Aircraft Art - Artwork By Don Ricci

3/10/2009

Flak Maid

See "Flack Maid" being created HERE

Flack Maid is a reproduction of a 1943 B-26 Marauder Nose Art. It will be placed on display with Miss Miramar and Ace Maker II on a roving nose art showing. She is coming along.... Can't wait to see what the clear coat does to this one! Simulated flak damage to be added in a bit... These will be displayed at the Jet Warbird Association Fly In called Jet Blast in May....

Posted at 6:11 PM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/1/2009

Warbird Digest does article on my love for warbird nose art!

Read the great article here

The March / April publication of WARBIRD DIGEST features a six page spread on the nose art completed so far. I am truly honored and flattered! It came out great!

Posted at 10:24 AM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

VMFA-323 F/A-18C Hornet Nose Art "Miss Miramar"

See Miss Miramar Here

This nose art pin up is dedicated to the Marine Squadron VMFA-323 "Death Rattlers" based out of MCAS Miramar, in San Diego. I think she came out pretty dang good. The airbrush really allows me to do the depth that is required for good flesh tones. She has been finished with 3 coats of urethane clear coated by my friends at Downtown Autobody. The clear came out BEAUTIFUL! I think I am in love.

Posted at 10:17 AM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/28/2009

" Snake Eyes " VMFA 323 F-4 Phantom Nose Art

See Snake Eyes Nose Art here

With the use of the air brush, Rattlin Rita gets a face lift. The new design for the nose art on the VMFA-323 Death Rattlers F-4B Phantom takes shape. This F-4 flew 273 missions in Vietnam doing close air support for the troops on the ground as well as strikes up in North Vietnam. The VMFA-323 pilots and crews were called "Snakes" and that is where the name for the nose art started. She's a tribute to all Snakes, past, present, and future.

Posted at 6:28 PM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

12/26/2008

Ace Maker II Nose Art T-33 Heritage Foundation

See the work on Ace Maker II here

With a new airbrush and an idea for some nose art in the Ace Maker T-33 concept this beauty came to life. My first attempt with the airbrush. I love the realism and soft shading you can get with this tool. She'll be scanned and shirts will be created to support the T-33 Heritage Foundation and hopefully she'll fly on the side of a polished T-33 or F-86 some day soon! What do ya say Greg? I can't wait to apply this technique to more and more of my nose art.

Posted at 7:41 PM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/30/2008

Colyer's beautiful T-33 Shooting Star "Ace Maker" Nose Art and Flight to Nellis Air Force Base

See the T-33, Nose Art, and a dream come true flight in Ace Maker here

Meet Greg and visit the T-33 Heritage Foundation here

See in cockpit footage of Greg flying this beautiful beast HERE

During the recent airshow I had a chance to meet Greg Colyer of Yolo, Ca while he flew his immaculate T-33 to the Pacific Coast Air Museum's Airshow. He is a great guy who has a passion for military aviation and we hit it off. His 33 is BEAUTIFUL! He had me design nose art for the T-33 called "Ace Maker". The painting was done on canvas then converted to a graphic to be placed on the aircraft per his request. It turned out awesome! I got to fly as Greg's WSO and Crew Chief to Nellis AFB on Ace Maker for 5 days on base while he flew her in the Aviation Nation Airshow. Greg is an amazing pilot and did a fantastic job! I had THE time of my life! Greg if you ever need a crew chief for any of your shows you let me know! I'll be ready to chock the wheels, hand you a Red Bull, and fuel up the Ace Maker for ya!

Posted at 11:12 AM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/20/2008

Don gets to help Team Steadfast with paint on the new props on the Yak!

See the work on Steadfast here

Meet Will and Team Steadfast

Watch Will Make a Fast Pass! and Start Her Up

Getting the chance to work with Pilot Will Whiteside, one great guy and one of the sweetest looking Yaks is a dream come true. The Steadfast Yak-3U has a brand new paint job and I have been able to help doing some of the detail painting the brand new set of props. I got a chance to meet Robert Cramer who did the beautiful stencil work on this beast. Robert has been doing lettering and painting since 1975 and he is one heck of a guy to learn from. Thanks for all the help and advice Robert! I can't wait to try the new techniques. This aircraft is pretty much a monsterous R-2000 motor with a small cockpit and a set of wings. Wait till you see this beautiful bird tear up the track in Reno this year. Goodluck Will and Team Steadfast!

Posted at 10:59 PM by Don Ricci | Category: Aircraft Art | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Artwork By Don Ricci