STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

PRINT #1 of 20 Available! LAST ONE IN THE EDITION!

"Black Sheep Squadron" 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 honors the men and machines of the famed Black Sheep Squadron, led by none other than Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and includes an actual fragment from a WWII Corsair.

The Story Behind the Print:

Maj. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was a renowned Marine fighter pilot ace, best known for his leadership of VMF-214, the "Black Sheep Squadron," during World War II. Before leading the Black Sheep, Boyington flew with General Claire Chennault's famed "Flying Tigers," the American Volunteer Group that supported China against Japanese forces in the early days of the war. His aggressive flying style and skill in aerial combat quickly earned him a reputation as a formidable pilot.

On one of his most fateful missions, Boyington's squadron was heavily outnumbered during a battle over Rabaul. His 30 American fighters faced more than 70 Japanese aircraft. Despite the odds, Boyington fought bravely but was ultimately shot down. He was captured and spent the next 20 months as a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp. Boyington was liberated at the end of the war and returned home a hero.

With 26 confirmed enemy victories to his name, Boyington became one of the top American aces of World War II. In recognition of his courage and leadership, he was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Boyington's legacy as the commander of the Black Sheep Squadron remains one of the most celebrated stories of the Pacific theater, embodying the resilience and fighting spirit of the Marine Corps.

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 aluminum fragment, once part of the starboard wing of a Goodyear-built FG-1D Corsair, Aircraft No. 92095, tells a story of service spanning decades and two significant conflicts. The wing panel, removed during restoration in 2022, came from beneath the iconic American Star emblem and was provided to Aces In Action in order to complete a commission art piece to commemorate its historical journey.

About Corsair 92095

First taken into service by the United States Navy in April 1945, Corsair No. 92095 was assigned to Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80) aboard the USS Boxer (CV-21) during the final months of World War II. Known for its rugged design and powerful performance, the F4U Corsair played a pivotal role in both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions in the Pacific theater.Corsair panel underwing panel

Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig TinderBackside of panel

Sample Corsair relic used in art piece

After the war, in 1957, the aircraft was transferred to the Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña) and redesignated FAS-220 as part of the U.S. Military Assistance Program. This Corsair saw combat once again during the 1969 Football War (also known as the Soccer War), a brief conflict between El Salvador and Honduras. On 14 July 1969, Salvadoran forces, including FAS-220, attacked Honduran airfields using a mix of aircraft, including P-51 Mustangs and C-47 Skytrains. The Corsair was involved in these operations and even sustained minor anti-aircraft fire damage to its port wing.

Following its military service, Corsair No. 92095 was placed on static display at the Evergreen Air Museum. In recent years, it has been undergoing restoration at Airpower Unlimited in Jerome, Idaho, to return the aircraft to flying status. This relic, preserved from the original airframe, serves as a testament to the Corsair’s enduring legacy, from the Pacific battles of WWII to its role in a 20th-century regional conflict.

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-wood black 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
  • 36" × 12" (91.4 × 30.5 cm) — Panoramic Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Framed on select artwork
  • Custom sizes are 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.

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.