Tanker Pilot Air Force Art Collection Oil on canvas 1962 Located at Bolling AFB, DC	Angel of Deliverance Cold War Museum Courtesy of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation Photo by Matthias Winkler

Tanker Pilot

In 1961, mother, dad and I visited brother Harry and his family in St. George, Bermuda where he was stationed at Kindley Air Force Base. I photographed him for a portrait of a pilot. Later, I decided the type plane he flew should be in the background.

“How can I obtain the proper photo of the KC-97 to put in the background?” I wondered out loud.

“Look over the photos I took while in Goose Bay, Labrador on temporary duty in support of the B-47 strike force.” Harry said.

I found one that suited me perfectly and chose Goose Bay as the locale.

This painting was accepted in the 1964 Palo Duro Art Show, sponsored by the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum and the West Texas State University Fine Arts Department, Canyon, Texas.

In 1965, after “Tanker Pilot” was awarded third prize in the oil division, I contacted the United States Air Force Art Program to see if this painting may be suitable to add to their collection. It was, and I was honored by it becoming a part of the permanent Air Force Art Collection.

One never knows where a good idea, developed, will go. The adventure is fascinating; the reward excitingly satisfying.

The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, of which I am a member, requested photographs of “Tanker Pilot” and the “Taking on Fuel” paintings for their *C-97 “ANGEL OF DELIVERANCE” Cold War Museum, painted exactly like the C-97 that was used in the Berlin Airlift. Another honor! The request has special meaning for Harry and me. Now my art is airborne!

* Converted from a tanker back to the freighter version so the K is dropped.