The Idea Behind Michael's Dream

For those of you that may not have heard, Michael Malak's Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinups and Aviation Volumes 1 and 2 are now available for pre-order at your local book retailer for release on May 28, 2014.

For an in-depth look at this project that has taken more than two years to see it finally complete, Michael takes us into the inspiration that gave birth to this project.

For those of you that are interested in pre-ordering your copies of the Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinups and Aviation Volumes 1 and 2 and 2 please click on the links below. Don't forget by pre-ordering your hard cover books today, you are getting first editions until they are sold out So get your's today!

Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinups and Aviation Volumes 1
Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinups and Aviation Volumes 2

1944 North American NA-88 Texan (AT-6D) (SNJ-5)

Today's Tribute to WWII Aircraft highlights the North American NA-88 Texan (AT-6D) (SNJ-5) the plane featured in Judy Luck's Wings of Angels Photo Shoot. This beautiful plane currently resides at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

"In 1937 North American won the Air Corp design competition to produce the new combat trainer that developed into the AT-6.

The most universally used trainer in the allied air forces. Known as the AT-6 by the USAAF, the T-6 after 1948, was produced well into the 1950's.

Cadet training consisted of 26 weeks of pre-flight, 11 weeks primary training in the N3N and 22 weeks advanced training in the SNJ.

Carrier landings, gunnery, bombing and rocket attack were completed and finally the reserve officer was moved to a combat training team.

The attack on Pearl Harbor found the Navy with only 4,000 combat pilots.  By the end of the war there were 60,747 Navy aviators.

Over 2,000 AT-6's remained in service after WWII also serving abroad as the famous T-6F Harvard.
This powerful trainer was very successful in prepping pilots for fighter aircraft." (Yanks Air Museum)

The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engined advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Forceand other air forcesof the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s, and of Israel. Designed by North American Aviation, the T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The USAAC and USAAF designated it as the AT-6, the United States Navy the SNJ, and British Commonwealth air forces, the Harvard, the name it is best known by outside of the US. After 1962, US forces designated it the T-6. It remains a popular warbird aircraft used for airshow demonstrations and static displays. It has also been used many times to simulate the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero in movies depicting WWII in the Pacific.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: North American
First Produced: 1938
Horsepower: 550
Service Ceiling: 24,200 feet
Top Speed: 205 mph
Range: 750 miles
Armament: (1) .30 cal forward firing machine gun, (1) .30 cal machine gun in rear cockpit

Photo Credits: Michael Malak, Malak Photography.com, Wings of Angels, Yanks Air Museum

Sponsor Spotlight - LTW Custom Cosmetics

LTW was created by Lynn Tassinari Wegiel, a professional makeup artist, so you can be sure you are getting the highest and best in product and performance.


So what makes LTW Custom Cosmetics Custom?

Our Custom Blend Lipstick and Lip Glosses are taking the beauty industry by storm! These sexy shades are hand crafted to your specifications by adding specialty additives to existing shades such as flavors, scents and anti-aging treatments. Color matching is also available.  If you have a shade of discontinued lipstick, we can duplicate it for you. Have a dress you want to match? Send us a swatch we will create it for you. Custom Blended lip products can also be ordered without additives.

We also want you to feel confident with your choices so we offer the Try Before You Buy option.  Here you can order sample swatches of our Creme Stix Foundations and all of our Lipsticks from the Ready To Wear line as well as the Custom Blend line. We offer free shipping when ordering these on their own.

Our other feature of the line is our 6 Pan empty compact. This holds any combination of Shadows, Blush and Brush On Brows. You fill it the way you want it. This eliminates makeup bag clutter by having it all in one convenient compact and eliminates waste. Make several for your collections or just one the way you like it. The compact is refillable and magnetized so you can use it over and over again. This saves you money in the long run. The Eyeshadow pans are larger than average so our products will last a long time.

Unleash your Secret Sexy with LTW Custom Cosmetics 7 super hot collection. What every woman wants to be for 5 minutes…Movie Star, Rock Star, Temptress, Showgirl, Vamp, Bad Girl and our latest Pin Up! Transform yourself into your secret desire with these beautiful, fun and sexy shades. More collections are in the works, so keep checking back for updates.

Don't forget to check out the "Wings of Angels" Pin Up Collection! Authenitc Pin Up shades created for Malak Photography.com book project "Wings of Angels, A Tribute to WWII Pin Up and Aviation." 

