We received a great letter last week from a collector that included this photo of his WWII aviation inspired backpiece. Inspired by his interest in WWII history, he chose the design as a cover up of an earlier piece — hence the reason for the night bombing scene depicted, though he noted he knows the Americans didn’t utilize night bombing missions that much.

He adds: “I went with this design because I find that the vintage look and design of the B-17 and other planes of that era really remind me of the crazy things that our troops were doing back then. No technology like today. It was a huge hunk of metal that somehow got off the ground, dropped bombs while getting shot to hell, and came back to do it all again – if they were lucky. I have been asked why I did not get modern planes… I guess some people just don’t get it.”

The tattoo was created by artist Anson Eastin who worked from Pleasures of the Flesh Tattoo in Fort Myers, FL at the time. Anson has since left the studio and has relocated to Michigan, but unfortunately we don’t know the studio or have a website address (ed. if you know, please let us know!)

Certainly the piece is unique and is perfect evidence of how fantastic a tattoo can be when you combine imagination and commitment all at once!

Please click on the link below to see a large image of the tattoo after the jump!

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Rounding out the blitz of B-17 Flying Fortress tattoos this week is this forearm piece by noted New York City tattoo artist Anil Gupta of Inkline Studio NYC on Manhattan. Gupta is well known for his highly detailed tattoo art and exact replica miniature tattoo renderings of famous pieces of art. Gupta also takes pride in his photography, so a visit to his website is highly recommended!

Please click on the link below to see the full-size view of the tattoo.

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The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most popular aviation tattoo themes out there and this B-17 black & gray tattoo by Eric Rignall of Inkstop Tattoo in New York City is more proof of it! Eric says this piece has been added to since the photo was taken, with buildings and a landscape to the background. Either way, it’s a fantastic piece and well executed no matter how you look at it.

For a larger view, please click on the link below to view the rest of the post.

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We’ve got a few B-17 Flying Fortress tattoos to showcase in the coming few days starting with this great ribpiece by Mike Devries of Mike Devries Tattoos in Encino, CA.

The piece is still in progress, awaiting one more run through and background, but it still looks great and the placement is very unique and works well for the massive bomber.

Contribute your photos to be featured here… email us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com.

This is the other side of an earlier tattoo we featured done by artist Jon Reiter from Solid State Tattoo in Milwaukee, WI. This one, featuring the B-17 Flying Fortress is part of a full WWII sleeve it looks like!

If you have a tattoo with an aviation theme you’d like to share, email it to us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com.

Brian from Florida sent us this amazing Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress tattoo commemorating his father’s B-17 in the 8th Air Force. It was done by artist Pete Soto at Inkman Dan’s Timeless Art in Ocala, FL. Taking 14 hours in total over three sessions, the tattoo was finished in October 2006.

Amazingly, this was Pete’s first time tattooing an airplane…