B-17 Astro Van

Since 1998 I've been working on a project of WWII aviation art. Last year I bought an Astro Van. I finally got around to painting this year. The beauty of the color scheme is I don't have to washit other than rinse the dirt off from time to time. Flat OD just works that way. This is the driver's side panel. The passengers cargo door glass has the Iwo Jima Flag Raising on it. The Vans not finishsed. I'm going to paint the interior zinc chromate. I've got another parts van coming that I'm going to get some stock wheels and lamp covers from as well as a stock steering wheel. Also a fold-down cot for two. This will be what I haul my artwork around in from now on.http://http://img247.echo.cx/img247/7830/bi7wstarsfullweb8jo.th.jpg (http://img247.echo.cx/my.php?image=bi7wstarsfullweb8jo.jpg) http://img247.echo.cx/img247/9454/b17wstarscloseweb5jw.th.jpg (http://img247.echo.cx/my.php?image=b17wstarscloseweb5jw.jpg) http://img247.echo.cx/img247/9454/b17wstarscloseweb5jw.th.jpg (http://img247.echo.cx/my.php?image=b17wstarscloseweb5jw.jpg)http://img247.echo.cx/img247/8972/b17pilotweb6jx.th.jpg (http://img247.echo.cx/my.php?image=b17pilotweb6jx.jpg)

That looks amzing man!

Saw this got moved. Was that topic up there before? Didn't see it. Sorry

Since I found this board. I figured I'd add a pick of one of my WWII aviation drawings. Its done in Prismacolor Pencil. Hence when information becomes availabe changes can be made to them. These are all works in progress. I've been doing these since 1990. I presently have 32 originals based on actual incidents co-signed by the airmen involved. They aren't for sale. Numbered prints are. These also include the airmens' co-signatures as well as written accounts. Its incredible meeting these guys and rough losing them. But I've got some great memories and gave them a chance to see something they did; from a different perspective.....and nobody shooting at them. I'll post a couple more if there's an interest.


Forgive...But Never Forget.http://img254.echo.cx/img254/5889/toofast2cr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Not into planes, but very cool stuff. Would you be able to post your pics a bit bigger and higher qualit for us to better see detail?

Alex

These are awesome!
Badass mustang.

I agree with alex - I would also love to see them larger:)

I'll try and get some bigger stuff soon. Having just starting to post here I'm unfamiliar with some of the rules, guidlines and limitations. Several of the places I've posted I can't post a large pic because the file is too big. Even though I save it to the web via jpeg on Adobe. Its a lot less frustrating when I know the pic won't be glitched because of size. Needless to say I'm no wiz with computers.

is the far b-17 banking out of the formation? i like that look.

as for the mustang.. awesome i love the angle and the explosion effects. never was a fan of the early mustangs though, i prefer the bubble canopy

I'll try and get some bigger stuff soon. Having just starting to post here I'm unfamiliar with some of the rules, guidlines and limitations. Several of the places I've posted I can't post a large pic because the file is too big. Even though I save it to the web via jpeg on Adobe. Its a lot less frustrating when I know the pic won't be glitched because of size. Needless to say I'm no wiz with computers.

Easiest way to post pictures is imageshack.com. Upload it there, then copy the link your automotive forums post. That's all.
I think to show art, it's ok to post pics at 600x480 pixel or even bigger to see the details on it.


btw your astro is great !!

is the far b-17 banking out of the formation? i like that look.

as for the mustang.. awesome i love the angle and the explosion effects. never was a fan of the early mustangs though, i prefer the bubble canopy


The inspiration for the painting is a piece of documentary footage that, if you've ever seen ANY WWII aircraft documentery, you've seen. There is what appears to be two B-17's flying in close formation. The another rises from behind the one in the foreground. This is what caused the far B-17 to start "jockeying" for position. Watch History channel this week sometime. You'll see this pic at least twice.

As for the Mustang? I don't pick 'em I just draw 'em. This is one aspect of my art that I try not to embellish. The only artistic license I might use would be to put a cloud somewhere that might cover an unknown. Angle of the plane may even be determined by knowns or unknowns.

Glad you like it.

Awesome uh...van art! Where do you live? Ever been to the CAF Airsho in Midland, TX?

No I've never been to Midland. I have seen quite a few AC that they have that are airworthy at regional shows in my area. And being politically incorrect and proud of it, as well as being from NC, it will always be the "Confederate Air Force." I have been to Silver Hill and Savannah. Every enthusiast should go to the Garber Facility at Silver Hill.

WOW that is cool.
Those guys look like they are returning home or perhaps out of range of enemy fighters and on the way to drop da bombs.

I know a lil about the B17s. The gunners are the real aces of WWII. They had more kills than any fighter ace. They flew the box formation to help reduce their losses. At the beginning of WWII the B17 was actaully faster than our fastest fighter at the time. Reminds me of Civil Air Patrol, I might have to go back to my roots. :)

al

I put up several more pics under "WWII Aviation Art by Coleman" if your interested in viewing them.