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Master Sgt. Douglas Kinsley photographs the RQ-4 Global Hawk during the research phase for a lithograph he will produce for the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. (Senior Airman Adam Hamar)
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Artist commissioned to create Global Hawk lithograph
Posted 5/25/2012 Updated 5/25/2012
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by Senior Airman Adam Hamer
940th Wing Public Affairs, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
5/25/2012 - Citizen Airman/June 2012 -- Standing outside of a dock just off the flight line at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Master Sgt. Douglas Kinsley waits patiently as a crew of 13th Reconnaissance Squadron maintainers maneuvers an RQ-4 Global Hawk carefully into place.
When the aircraft finally rolls to a stop, Kinsley rifles through his camera bag, chooses a lens and saunters over to the windowless, oddly shaped plane.
The 940th Wing Reservist has been commissioned by the 13th RS to produce a lithograph of the remotely piloted aircraft flown by the unit. His photographs of the plane will serve as vital background research for the endeavor.
The commissioned drawing is not Kinsley's first lithograph production. In fact, detailed pencil drawings of military aircraft produced by Kinsley hang in the Smithsonian, the National Air and Space Museum, and numerous other museums and gift shops from Hawaii to Washington D.C. He has sold some 50,000 pieces.
Kinsley methodically moves around the plane, photographing the machine from different angles and carefully studying every aspect of its design.
"I've always loved to draw," he said, "and I've always had a good eye for detail."
Kinsley started drawing as a hobby when he was 13 years old, but he put his hobby to the side for a while when he joined the Air Force in 1979 to work in aircraft maintenance.
In 1985, Kinsley got off of active duty and joined the Air Force Reserve to go back to school. While in college, he developed his drawing skills by taking drafting courses. After graduation, he drew professionally as a draftsman for engineering companies while continuing to serve in the Reserve. Both careers seemed like a natural fit.
In 1992, however, Kinsley left his civilian employment to become a full-time air reserve technician with the 940th WG. His drawing became a hobby once again.
Over the years, Kinsley has drawn transports, fighters, civilian aircraft and World War II planes. He said his father's service in the Air Force was a major factor in his love of planes and aviation history.
"I love World War II planes: My all-time favorite is the B-17G bomber," Kinsley said. "It was probably the hardest to draw. It had a lot of curves, and curves are time consuming. It took me nearly a year. I spent 500 hours on that one." |
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