Monday, February 7, 2011

190th Fighter Squadron nose art proposals by aviation artist Barry Munden

Updated February 8, 2011
Updated February 9, 2011
Updated February 15, 2011

By Joachim Jacob

Just after the 124th Fighter Wings' official request Design our A-10's nose art I invited aviation artist Barry Munden from the United States to participate in this contest. He's very thankful for my tip. And now, let me present Barry's very first three proposed drafts, based on his unique computer-generated A-10 Thunderbolt II sideviews, and already submitted to 124th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



Just a human skull. Sorry, but at least from my viewpoint it looks not so good. Because it's very difficult to put a human skull on an A-10 bow. Any more aggressive ideas? (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



Great idea: A Warthog skull, including the fang (or carnassial). Looks very compatible to 23rd Fighter Group's "Shark Mouth" and 917th Fighter Group's "Warthog" nose art. Any fine-tuning...? (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



Very interesting alternative Reaper theme: The gown ends in black and white sections as represented in the squadron's emblem. The scythe's blade could be also interpreted as a Warthog's fang (or carnassial). (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size

Please visit Barry's website


Update Februar 8, 2011:

Yesterday, after some discussion on the Warthog Territory Forums (see topic Bosie looking for nose art design), Barry presented another draft. He wrote: Here's a version that is more subdued and reworked a little to make it appear as if the GAU-8 is clenched in its jaws...



Improved version of the Warthog skull. (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size

Comment: Barry, that last one is the best of the ones you have proposed so far. It looks really much better, because (as mentioned on the WTF), the all white was just too much. I also would prefer a Warthog skull instead a human skull.


Update February 9, 2011:

Today, Barry presented five more drafts on the WTF. He wrote: The warthog skull has been refined to look more like a true hog skull. I've added an evil eye to one version, and another features flames that can act as a frame for the name placard. Also tried a few more human skull variations, although I personally prefer the hog skull. The human skull doesn't really conform well to the nose of the plane, so it can only look good from either the side or the front, but not both.



Human skull theme, more related to the squadron's emblem. (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



Another human skull theme, related to the squadron's emblem. (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size

Please compare the 190th Fighter Squadron emblem:





Improved Warthog skull theme with an evil eye. The skull has been refined to look more like a true hog skull. (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



Another improved Warthog skull theme, featuring flames that can act as a frame for the name placard (pilot, DCC, ACC). (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



Another human skull theme. (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size

Also, Barry presented the following stuff. He wrote: Here's a couple fun ones. Not really practical, but my mind has been known to wander when working...



Fun theme: A robot-style Warthog head with an evil eye and a GAU-8 bullet as fang (or carnassial). (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



Another fun theme: A complete Warthog skeleton, firing a GAU-8. (Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size

Comment: Like Barry, I still prefer a Warthog skull theme. Please compare versions 8, 11, and 12 (from the top):







I also like this one, but it could be repeat known markings on the engine nacelles:



Last but not least: Outstanding work, Barry! Great job!


Update February 15, 2011

Some more drafts:

Barry wrote: Here's a few more designs. I messed around a little with some 3D software and picked up a hog model kit today in an effort to see if I could puzzle out an effective way to make the human skull work better on the A-10's nose, but it only seemed to confirm my suspicion that there really isn't a good way to put a flat-faced skull on a pointy-nosed plane and make the image work well from both the front and sides. So instead, for a couple of these designs I worked both viewing angles individually by slipping in a smaller skull on the front to complement the larger images on the flanks. I also tried the A-20 inspired minimalist design, with simply a small skull and crossbones on the business end of the plane.



(Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



(Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



(Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



(Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size


Barry wrote: Here's two more, which are refined versions of the most popular ideas.



(Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size



(Artwork by Barry Munden) Full size


Related info:
Design our A-10's nose art

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