Steve Anderson specializes in aviation art and scale models of WWI and WWII combat aircraft, with a special focus on Baron Manfred von Richthofen – the legendary Red Baron. Other favorite WWI aces include Ernst Udet, James McCudden, Werner Voss, and Raoul Lufbery. Recently, Steve has taken up the fine art of engraving, specializing in firearms.

Fine Art Painting

Steve is an avid historian on the first two World Wars. His original oil or watercolor paintings, limited edition prints on canvas (giclee) or paper, and airplane models reflect a scrupulous attention to historically accurate detail, from the markings on the planes to the time of day of an actual event. Sometimes his work showcases a particular airplane. Other times, it chronicles a famous dogfight or air battle. Much of his work is by special commission, and is in the collections of the U.S. Navy, as well as descendents of some of the great aviation heroes of WWI.

Scale Models & Sculpture

Aside from being a painter and watercolorist of rare skill, Steve has considerable expertise in the area of scale models. He won a primetime Emmy award for his working scale model of the World War II U.S. Fleet submarine used in the ABC television mini-series of Herman Wouk’s “War and Remembrance.” He was also a Senior Show Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, where accurate scale models were a requisite for successful projects, such as his Astro-Orbiter for the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Florida.

Steve’s airplane models are usually hand-built from scratch in scales that range from 1:48 to as large as 1:4. His favorite planes include the Sopwith Camel, the Fokker DR.I triplane, the Albatros fighters, Fokker D.VII, SE5, Spad VII and Spad VIII, Neiuport 17, and other Neiuport fighters. They are of extremely high quality, very finely crafted with every attention to historical and proportional accuracy. Steve often works from copies of original plans for the planes, using information amassed in his extensive research library. The models are constructed using a combination of wood, fabric, metal, leather, and other materials, and are generally displayed in handsome Plexiglass cases, which Steve makes by hand, as well.

Steve also assembles and modifies conventional plastic hobby models of WWI and WWII aircraft and paints them to an extraordinarily realistic degree, so that they look like miniature veteran combat aircraft. Detail can go all the way down to grease and mud on the underside of the fuselage, or paint worn through to the metal on the wing where pilots have stepped into the cockpit. An example of a modified plastic model is of an Airfix 1:24 scale box model Messerschmitt 109 E converted to an Me 109-G6.

Engraving-Firearms

"I was four when Grandpa bought my replica factory-engraved nickel plated Colt Peacemaker revolving cap guns. Those guns were so big the barrels hung down to my knees, and extra holes had to be punched in the gun belt just to hold them up. That day was the beginning my fascination with engraved firearms.

Some have referred to the engraving of firearms as “steel canvas.” I think of it as the ultimate challenge. Engraving takes complete concentration, planning, and execution. You can’t erase it or paint over it. There can be no mistakes.

I continue to study the works of Gustave Young, L.D. Nimschke, and the Ulrich brothers. I consider them the true masters of the 19th Century. I am a self-taught engraver and as an artist and designer, the right tools have enabled me to pursue my life-long dream."

We hope you enjoy browsing Steve’s site. He is available for special commissions of historically accurate paintings, murals, and stunning scale models. Please contact us to discuss your idea and we will be pleased to give you a quote as soon as possible.

For Special Commissions, please contact us at: