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Hold Your Ground: P-40 Warhawk Tattoo

Posted on April 26, 2009

It was a nice surprise to see this tattoo submission in our mailbox last night… I wanted to post a colorful, traditional piece today and this fit the bill nicely! The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is one of the most popular aircraft featured in tattoos today, mostly because of the characteristic “sharks teeth” that were made famous by the American Volunteer Group or “Flying Tigers” of early World War II. In this tattoo, featuring one of the P-40B aircraft they used, the reputation they were known for is clear — they were fantastic ace pilots that helped to hold their ground and protect China from the Imperial Japanese.

This tattoo, sent to us by artist Chris Stans of Kapala Tattoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was created for a client in mid 2008. She wanted the classic P-40 and the quote “Hold Your Ground” was important to her.

We’re looking for more from Chris in the coming year. In a quote from him that was passed along with the tattoo: “I am a total nut for World War II aircraft.” Chris is planning a series of traditional flash in the coming year featuring WWII aircraft… as he says: “I’m kind of tired of all the sailing ships and anchors that everyone wants… why can’t WWII aircraft get the same treatment?”

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 Air Force! - 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.