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?”

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It’s only logical that the most produced bomber aircraft of World War II — the Consolidated B-24 Liberator — would have a prominent place in tattoo imagery for many years.  If you do a quick search here, you’ll certainly find that the B-24 is a popular subject and we’ve said a lot over the past year on the Liberator.

But in this case, let’s talk about the style of the tattoo we find here - new school.  Unlike old school tattoos which use very simple outline and color structure, the new school style broadens the color palette and takes the themes commonly used in old school and applies a certain three dimensional quality to them.  What doesn’t change between new and old is the bold nature of the tattoos — thick lines, dark shading and exaggerated poses.

This new school-style B-24 Liberator, boldly flying through a thunderstorm, was created by artist Brian Donovan of Mercury Tattoo in Glenside, PA.

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Being a long-time tattoo enthusiast who has probably seen millions of different tattoos, it takes quite a tattoo to draw my attention and get a verbal “whoa!” when I uncover it.  When I found this tattoo last night in the portfolio of Hayley Lakeman from Charlotte, NC , I did just that… I was amazed.

One of the things that immediately drew me to this tattoo was the lack of other tattoos evident on the wearer — the contrast of the black and gray masterpiece on an empty canvas was incredible.

I know tattoo artists are frequently frustrated by clients who want highly detailed images tattooed in a small space… the result is usually not nearly as clear and detailed as they’d like.  Such is not the case here… the detailed image of one of the most recognizable bomber aircraft from World War II — The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress — is as detailed as an illustration on paper thanks to the enormous size!

It must have been such a challenge to tattoo with all the straight lines and compound curves found in the B-17; and needing to create it on a canvas with curves of it’s own!  Despite these challenges, this tattoo turned out amazing and the placement is both interesting and perfect for the image.

Bravo Hayley, you have truly made an amazing tribute to the B-17 here with this outstanding tattoo!

If you like what you see and want a tribute of your own… see Hayley Lakeman currently at Fu’s Custom Tattoos in Charlotte, NC.  Her website notes that she’s in a state of transition and may be opening a studio of her own, so stay tuned!  Just make sure to come up with your own idea, as I am sure the wearer would appreciate being the only person with this design!

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Coming to us today from Canada is this colorful backpiece featuring the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter from World War II.  This tattoo was submitted to us by Kevin Slemko who got the tattoo in honor of his grandfather commemorating the days they spent flying radio control planes together during the summer months.  Thankfully Kevin’s grandfather is still with us, so he’s able to see the colorful tribute as well.

The P-40 was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) a bit during WWII, though their use was limited.  In 1942 during the Battle of Midway, the Imperial Japanese Navy sent a diversionary force to attack the Aleutian Islands. The RCAF sent No. 111 Squadron, flying the Kittyhawk I, to a forward base on Adak Island, Alaska. During the drawn-out campaign, 12 Canadian Kittyhawks operated on a rotational basis from a new, more advanced base on Amchitka, 75 miles (121 km) southeast of Kiska. Two RCAF fighter squadrons, No. 111 and No. 14, took “turn-about” at the base.

This tattoo was created by Chris Iwaniuk of Showdown Tattoos & Skateboards in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Unfortunately Chris and the studio lack a website… but if anyone comes across one, please let us know so we can post it here!

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Yesterday we featured a World War II dogfight over the Pacific Theater, but today we’ll feature a European Theater dogfight with North American P-51 Mustangs and German aircraft loosely based on the Messerschmitt Bf-109 and the Focke-Wulf FW-190.

This forearm sleeve, dramatically tattooed in black and gray, was created by Jeremiah Barba of Outerlimits Tattoo in Long Beach, CA.

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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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