"Launch" by R. G. Smith
Thank you to the following individuals for their donations to the NASFL Museum:
Karl Bork, LCDR USN Vietnam, donated "Launch", a signed lithograph by R.G. Smith (1914 - 2001). He is considered the master of American aviation art. Born in Los Angeles, Smith began working for Douglas Aircraft in 1936 as an Engineer, producing design proposals for combat aircraft. He was essentially self-taught, with a depth of aviation and engineering knowledge that enriched and enlivened his art. Smith was concerned with accuracy of details, and the power of suggestion; his works are not technically photo-realistic or hyper-realistic, which is why they are works of art rather than technically perfect commercial drawings. A keen observer of detail, he was asked to go to Vietnam in the late 1960's to observe carrier and ground operations. This experience translated into outstanding works of aviation art. Smith created some 2,000 paintings.
George Lord USNR WWII, donated the following books for our Library:
Charles Schaus USNR WWII, donated a compilation book with original photos from his USS Barton tour.
Karl Bork, LCDR USN Vietnam, donated "Launch", a signed lithograph by R.G. Smith (1914 - 2001). He is considered the master of American aviation art. Born in Los Angeles, Smith began working for Douglas Aircraft in 1936 as an Engineer, producing design proposals for combat aircraft. He was essentially self-taught, with a depth of aviation and engineering knowledge that enriched and enlivened his art. Smith was concerned with accuracy of details, and the power of suggestion; his works are not technically photo-realistic or hyper-realistic, which is why they are works of art rather than technically perfect commercial drawings. A keen observer of detail, he was asked to go to Vietnam in the late 1960's to observe carrier and ground operations. This experience translated into outstanding works of aviation art. Smith created some 2,000 paintings.
George Lord USNR WWII, donated the following books for our Library:
- A Democracy at War
- Brothers, Rivals Victors
- The United States Navy in WWII
- and At Dawn We Slept: Untold Story of Pearl Harbor
Charles Schaus USNR WWII, donated a compilation book with original photos from his USS Barton tour.
