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 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk holds a special place in my heart as it was designed and built by Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Corporation of Buffalo, NY — only about 40 miles from where I grew up.  The Greater Western New York area is considered the “Cradle of Aviation” as it was the home of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and most of his early aircraft experiments in Hammondsport, NY. Later, Curtiss founded the company that bore his name (Curtiss-Wright) and produced some of the more famous aircraft and engines of WWII.  Buffalo also was home to Bell Aircraft (birthplace of the P-39 Airacobra and the Bell X-1) and Consolidated Aircraft (B-24 Liberator and PBY Catalina) before the company moved to San Diego, CA.

It’s fitting that this fantastic black and gray tattoo of a pair of Curtiss P-40 Warhawks over a bridge, was created by artist Snake Eyes of B-52 Tattoo in Brooklyn, NY.  I do also see the irony in the fact that the B-52 was produced by Boeing, clear across the USA in Seattle, WA.

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Being the most produced multi-engine aircraft in history (with over 18,000 built), the Consolidated B-24 Liberator seems like a fitting aircraft to be immortalized in ink.  More crews flew aboard the B-24, and the aircraft flew more missions and dropped more ordinance than any other aircraft used during World War II.  Though the B-24 wasn’t as popular in the media as it’s sistership, the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 still made up the backbone of the American strategic bombing campaign during the war.

The B-24 saw service in both the European and Pacific Theaters… including the harsh climate of the Aleutians and the heat of North Africa. 

In tribute to the B-24, one of the greatest aircraft of all time, we present this beautiful black and gray tattoo.  Artist Brett J. Barr of Built 4 Speed Tattoo of Orlando, FL completed the piece.

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The mighty Lockheed C-130 Hercules is one of the most recognizable transport aircraft in the world today.  First flown on August 23, 1954, the “Herky Bird” is one of only five aircraft types that have met and surpassed the 50-year mark of continuous service in current inventory.  The C-130 is still being produced in fact, as the C-130J.  The C-130 was originally designed as a troop transport, but it’s scope has broadened over the years to include service as an inflight refueler (KC-130), gunship (AC-130), and even use by the US Navy and Air National Guard to support operations in Antarctica on skis!

For many who crewed on or currently fly aboard the C-130, the airplane holds a special place in their heart. For the subject of this entry, his passion for the C-130 Hercules extended to the point where he had one permanently placed on his forearm as a tattoo tribute to the timeless transport.

Artist Matt Bremer of Sinnin Skinn Inkworks in Orfordville, WI did the great piece in black and gray for the client with great results!

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What more can be said about the North American P-51 Mustang that hasn’t been said here on Tattoos In Flight before?  Though it’s a close call as to whether the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk or the P-51 Mustang holds the title for “Most Tattooed Airplane” here at the site, I still am amazed at how many people choose the Mustang as a permanent tribute to airpower. 

This particular P-51 tattoo — a beautiful color backpiece — was created by tattoo artist Carlos Rubio of Club Tattoo in Mesa, AZ.  The flatness of the upper shoulders and back makes it easier to appreciate the straight lines and edges of the wings of the P-51.

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The Consolidated B-24 Liberator, though not as immortalized as it’s sister ship, the B-17 Flying Fortress, certainly made its mark in World War II.  With over 12,500 being built from 1940 to 1945, it was easily the most produced multi-engine aircraft of its time (an honor I believe still holds true even today).  The B-24 flew more missions and dropped more ordinance on enemy territory than any other aircraft of the war — and sadly, more crewmen gave the ultimate sacrifice aboard the B-24 than any other as well.

Honoring the B-24 and the crews who flew on her, artist Jim Rosal of Jim & Jenni’s Quality Tattoo in Yakima, WA immortalized this B-24 on the back of a gentleman in tattoo form.  The quality of the artwork is superb and I give Jim high marks for working around the freckles there — looks a bit like the B-24 is flying through the 88mm anti-aircraft fire, also known as flak.

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