Smith began his career in 1936 as a configuration engineer with Douglas Aircraft. For the next two decades, he was involved in the development of all Navy combat aircraft built by Douglas and its successor, McDonnell Douglas. While helping to design such classic naval aircraft as the SBD Dauntless, AD Skyraider, A-3D Skywarrior, F-4D Skyray, and his personal favorite, the A-4D Skyhawk, R. Smith was also developing a reputation as a respected artist. When asked to draw or paint for aircraft proposals, the largely self-taught artist used his knowledge of airplane construction and function to give life to the aircraft in his artwork. His paintings and prints can be found in museums, and private collections, in the wardrooms of naval vessels, on the walls of the Pentagon and countless military installations, and in congressional and corporate offices. A selection of his paintings is on permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Smith created some two thousand paintings and drawings on a variety of subjects, but he is best known as an artist of naval aviation. He received several awards during his illustrious career, including Salmagundi Club’s Louis E. Seley Award for “outstanding achievement in the field of oil painting”; the Fighting Hawk Award for countless, enduring contributions to the art, science and safety of U. Marine Corps Aviation; the American Society of Aviation Artists Franklin Mint Award; and the U. Naval Institute Award of Merit. In 1979, the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron named him an Honorary Blue Angel. Smith’s work is so highly regarded in military circles that in 1973 he was designated by the United States Navy “Honorary Naval Aviator” (number 10), a distinction previously bestowed on such notables as General James Doolittle, Admiral Hyman Rickover. In 1994, he became the first recipient of the R. Smith Award – named in his honor – by the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. He passed away in 2001. Pencil SIGNED Print 16″ x 20″ Image is 11 1/2″ x 18″ On thick, textured, cream colored art paper. The item “U. S. S. Intrepid (CVS-11) R. G. Smith Military Art SIGNED Print 16 x 20″ is in sale since Thursday, March 10, 2016. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Transportation\Boats & Ships\Military\Posters & Prints”. The seller is “okcrabtree” and is located in Keaau, Hawaii. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States