Be sure to look for LTW Custom Cosmetics on Facebook for all the latest products available for you.  

Model Spotlight - Lexi Weege

Today's model spotlight proudly shines on Wings of Angels Model, Lexi Weege, who was one of our Rosie the Riveter models. Lexi was born on September 3rd in Western Massachusetts and has lived there her entire life and her favorite color is red! Now on to the questions some of our readers have posted for her to answer:

1. How much did you know about Rosie the Riveter before you did the Wings of Angels Shoot?

Actually it's pretty interesting! I was actually Rosie in a middle school play, so I had some background on her before I got my photo shoot with Mike!

2. What made you decide to sing blues and jazz instead of the other genres of music?

Oh that was pretty easy, I would have to say they are the truest form of music for me. If I had to start anywhere I wanted to start at the beginning with jazz and blues!

3. What is your favorite photo that Michael has taken of you?

I love them all. I don't really have a favorite. Mike is just brilliant!

4. Who is your role model and why?

My mom. She is very strong and independent woman!

5. What has been your biggest success in your life?

When I release my album on vinyl. It was having my greatest dream realized. It was 2 years in the making and something I have always wanted to do ever since I was a kid. 

6. What has been your great challenge in your life so far?

Funding my own album. I don't thing most people realize how expensive it is for a vinyl album. I've had to work two jobs just to see this come true for me.

7. What was it like working with Michael on the Wings of Angels Project?

Michael is very easy going. He was one of the first bigger jobs that I got to do. He gave very good direction and not only that he assigned me a good character that was key in representing women in history. There is a lot of power behind Rosie!

8. Who is your greatest musical inspiration?

I have a lot actually. Billie Holiday, of course; Bob Dylan for his song writing ability. He's an amazing writer and people everywhere have heard his music. He is still writing music. Bessie Smith, Lead Belly and Robert Johnson.

9. What is one misconception people have about you?

WOW! That is a really good question. I'd have to say I'm a throw it on the table kind of girl. Very honest!

10. If you could live in any period of history, which one would you pick and why?

Another great questions. I'd have to say 1930's for the beginning of the jazz period along with the 60's in New York experiencing the village and the art that was occurring at the time. 

I want to thank Lexi for taking the time to answer your questions today as we leave you with a little bit of Lexi you may not know in her first music video Cinnamon Sugar.

You can also find Lexi Weege on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest projects.

To purchase Lexi's debut CD Virgin, you can click here. 

Photo Credits: Michael Malak, Malak Photography.com, My Baby Jo, Secrets in Lace Lingerie, LTW Custom Cosmetics, Christina Marie (Hair and Make Up), Yanks Air Museum Chino and Ellie Shoes

How to Hide An Airplane!

In today's Friday Fun Facts, I thought I would share something interesting I read about a couple years ago and wanted to share just how you go about hiding an airplane!

During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from being a target for a Japanese air attack. They covered it with camouflage netting and to make it look like a rural housing subdivision from the air. The completed the work in a flash trading studio props into real looking terrain.

These photos tell the story of ingenuity during trying times. Watch! 

You can view more pictures by clicking here.

Feel free to share your own interesting WWII fun facts. I'd love to see what you have found! Have a fantastic Friday!

The Ultimate Giveaway from Wings of Angels!

This is definitely one opportunity you won't want to miss out on!  I am giving away one Wings of Angels Limited Edition Publishing Pack. This is a Promotion Pack that was presented to publishers as an invitation to be the one to publish the Wings of Angels Book. This gave publishers an idea of how the Wings of Angels book might look if they chose to take part in this endeavor. It was truly a one of a kind Limited Edition gift to the publishers. There was only 25 created and I happen to have one left just for one lucky winner of this giveaway.

So what does this publishing pack include? I can tell you from personal experience as Michael's sister, in seeing this close up from that just the packaging alone is incredible with Claire Sinclair on the cover. This Wings of Angels Publishing Pack box alone was hand crafted personally to house the items you will find inside. The box measures 1 1/8 inches thick, by 17 3/4 inches long by 11 3/4 inches wide. Inside you will find a mock up draft induction notice, project overview sheets and detailed book description, a Wings of Angels Newspaper Front Page, an 11 x 17 print on silver metallic paper of cover model Claire Sinclair with embossed logo, a sample of Jessamyne Rose's mock up book layout which includes (2) pages of black and white prints, (2) pages of color prints, and (2) pages of sepia tone prints;  A sponsor sample proof sheets of Claire Sinclair, Alexa Rajcova, Sarah Barton, Rosie the Riveter (features all three Rosie's used for the book, Lexie Weege, Amanda Varela, and Angela Riccio,) which each sponsor sheet showcases 8 different images per sheet; (3) mock up vintage Coca Cola ads featuring Alexa Rajcova, Claire Sinclair, and Kacie Marie. All prints in this publishing pack measure 11 x 17 and are hand numbered and signed by Michael Malak. 

