What has happened to the lost art of cutaway drawings? In this age of fast computers and gaming consoles, we can navigate 3-D environments virtually and duplicate the sensation of walking through spaces. So, why would anyone be interested in cutaway drawings? For one, there’s something to be said for viewing a secret place all… Continue reading Cutaway Collection
Category: Cutaway Drawings and Cross-Sections
Cutaway and cross-section drawings of vehicles, weapons, submarines, airplanes, buildings, and more.
PanAm Yankee Clipper Cutaway Drawing, ca 1930s
This cutaway drawing shows the PanAm Yankee Clipper (B-314), which was built by Boeing on the base of an XB-15 bomber fuselage. On December 21, 1937, Boeing delivered the first Yankee Clipper to PanAm. The Yankee Clipper was the result of over 6,000 engineering drawings, 50,000 parts, and one-million rivets. But with such complexity… Continue reading PanAm Yankee Clipper Cutaway Drawing, ca 1930s
Frank Soltesz, King of Cutaway Drawings
Not just cutaway drawings, but king of practically all other areas of commercial illustration through the 1930s-1960s, it seems. Soltesz’ life is told in detail by his son, Ken Soltesz (Frank Soltesz: Biography of a Commercial Illustrator). If you can somehow define the “look” of commercial illustration during that great mid-century period in the United… Continue reading Frank Soltesz, King of Cutaway Drawings
Ranch House Cutaway Drawing, 1956
I love this kind of house cutaway. Unlike one of our hotel cutaways that had the front end removed, this type of building cutaway has the roof popped off. Almost as if a giant lifted it off and left everything else intact. This great cutaway comes from the October 1956 Popular Mechanics–always an abundant source… Continue reading Ranch House Cutaway Drawing, 1956
Hindenburg “A” Deck Walkthrough Video
Video Script The Hindenburg‘s “A” deck was the place where most everything happened–eating, dining, sleeping, lounging, sightseeing. Dining Area As we walk up the stairs from the “B” Deck, we go towards the Dining Area. There were only a few tables in the Dining area, and meals were served in shifts, much on a train. … Continue reading Hindenburg “A” Deck Walkthrough Video