The Tuskegee Airmen challenged racial segregation and paved the way for the integration of the armed forces. At the beginning of World War II, the United States armed forces were still segregated and the U.S. Army Air Corps refused to train African Americans as pilots. In response to a lawsuit, the Army Air Corps agreed to an experiment training pilots and crews at Tuskegee University, Alabama.
Hopkins began work on his Tuskegee Airmen series as part of his work for the Northwest chapter of the Air Force Art program. Over the years, the series has moved beyond the Air Force Art program to become a personal mission and passion for Hopkins. The Tuskegee Airmen project is a tribute that consists of more than 40 paintings that accurately portray the foreign and domestic exploits of the first African American fighter pilots, their support crews, their families, their predecessors as well as their legacy. With the help of surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Pentagon personnel, and noted historians, this body of work has been created with tremendous attention to detail and accuracy.
Hopkins began work on his Tuskegee Airmen series as part of his work for the Northwest chapter of the Air Force Art program. Over the years, the series has moved beyond the Air Force Art program to become a personal mission and passion for Hopkins. The Tuskegee Airmen project is a tribute that consists of more than 40 paintings that accurately portray the foreign and domestic exploits of the first African American fighter pilots, their support crews, their families, their predecessors as well as their legacy. With the help of surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Pentagon personnel, and noted historians, this body of work has been created with tremendous attention to detail and accuracy.
-Paintings -
| "Bessie Coleman", Oil on panel. 24"X30", 2011 First African American femail pilot and forerunner to the Tuskegee Airmen. Bessie Colemen was flying two years prior to the emergence of Amelia Earhart. 
"The Long Haul, Alexander Jefferson and Stalag VIIA, Oil on panel, 32"X35", 2013
On August 12, 1944 while on a strafing mission over Southern France, Lt. Alexander Jefferson was shot down by enemy ground fire. He was captured by the Wehrmacht and spent nine months in Germany as a prisoner of war. He was later liberated by Patton's Third Army.
 As a Lt., Roscoe Brown of the 100th FS., 332nd. FG., became one of the first Army Air Corp pilots to shoot down a German Jet Me-262 March 24. 1945.  |
| "Major
George S.'Spanky' Roberts." Oil on board, 21.5"X25.5", 2012 Along with Capt.Benjamin O. Davis, Lemuel Custis, Charles DeBow, and Mac Ross, was one of five members of the Tuskegee Institute 42-C graduating class .George Roberts hailed from Fairmont, West Virginia and was an alumnus of West Virginia State College  |
"The Enduring Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen" Oil on panel. 18"X24", 2012
"As a child I was fascinated by aviation and medicine.. Imagine my awe when I discovered pilots who not not only looked like me but who had blazed a trail from Tuskegee to the European theater during world war II. The most fitting salute that I could give to my heroes was to walk through the door that they opened. I studied Internal Medicine and Aerospace Medicine, became a physician and pilot, then served with distinction in the United States Air force as a flight surgeon. This is how I paid tribute to the legacy of the Tuskegee airmen." Leonard A. Richardson, Lt. Col, USAF, MC, SFS
"Between the Raindrops" Oil on board,26"X33", 2012
A common fiber amongst all GIs that are on extended deployment is the desire for female companionship.
A common fiber amongst all GIs that are on extended deployment is the desire for female companionship.
"Night Work", Oil on board, 24.5"X30.5", 2012
A mechanic of the 332nd FG repairs, maintains, and tunes the engine of a P51 Mustang.
