Protecting the noggin of fighter pilots since the late 1940’s, the modern day hard pilot helmet is certainly a symbol in military aviation these days.  The combination helmet, sun visor, and attached oxygen mask is a lot like the armor of a knight — fearsome looking, but serving much more of a purpose than the visual impact.  Much like football, the evolution of the fighter pilot helmet went from soft leather helmets used during and before World War II to the hard, protective helmets used today as aircraft speed increased.  With the jet age came the even more cranium-perilous need for ejection seats to exit high speed aircraft in emergencies.  With the rapid acceleration of the “rocket-powered car seat” and violent ejection sequence, the need for a solid “brain bucket” was needed more than ever.

Most helmets used in recent years by U.S. Military pilots are made by Gentex Corporation and illustrated here in tattoo form is a helmet styled after the HGU-55/P style of helmet.

The tattoo was created by artist Nathan Kostechko at Manifest Studio in Los Angeles, CA.  Nathan is featured this month in International Tattoo Art magazine (May 2009).

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The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the dive bomber of choice for the United States Navy at the beginning of World War II.  In fact, a group of SBDs arriving in Hawaii from the USS Enterprise at sea were caught in the attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. 

In US Army service, the type was known as the A-24 Banshee, but it saw limited service as many regarded the type as too slow, too short-ranged and too poorly armed for their needs.

Far more acclaimed in Naval Aviation service, the SBD is perhaps best known for it’s role during the Battle of Midway in June of 1942.  In one day, attacking SBD Dauntlesses sank or fatally damaged all four Japanese carriers — three (Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū) within six minutes and the Hiryū later in the day.

Though joined later in the war by the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, many crews favored the “Slow But Deadly” (SBD) over the “Son of a Bitch, 2nd Class” (SB2C) as a dive bomber, though it was an older design.

This tattoo of an SBD Dauntless, ironically placed near a bellybutton on the stomach (a Navel Fighter?) was created by artist Nick Chaboya at Classic Tattoo Studio in Grass Valley, CA.

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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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