Dayton, Ohio
August 12, 2003

The romance of early aviation is captured on canvas when the U.S. Air Force Museum opens "Those Magnificent Flyers," an aviation art exhibit featuring 58 paintings by James Dietz on Aug. 26.

In "Those Magnificent Flyers," Dietz pays special tribute to the WWI era with painting of an exciting, by-gone age. The paintings have been gathered from museums, corporations, and private collections from around the world for this special showing.

Dietz' approach to aviation art is unique. Rather than simply illustrate hardware, he's known for capturing people, settings and costumes that make the early 20th Century come to life. In his own words, "It is the people who make machines great- by design, by operation, and by dedication."

A San Francisco native, Dietz graduated from the Art Center College of Design in 1969 and began a successful illustration career in Los Angeles. He moved to Seattle in 1978 where he began to fulfill his dream of specializing in historical aviation, automotive and military art.

Dietz has earned numerous awards including the People's Choice Award, American Society of Aviation Artists in 1988; First Place, Naval Aviation Museum Art Show in 1995; and the R.G. Smith Award for excellence in Naval Aviation Art, National Naval Aviation Museum in 1997. Dietz is a charter member of the World War I Aviation Historical Hall of Fame, an Artist Fellow of the American Society of Aviation Artists and a board member of the Automotive Fine Artists of America.

The public is invited to meet James Dietz at a special reception and dinner held in the Museum's art gallery on Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance. For more information, contact Denise Bollinger at 255-8046, ext 492. Following the dinner at 7:30 p.m., the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight will conduct a concert in the Museum's Modern Flight Hangar. The concert is free and open to the public.

"Those Magnificent Flyers" will be at the Museum through Sept. 30 as part of a yearlong event, "A Centennial Celebration of Aviation Art," featuring more than 250 original paintings by acclaimed aviation artists. The event offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience aviation art as never before. For more information, call Denise Bollinger at (937) 255-8046, ext. 492.

The largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world, the U.S. Air Force Museum is located on Springfield Pike, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, call the U.S. Air Force Museum's Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-4704, ext. 333.