with a biplane is the strength of the structure without complicated bracing — much like a box girder.

Because of this, biplane designs are still found in light aerobatic aircraft and agricultural aircraft — both of which need strength without weight.

The tattoo below — roughly designed after a Waco UPF-7 (tail) and a PT-17 Stearman (landing gear) was created by Tim Beck of Freedom Ink. Tattoo Company in Peoria, IL.

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