Tattoos In Flight

Lightning Flash: WWII P-38 Tattoo

Icarus — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:21:46 +0000

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is considered by some to be the ultimate fighter created during WWII. The sleek, twin-engine, twin-boom fighter that came from Lockheed in Burbank, CA was immortalized for many years during and following the war in media ranging from film (like 1943’s “A Guy Named Joe“) all the way down to the doodles penned by countless students in composition books as they day-dreamed about the ultimate fighter plane.

Somewhere in the middle lies the tattooed image of the P-38, like the tattoo we are featuring today. This particular tattoo was created by Tony Honaker of Sacred Body Art in Amelia, OH.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Click the above image for the full-size photo.

Join the Tattoos In Flight Army! - If you have or find any aviation-themed tattoos on the web, send the photo to us along with the name of the artist, studio, location, and a website! Send them along to tattoosinflight@gmail.com, or use the “submit” tool at the right.

Tribute to a Russian Aviator: Tattoo Portrait

Icarus — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:46:44 +0000

The black and gray portrait has become one of the most popular styles of tattooing in recent years. Perhaps this is due in part to the influence of artists like Tom Renshaw, Bob Tyrell, and the popularity of TV’s Kat Von D. In any case, the detail achieved in many of these portraits is astonishing and this portrait of a Russian fighter pilot is certainly no exception.

The tattoo was created by Corey Miller of Six Feet Under Tattoo Parlor in Upland, CA. Miller co-stars on TLC’s L.A. Ink.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Click the above image for the full-size photo.

Not Just a Bag of Wind: Gas Balloon Tattoo

Icarus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:49 +0000

Before there were airplanes, there were gliders, and before there were gliders, there were balloons. In fact, balloons and dirigibles were the only way a human could take flight for 120 years — the time between the first flight of the Montgolfier brothers’ first human-carrying balloon in 1783 and the Wright Brothers’ flight in a heavier-than-air vehicle in 1903.

This tattoo shows an early gas-filled balloon common throughout the 19th century. It was done by Annie Lloyd at Three Kings Tattoo in Brooklyn, NY.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Click the above image for the full-size photo.

Airliner As Talisman: Boeing 747 Tattoo

Icarus — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:04:33 +0000

Starting off the week is one of the rare commercial airliner tattoos we find every so often as we scour the web for new material. This particular tattoo of a Boeing 747 airliner caught our eye and it’s owner Denise was more than happy to explain the story behind the tattoo for us.

As for the story behind it - I’ve always been obsessed with planes. My Grandfather worked at SeaTac airport and my Grandmother for Boeing. I lived in the Seattle area as a child so I think perhaps I was predisposed to thinking that Boeing makes the best planes. However, I started having a recurring nightmare of seeing a passenger jet crash. It didn’t deter my love of planes or prevent me from flying but I found the nightmare very troubling. I thought that maybe getting the 747 tattoo (my favorite plane) would serve as a talisman of sorts. I live under a flight path so I see A LOT of planes taking off and it caused some anxiety. However, since I got the tattoo my anxiety about witnessing a crash has completely vanished.

The tattoo was created by Alex McWatt of True Blue Tattoo in Queens, NY. Make sure to check Denise’s blog out as well at: http://logicallogic.blogspot.com.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Click the above image for the full-size photo.

Justice by the Jug: P-47 Thunderbolt Tattoo

Icarus — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:19:40 +0000

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, affectionately known as the “Jug” by pilots and crews for its portly shape and as an abbreviation for “juggernaut” speaking to its ruggedness in battle, was the largest single engine fighter of WWII. The P-47 was one of the first high-altitude escort fighters that could accompany bomber formations into enemy territory in the European theater from bases in England to help protect the bombers from enemy fighters. The P-47 had a reputation as a powerful fighter, though it’s maneuverability wasn’t as great as later fighters such as the P-51 — but it excelled as a ground attack fighter and helped support allied troops in the invasions of France in 1944.

Ian Mckown of Bound by Design in Denver, CO tattooed the powerful P-47 as a memorial of a loved one on the wearer and colorfully illustrated it’s reputation as a tough fighter in the scene depicted.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.

Click the above image for the full-size photo.

