Art, History and a Lifelong Fascination With the Machines That Made It
Craig Tinder has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember. His fascination with aviation, military history, and the engineering behind historic aircraft eventually became the foundation for a body of work dedicated to telling their stories.
What began as a passion for creating historically accurate aviation artwork grew into Aces In Action—a collection spanning aircraft, ships, armored vehicles, spaceflight, and the people connected to them.
Today, Craig's work can be found in private collections, museums, military organizations, and historical institutions around the world.
The Story Comes First
Every piece begins with understanding the history behind it. Craig researches aircraft, vehicles, missions, markings, locations, crews, photographs, records, and firsthand accounts before building the final composition.
That research becomes especially important when recreating a specific aircraft or event for a veteran, family, museum, or collector. Sometimes the surviving information is extensive. Other times, the story has to be reconstructed from scattered photographs, documents, logbooks, and historical records.
The goal isn't simply to create an impressive image. It's to create artwork that respects the history it represents.
Trusted to Preserve History
Craig's work has led to collaborations and commissions with museums, historical organizations, military groups, veterans, and families seeking to preserve important stories through art.
These projects often extend beyond creating an illustration. They can involve historical research, artifact integration, memorial design, restoration partnerships, and working directly with the people responsible for preserving the history behind the subject.
About Aces In Action
Aces In Action is the home of historical artwork created by Craig Tinder.
Rather than representing multiple artists, the collection is built around Craig's original work and his approach to combining art, historical research, and—where appropriate—authentic artifacts from the aircraft, ships, and vehicles depicted.
The result is a collection designed not simply to decorate a wall, but to preserve and share the stories behind the history.
COLLECTORS & HISTORIANS
Dear Craig, I have received a copy of your magnificent print of a F4U in U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17) colors. It is truly marvelous and will soon find a place in my WAR ROOM in my home!! Best wishes to you and yours ~ Semper Fi.
— Col. James E. SwettMedal of Honor Recipient & WWII Ace, VMF-221
I met Craig and his wife at MegaCon Orlando, a most unlikely venue for his art.
The art/framing are superb but what sets him apart (at least for me) is the attached relic. It is a reasonable size for the print and comes with a detailed history of what it is, where it is from and often, how acquired. That gives me confidence the relic is genuine. I also like that he gives a detailed description of the scene portrayed in the art. It is based on an actual event…not the artist imagination.
His customer support has also been first rate. I have had him ship directly to me and a friend in Tennessee. In each case the art arrived well packaged and in perfect condition. He kept me informed as to its preparation and shipping status. I have made a couple inquiries and Craig promptly responds to emails.
My big concern is if his relic art catches on, the prices will skyrocket based on the very small edition sizes. So……I’m picking up everything I want before that happens!
— Dennis C.Tennessee
I collect a fair amount of military artwork rendered in all types of mediums, and so I also end up seeing a wide range of quality as well. Much of what is out there is rather mediocre. But every once in a while, as in your case, a true gem of an artist comes along. In my personal experience, both as a collector of military-themed artwork, and as a long-time student of much of the technology of warfare, your aircraft prints are among the very best I have had the good fortune to acquire. Above all, they are simply fascinating and enjoyable to just look at.
— John O.Las Vegas, NV
I bought a print of this beautiful piece of art at the @daytonairshow from artist Craig Tinder with @aces_in_action. Not only is his talent endless but we had a great time talking with Craig and his wife after the show. I challenge you to find nicer people in the industry! In the mean time, check out their store and grab something that speaks to you. I promise you won't regret it!!!
— Ryan D.Dayton, OH
First,, you are a wonderful artist...
I purchased fifteen prints and it took a long time to find the right frames for them,,,,but now all 15 are hanging my house. They have always been something I have shown to friends..The detail is just incredible..
All of my prints are signed and I thank you for that...I love them all,,the 109,,190..F-4U., and the P-51
They are all beautiful....THANK YOU!!!!!
— Tim B.New York, NY
I met Craig at Reading, PA, where the Mid Atlantic Air Museum hosted its WW2 Weekend. I purchased my first 30” x 20” framed canvas with relic. Since then I purchased 9 others plus two 18” x 12” paper prints that I had framed as well.
I proudly hung some in my son’s room, some at my office at work, some in my home office, and some in my workshop at home. My favorites are at work and in my home office where I can see them most frequently though my son snagged “Dusk Patrol” which I love because the colors pop off the canvas.
Craig’s art is amazing and he’s great to talk to in person. I highly recommend getting your hands on one of his pieces. There just aren’t enough walls!
My three faves “Fear the Bones,” “Stacked Deck,” and “The Bone”
— Brian B.Reading, PA
I have just received the print of the A6M Zero and I just had to write to tell you how impressed I am with it. I have, of course, left good feedback for you but the space for writing a feedback comment isn't big enough to say everything I want to say. I really was stunned by the quality of both the artwork and the printing. I feel as if I can run my fingers over the undulations on the aircraft's panels - the whole thing is so three-dimensional. The print quality is second to none and even the paper seems to glow! There aren't many times in life when you buy something for a very modest amount of money and then find yourself speechless with admiration when it arrives but this is one of those times. Although I am mainly a Zero enthusiast I strongly suspect I am soon to become very interested in your other subjects purely because of the quality.
— Terry S.St. Helens, U.K.
— John L.Virginia Beach, VA
I purchased several amazing prints from you at Warbirds Over the Beach this past weekend, and I wanted to make good on my promise to send you a picture of them once I got them displayed in my home! I'm very, very happy with them and honestly can't stop looking at them! I posted this and several other pictures to my Facebook page and gave your studio a tag, and several of my friends have already remarked on how much they like them as well! Thank you again for the opportunity to own and appreciate such unique works of art!
This print came out amazingly well! It is right at home in our entry room at the hangar. Definitely an awesome one to add to your collection!
— Troy WarinnerVintage Wings
Discover the Stories Behind the Art
Explore Craig Tinder's historical artwork, authentic relic editions, collectibles, and the stories that inspired them.