Snort – a Tribute

I’ve long had a fascination for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. It was such an enigmatic and powerful beast, perhaps the best US Navy fighter.
The service’s most experienced F-14 pilot was Capt Dale (Snort) Snodgrass, the highest time Tomcat pilot, accumulating more than 4,800 hours on the type. He was sometimes known as the ‘real’ Top Gun or Maverick, in reference to Tom Cruise’s character in the movie.
I’d been needing an exercise to hone my drawing skills again and was looking for a subject. I wondered about featuring the F-14 aircraft only but one morning awoke with the idea of this composition with a portrait of Snort, ready formed. My aim was to produce a tribute to the fighter pilot, combining several elements.
I didn’t want to upset anyone so I sought the permission of Snort’s widow before I began. I kept her ‘in the loop’ as I went along and she and his family are well pleased with the result.
There wasn’t a deadline for the finished piece so I took my time on this large drawing, enjoying every moment.
This reaction to the tribute says everything : “I’ve always appreciated drawings like this, you can’t fake this level of talent! This is beyond awesomeness!! I’ve become some what of a “big softy” in my older years. I’m not ashamed to say this actually brought tears to my eyes. I don’t think you could’ve picked a better subject matter, or laid it out better.”