This gives you a sneak peek of what the Wings of Angels Book will look like before any one else gets an opportunity to see it. Just by Michael giving me one, I know I can't part with any of the prints, and just getting this from Michael completely made an incredible once in a lifetime Christmas gift for me. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on any opportunity to get your hands on this. There will not be any more of these publishing packs created. If you are a Wings of Angels Collector, you'll definite want THIS one!!!

 So here's what you need to do to enter:

1. Be a follower of Wings of Angels Project Blog. 

2. "Like" my Malak Photography.com Facebook page. If you have already "Liked" my Facebook page, leave me a comment on this post on Facebook.

3. This giveaway is open world wide but please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave a comment below telling me in detail why you feel you want to win this publishing pack. Please be sure to include your email address along with your comment. You can use (at) and (dot) instead of the actual symbols.

This giveaway will end on January 31, 2014. Be sure you have met all giveaway criteria so you don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. The winner will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.

Finalizing Details

The devil is in the details or so they say. I've had the opportunity to really take a look at some of the pictures I've shot in the Wings of Angels Project while gathering pictures for the blog and it's created a sense of discipline for me to see things with new eyes. I am still finalizing pictures for the Wings of Angels Book to make sure that the ones that you see when the book is published will be something that I am truly pleased with. I've been given me one last opportunity to look over everything to ensure that I am satisfied with what will be coming out.

The most incredible thing about the Wings of Angels Project has been the stories that have been uncovered in the process. From talking to some actual WWII veterans and hearing what really went on during the war, to those current military personnel that are returning home for the war. Then there are the survivor stories, the stories of families that are part of the current war effort I discover during the photo shoots. I found out its not just about taking pictures of beautiful models and fantastic WWII aircraft. It's learning from the models themselves that their grandparents or family had served in the war, much like my own grandfather. It's being able to capture those stories in the photos I took to be able to give back a sense of that servitude and honor of our military heroes and their family.

It has also taken the models into a different sense of history as well to see these war birds up close and personal. The stories that they are even getting from emails from military personnel or interactions with people they meet has engaged them in a profound and life changing way. They have shared those in previous model spotlight posts on my blog. It really has taken this project to a whole new level and I hope that this project conveys the honor and respect that is due to every single person who has served both in the war or as a family supporting the cause.

Sponsor Spotlight ~ Bettie Page Clothing

Often times I am asked where people can purchase the clothes I use on the Wings of Angels models and this brings me to today's Sponsor Spotlight, Bettie Page Clothing. Bettie Page Clothing provided all the models clothing I used in the Wings of Angels Photo Shoot. Bettie Page Clothing specializes in vintage and retro period clothing and truly give anyone that unique and unforgettable look from the 1940's as well as other notable periods in history.

Famous in the 1950s for her fetish modeling and pin-up photos, the iconic “Queen of Pinups” — one of Playboy Magazine’s first “Playmates of the Month” — Bettie Page continues to captivate millions of men and women around the world with her youthful sexy image, voluptuous figure, and signature jet black hair with short-cut bangs and blue eyes. Upon Page’s passing, MTV acknowledged that without her generation-hopping influence, a slew of contemporary stars would have different looks—from Katy Perry to Madonna, Rihanna, The Pussycat Dolls and Dita Von Teese.

Page persona inspired the creation of Bettie Page Clothing. Launched by brilliant Russian-born fashion designer Tatyana Khomyakova, Bettie Page Clothing boutiques have given those who live in or near Las Vegas, Hollywood, San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury, San Diego’s Gaslamp district, The Mall of America in Minneapolis, Santa Barbara and Salt Lake City  the advantage to re-create Page’s look.   Opening their first store in 2007 at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood on the Strip in Vegas, BPC tapped into this widespread divine madness and created a fashion phenomenon that seems boundless. Celebrities have flocked to wear Tatyana’s designs including Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Pink, Holly Madison, Tempest Storm, Denise Richards, Amy Jones, Christina Hendricks, and Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester.

