The invention of the helicopter, to me, is one of the best examples of the power of the human mind and our ingenuity. To envision, design, build and fly something that can maneuver so precisely all while battling the various challenges it faces through the laws of physics: torque and gyroscopic force, ground resonance, and all the complex aerodynamics of a rotary wing – it just boggles the mind!  Obviously, those who work intimately with rotorcraft have the utmost respect for the type as well… and we are proud to feature the tattoos of one such individual here today.

(click the image above for the full post and larger photos)

As you see, the tattoo is a collection of helicopter and vertical flight imagery done in black and gray.  Central in the backpiece is the “aerial screw” concept as envisioned by artist, inventor, visionary and dreamer of flight, Leonardo da Vinci, in the 1480’s.  Though the design never worked, his concept was one of the first explorations into the idea of flying vertically as opposed to horizontally like a bird as tried by early experimenters in aviation. 

Nearly 300 years later, starting around 1760, a succession of inventors experimented with vertical flight through models and sometimes full-sized (but many time unsuccessful) craft.  A full history of this era in helicopter experimentation can be found at Wikipedia by clicking here.

It wasn’t until the experiments of the French brothers Jacques and Louis Breguet in 1907 and those of fellow French inventor Paul Cornu in the same year, that actual flight (though limited to a hover of a few feet) with a person aboard was proven.  It drove other inventors forward in experimenting with improvements that led to the modern definition of the helicopter controls that we know today: the cyclic, the collective, the anti-torque pedals, and the throttle.

The first true “modern” successful helicopter, the Sikorsky VS-300, was created and flown in 1940 by Russian immigrant and noted aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky.  His design used the simplified single main rotor configuration combined with a single vertical tail rotor for anti-torque. The Sikorsky R-4, derived from the VS-300, became the first helicopter to be mass produced and 131 were manufactured by Sikorsky for military use.

In the years since, helicopter development paralleled that of fixed wing aircraft and advancements in speed, capacity, maneuverability and safety have taken it from it’s roots as an unstable experiment to, perhaps, the most valuable asset in aviation today.  It’s ability to operate into areas not accessible by land or by traditional aircraft make it a crucial vehicle for use in military, rescue, exploration and urban transport flight operations.

Certainly our subject today feels the same way about his connection to the helicopter as it’s become a valuable asset in his life as well.  With over 20 years of experience in helicopters, his experienced ranged from Army service overseas for seven years to more recent work with the H-65 in Miami, Puerto Rico and Mobile, AL.  He even took part in Hurricane Katrina recovery with helicopters; a highlight of his service in his opinion. As he said about his experiences…

There is nothing as liberating as the freedom of movement that a helicopter offers - in all three dimensions, literally at your fingertips. I’m not sure where my life would be right now without my rotary-wing background…I guarantee it would be much duller.

The left side of his back is devoted to the Army – a Boeing CH-47 Chinook with a slingloaded howitzer under it. The right side of his back honors the United States Coast Guard (USCG) with an HH-65 Dolphin hoisting it’s rescue basket with a survivor. “The yin/yang of helicopter flight in the military – taking lives/saving lives” as he put it… a testament to the versatility of the design.

At the top are his wings from both the Army and the Navy, blended to together to represent their respective side.

The compilation of the helicopter tattoo work was created by artist Dave Tedder of All or Nothing Tattoo in Smyrna, GA and was done over a 5.5 hour sitting in April of 2007.  Thanks for sending us the great tattoo and the great story!

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When people think of the classic aerobatic plane, many think first of the Pitts Special. And for good reason too… originally conceived in the mid-40’s, the timeless design of the Pitts has survived for over six decades. As an icon of aerobatic and sport aviation, the Pitts S-2B seen here is a fitting subject for a permanent honor as a tattoo.

The design of the Pitts Special was first created by Curtis Pitts in 1943-1944 and the original homebuilt prototype flew in 1944.  Though the General Aviation community all but halted during WWII, Pitts still was able to envision a lightweight, agile, and strong aerobatic biplane that would rival the maneuverability of the powerful monoplane fighters of the era. 

Pitts manufactured a limited number of single seat S-1 aircraft in the late 40’s and 50’s, including one bought and popularized by legendary aerobatic performer Betty Skelton as the “Lil’ Stinker” in her act.  Despite the direct production by Pitts, many more were built as homebuilts during this era from hand-drawn plans Curtis Pitts had released.  In 1962 Pitts produced far more detailed and professional plans and then its homebuilt production of S-1 variants skyrocketed. 

After several years of design, the two-seat Pitts S-2 named “Big Stinker” flew in 1967.  It’s production type certificate was gained in 1971 and factory-built S-2 aircraft (and later joined in 1973 by the 1-seat S-1S) were produced in Afton, WY by Aerotek. The 1971 US National Aerobatic Team won the world championships by flying Pitts aircraft exclusively.