"He Who Was First.", Oil on board, 29"X24", 2012
July 2 1943 Capt. Charles Hall of Brazil Ind. shot down a Focke-Wulf 190 becoming the first Africa American in US military service to destroy an enemy aircraft
July 2 1943 Capt. Charles Hall of Brazil Ind. shot down a Focke-Wulf 190 becoming the first Africa American in US military service to destroy an enemy aircraft
"March Of The Brass Wranglers", Oil on board, 29"X40", 2012
Armorers of the 332FG lock and load P51s. Oil on board
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| "Dear Jackie", Dear Terry Louise???, oil on board, 27.5"x31.5", 2012 |
A cadet writes letters as he relaxes in his barracks. Oil on board
Raid on the oil fields in Ploesti Romania. Oil on canvas 2004
The occupied oil refineries of Ploesti under German control were responsible for a significant production of resource that would fuel the Nazi war machine. In 1944 B24 bombers were send to destroy the the refineries. The protection of these heavy bombers to, over, and from these raids was supplied in part by the 332FG of the Tuskegee Airmen. At this point many white bomber pilots and personnel admired and requested the escort of the Tuskegee Airmen. This was a pivotal point in the recognition of the valor and abilities of the Tuskegee Airmen.
"Red Tail Ground Crew", oil on board, 25^x27.5", 2012
Ground crew professionals doing what they do best.
"The Weight Of The World", Oil on board 27.5"X37.5" 2012
In July of 1942 Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was named commander of the first all black air unit, the 99th Pursuit Squadron
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| "The First Lady and the Chief" Oil on board 29"X33.5" 2012 Chief Charles Anderson gives Eleanor Roosevelt a ride in a Piper Cub. |
“Flyer Of The 332nd”, Oil on board 34.5"X33.5" 2012
A pilot of the 332nd Fighter Group standing beside his P-51
“Bombardier Of The 477th Bomb Group”, Oil on board 24.5"X29.5" 2012
An airmen with the 477th Bomb Group trained in medium range,multi- engine B-25 bombers
“Courage and Honor”, Oil on board 21.5"X 25.5" 2012
Colonel Noel Parrish, commander of Tuskegee Army Air Field awards the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Harold Sawyer
"Courting Daisy Mae", Oil on board 26.5"X37.6" 2012
Features the ground crew for Captain Woodrow Crockett of the 332nd Fighter Group and his P-51 Mustang that was named for his wife. Captain Crockett was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroic Actions August 12, 1944 and again January 22, 1945. Captain Crockett was awarded the Soldiers Medal for Heroic Actions November 16, 1944. These are the men that took all the necessary actions to keep Captain Crockett airborne.
"Finishing Touch", Oil on board 31.5"X32.5" 2012
The line mechanics for the 332nd Fighter Group performed their tasks to keep the P-51 Red Tails airborne.
The line mechanics for the 332nd Fighter Group performed their tasks to keep the P-51 Red Tails airborne.
"Another Wingman, Another Day", Oil on board 24.5"X29.5" 2012
In the case of some of the
men the anticipation and an occasional sense of solitude was part of the
emotional make-up that would precede a mission.
"The Long Walk Back", oil on board 22.5"x25.5", 2011
I painted this piece to portray the essence of mood and camaraderie. A painting that would say "we are in this together, we are brothers and we are patriots." "The importance of portraying this with body language rather than showing faces was key to the mode. This painting is part of a whole and meant to be supplemental to the other pieces that show more specific events and personalities. For me, the Tuskegee Airmen project is not a spirit, but rather an inspiring marathon with many facets, struggles and personal ties to explore.
"Armorer from the 332nd Fighter Group". Oil on board 27.5"X33.5" 2011
Armorer from the 332nd Fighter Group loading a belt of .50 caliber machine gun ammunition for an awaiting P-51.
"Blackman And Robin" Oil on board 23.5"X37.5" 2011
Colonel Robin Olds and Deputy Commander Colonel Daniel "Chappie" James known as "Blackman and Robin". Colonel James, a former Tuskegee Airman and went to become the Country's first African American Four Star General and Commander in Chief of NORAD.