A Devoted Phan: F-4 Phantom II Tattoo

Icarus — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:42:17 +0000

Switching it up a little today — enough with the propeller and piston planes — time for some kerosene! And to honor that fuel we call Jet-A, here we feature one of the most efficient machines to turn kerosene into noise, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. Used extensively in the Vietnam War and through the 1980’s, the F-4 Phantom remains one of the icons of air power bridging the gap between the first generation jets and the modern jets of today.

This tattoo was done by Jason at Aloha Tattoo Studio in West Chester, OH.

For a larger image, click on the picture above or the link below.

We need your aviation tattoos! Send them to us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit them using the button at the right. Thanks!

Everywhere We Look, P-40 Tattoos!

Icarus — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:10:03 +0000

Over the past few weeks, we have seen an upswing in the number of tattoos featuring the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. It’s obvious that the plane made famous by the Flying Tigers is a popular tattoo subject.

This tattoo is certainly no exception! One of the first things we noticed as how well proportioned the tattoo is, especially considering the aggressive angle of the image. Additionally, we also noticed how straight the wings were — not easy since the surface of the calf is so curved.

This tattoo was created by Sean Beck, an artist at Mom’s Tattoos in Wilmington, NC.

Please click on the image above or the link below to see a larger image.

We need your aviation tattoos! Send them to us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit them at the button at the right.

Face the Flying Tiger: P-40 Inner Arm Tattoo

Icarus — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:34:59 +0000

The iconic sharkteeth of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) Curtiss P-40 Warhawks are some of the most famous markings ever to be found on an aircraft. The large oil cooler scoop on the front of the plane and large nose was nearly perfect for the snarling mouth.

This inner arm tattoo shows that famous snarl to great effect! It was tattooed by Hawk Chait while he was at Incognito Tattoo — but Hawk currently tattoos at Oxygen Tattoo Studio in Bend, OR.

Please click on the link below or the image above to see a larger view.

We need your aviation and flight tattoos! Email us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or send it to us using the submit button at the right.

Just a Nice, Simple Biplane Tattoo

Icarus — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:53:10 +0000

Sometimes the best tattoos are the simplest, just take a look at the old school designs popular in the earlier days of Western tattooing. Thick lines, bold contrast and simple designs… the building blocks of good tattoos.

Some may think airplane designs are the same way, simple equals better. Well… in some ways. For the sake of pure whimsy, early biplanes can’t be beat. Tough as nails, simple construction and more fun than should be legally allowed.

And that’s what this tattoo represents — the simple, fun biplane done in the simple and fun old school style. It was created by Virginia Elwood currently tattooing at NY Adorned in New York City, NY.

For a larger photo, click on the link below or the image above.

We need your aviation tattoos! Send them to us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit them using the link at the right.

Skydiving Tattoo for the Adrenaline Addicted

Icarus — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:21:39 +0000

Marking a first for Tattoos In Flight, we present to you today our first skydiving tattoo! While some in aviation may ask “Why jump out of a perfectly good aircraft?” we certainly know many aviators choose the adrenaline rush of freefall by choice.

Are pilots naturally drawn to these psychokinetic thrills? AOPA Pilot Editor-at-Large Thomas A. Horne even poses this question in his recent blog post…

And what of the adrenaline rush you get when getting at tattoo? Is that a natural draw of the thrill seeking pilot, biker, or skydiver?

Either way, here’s a tribute to the skydive as executed in black and gray by artist Shawn Willmorth at The Hive Tattoo & Piercing in Moses Lake, WA.

See a larger shot of the tattoo by clicking on the link below or the image above.

Send us your aviation tattoos! Email us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or use the “submit” button at the right.

Famous Lindbergh Tattoo by Shotsie Gorman

Icarus — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:05:21 +0000

When I started becoming interested in tattooing in the 90’s, one of the first images that connected my passion for aviation and tattooing was the one we are featuring here today. This tattoo of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh by famed tattoo artist Shotsie Gorman was featured in countless magazines and exhibitions after it was completed. We’ve found a video clip where Gorman speaks about the tattoo and the challenges it presented — click here to view it.