Today the Pitts remains extremely popular in the sport aviation market in production as the S-2C from Aviat Aircraft in Afton, WY.  Homebuilt plans for the S1-S are sold through Aviat and S1-C, S1-SS, and the new radial-engined Model 14 plans and kits are supplied by Steen Aero Lab in Palm Bay, FL.  Jim Kimball Enterprises in Zellwood, FL also produces kits and custom-builds of the radial-engined Pitts Model 12.

Noted aviation author and editor of Flight Journal magazine, Budd Davisson is a big fan of the Pitts and has owned and instructed in the type for over 37 years… and still does so as Plus 5 Aviation in Scottsdale, AZ.

Betty Skelton’s “Lil’ Stinker” Pitts S1-C built by Curtis Pitts now hangs on public display in the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum located at Dulles International Airport.

This colorful upper chest tattoo was created by Rob Figueroa of Refined Tattoos (MySpace site) in Palm Bay, FL – the home of Pitts kit distributor Steen Aero Lab… leaves one to wonder if the wearer works for them!

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To balance the modern fighter scale here on Tattoos In Flight after our post of the F-16 Viper last week, we’re presenting a tattoo of a similar high performance modern fighter this week… the Mikoyan MiG-29 “Fulcrum” from Russia.  Still one of the most capable 4th generation fighters in the world, the MiG-29 certainly deserves it’s permanent placement as the upper chest tattoo we feature today.

The MiG-29 was conceived in the early 70’s, along with the Sukhoi Su-27, as a Soviet response to the development of what would become the F-15 Eagle in the United States.  As the new American fighter would easily eclipse Soviet fighters of the time, a study was initiated to develop a fighter capable of countering this new threat.  Similar to the solution chosen by the United States, the Soviet Union decided on two designs to suit the evolving air warfare environment… one as a powerful, all-weather, multi-role air superiority fighter and one as a fast, light, agile dogfighter.  The Sukhoi Su-27 countered the American F-15 as the air superiority fighter and the MiG-29 was the Soviet answer to the F-16.

The first flight of the MiG-29A was on October 6, 1977, however it’s entry to service was delayed by engine-related problems and resulting accidents.  Finally in August of 1983, the MiG-29B entered service and acceptance trials were complete by 1984. It was subsequently deployed as a front-line fighter for intercept duties, while the Su-27 remained dedicated to the role of the intimidator in deep, air-to-air sweeps of NATO assets.

Similar to many previous Soviet designs, the MiG-29 was extremely well-built and could be operated from damaged or unprepared airfields that would be common in an advancing ground war.  Rugged landing gear and protective grates on the turbine intakes made it perfect for the role of a front-line fighter.

While in production with the Soviet Union, and later Russia after the collapse of the Soviet government, the MiG-29 was exported to nations other than it’s Soviet/Russian homeland.  The Air Forces of India, Yugoslavia, Serbia, Germany, Poland and many other states that formerly comprised the Soviet Union.  The MiG-29 also served with air forces in Middle Eastern and North African nations such as Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and Algeria (as well as others). 

Cuba even operated the type and were brought to the forefront after an incident in 1996 when a MiG-29UB shot down two U.S. based Cessna 337s after they crossed into Cuban airspace. The Cessnas were operated by the Miami-based organization Brothers to the Rescue who are described as a humanitarian group with a mission to aid and assist refugees from Cuba and “support the efforts of the Cuban people to free themselves from dictatorship through the use of active nonviolence.” Cuba believed otherwise and deemed the group as terrorists.  The downing led to International condemnation of Cuba for it’s actions.

This upper chest tattoo done in black and gray linework was created by tattoo artist Marin Urbanc of Gandalf Tattoo in Zagreb, Croatia.  You can also see the studio and their portfolio on their MySpace page here.

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When looking at the most successful aircraft designs of the modern age, it’s hard not to consider the General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon… or Viper as it’s better known to crews.  Obviously someone else felt the same way and had an everlasting tribute tattoo created, which is the subject of today’s post.

The F-16 is a lightweight, multirole jet fighter aircraft that celebrates it’s 35th year in flight this year.  Originally developed as a relatively low production cost, high speed and highly maneuverable fighter for Visual Flight Rules combat or "dogfighting", the F-16 has evolved into the flexible, multirole capacity which it enjoys today.

The F-16 can reach speeds of over Mach 2 and can sustain 9-g maneuvers, making it one of the most nimble fighters in the skies.  As the first aircraft to use the Relaxed Static Stability/Fly-By-Wire (RSS/FBW) flight control system, the F-16 is able to be so maneuverable for the fact that the aerodynamics make it inherently unstable.  If it weren’t for the calculations and corrections made in the Fly-By-Wire system, the F-16 would be extremely difficult to handle using manual controls.

