Stan Stokes has created hundreds of detailed military aviation paintings over his career. Each piece captures not only the aircraft itself but also the story behind it—its history, missions, and significance in aviation. These posts offer a deeper look at the planes, the events they were part of, and the people who flew them, providing both art lovers and history enthusiasts with a richer understanding of military aviation.
Beyond the canvas, Stan has been invited to participate in numerous ceremonies, exhibitions, and special events throughout his career. These posts share his experiences attending aircraft unveilings, airshows, and commemorative gatherings, offering a behind-the-scenes view of the aviation community and the people, pilots, and crews that make it extraordinary.
The News category collects updates on recent exhibitions, artist visits, and other happenings in the world of aviation art, keeping readers informed about Stan’s latest projects, events, and insights from the aviation community.
Stan Stokes
Last June, Joan and I were invited to attend the Change of Command Ceremony for the Air Force One Commanding Officer. The ceremony took place in the Air Force One Complex at Joint Base Andrews. They had the formal Change of Command Ceremony,…
It’s a little hard for me to believe it, but it has been 15 years since I created the “History of the Flying White House” mural for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library! It is an oil painting 12 feet tall by 120 feat long. It…
Stan Stokes
Gulfstream C-20C
The Gulfstream C-20C is like the United States Air ForceC-20B, but with upgraded and "hardened" secure communications, often utilized as backup aircraft accompanying the VC-25A aircraft when it is operating as Air Force…
Stan Stokes
Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 was the first of two Boeing VC-137C aircraft specifically configured and maintained for use by the President of the United States. The Boeing VC-137C was a military designation for The Boeing 707 airliner. It used…
Stan Stokes
The Lockheed VC-140B Jetstar (Air Force One) was the military version of the Lockheed Model 1329 business jet, the first business jet built in quantity for the civilian market. The United States Air Force acquired six of them to transport the…
Stan Stokes
Boeing VC-137C SAM 27000
Boeing VC-137C SAM 27000 first entered service in 1972 during the administration of Richard Nixon. A modified Boeing 707, SAM 27000 replaced the aging SAM 27000 as the primary means of presidential travel, although…
Stan Stokes
This Beechcraft VC-6A King Air was purchased by the United States Air Force specifically to fly Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson ( First Lady Claudia Johnson) from Bergstrom AFB to the Johnson Ranch near Stonewall Texas. The runway at their…
I just finished this painting of a C-47 Dakota dropping Pathfinder paratroops in the wee hours of the night before the full invasion started for D-Day. The Pathfinders mission was to set up light signals to be followed by the large formations…
Stan Stokes
The Douglas VC-9C was a military version of the DC-9 airliner. In the military executive transport aircraft roll, the Douglas VC-9C Nightingale were often used to transport Vice Presidents and First Ladies. In this roll, they would fly…
Stan Stokes
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large jet powered military transport that was designed by McDonnell Douglas, now a part of Boeing. The C-17 carries forward the name of two previous piston-engined military…
Here is one of my favorite painting subjects - the North American Aviation B-25 Mitchell bomber of WWII. This painting was for a pilot's group and honored the people who built and flew the B-25. Its most notable exploit was its use by Jimmy…
Stan Stokes
DOUGLAS C-54C “SACRED COW”
The first aircraft built and used for the president. Its first Presidential flight was in February 1945 to fly FDR to a conference at Yalta to meet again with Churchill and Stalin. The U.S.S. Quincy carried…
Stan Stokes
Boeing VC-25a Air Force One SAM 28000
Boeing VC-25a Air Force One. The Boeing VC-25a is the military designation of the 747-200Bs. They are highly modified from the original civilian 747-200B airframes. There are two of them - SAM 28000…
Boeing VC-25B
Now, on to the future, the Boeing VC-25B. The current prime Air Force One aircraft, the Boeing VC-25As, are getting to be old and technically very behind the times. The 89th Airlift Wing has been using these two airplane for…
Stan Stokes
United Airlines DC-10 flight 55 "Executive One" - The most unusual Presidential aircraft!
On December 26, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Mrs. Nixon, their daughter Tricia and about twenty three White House staff and personnel, boarded…
Stan Stokes
Toward the end of Eisenhower's second term, in 1959, the Air Force added the first of three specially built Boeing 707 jet aircraft (VC-137As) into the fleet. Not really intended for presidential use, one of these aircraft, SAM 970 (nicknamed…
Stan Stokes
The CONVAIR VC-131H (Air Force One), called the Convair 580 in civilian airline use, was a twin engined turboprop airliner. It was very highly thought of by its pilots and crew members. The 89th Military Airlift Wing acquired a few of them…
Stan Stokes
The Palm Springs Air Museum's P-51D Mustang "Bunny" was originally Bob Pond's aircraft. He had purchased it in 1981. My first flight in it was in the summer of 1992. Out of all of the airplanes that Bob had in his collection, this was his favorite…