Shotsie Gorman has relocated to Sedona, Arizona and now practices his art from Shotsies Soul Signing in the beautiful and artistic central Arizona community.

This particular photo was taken by photographer Bill DeMichele of Proteus Press. DeMichele’s work is seen each month in International Tattoo Art magazine and this month’s 15th Anniversary issue of the magazine features a full article on DeMicheles work.

For a larger view, please click on the image above or the link below.

Please send us your aviation tattoos! Email us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit them using the button at the right.

Back to Basics: P-40 Warhawk Tattoo

Icarus — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:52:59 +0000

And we’re back! After a week of headaches over those afore-mentioned hackers, we finally got things back under control and problem-free — and ready for action!

Speaking of action, let’s get back to basics with a classic World War II vintage Curtiss P-40E Warhawk in Flying Tigers colors. The P-40 is one of the most popular tattoo designs (short of the P-51 Mustang) we’ve seen, so it seemed like a great choice for the first post after a week away!

Beautiful execution by artist Matthew J. Hockaday of Avatar Studios in Waterford, MI - evidently done on a client who was going to school for aviation.

Please click on the image above or the link below to see a larger image.

We want to see your flying and aviation tattoos! Send them to us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or use the Submit button at the right!

Liberator in Black and Gray: B-24 Bomber Tattoo

Icarus — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:58:43 +0000

We’re approaching the 70th anniversary of the conception of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator — the most produced bomber aircraft of World War II. The US Army Air Corps formally invited Consolidated to submit a design in January 1939 for a bomber with higher speed, greater range, and higher ceiling than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress — the dominant bomber at the time. With a first flight in late 1939, the B-24 Liberator was destined to become one of the most successful bombers of the war, with over 18,000 aircraft constructed from 1940-1945 — the highest produced multi-engine aircraft ever (a record that stands to this day).

The B-24 never received the public limelight that the B-17 got, mostly because of it’s rather boxy and ungainly look and the fact the B-17 was featured in several popular war films and documentaries. Still, the B-24 flew more missions, dropped more bombs, and was used in more theaters of operations than any other bomber.

In tribute of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, we present to you this fantastic black and gray tattoo of the B-24. This particular tattoo, of a D-Model (with the greenhouse style nose) was created by artist Hector Cedillo of Skin Graff Tattoo in Worcester, MA.

Interestingly, Worcester, MA is only several towns over from Stow, MA — the home of the Collings Foundation, operators of one of the two remaining flyable B-24 Liberators in the world. It tours the nation annually with a B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, and P-51 Mustang as part of the Wings Of Freedom Tour.

Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image plus a second detailed shot of the nose of the bomber.

We need your flying tattoos! Send us yours at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit your tattoo and story using the button at the right!

I Hate Hackers…

Icarus — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:21:48 +0000

OK, so the site was down for a few hours this AM because Tattoos In Flight was hit by a malicious script that corrupted a bunch of files and probably was giving you virus warnings all over the place. Luckily things are cleaned up and back to normal.

If you see anything snarky, please email me at tattoosinflight@gmail.com. Thanks.

Amazing Color Early WWII Dogfight Sleeve

Icarus — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:30:40 +0000

Well, I’m finally back from the big tradeshow in Orlando, FL and am ready to get back into the swing of things — and sending you the best aviation tattoos from the finest artists around the world!

Kicking off the weekend is this fantastic early World War II dogfight sleeve project! The smooth, vibrant color used here beautifully illustrates the vintage imagery of the era. Central to the tattoo is a Moraine-Saulnier MS.315 as well as an early Luftwaffe aircraft resembling a Heinkel HE-100 perhaps.

The artist, Nikko Hurtado of Ignition Tattoo in Apple Valley, CA did an amazing job with this piece. Take a look at Nikko’s portfolio and you’ll see more stunning work!

Nikko is one of a host of artists using the Neuma tattoo machine — the first and only pneumatic tattoo machine that’s light, fully autoclavable, and maintenance-free. The kind of work these artists are putting out is really pushing the boundaries of the artform!

Please click on the link below or the image above to see a larger image and a second image of the sleeve!

Send us your aviation and flight tattoos! Email us at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit your photos via the button at the right.