American Heroes - Strata Aviation Arts

The Cover Girl Diary I met John Foster quite a few years ago at a neighborhood gathering. Since John is a great story teller, I became intrigued when I overheard him revealing to my husband that he had flown 30 plus missions in the 8th Air Force during World War II. It turns out that John, just 21 when he flew his first mission, was a radio operator on B-24 Liberators and flew most of his missions on the Liberator he affectionately calls the "Cover Girl." The Girl brought John and his crew home safely many, many times! Lloyd S. Jones has uniquely integrated the young man's diaries (authored during and after each flight) as part of the tribute to John Foster and the artwork we tenderly call "The Cover Girl Diary."
Sydne Sherman Gilbert, Strata Aviation Arts
B-24G Star Dust II On my first visit to the "Planes of Fame Museum" in Chino, California, I came face to face with a B-17 Flying Fortress and for some reason I felt drawn to her. I then remembered a family secret. My mother had been married to a B-24 Liberator co-pilot (U.S. Army Forces, 737th Bomber Group Squadron, 454th Bomber Group, Heavy). He was immediately deployed after flight training and was killed in action with three other crew members on a mission over Italy. They had only been married six months. It was sad that this was not discussed in our family, but she had moved on and married a wonderful man and raised three great kids! The scrapbook she left behind contained mementos from her life and experiences during that time and helped me reconstruct this hero's story. Sydne Sherman Gilbert, Strata Aviation Arts
The Wishbone During the Cessna Club fly in to Oshkosh 2010, my husband Patrick met Clay Hedges family. Clay's daughter and husband were scheduled to fly in a restored B-17 at the air show. They wanted to experience the power and sensation much like her father had experienced during his missions in WWII. We were in the early stages of Strata Aviation Arts and asked the Hedges family if we could produce an art piece honoring her father. Lloyd S. Jones worked closely with Clay in designing the Wish Bone art work and learning more about his Flying Fortress, his crew, the 33 flight missions and the decorations he received. Clay recently passed away in his home town. I couldn't think of a better representative of an Aviation American Hero than Clay Hedges. Sydne Sherman Gilbert, Strata Aviation Arts
Gunnery Practice I had the opportunity to meet Beverly Beesemyer who was one of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP).
The history of the WASPs is fascinating. The women had to endure great hardships to be accepted into the WASP program. The WASP women were the first women ever to fly military aircraft even though they never flew in combat. They were crucial in the training and re-training of pilots as well as training bomber gunners by towing targets for gunnery practice as depicted in Lloyd Jones "Gunnery Practice" artwork. Click the image on the left to learn more.
It is our privilege to honor our new friend Beverly Beesemyer and all the Women Air Force Service Pilots with the artwork entitled "Gunnery Training" into Strata Aviation Arts "American Heroes" section.