29/05/2026
I've started developing an idea that has been swirling around in my mind for a while. An ebook created in Volumes. A visual history of commercial Airliners. To document all the aircraft profile artworks I have created over the past 22 years... Your feedback on this would be greatly appreciated. I want to get this right for everyone. Thank you and look forward to your comments.
Nick Knapp-Airliners Illustrated
I have just finished editing this first draft of Chapter 1...
Chapter 1
From Childhood Dreams to Airliners Illustrated
"What started as a childhood obsession drawing aircraft became a 22-year journey creating thousands of airliner artworks for pilots and aviation enthusiasts around the world."
Hello, I'm Nick Knapp, born during Christmas of 1975, founder of Airliners Illustrated®, aviation artist, graphic designer and lifelong aviation enthusiast.
My journey into aviation began long before Airliners Illustrated was ever conceived. Growing up in West London during the late 1970s and 1980s, I was fascinated by anything that moved. Trains, aircraft, ships, cars and machines all captured my imagination, but it was aviation that truly ignited a lifelong passion.
Like many children of my generation, my younger brother and I spent countless hours immersed in the films and television programmes that defined the era. Looking back, those stories undoubtedly played a major role in shaping both my imagination and my love of flight.
The Christopher Reeve Superman films were perhaps the most influential. Watching Superman soar effortlessly through the skies filled me with a sense of wonder and possibility. To a young boy fascinated by aircraft, the ability to fly represented ultimate freedom. The image of Superman gliding above cities and clouds became intertwined with my own fascination with aviation and the dream of one day taking to the skies myself.
Science fiction further expanded my imagination. Star Wars transported me to distant galaxies filled with incredible spacecraft and adventure. E.T. captured the magic of believing that anything was possible, while Back to the Future combined technology, innovation and imagination in a way that fascinated me. These films encouraged me to dream big and nurtured a curiosity about how things worked.
Alongside science fiction, aviation-themed films and television series became essential viewing. Top Gun introduced me to the world of military aviation and the professionalism of fighter pilots. Airwolf and Blue Thunder showcased the excitement and capability of helicopters, while countless documentaries and aviation programmes fuelled an ever-growing interest in aircraft and flight.
These influences combined with real-life experiences that left an even deeper impression.
Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of family holidays travelling from London Heathrow Airport to the former Yugoslavia, now Croatia, where my mother was born. The journey itself was often as exciting as the holiday. Flying aboard Boeing 727 airliners, watching aircraft taxi around Heathrow, hearing the roar of jet engines and gazing out of the window at the clouds below created a sense of wonder that never left me.
Those flights transformed aviation from something I simply watched on television into something I could experience firsthand. Every journey strengthened my fascination with aircraft and the people who operated them.
Like many young aviation enthusiasts, I dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. Flying represented adventure, freedom and the opportunity to explore the world. Unfortunately, a childhood illness prevented me from pursuing a professional flying career. While that dream was not to be realised, it ultimately led me toward another path—one that would allow me to contribute to the aviation world in a different but equally meaningful way.
Aviation was also woven into my family's history.
My American grandfather served during the Second World War with the United States Army Air Force as part of the legendary 56th Fighter Group, famously known as the "Wolfpack." Widely regarded as one of the most successful fighter groups of the war, the unit flew the powerful Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and achieved an extraordinary combat record in the skies over Europe.
From April 1944 until October 1945, the 56th Fighter Group was based at RAF Boxted in Essex, England. Growing up hearing stories of courage, service and aviation history helped strengthen my admiration for those who dedicate their lives to aviation. My grandfather's experiences left a lasting impression on me and helped shape the deep respect I would later develop for aviation professionals around the world.
Alongside aviation, I discovered another passion—art.
From an early age, I spent countless hours drawing aircraft. I was fascinated by their shapes, liveries, colours and technical details. Whether sketching airliners from photographs, recreating aircraft from memory or studying the markings of different airlines, I found enormous enjoyment in trying to capture every detail accurately.
As my artistic abilities developed, I realised that creativity offered another way to remain connected to the aviation world.
I went on to study Fine Art Imagemaking and Graphic Design, combining artistic creativity with technical precision. These studies eventually led me into a professional career as a Graphic Designer, where I worked on a variety of commercial projects, Newspapers including aviation-related publications such as SKYPORT, a newspaper serving airport and airline professionals.
Working within aviation media provided valuable insight into the airline industry and strengthened my appreciation for the people who make commercial aviation possible. It also deepened my understanding of the professionalism, teamwork and dedication required to keep millions of passengers moving safely around the world every day.
Then came September 11th, 2001.
Like countless others connected to aviation, I witnessed the profound impact those events had on airlines, airports and aviation businesses around the world. The years that followed brought significant challenges and uncertainty throughout the industry.