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| "Butterflies" Oil on canvas 41"X49" 2006 A pilot of the well-trained and highly motivated 332nd fighter group standing on the wing of his P-51 Mustang prior to takeoff, Courtesy of: The Pentagon, Permanent Collection |
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| "The Commander And The Plan." Oil on panel 24.5"X29.5" 2011 Colonel Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr.executive officer commanding the 99th Fighter Squadron, Ramitelli Italy. |
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| "Red Tail Wing Rider" Oil on board 32"X32" 2011 The grounds crew man sits on the wing of a P-51 and guides the pilot as he taxis his aircraft. When the P-51 and P-40 aircraft's would land and taxi onto the makeshift runways of Italy and North Africa, the nose of the aircraft extended skyward to such a degree that the pilot had difficulty maneuvering his airplane due to lack of visibility. Grounds crewmen climbed onto the wing and helped the pilot, courtesy of: The Pentagon Permanent Collection. |
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| "Sunset On Black Wings" Oil on canvas 27"X35" 2010 After having flown Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, Bell P-39 Airacobras, and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, the men of the 332nd Fighter Group were equipped with the North American P-51 Mustang, the aircraft with which they were most identified. The Fighter Group identified themselves by painting the tails of their P-47s and later P-51s red, thus establishing the "Red Tails", the name most associated with the Tuskegee Airmen. This painting depicts a Red Tail P-51 over Europe. |
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| "Tuskegee Airmen Traffic Control" Oil on board 27"X27" 2011 Controlling air traffic for the 99th Fighter Squadron. This painting was inspired by a photo taken by Toni Frissell. |
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| "Guardian Angels." Oil on canvas 34X40 2006 Theoretical image of Red Tail escort of a B-29. The Tuskegee airmen were supposed to be deployed to the Pacific Theater of operations but the end of WWII made such a mission unnecessary. The airmen were escorts to mostly B-17 and B-24 bombers over Europe and North Africa, while the B-29s were stationed in the Pacific. A common theme given by the Tuskegee Airmen that i spoke with was that the rumor of their impending deployment hastened the surender of the Rising Sun. This painting is a collaboration with Justin Hopkins. Courtesy of: The Pentagon, Permanent Collection. 
A P51 of the 332FG and her
crew wait on a rain soaked runway.
“Woodrow Crockett’s Best Girl”
oil on board 20"X30" 2013
Decorated pilot Capt. Woodrow Crockett stands on the wing of his P51
that bears the name of his wife Daisy. It was common to adorn the aircraft with
the name of the pilot’s wife or girlfriend.
“Wendell Pruitt” oil on board 22"X28" 2013
Capt. Wendell O. Pruitt was a
highly regarded daring pilot. Together with Lt. Lee Archer they were considered
the best one-two punch of the 332FG. Wendell Pruitt was killed shortly after
the end of the war in a tragic aerial mishap.
"Eagles Fly with the Dove", oil on board, 22"x28", 2013
Lena Horne was very popular with both black and white servicemen and performed live on several USO tours. However, after black solders were barred from on of her concerts and forced to sit behind German prisons at another, she became upset with how African
American servicemen were treated and quit the tours altogether. Instead, she
paid her own way to perform for soldiers in the West and the South, paying
multiple visits to, and boosting the morale of the Tuskegee Airmen.
“A Night In December” oil on canvas 16"X20" 2012
As the Tuskegee Airmen fought for their place in the skies during World War II, they were supported by the dedicated and often forgotten cadre of women. They were nurses, mechanics, supply pilots and secretaries. They nursed injured bodies and souls. They lent a sympathetic ear to the young airmen as well as bandaging wounds. The women packaged and repackaged parachutes, cleared land for runways and base buildings, delivered supplies and did the other work that helped keep the base running.
The women believed very strongly, as did the men, that it was ridiculous for the barriers to exist, and for the military to have believed that African-Americans were not intelligent enough or brave enough to fly. "They were very much devoted to the cause and the success of the experience. They felt very special to be a part of it." The men and women had a purpose, not only did they feel the stress of military service during wartime, but they worked under the pressure of knowing that their success or failure would be used as justification for or against African-Americans participation in the armed forces. Their training was grueling on base, and at least as trying was the racism and discrimination they faced in the communities surrounding some of the bases.
- Charcoal Drawing -                |