Calson Fred (1 results)
[Seven original gouache concept art paintings of jungle clearing by first bombing and then dropping by helicopter Caterpillar tracked equipment, used as bulldozers, ambulance, rocket launcher, and radio communications on the eve of the Vietnam War].
[HEAVY EQUIPMENT -- MILITARY ARTWORK]. CALSON, Fred F. [Frederick (Artist)].
Published by Fred F. Calson, [ca. 1960]., [Albany, OR]: 1960
- Signed
Seller: Zephyr Used & Rare Books, Vancouver, WA, U.S.A.Zephyr Used & Rare Books
Contact seller5-star sellerSeven original paintings. Oblong folio. 20 x 15 in., painted in muted gouache on Crescent Illustration Board, No. 300, with original label indicating the board were purchased from the Duedall-Potts Stationers in downtown Albany, OR, and all are signed by the artist (minor age toning & wear to fore-edges, very slight scuffing), s…till an excellent bright group. This series of military industrial concept art paintings appear to have been executed sometime around 1960, and most likely for articles in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, or military-specific periodicals focusing on weapons development. The first painting captures a jet (close to the Lockheed F-104, but tale configuration different) bombing a section of jungle with massive explosion in center of painting; 4-tracked dozer & trailer being lowered by Sikorsky dual-rotor helicopter into the debris; the caterpillar 4-tracked dozer then clearing the debris, and finally being reloaded into dual-rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Other proposed military applications for the same four-track platform were an ambulance in battlefield conditions, with one soldier carrying another to the open back door; four-tube rocket launcher featuring sharp angles and planes foreshadowing the ungainly Tesla Truck, and finally portable communications with revolving antenna and operator in rear half of the four-track vehicle. Although the proposed innovations as depicted in the concept art do not specifically mention a manufacturer, or company, these appear to be quite similar in operation and construction as the famed Tucker Sno-Cat 4-track vehicles, which were historically developed and built in the company factory based out of Medford, Oregon, and famously used by Sir Vivian Fuchs in crossing Antarctica overland in 1958. Calson (1927-2009) was a Detroit-born commercial artist, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, then the Army Air Force, and later studied at Art Center. He became a noted industrial illustrator, and commercial artist, as well as farmer and woodworker. He was also well-known for his set designs, and backdrops for the Lebanon Theater Workshop in Albany, Oregon.