In 2003, I lost my graphic design position as aviation-related businesses continued to deal with the economic consequences of September 11th. At the same time, another historic event was unfolding that deeply affected aviation enthusiasts worldwide—the impending retirement of Concorde.
For many people, Concorde represented the pinnacle of commercial aviation. Its retirement marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in aviation history.
Facing an uncertain future, I decided to combine my lifelong passion for aviation with my professional design skills. Rather than viewing redundancy as an ending, I saw it as an opportunity to create something meaningful.
That decision would ultimately lead to the creation of what would become Airliners Illustrated®.
My original idea was simple: create high-quality aviation artwork that celebrated both the aircraft and the people behind them. I wanted to produce artwork that would appeal not only to aviation enthusiasts but also serve as lasting recognition, appreciation and retirement gifts for aviation professionals.
One of my first projects involved creating a series of Concorde artworks. Shortly after launching my early website, then known as Dynamic Arts Gallery, I was contacted by renowned Concorde photographer Adrian Meredith.
Adrian immediately recognised the potential of the artwork and kindly offered his support. Through his assistance, I was introduced to Captain Mike Bannister, Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways and one of the most respected figures in aviation.
To my amazement, Captain Bannister agreed to personally autograph my first collection of Concorde artwork prints.
For a newly established artist and entrepreneur, it was an extraordinary moment. Not only did it provide credibility for my work, but it also reinforced my belief that there was a place for carefully crafted aviation artwork that honoured both aircraft and the people who flew them.
As the business developed, I became increasingly inspired by the professionalism, dedication and courage demonstrated by aviation personnel throughout the world.
The phrase that would eventually become my trademark—"Heroes Who Keep Us Flying Safely™"—was born from this admiration.
Over the years, events such as the British Airways Boeing 777 incident at Heathrow in 2008 and the Miracle on the Hudson in 2009 reminded the world that behind every flight are highly trained professionals whose skill and judgement can make the difference between disaster and survival.
For me, these events reinforced a simple truth: aviation professionals are often unsung heroes.
Whether pilots, cabin crew, engineers, air traffic controllers, dispatchers or ground personnel, they dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety and comfort of millions of passengers every year.
Established online in 2003/2004 as Dynamic Arts Gallery and evolving into Airliners Illustrated® in 2012, the business was created with a clear purpose: to provide Recognition, Appreciation and Retirement Art Gifts for airline and aviation professionals, while also creating meaningful memorabilia for enthusiasts, collectors, museums and aviation organisations.
Operating from my family home in Harrow, West London, Airliners Illustrated remains proudly independent.
Every artwork begins with extensive research. In fact, I often spend as much time researching an aircraft as I do drawing it. Understanding the subtle differences between registrations, liveries, engine variants, cabin configurations, markings and historical details is essential to producing an accurate representation.
The side-profile format became my signature style because it allows every aircraft's unique characteristics to be displayed clearly and accurately. Each artwork is designed not only to be visually striking but also highly adaptable, allowing customisation for specific registrations, liveries, engine types and career milestones.
Using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, I digitally draw and paint every aircraft with meticulous attention to detail. Over the years, this approach has enabled me to create thousands of individual aircraft profiles documenting more than half a century of commercial aviation history.
Today, Airliners Illustrated serves clients throughout the world, including airline pilots, cabin crew, engineers, aviation enthusiasts, museums, collectors, airlines and professional associations. My artwork has become a way of preserving memories, celebrating careers and honouring the remarkable people who dedicate their lives to aviation.
More than two decades after beginning this journey, my mission remains unchanged.
Every piece I create is a tribute to the men and women who dedicate their lives to aviation—the true Heroes Who Keep Us Flying Safely™.
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No journey like this is ever accomplished alone, and Airliners Illustrated would not exist without the unwavering support of my family and friends.
Throughout the years, my parents, grandparents have been a constant source of encouragement, believing in me and my work from the very beginning. Through the challenges of building a business, the long hours, the uncertainty and the many milestones along the way, they have always been there offering support, guidance and reassurance.
I am equally grateful to my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece, who have been among my biggest supporters and loudest cheerleaders. They have celebrated the successes, helped me through the difficult moments and continually encouraged me to pursue my passion for aviation art.
Running an independent business is often a journey filled with sacrifices, determination and perseverance. Having a family who believes in what you do makes all the difference. Their faith in me has helped provide the motivation to keep moving forward, continue creating and strive to make each artwork better than the last. Thank you to all my customers, followers, cheerleaders over the years it means the world to me.
While my name may appear on every piece of artwork, Airliners Illustrated is very much a family-supported journey. I am incredibly fortunate to have such a close-knit and supportive family standing behind me every step of the way.
For their love, encouragement and belief in my dream, I will always be deeply grateful.
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