You too can be a celebrity by joining the exclusive group of fashion savvy gals who don a Bettie Page Dress! You can visit the Betty Page website to browse all their fashions from dresses, to accessories, in all sizes and even for children as well. You can truly create an unforgettable look for whatever occasion you need.

Wings of Angels would like to thank Betty Page Clothing for all their period clothing used in the Wings of Angels shoot. All Wings of Angels Models in the photos posted here are wearing clothing provided by Bettie Page Clothing. You can visit their website by clicking here.

Photo Credits: Michael Malak, Malak Photography.com, Betty Page Clothing, Yanks Air Museum, Sarah Barton, Claire Sinclair, Kacie Marie, Tala Marie, Casey Ann, Mayra Veronica, and Martin Johnson.

Limited Edition Numbered and Signed Wings of Angels Publishing Pack Giveaway

This is definitely one opportunity you won't want to miss out on) I am giving away one Wings of Angels Limited Edition Publishing Pack. This is a Promotion Pack that was presented to publishers as an invitation to be the one to publish the Wings of Angels Book. This gave publishers an idea of how the Wings of Angels book might look if they chose to take part in this endeavor. It was truly a one of a kind Limited Edition gift to the publishers. There was only 25 created and I happen to have one left just for one lucky winner of this giveaway.

So what does this publishing pack include? I can tell you from personal experience as Michael's sister, in seeing this close up from that just the packaging alone is incredible with Claire Sinclair on the cover. This Wings of Angels Publishing Pack box alone was hand crafted personally to house the items you will find inside. The box measures 1 1/8 inches thick, by 17 3/4 inches long by 11 3/4 inches wide. Inside you will find a mock up draft induction notice, project overview sheets and detailed book description, a Wings of Angels Newspaper Front Page, an 11 x 17 print on silver metallic paper of cover model Claire Sinclair with embossed logo, a sample of Jessamyne Rose's mock up book layout which includes (2) pages of black and white prints, (2) pages of color prints, and (2) pages of sepia tone prints;  A sponsor sample proof sheets of Claire Sinclair, Alexa Rajcova, Sarah Barton, Rosie the Riveter (features all three Rosie's used for the book, Lexie Weege, Amanda Varela, and Angela Riccio,) which each sponsor sheet showcases 8 different images per sheet; (3) mock up vintage Coca Cola ads featuring Alexa Rajcova, Claire Sinclair, and Kacie Marie. All prints in this publishing pack measure 11 x 17 and are hand numbered and signed by Michael Malak. 

This gives you a sneak peek of what the Wings of Angels Book will look like before any one else gets an opportunity to see it. Just by Michael giving me one, I know I can't part with any of the prints, and just getting this from Michael completely made an incredible once in a lifetime Christmas gift for me. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on any opportunity to get your hands on this. There will not be any more of these publishing packs created. If you are a Wings of Angels Collector, you'll definite want THIS one!!!

 So here's what you need to do to enter:

1. Be a follower of Wings of Angels Project Blog. 

2. "Like" my Malak Photography.com Facebook page. If you have already "Liked" my Facebook page, leave me a comment on this post on Facebook.

3. This giveaway is open world wide but please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave a comment below telling me in detail why you feel you want to win this publishing pack. Please be sure to include your email address along with your comment. You can use (at) and (dot) instead of the actual symbols.

This giveaway will end on January 31, 2014. Be sure you have met all giveaway criteria so you don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. The winner will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.

Wings of Angels Wishes You A Merry Christmas!

Everyone with the Wings of Angels Project just wanted to take the time to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you again for all of your amazing support and dedication and looking forward to starting the new year with some exciting never before seen photography projects in the works and more surprises are definitely coming your way. Trust me you won't want to miss out!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Are you prepared for the BIG ONE?

Trust me when I say that you will not believe the next giveaway that is definitely coming your way very SOON!

Looking through the incredible stuff that I have, I believe this will be something no collector will want to miss out on. It's not available for resale nor will you ever be able to purchase this. It's bigger than a shoe box, contains more than one image of Wings of Angels models and this is the ONE you won't want to miss out on. Look for more details that will ONLY be available on my Wings of Angels Blog.

This next giveaway will be open internationally as well and you won't want to miss out on the opportunity to enter. Would love to know what you think this giveaway will be?  Please post your ideas in the comment box below!