As an export fighter, the F-16 is one of the most used aircraft in the current inventory of nations other than the U.S. — the air forces of 25 countries use the F-16.  Though currently not under production for United States contracts and the design is scheduled for phase-out by the USAF in 2025, the F-16 is still under production in advanced versions for export. Over 4,400 have been built since its first flight on February 2, 1974.

One of the more recognizable uses of the F-16 is as the primary aircraft used by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration team. Used by the team since 1983, the F-16 carries the distinctive white with blue and red trim paint scheme that has represented the USAF and America at home and abroad since 1953.  The six-ship team is featured at no more than 88 events per year and has never cancelled a show due to a maintenance problem.

This awesome F-16 tattoo was created by artist Craig Beasley who may be found through his website at TheArtofCraigBeasley.com as he’s currently on the road but he can be also found on occasion at Ink & Dagger Tattoo in Atlanta, GA.  I had the opportunity to meet Craig at the Hell City Tattoo Festival in Phoenix, AZ this past month and he’s not only a fantastic artist, but a hell of a nice guy on top of that – look him up and get a masterpiece of your own!

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Tattoos have been used to show intense loyalty to certain passionate brands and manufacturers for years.  Companies like Harley-Davidson, Cadillac and Playboy have reaped the benefits of enthusiastic fans who forever pay homage on their skin.  Today we’d like to feature a tattoo paying tribute to the logo of aircraft engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney.

What we in aviation know as Pratt & Whitney (click here for corporate site) was founded in 1925 by Frederick B. Rentschler in Hartford, CT.  Few people realize that the name Pratt & Whitney actually comes from Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool Company, the company that Rentschler was loaned $250,000, manufacturing space in their building, and the ability to carry their established name on his aircraft engine product… what would become the R-1340 Wasp radial engine.  Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool Co. was already well known at the time for sewing machine and gun-making machinery that spanned back to it’s own founding in 1860.

Rentschler ended the official tie-in with the machine company in 1929 and formed United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UATC). As part of the agreement, he was able to keep the product brand of Pratt & Whitney for the engines his company would produce.  This resulted in the Pratt & Whitney name evolving into a brand that would become more famous than its namesake in modern times. Today, Pratt & Whitney is a brand that is joined by sister aviation companies Hamilton Sundstrand and Sikorsky Aircraft under the conglomerate United Technologies (corporate site) – the name that UATC evolved into.

Pratt & Whitney went on to manufacture some of the most famous radial piston engines such as R-985 Wasp Junior, R-1830 Twin Wasp, R-2800 Double Wasp, and R-4360 Wasp Major.  With the coming jet age, Pratt & Whitney met the challenge by creating turbine engines like the JT8D turbojet found on Boeing 727s and DC-9s, the JT9D – the first high bypass turbofan engine and used on Boeing 747 and C-5 Galaxy aircraft.  Today, Pratt & Whitney remains one of the three largest powerplant manufacturers producing the civil engines PW2000, PW4000, and PW6000.  On the military engine side, Pratt & Whitney manufactures the F100 (used on the F-15 and F-16), the F119 (used on the F-22 Raptor), and the F135 (used on the F-35 Lightning II).

This tattoo on the inner bicep of the arm was created by artist Lelo at Gatto Matto Tattoo Studio in Campinas - Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The wearer had been waiting to get the tattoo for 15 years, and finally made his dream come true at the age of 30.

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It’s the end of the summer and for many pilots in the Midwest and Northeast, it’s also nearing the end of lazy-day summer fun flying as winter approaches.  In tribute to fair weather flying fun, we present this tattoo of the classic Piper J-3 Cub… the timeless traditional taildragger.

The Piper J-3 Cub, produced by Piper Aircraft of Lock Haven, PA, was built from 1938 to 1947.  Over 19,073 aircraft were built during that time and the simple little two-seat taildragger, powered by an equally simple Continental 65 hp engine, was popular for flight training.  In fact, during WWII, the Piper Cub was heavily used by the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) which provided training that screened pilot candidates who then entered the air services of the time in the either the Army or Navy. The military also used the Cub as a liaison aircraft as the L-4.

After the war, the popular Cub was an inexpensive and simple airplane to keep the growing General Aviation community in the skies.  The basic design was translated into several other Piper postwar products, namely the PA-11 Cub Special (90 hp), PA-18 Super Cub (150 hp) and those aircraft kept the basic design of the Cub for many more years. 

Though the Cub and it’s derivatives are no longer produced by Piper, the J-3 design is produced in modern form by two companies… Cub Crafters in Washington and American Legend Aircraft in Texas.

This tattoo was sent to us by one of our readers who has a 1946 J-3 Cub as part of his family.  The tattoo features their Cub as the centerpiece with the names of their children, Piper and Ryan, accenting it.  Both kids were named after the classic aircraft companies Piper Aircraft and Ryan Aeronautical… a family certainly in love with aviation!

The artist of this colorful Cub tattoo is Jason Eggert who tattoos at Island Tattoo in Salco, NC.

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