HELLO, I WANT TO SHARE SOME ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT MY WORK WITH YOU ALL FROM SOME OF THE PILOTS I HAVE DONE WORK FOR IN THE PAST. IT ALWAYS GIVES ME GREAT SATISFACTION TO HEAR FROM THE "REAL DEAL" AND FEEL HONORED TO KNOW THEM AND TO BE ABLE TO CREATE MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES.
THE BLUE ANGELS
In 1997 I was honored to present to the Blue Angels a piece I created showing all the tactical aircraft the team had flown since their beginning in 1946. I presented the piece to them at Ft. Lauderdale Airport when they were there for the Air & Sea Show. It was a great moment.
"Dear David,
On behalf of the Blue Angels Team, I would like to thank you for donating the photographic illustration to us. The beautiful piece dictating the history of the jets flown by the team is outstanding. The picture is hanging proudly in our squadron spaces. We salute you in the talented work you do."
George B. Dom
Commander, U.S.Navy Commanding Officer
Blue Angels.
GOODBY SILKWORK PLANT
In 2016 I was commissioned by Captain (retired) T. Ladson Webb, former Commanding Officer of VA-36, to create a piece showing he (RIO) and his pilot beginning a bombing run January 22, 1991 on a silkworm plant during Desert Storm. We spent many hours on the phone talking over the details. I later met T.Ladd at the 2016 Tailhook Convention where he visited my booth and signed several of the prints.
"David,
I just wanted you to know how excited I am about the artwork you've created of my A-6 over Iraq. It's beautiful and I feel like I'm flying wing on myself."
Captain T. Ladson Webb
Commanding Officer
Steve Greenstein I am not a great at appreciating artwork, but that is something special. I just keep looking at it and I want to stare at it all day. Beautiful piece of work David Tipps.
F-4 PHANTOM "LAREDO MISSION"
In 2013 I was commissioned by USAF Brig. General Ross (Rosie) Detwiler (Ret), former Misty Fast FAC (F-100F), and Laredo Fast FAC (F-4E) pilot with two tours in Vietnam to create an image of his second return to Vietnam. In this piece Rosie and his WSO Captain Tom Lampley (retired Colonel) are flying over the mouth of the Dong Hoi River on the coastline of the Gulf of Tonkin.
"Dave, Your art is a special gift because it does just what you want your work to do. I never look at that F-4E picture without thinking of being in the exact place pictured. I think of many good times in Vietnam with Tom my WSO. We'll shake hands someday. In the meantime, thank you for the memories."
COMING ABOARD THE RANGER
In 2014 I was commissioned by Rosie Detwiler to create a piece showing his brother and Naval Aviator Alan Detwiler bringing his VA-25 A-7 Corsair aboard the U.S.S. Ranger.
"David,
Just wanted to thank you for the picture of the A-7 coming aboard the Ranger! I can see you put your heart into it and it will forever remind me of an earlier life! The attention to detail is amazing... The LSO's turning to watch, the plane guard in position. The AOA of the A-7 landing, and of course the "Fist of the Fleet" paint job! I love everything about this work and I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate it. Thanks again."
MISTY
In 2011 I was contacted by the daughter of a former Misty pilot was was lost in Vietnam and even today is still listed as MIA/KIA since 1969. I decided to create a piece that would honor all the Misty (Fast FAC) pilots who flew that dangerous mission in Vietnam. I was later contacted by Photographic Editor for the Smithsonian Air & Space magazine asking if she could use the picture to highlight an article they were putting together honoring the pilots of the Misty mission to which I agreed and felt greatly honored.
WINGS OF GOLD JOURNAL
In 2017 I was honored to have several pieces of my photographic mixed media artwork featured in their summer journal. I've included a few of the featured pictures.
