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Cal Smith was born Stephens Calhoun Smith lll in Philadelphia, PA on November 27th, 1918. He grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey and graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York with a degree in illustration on June 10th, 1941.
He began building models at the age of 12, and became active in general aviation. Holding a commercial pilot's license, Cal flew light planes and sailplanes, and was building a partner-owned midget -racer in his basement. He flew Aeroncas and the like for transportation, recreation, and even to search for lost models!
He began active duty in the Army Air Corps on July 26th, 1942; attending service schools PFA Maxwell Field, Alabama, FTD in Helena, Arkansas, BFA at Greenville, Mississippi and AFS at Columbus, Mississippi, he attained the rank of Captain. He was a fighter pilot instructor, flying all types of aircraft, from the T-6 Texan up through B-25s; and did technical artwork for internal publications such as flight safety manuals which earned him the Legion of Merit award.
While stationed at Randolf Field, Texas, he married on April 4th, 1944, a stunning Texas debutant by the name of Lucile Virginia Poynor, nickname "Ticky"; who at the time worked as the Press Relations Director for North American Aviation Inc., Texas Division. They ran off to Acapulco, Mexico where legend has it "Smitty" dove off the famous Timex cliff in celebration of their nuptials.
On February 9th, 1945 an "Aircraft Arrival Report" was filed for the birth of Stephens Calhoun Smith IV. He was to be an only child until the birth of their daughter Stephanie Lee Smith on July 16th, 1953 in Neptune, New Jersey. The family lived in Monmouth County, New Jersey where they worked, played and loved until Cal Smith took that eternal flight on July 5th, 1964. He was 45 years young.
The general public first knew of Cal Smith as the editor of Flying Models magazine back in 1947 to 1948, under the name S. Calhoun Smith. His illustrations began appearing on the covers of Air Trails, Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men, and Air Trails Pictorial magazines from 1949 -1964, thrilling all that viewed them with his imagination and enthusiasm. Everything he touched was a thing of beauty. "He was a man who never uttered a cuss word or even in a moment, would criticize," to quote Bill Winter, a fellow pilot, model builder/designer and friend of the artist.
Cal¡¯s cover art continued to appear on American Modeler and Air Progress, a full scale aviation magazine as well as endless articles, technical designs, full scale plans, and advice on model building. To date the family has discovered nearly 100 color illustrations on various publications, including Mechanics Illustrated. His fans spotted his artwork reproduced in ads for ITC plastic display models, on the dust jacket of Walter Musciano's book Corsair Aces, and on Sterling and Strombecker model kits. Most famous of all is his collaboration with Dr. Werner von Braun to create the Walt Disney's Man in Space model series manufactured by Strombecker.
Cal also authored a number of books on ice boating, skindiving and model building.
Cal Smith left behind generations of young and old alike who have been inspired to dream, build, and fly with his imagination and vision. His daughter has dedicated the past three years (2004-2007) to preserving his talent for future generations. Never to be forgotten, for all of us to soar higher than we ever believed we could. Cal lets us all know still, that we can; if only for a moment open that left seat window at 3500 feet and "smell the clouds".
Biography written by Stephanie Smith.
Enquiries regarding Cal Smith's work can be directed to his family at the telephone and postal address above.
Preferred Medium : Airbrush, Watercolour
Subject Matter : Airliner, Aviation Art, Biplane, Bomber, Commercial Aviation, Fighter, Jet, Montage, Sharks Teeth markings
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