Craft and Courage: A Tribute to Legendary Bombers & The Greatest Fighter Planes of WW2

In the 1940s, courage had a sound.

That sound was the deep rumble of engines, the whistle of wind against aluminum, and the rising chorus of men who took to the air knowing that each mission might be their last.

The era of WW2 American fighter planes and bombers was an age of innovation and valor, a time when the world’s fate was as yet undetermined in the conflict between liberty and authoritarianism. These 1940s airplanes were not just weapons in that fight; they were expressions of ingenuity, endurance, and heart. Each aircraft bore the fingerprints of designers, mechanics, and pilots who refused to yield.

At Special Tribute Spirits, we carry that same devotion to craft. Many of our aviation-inspired bourbons, decanters, and memorabilia honor the incredible aircraft and aviators of the Second World War.

The Curtiss P-40 “Sharkmouth”: Grit With a Grin

Before America formally entered the war, a group of volunteer pilots from the Army, Navy, and Marines known as the Flying Tigers painted shark teeth on their Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, and, with that gesture, created an icon.

The P-40 “Sharkmouth” wasn’t the fastest of the World War 2 warbirds, but it was fearless. Its distinctive profile symbolized American tenacity in the Pacific and China.

That same blend of toughness and character inspired our STS Curtiss P-40 “Sharkmouth” Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey. A bold, complex spirit, it pays homage to those early aviators who fought with grit, style, and a touch of defiance. For collectors of aviation memorabilia and admirers of the best WW2 aircraft, it’s a liquid salute to courage under fire.

Boeing B-17F “Memphis Belle”: The Spirit of Endurance

Among the greatest bombers of WW2, none carried more symbolic weight than the Boeing B-17F “Memphis Belle.” Completing 25 missions over Europe without losing a crew member, the Memphis Belle aircraft embodied hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

We honor that spirit in our STS Iconic Series: Boeing B-17F “Memphis Belle” Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a tribute to endurance and camaraderie. Aged to perfection, its deep amber hue mirrors the burnished aluminum of a well-worn bomber returning home under a gray English sky.

For those seeking unique military gifts or meaningful gifts for veterans, this bottle carries more than bourbon; it carries history.

North American P-51D “Little Coquette” & “Etta Jeanne II”: Grace and Power

When the P-51 Mustang took to the air, the balance of power shifted. It combined speed, range, and elegance in a way that defined what many call the best World War 2 fighter planes. 

The STS Tuskegee Airmen Col. Stewart’s Red Tail “Little Coquette” P-51D Straight Bourbon Whiskey honors the valor of the legendary Red Tails, the Tuskegee Airmen whose skill and discipline helped turn the tide of the war and the course of history itself.

Beside it stands the STS Lt. Col. Huie Lamb “Etta Jeanne II” P-51D Straight Bourbon Whiskey, celebrating a pilot whose devotion to craft and country mirrored the very best of the WW2 aviator tradition. 

Each bottle reflects the aerodynamic beauty and precision of these 1940s planes, an aviation gift crafted for those who still look skyward with reverence.

Tora! Tora! Tora!: A Symbol in Glass

Not all tributes are poured. Some are displayed.

Our Tora Tora Tora Decanter is a work of aviation art, a sculpted salute to the dawn of the Pacific air war. Named after the Japanese radio codeword for surprise attack, it serves not to glorify conflict, but to remember its lessons and honor those who answered the call that day.

For collectors of vintage aircraft art or aircraft memorabilia, the decanter embodies craftsmanship at its finest—a timeless military aviation gift worthy of any mantle or bar.

The Legacy of Flight, Captured in Spirit

Each of these creations reflects more than aesthetic beauty or distilling excellence. They embody the values that defined the best WW2 aircraft: precision, endurance, innovation, and courage.

To own one is to hold a fragment of that legacy. Whether displayed as aviation memorabilia, given as gifts for servicemen, or shared among family on a quiet night, each bottle tells a story of freedom preserved and sacrifice remembered.

For those searching for gifts for veterans, gifts for soldiers, or unique military gifts that carry meaning beyond the surface, Special Tribute Spirits offers more than fine bourbon. We offer heritage—distilled, polished, and preserved.

Our collection serves as an heirloom for those who understand that craftsmanship is an act of remembrance. These decanters are thoughtful gift ideas for veterans who live with honor, gift ideas for soldiers who serve with pride, and gifts for guys in the military who still embody the same courageous spirit of the best World War II Aces. 

Even as Christmas gifts for veterans or patriotic liquor for those who collect aviation memorabilia, each piece represents something more than a product. It’s a salute to the greatest generation and their World War 2 warbirds.

To Those Who Still Look to the Sky

For every collector, every veteran, and every dreamer who looks up at a contrail and feels the past whisper back, these spirits are for you.

Each pour carries the courage of the greatest fighter planes of WW2, the artistry of aviation art, and the soul of those who once faced the horizon with nothing but faith and steel between them and eternity.

We invite you to explore our offerings and join us in preserving this history for posterity.