Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Aviation Artist Gary Velasco

For decades, aviation artist Gary Velasco helped preserve one of the most recognizable and personal traditions in military aviation history: nose art.

Through his work, aircraft became more than historic machines. The names, artwork, and markings carried memories of the crews who flew them and reflected the personalities behind the airplanes. Gary understood that these details were an important part of aviation history and dedicated his career to ensuring they would endure.

Within the Commemorative Air Force family, Gary’s work touched some of the organization’s most recognizable aircraft. He contributed to projects involving C-45 Bucket of Bolts, B-25 Show Me, B-24 Diamond Lil, and TBM Doris Mae, helping preserve the unique appearance and character that made each aircraft instantly recognizable.

Over the course of his career, Gary became one of aviation’s most respected artists. His work ranged from paintings and replica panels to museum commissions and full aircraft restoration projects displayed at airshows and museums throughout the country.

But Gary was also a researcher and historian. He immersed himself in the stories behind the artwork he recreated, believing that understanding the people connected to an aircraft was as important as accurately painting it.

During a previous CAF Warbird Tube appearance, Gary explained that every aircraft had its own story and that learning that history was part of the process. He described his work as “restoring history.”

He also authored a book on World War II nose art and spent years documenting its history, collecting photographs, and researching the origins of the names and artwork painted on wartime aircraft.

Gary passed away on May 21 after a battle with ALS, but his work remains visible across the aviation community.

Today, his influence can still be seen on flight lines, in museums, and on aircraft that continue to fly before audiences nationwide. Through the aircraft and artwork he helped preserve, future generations will continue to discover the stories that first inspired him.

Gary Velasco devoted his life to ensuring that an important part of aviation history would continue to be seen, remembered, and experienced.