Friday Fun Facts ~ How Monopoly Helped POWs Escape!

We have all played the board game Monopoly at some point in our lives but who would have ever thought the it would have helped in the escape of thousands of Allied Prisoners of War from German camps?

Today's Fun Fact from World War II show cases just how Monopoly played a key role in helping the Allied POW's escape the German Camps.

Germany allowed the Red Cross to send care packages to POW's and among the items that could be sent were board games. Special Monopoly boxes were created that contained items that helped the prisoners escape.

• German, French and Italian money currency was hidden within the Monopoly money.

• A metal file was hidden within the board. 

• A small compass was hidden in a play piece.

• Silk maps of the prison and it's location were hidden inside the hotel pieces. 

Just another interesting but fun fact you may have not known about Monopoly and World War II. Now you can share with family and friends just how important a board game was to helping in the war effort for Allied POWs.

A True Work Horse - The Flying Fortress B-17G

I thought each week I would showcase one of the WWII planes I've had the distinct pleasure to photograph during the Wing of Angels Project. It truly has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to not only photograph these beauties, but to be able to sit inside the cockpit or walk the lengths of their bodies and see just what it would have been like to be a part of the air campaigns during WWII. Today I will share with you a behind the scenes look at the B-17G or Miss Angela that currently resides at the Palm Springs Air Museum if you ever want to see it close up. This is the plane that I shot with Wings of Angels Model Caitlin Litzinger.

In order to gain the upper hand during the war, many wondered if we simply needed to do this from the air. It would strengthen our resolve in order to weaken the enemies will and their capacity to resist. Thus we began the air campaign utilizing the B-17's. The air raids began with some experimentation during daylight hours beginning with the use of the RAF's or Royal Air Force planes, but when losses became unbearable they started with night campaigns instead over Germany. Estimates of between 60,000 and 100,000 people were killed according to the information from Germany.

Precision bombing targets needed improvement because of the various factors involved from clouds, fog, smoke, enemy fighter opposition, and haze. Studies show that only 20% of the bombs dropped hit their intended targets, and it wasn't until February of 1945 that the percentage of 70% was achieved. The need for a tactical formation became the standard for a greater success due to enemy fighter opposition. Studies show that the German people were left in fear based on the success of the air raids. They lost faith in their leaders and only wished for the war to end. They resorted to "Black Radio" listening to hear how the war was going on the other end.  The city devastation caused by the war were unprecedented as well as the loss of lives left by the bombing raids on both sides.

The B-17 became known for being labeled as the Flying Fortress. It was the bombing of Pearl Harbor that cause the rapid increase of the  production of the B-17's. They were flown by the United States Army Air Force throughout the United States participation in WWII during the daylight bombing raids on German targets, such as aircraft factories, oil refineries and railroad marshalling yards. This resulted in heavy losses to both planes and crew. Due to the heavy maneuverability of the plane it left it open for enemy fighter opposition. The need for a better defensive against the loss of aircraft and crew were needed. The United States Army Air Force deployed the use of the P-51 Mustangs as escorts to ensure the Bombers were able to make it to the targets in Germany.  Delivery of the B-17G (a major production version) with the "G" being the first variant to have a .50 caliber gun turret under the nose which increased the planes armament to 13 guns. In all there were 8.680 B-17G's built by Boeing, Vega and Douglas making this the largest production variation.

Now for some fun facts about the B-17G plane. Besides housing a crew of between 8-10 and having up to 13 50-caliber machine guns at its disposal for defensive attacks, the B-17G's top air speed was 287 mph with a cruising speed of 250 mph. The B-17G is read as follows. B=Bomber, 17=17th Bomber Design approved by the US Army Air Corps, and G=7th version of the aircraft.

Length: 67ft 11 in
Height: 19 ft  1 in
Wing Span: 103 ft 9 in
Weight Empty 32,720 lbs
Weight Maximum: 53,000 lbs

"The Miss Angela B-17G-105VE, with VE signifying that is was built by Lockheed Vega at its Burbank California plant. It was used by the Caribbean Air Command, Sixth Air Force. It was also flown by the U.S. Army Air Force and the U.S. Air Force in Brazil. It served for more than twenty years as a civilian Forestry Service fire bomber. Its markings are of the 34th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, 1945. It  is housed at the Palm Springs Air Museum in California."(Palm Springs Air Museum).