Using the MetaQuest 3 AR/VR headset to transfer digitally prepped art to an analog substrate. 

In this video, I am demonstrating how I use virtual reality/augmented reality to translate my 3D model that I've created onto an analog substrate such as paper or a canvas. This smaller canvas is going to be my color study for a larger 48"x36" oil painting. I am using the Meta Quest 3, using the StencilVR app. which you can find here: https://www.stencilvr.com/ I work on orientating my digital composition onto the canvas by using the controls within StencilVR and then I rough in the drawing with an HB or B pencil. It gets a little messy, but my goal isn't to be 100% clean but rather block in the shapes of my composition. I will work on refining the drawing and getting the lines cleaner. Then after I do this with my AR/VR headset, I will fix the pencil on the canvas with a fixative so it will not smear.  The subject is to be the DC-8 flown by Samaritan's Purse. (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/media/fact-sheet-dc8/) © 2025 Dale Jackson | StratoArt.com

Here's the hardware & Software I use: 

• MetaQuest Heaset: https://www.meta.com/quest/
• Stencil VR app: https://www.stencilvr.com/

This pencil drawing is one that I did for my father who worked in the Air Force on these big helicopters in the 1980s. 

I used to watch these fly overhead where we lived near Hurlburt Field, Florida.  They were huge and they were loud and I loved watching and hearing them. 

Here is some stats on this particular model: "The MH-53J Pave Low III was the largest and most technologically advanced heavy-lift helicopter in the U.S. Air Force inventory. Built for special operations, its primary mission was the undetected infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of commandos behind enemy lines, as well as complex combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions." (Sikorsky MH-53)

I have finally completed my second profile of the KC-135T "City of Spokane" aircraft serial: 60-0337 as it looked back in 1998. This is the aircraft that I first painted nose art on (1 of 5 aircraft) at Fairchild Air Force base while I was serving as a crew chief on these jets there long ago.

This second edition shows the aircraft flying with gear up and the wing flexed upward and the boom lowered and extended for aerial refueling.

StratoArt.com

After a long time working on this, I've finally completed my first KC-135 Profile art. Specifically, this is a KC-135T Stratotanker that I hand-painted the nose art on back in 1998, "City of Spokane."  Prints are available here: https://pixels.com/featured/kc-135t-60-0337-edition-1-dale-jackson.html

It is aircraft 60-0337 and in 1998 it belonged to the 92d Aerial Refueling Wing based at Fairchild Air Force Base. I actually painted art on five lead aircraft of each squadron based at FAFB back in 1998, and this one "City of Spokane" was perhaps my favorite and the art continued on after my service time. I learned years later that my art was faithfully recreated as a decal and put on aircraft 58-0092 and then on 58-0094, years later after I originally painted it on 60-0337.

I was a crew chief on the KC-135 aircraft back in the 1990s, based at Altus and then Fairchild. It was an honor and privilege to paint art on five jets there at Fairchild AFB, and it's been a labor of love to create this profile art.

After tedious studying and referencing, taking many walkaround photos of a nearby KC-135 now at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, I finally have completed my work on this first KC-135 profile "City of Spokane." I have plans to do other KC-135 profiles as well including A and E models as well as several more R models at different bases.

Here are a few views of the details of this very large 50" digital profile. Every area of the art was meticulously researched for the era. USAF aircraft, like it's personnel are constantly on the move, changing, and advancing. At this time in 1998, the KC-135 fleet was undergoing a large avionics upgrade. Twenty seven years later, today's Stratotankers may look the same externally, but internally they have undergone much advancement. Externally, much remains the same with exception of a few new antenna and other modifications that reflect the the modifications made internally.

The C-135 fleet of aircraft with all it's diverse mission variations remains one of the most venerable aircraft of the United States Air Force!

NKAWTG! Nobody! 

Here's a newspaper clipping of me standing by my art and the jet I painted it on back in 1998.

F-105G Thunderchief Walkaround by Dale Jackson at the National Museum USAF.

F-105G Walkaround at the USAF Museum

"The F-105, nicknamed the "Thud," evolved from a 1951 project by to replace the F-84F fighter-bomber. The prototype first flew in October 1955, and Republic delivered the first production aircraft to the U.S. Air Force in 1958. Republic also developed a fully combat-capable two-seat trainer version, the F-105F, and 143 of them in 1963-1964.

The Thunderchief on display began operational service in 1964 as a standard F-105F. In 1967 it joined the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing in Thailand, where it flew combat missions for nearly three years. During this time, it became one of a select few USAF aircraft to claim three MiG kills. In 1970 it was fitted with electronic counter-measure equipment and joined the 388th TFW for "Wild Weasel" duty, attacking enemy surface-to-air missile sites. 

In 1972 the aircraft was modified to the improved F-105G "Wild Weasel" configuration. After another year in Thailand, it was assigned to the 35th TFW at George Air Force Base, Calif. It remained there until February 1980 when it was flown to the museum. It is marked as it appeared while assigned to the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in 1972-1973."
(National Museum of the United States Air Force description / NMUSAF)

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: One M61 20mm Vulcan cannon and over 12,000 lbs. of ordnance
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W of 26,500 lbs. thrust 
Maximum speed: 1,386 mph
Cruising speed: 596 mph
Range: 1,500 miles
Ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Span: 34 ft. 11 in.
Length: 67 ft.
Height: 20 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 54,580 lbs. maximum
Serial number: 63-8320