STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Triple Victory" by Artist Craig Tinder

Now available in two exclusive formats: a 30"x20" Hardwood Framed Canvas Edition - Limited to Only 20 and an 18"x12" Canvas (Framed or Unframed) - Limited to Only 30. Each art piece includes an AUTHENTIC RELIC, Certificate of Authenticity, and is hand-signed by the Artist. Quantities are extremely limited—Once They're Sold Out, They're Gone!

This Fine Art Print by Artist Craig Tinder commemorates Retired Col. Robert "Wilbur" Wright and his actions on 28 February 1994.

The Story Behind the Print:

28 February 1994, two F-16C Vipers from the 526th Fighter Squadron, known as the "Black Knights," were conducting patrols in support of NATO's no-fly zone over Bosnia when they encountered an aggressive violation by Serbian forces. Six J-21 Jastreb aircraft had entered the restricted airspace to carry out a bombing raid, breaching the zone and threatening stability in the region. The Vipers, led by Capt. Robert "Wilbur" Wright in "Black 03," quickly moved to intercept the intruding aircraft in what would become a historic air-to-air engagement.

Capt. Wright, an experienced fighter pilot, locked onto the first J-21 using the advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile), firing with deadly precision. The missile struck its target, taking down the Serbian aircraft in a matter of seconds. Wasting no time, Wright then turned his attention to the remaining J-21s, launching two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles in quick succession. Both missiles found their marks, resulting in the downing of two more Jastrebs. In the span of a few minutes, Capt. Wright had achieved what hadn’t been done by a U.S. Air Force pilot since the Korean War—a triple kill in a single mission.

This encounter marked the first time a U.S. pilot had scored three air-to-air victories in a single mission since the days of propeller-driven aircraft over Korea. Capt. Wright’s success with both the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinders underscored the technological superiority of the F-16 and the skill of its pilots in modern combat scenarios. His actions not only enforced the no-fly zone but also demonstrated the effectiveness of NATO's air power in controlling the skies over the conflict-ridden Balkans.

Artist Craig Tinder sought to authentically capture the historic moment of Capt. Robert Wright's triple victory by interviewing the pilot himself. Through detailed conversations, Tinder recreated the precise conditions of the engagement based on Capt. Wright’s recollections and the footage from his heads-up-display video. The painting incorporates elements such as the phase of the moon, the snow-covered terrain below, and the soft morning light that filtered through the sky on that pivotal day. By meticulously blending these details, Tinder’s artwork offers a vivid and historically accurate representation of the air battle, allowing viewers to experience the intensity and precision of Capt. Wright’s actions as if they were there themselves.

Visit the Journal to read the full story!

Commissioned by Museums, Treasured by Collectors

This item is handmade by artist, Craig Tinder. Available to ship worldwide!

ABOUT THE RELIC

This relic comes from an avionics panel of F-16D 84-1320, an aircraft previously flown by the New Jersey Air National Guard. The aircraft was later released as surplus after being involved in a mid-air collision with another jet. Following the accident, the F-16D crashed into the ocean, resulting in the light corrosion visible on the panel. Fortunately, all crew members from both jets safely ejected and survived the incident.Triple Victory - F-16 Fighter Aviation Art-Art Print-Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig TinderAvionic panel from F-16 Viper 84-1320

Triple Victory - F-16 Fighter Aviation Art-Art Print-Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig TinderUnderside of relic from F-16 Viper 84-1320

MATERIAL & DISPLAY

HERITAGE ALLOY™

Heritage Alloy™ is the next generation of Aces In Action Relic Artwork. Made from a rigid aluminum composite material, its smooth surface delivers exceptional color, contrast, and fine detail with a luminous quality that is difficult to fully capture in photographs.

Each Heritage Alloy™ edition incorporates our exclusive Artifact Dock™, integrating the authentic historical relic, its provenance, and limited-edition identification directly into the artwork. Available Ready to Hang or finished in a solid black wood frame.

GALLERY-WRAPPED CANVAS

Select Relic Artwork editions remain available on our traditional gallery-wrapped canvas while inventory lasts. Canvas provides a classic, textured fine-art presentation and is available Ready to Hang or finished in our traditional black floater frame.

AVAILABLE SIZES & FORMATS

  • 18" × 12" (45.7 × 30.5 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Ready to Hang or Framed
  • 30" × 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Framed
  • Custom sizes may be available upon request

READY TO HANG

Every Relic Artwork edition arrives ready for display. 18" × 12" Heritage Alloy™ Ready-to-Hang editions include an installed rear wall-mount bracket, while Gallery-Wrapped Canvas arrives ready to hang without an external frame. Framed editions include installed hanging hardware. No additional framing or mounting is required before display.

RELIC MATERIAL & VARIATION

Unless otherwise stated, the relic included with your artwork is a fragment taken from the larger historical component shown in the reference photos. The size, shape, color, markings, and appearance of each relic may vary based on the original material available. Reference photos are provided to document and illustrate the source of the relic material and may not depict the exact fragment included with your artwork.

ABOUT CRAIG TINDER

ARTIST • HISTORIAN • RELIC CURATOR

Craig Tinder has spent more than two decades creating historically researched artwork that connects collectors with the people, machines, and events that shaped history. His work goes far beyond illustrating an aircraft, ship, or vehicle—the research and historical artifacts behind each piece are an integral part of the artwork.

Craig works with museums, aircraft and vehicle restoration organizations, veterans, historians, collectors, and other historical institutions around the world to locate and document authentic artifacts with meaningful connections to the subjects he depicts. He supplements this physical evidence with extensive research using museum collections, military records, historical photographs, archives, and other primary and secondary sources from around the world.

In his workshop, Craig carefully prepares and incorporates these genuine historical relics into his signed and numbered artwork, preserving their provenance while giving artifacts that might otherwise remain unseen a new way to tell their story.

Meet Craig Tinder →

SHIPPING & CARE

SHIPPING

Each Relic Artwork edition is individually handcrafted and completed by Craig Tinder. From engraving and assembling the Artifact Dock to preparing the relic, framing the artwork when selected, and completing the final inspection and packaging, every piece is finished specifically for its collector. Please allow additional time for this hands-on process before your artwork ships.

Gift wrapping is available for Relic Artwork, making it ready for presentation upon arrival.

DISPLAY & CARE

All Relic Artwork arrives ready to display. Unframed 18" × 12" editions include a rear wall-mount bracket, while framed editions arrive with hanging hardware installed.

Premium Relic Artwork editions are designed for long-term display. Keep artwork away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and extreme temperature changes. Dust gently with a clean, soft, dry cloth and avoid household cleaners or abrasive materials on the artwork, frame, relic, or Artifact Dock.

THE RELIC ARTWORK EXPERIENCE

Authentic History

Each edition incorporates an authentic historical relic, presented on a custom laser-engraved Artifact Dock with details connecting the artifact to its history.

Handmade by Craig Tinder

Every Relic Artwork edition is assembled in Craig's studio, where it is signed, numbered, crafted, inspected, and prepared for its collector.

Made for Collectors

From the Certificate of Authenticity to the finished presentation, each detail is designed to create a collectible that preserves a tangible connection to history.