R.G. Smith began his career as an engineer for Douglas Aircraft Company in the 1930s, and played a key role in the design of many successful tactical airplanes and along the way developed world-class skills as an artist. In this autobiography, "R.G." describes his transition from helping design tactical aircraft to painting them in such compelling and dramatically beautiful fashion that he earned a worldwide reputation as one of the most skilled and admired aviation artists of all time. This book features over 140 of his best paintings, drawings and sketches, and includes an excellent sampling of his non-aviation art depicting landscape, harbor and other scenes from the far west.