R. Doug Wicker — Author

P-40 Warhawk in Flying Tiger war paint

You’ll notice that I chose mostly to highlight just certain aspects of the aircraft depicted rather than displaying the entire machine.  Remember my photographic Rule of Implied Recognition?  This rule works very well at piquing interest on a number of levels, but it works particularly well when the intended audience are familiar with the subject.

Tupolev TU-2

Here the intended audience are employees of the Federal Aviation Administration, and many of them are air traffic controllers who see and work aircraft practically every day of their professional lives.  They don’t want to see stock photos of whole aircraft.  They want something more intrinsically artistic than that, especially since many are avid aviation buffs with an extensive knowledge of aircraft.  For instance, this shot is probably boring to an aviation buff:

F-84F Thunder Streak

Whereas something like this shot leaves them wondering at least a little:

Tupolex TU-2 twin-tail

A-7E Corsair II

We’ll get back to China next week with the start of a six-part series on one of the most photogenic spots during our entire China trip — Tongli, the Venice of the East.  Yes, it really does take six whole installments of photographs to do this town justice.

Tupolev TU-2 Engine

Meanwhile, this week we’ll take a look at what I consider “Aviation Art.”  The reason I’m bringing this up is because I recently received a request from the manager of El Paso Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) — Curtis Dowling — to supply him with aviation-related photographs suitable for framing for display in the facility.

F-84F Thunder Streak

So, heeding the call I dug up some of my more interesting shots as well as making a special trip out to the War Eagles Air Museum at the Doña Ana County at Santa Teresa Airport (5T6).

Super Guppy Turboprops

Some of the selected photos were chosen for color, others for interesting content.  Some of these shots you’ll see processed in different ways such as Black & White conversions or the use of special effects to focus or enhance something of particular interest.

Tupolev TU-2 Gun

On Friday I’ll present my favorites of the bunch.