Clik here to view.
Profile 153: TWENTY YEARS LATER...North American P-51B Mustang as flown by...
Twenty years of progress, five years too late.This post is a little light in History but heavy in appreciating its value.Twenty years ago, I began — in earnest — my practice of “interviewing old guys...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 150: Boeing B-17G-20 as flown by Richard Bushong of the 390th BG,...
So. What do you think meeting a 98 year old man would be like?(Go ahead, wonder for a sec...)Well, when the 98 year old man is a highly decorated combat pilot from WWII and the Vietnam War, it's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 155: Hughes OH-6A as flown by Hugh Mills, C Troop, 16th Cavalry
One of the most impactful 'combat' photos I've seen is also the most nondescript. In fact, it's so nondescript, 99.9% of humankind would think it a throw-away.Have a look.A careful ".1%" eye will...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Flown West: Eugene "Red" James. Are you supposed to read this?
Eugene "Red" James sits in his Corsair, VMF-311 sometime in August of 1945.At some point, everyone must come to grips with the reality that life is personal.There is a point to-it-all and there is a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
"The Obstinate Owl II " - F-86F Sabre, 35th FBS, 8th FBG as flown by...
"Gawd. You get to meet the most amazing people..."Ever hear the phrase, "If you're the smartest/best/coolest person in the room, find another room"?(cough cough)Uh... my seat in the room of "...most...
View ArticleClik here to view.
"The Obstinate Owl II " - F-86F Sabre, 35th FBS, 8th FBG as flown by...
Quick post - this blog is 'trending' again and figured a post should be made to keep up appearances. BUT.Aside from the fact that the above is about 50% of the way to completion, the most interesting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Aero Scouts of Vietnam - Reading the Sign
At 100mph and 100 feet altitude, it’s amazing what you can see.It’s also amazing what you can SMELL.Have a look above. It’s an unusual graphic for this blog because it shows three of my drawings with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 158: "Mammy Yocum" - Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 468th BG, 792nd BS...
Have a look at my B-29 sketch above.Now, close your eyes and try to imagine what it really looked like...Did you notice the nose art?* break break *(sigh)My lifestyle requires that I 'hit the gym'...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 160: "269" - McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II as flown by "Andy"...
"I sure love/hate the governor...""We went to Mount Rushmore once. My little brother/sister got carsick...""Watched Fargo! Great movie!"And of course (paraphrasing 99.97% of all graduating high school...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 161: "323" - Vought A-7D as flown by Charles "Alex" Wright, 388th...
I'm not sure what it is about being a History Geek (HG) that is so danged compelling.Maybe it's the ability to keep calm in the face of chaos.... or see multiple sides of the same issue. Or, maybe...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 167: A-4E Skyhawk as flown by Martin Lenzini, VMA-211
Long time, no post!Certainly it's not because of a dearth of drawing — since my last full post in 2022, no fewer than NINE new aircraft have been successfully drawn (with corresponding interviews).I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
FLOWN WEST - Paul Ehlen, History Geek
Somewhere east of Pierre, SD, looking East.There’s a moniker growing-around that’s becoming rather popular: History Geek. If the reader is tempted to think of History Geek(ishness) as an academic,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 167: A-4E Skyhawk as flown by Martin "Marty" Lenzini, VMA-211
50 years is a long time! Or is it just a blink...?Hmmmm. True-story — 2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of the 'end of the Vietnam War*' for the United States. Remembering the Vietnam War is valid as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 167: A-4E Skyhawk as flown by Martin "Marty" Lenzini, VMA-211
Have a look at my progress on Martin Lenzini's Chu Lai-era A-4E Skyhawk. The back story behind the drawing is still coming; good excuse too as it involves a 3D printed experiment in how to visualize...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 169: Ryan AQM-34L as "Flown" by John Dale, 350th/99th SRS
`"Drones? In Vietnam?!"Maybe you're a total wing-nut and know all about this topic. But, let's say you're just like those sitting in an audience of highly distinguished Vietnam War aviators listening...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 170: Bell AH-1G "Cobra" as flown by Michael O'Neil, F Troop 1/9 Cav
Unmistakable.Un-freaking-mistakable.Behold — the work-in-progress of a Bell AH-1G "Cobra" attack helicopter, c. May 1970. I'm responding to a fairly crucial Commission; this bird's pilot, Michael...
View ArticleClik here to view.
UPDATE: Profile 170: Bell AH-1G "Cobra" as flown by Michael O'Neil, F Troop...
Coming along!I figure this will be the last post until Michael O’Neil’s AH-1G Cobra is finished (and his Distinguished Flying Cross mission told). Until then, a few things to note.1. Michael asked me...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 170: Bell P-39Q as flown by a great American.
Ever wonder what it means for someone/thing to be "great"?Around where I live, "great" has some cultural implications — "great" is great unless it's too great, then it needs to be knocked down a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
UPDATE - Profile 170: Bell P-39Q as flown by a great American
CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO ME!Thanks to our full-house of guests for letting me "go into my hole" to work on the P-39Q. (See previous blog post for more context).I'll be brief.For one, the numbering on the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Profile 171: Bell P-39Q as flown by BG Clarence "Bud" Anderson, 357th FG
Finished — the Bell P-39Q as flown by BG Clarence "Bud" Anderson.And, a 2024 salute for all!But before that...*break break*The superlatives and legend that surround this man will have to come at a...
View Article