Just wanted to share a little insight to what us artist's do for the customers. I was recently assigned the next project, with the P-38 and Vision art done and in the hands of a great team of programmers.
So, doing my standard research for documents and photo's on the net of this new aircraft (that will be un-named), I found one for sale at a near by airport. I spoke with the man selling it, and agreed to allow me to take some photo's of it for reference. I even sweetened the pot by giving him a copy of FSX gold I had laying around. Today, I got to take the photo's.
Now, at first, I was going to ride my motorcycle down too the field.
Any excuse to ride, is a good excuse. Weather was also looking good, considering Seattles reputation!
But today, even at small airfields, they have security. thats such a pain. The owner was going to meet me in a parking lot, then take me in through the gate. I figured I wouldn't want to put inconvenience him, so I came up with another idea. Instead of going through the gate, why not just go over it?
I have a good friend who has is license, and he's been trying to get me up for some time. I asked him, and he liked the idea! So he rented a Cessna 162 from his flying club, and met at Renton field. Thats a field south of Seattle, and Boeing makes the 737's there.
So I get to the airport, and help my friend do pre-flight checks, un-tie the 162, and hop it.
That last part, "hop in" is not the best way to describe me getting into this Cessna. Im 6'4" and on the plus side of 280. This was also my first time in a small GA aircraft. Lets just say, a shoe horn was used liberally. Luckly my friend is a bean sprout, so we didnt encroach on the max payload.
We taxi out, and take off north over Lake Washington. Earlier, it was overcast, but just for us, the sun started to burn off the clouds as we climbed and turned south for Auburn.
Lake Washington with Seattle in the distance.
You can see the Boeing factory just off to the right.
Heading south, Mt Ranier came out to say "HI!"
We land at Auburn about 10 mins later. Yes, a 10 min flight. One thing motorcyclist's and pilots have in common, is we both think of any excuse to fly/ride
We spent about an hour documenting the next subject of my desires (I tend to fall in love with any aircraft I model, the only exception is the Me-109. I just cant love that thing.) and head back to the 162 with shoe horn in hand!
Overall, it was a very fun experience. Again, its my first time in a small GA and I had a lot of fun. My friend is an exceptional pilot, and not only get I get a chance to ride my beloved motorcycle, I got to tool around Seattle in an Cessna! Cant ask for a better weekend. And this is my job. I cant believe people PAY me for this!!
God I hope Colin doesn't read that....
Well off to work on the next project! And no, im not saying what it is, and no clues. Its a secret 
And that ends the day in the life of an aircraft artist. Not typical by any means, but I simply LOVE research trips. I have traveled hundreds of miles to gather reference photo's. Spoken with many pilots. Seen many sights. Its the highlight of any project besides reading people's comments. I just wanted to share a little big with everyone here. Give them an idea of how far we go to make sure its right. From a 10 min flight in a Cessna, to a 250 mile motorcycle ride to Palm Springs (when I lived in So-Cal), its all for you guys!
So, doing my standard research for documents and photo's on the net of this new aircraft (that will be un-named), I found one for sale at a near by airport. I spoke with the man selling it, and agreed to allow me to take some photo's of it for reference. I even sweetened the pot by giving him a copy of FSX gold I had laying around. Today, I got to take the photo's.
Now, at first, I was going to ride my motorcycle down too the field.
Any excuse to ride, is a good excuse. Weather was also looking good, considering Seattles reputation!
But today, even at small airfields, they have security. thats such a pain. The owner was going to meet me in a parking lot, then take me in through the gate. I figured I wouldn't want to put inconvenience him, so I came up with another idea. Instead of going through the gate, why not just go over it?
I have a good friend who has is license, and he's been trying to get me up for some time. I asked him, and he liked the idea! So he rented a Cessna 162 from his flying club, and met at Renton field. Thats a field south of Seattle, and Boeing makes the 737's there.
So I get to the airport, and help my friend do pre-flight checks, un-tie the 162, and hop it.
That last part, "hop in" is not the best way to describe me getting into this Cessna. Im 6'4" and on the plus side of 280. This was also my first time in a small GA aircraft. Lets just say, a shoe horn was used liberally. Luckly my friend is a bean sprout, so we didnt encroach on the max payload.
We taxi out, and take off north over Lake Washington. Earlier, it was overcast, but just for us, the sun started to burn off the clouds as we climbed and turned south for Auburn.
Lake Washington with Seattle in the distance.
You can see the Boeing factory just off to the right.
Heading south, Mt Ranier came out to say "HI!"
We land at Auburn about 10 mins later. Yes, a 10 min flight. One thing motorcyclist's and pilots have in common, is we both think of any excuse to fly/ride
We spent about an hour documenting the next subject of my desires (I tend to fall in love with any aircraft I model, the only exception is the Me-109. I just cant love that thing.) and head back to the 162 with shoe horn in hand!
Overall, it was a very fun experience. Again, its my first time in a small GA and I had a lot of fun. My friend is an exceptional pilot, and not only get I get a chance to ride my beloved motorcycle, I got to tool around Seattle in an Cessna! Cant ask for a better weekend. And this is my job. I cant believe people PAY me for this!!
God I hope Colin doesn't read that....
Well off to work on the next project! And no, im not saying what it is, and no clues. Its a secret
And that ends the day in the life of an aircraft artist. Not typical by any means, but I simply LOVE research trips. I have traveled hundreds of miles to gather reference photo's. Spoken with many pilots. Seen many sights. Its the highlight of any project besides reading people's comments. I just wanted to share a little big with everyone here. Give them an idea of how far we go to make sure its right. From a 10 min flight in a Cessna, to a 250 mile motorcycle ride to Palm Springs (when I lived in So-Cal), its all for you guys!
Live to ride, ride to live!!
