Hank Ditmar

I had to check that I hadn't already given Hank Ditmar (late 70's Colt model) his own post—he's appeared here so many times it certainly feels like I have. When follower Naven1918 recently wrote, “I have always been drawn to any photo of Hank Ditmar. He always seems to emulate such sex appeal and desire,” in my Ladders - Part 2 post on August 19 (see also Jockstrap March 17, and Autos April 14 among others), I knew it was time. I agree completely. This one's for you.

*All photos in this set are of Hank Ditmar taken by Jim French around 1979 except for the final bonus shot.

1. Hank on a mid-century couch with leather belt and button fly wide open.

2. From Colt/Buckshot solo loop, "Love, Sweat, and Beers," where Hank undressed and pours his beer on himself to cool down and then rubs one out.

Hank is one of my favorites from this period because he practically embodies the bushnstache aesthetic: shaggy hair, perfect mustache, natural body hair, cutoffs, boots, tank tops, jockstraps, ball caps, denim and the occasional cold beer. 

3. In a military hat and short cutoffs.

4. In sailor garb, minus the pants.

Photographed by Jim French for Colt, Hank arrived at an interesting turning point between classic physique photography and increasingly explicit gay male imagery. He could play both sides beautifully—the regular guy horsing around in one photograph, then the stare, soft contrapposto and carefully directed attention in another that leave little doubt about who was supposed to be looking.

5. Same army hat and cutoffs as #3 above, plus the white tank.

6. In leather boots and jean jacket.

That “regular guy” quality was part of Hank's appeal. The hypermasculine, straight-passing ideal carries some baggage worth acknowledging, but it also reflected a very real object of desire for generations of gay men—the seemingly ordinary guy from the neighborhood, locker room, job site or family barbecue who first made you realize where your eyes kept wandering. 

7. In a jockstrap and sneakers.

8. Between the drapes.

Hank didn't have Colt's biggest package, biggest muscles or most Hollywood face. He didn't need to. His legendary ass and off the charts animal magnetism more than made up for it. He looked like someone you might actually encounter, and somehow that made the fantasy stronger. I definitely had a crush on this one.

9. In the white jock again, which he wears so well.

10. Back to the army hat and jean jacket.

Jesse Ditmar also modeled for Colt. I've seen Hank and Jesse described as brothers, but haven't found a reliable source confirming it. Does anyone here know the story?

11. Jesse Ditmar, also by Jim French, on a brown towel and outdoor chair.  I've seen references suggest he and Hank are brothers, but I cannot confirm if they are even related.  Can anyone help here?

Please leave any thoughts, questions, corrections or additions in the comments. Thank you, bns