R.G. Smith Award
Encyclopedia
The R.G. Smith Award for “excellence in naval aviation art” is awarded annually to a single artist at the National Naval Aviation Museum during its annual May symposium in Pensacola, Florida
. The Museum’s Foundation selects the recipient. The award is a career honor, similar to a lifetime achievement award.
in his honor.
R.G. Smith graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic College of Engineering in Oakland in 1934. He was hired in 1936 as an engineer by Northrop
Aircraft, then a subsidiary of Douglas Aircraft, where he helped design naval aircraft such as the SBD Dauntless
, AD Skyraider, F4D Skyray
, A-3 Skywarrior
, and the A-4 Skyhawk
.
Later, he became the Douglas Company's full-time artist, spent time as a combat artist in Vietnam
, and was one of the five original founders of the American Society of Aviation Artists. More than a million of his lithographs of commercial and military aircraft have been printed.
R.G. Smith died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California
on May 29, 2001 at the age of 87.
A selection of over 120 of his paintings and drawings, as well as a complete biography can be found in "R.G. Smith - The Man and his Art: An Autobiography". Hardcover: 112 pages, Schiffer Publishing (February 1999), ISBN 076430755X, ISBN 978-0764307553.
R.G. Smith was designated Honorary Naval Aviator
Number 11 on May 8, 1973 by VADM William D. Houser, Deputey Chief of Naval Operations
for Air Warfare.
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. The Museum’s Foundation selects the recipient. The award is a career honor, similar to a lifetime achievement award.
Recipients
- 1994: Robert G. Smith
- 1995: Ted Wilbur
- 1996: William S. Phillips
- 1997: James Dietz
- 1998: Bob RasmussenRobert L. Rasmussen-External links:* http://www.rlrasmussen.com...
- 1999: Roy Grinnell
- 2000: Stan StokesStan StokesStan Stokes is an American painter known for his aviation art. His work hangs in three presidential libraries.Since the mid-1980s NASA has commissioned Stokes to paint 15 works ranging from the Space Shuttles to the SR-71 Blackbird. Stokes has also painted numerous works for Burt Rutan...
- 2001: Craig Kodera
- 2002: Keith Ferris
- 2003: Merv Corning
- 2004: Jack Fellows
- 2005: Jim Laurier
- 2006: Andrew Whyte
- 2007: Steven Tack
- 2008: Marc Stewart
- 2009: Morgan I. Wilbur
- 2010: John Shaw
- 2011: Don Feight
Namesake
Robert Grant or R.G. Smith contributed immeasurably to the preservation of the heritage and history of U.S. naval aviation through his 50-plus year career as an aeronautical engineer and as an accomplished artist. The R.G. Smith Award for “excellence in naval aviation art” is bestowed by the National Museum of Naval AviationNational Museum of Naval Aviation
The National Museum of Naval Aviation is a military and aerospace museum located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The museum opened in 1962....
in his honor.
R.G. Smith graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic College of Engineering in Oakland in 1934. He was hired in 1936 as an engineer by Northrop
Northrop Corporation
Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack...
Aircraft, then a subsidiary of Douglas Aircraft, where he helped design naval aircraft such as the SBD Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
, AD Skyraider, F4D Skyray
F4D Skyray
The Douglas F4D Skyray was an American carrier-based supersonic fighter/interceptor built by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
, A-3 Skywarrior
A-3 Skywarrior
The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was originally designed as a strategic bomber for the United States Navy and was among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft in history. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991...
, and the A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
.
Later, he became the Douglas Company's full-time artist, spent time as a combat artist in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, and was one of the five original founders of the American Society of Aviation Artists. More than a million of his lithographs of commercial and military aircraft have been printed.
R.G. Smith died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California
Rancho Mirage, California
Rancho Mirage is a resort city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 17,218 at the 2010 census, up from 13,249 at the 2000 census, but the seasonal population can exceed 20,000. In between Cathedral City and Palm Desert, it is one of the eight cities of the Coachella...
on May 29, 2001 at the age of 87.
A selection of over 120 of his paintings and drawings, as well as a complete biography can be found in "R.G. Smith - The Man and his Art: An Autobiography". Hardcover: 112 pages, Schiffer Publishing (February 1999), ISBN 076430755X, ISBN 978-0764307553.
R.G. Smith was designated Honorary Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
Number 11 on May 8, 1973 by VADM William D. Houser, Deputey Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
for Air Warfare.
External links
- http://www.users.bigpond.com/pacificwar/R_G_Smith.html
- http://rgsmithart.com/