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Airplane Nose Art

A Brief History of Nose Art Painted on Military Planes

The inscription of art work on military planes dates to World War I, when paintings were usually extravagant company or unit insignia.

However, regulations were put in place after the war to stymie the practice.

World War II military aircraft nose art on the B-17 Flying Fortress "Sweet LaRhonda"
World War II military aircraft nose art on the B-17 Flying Fortress "Sweet LaRhonda"

As the United States entered World War II, nose art regulations were relaxed, or in many cases totally ignored. WWII would become the golden age of aircraft artistry.

Artwork was typically painted on the nose of the plane, and the term "nose art" was coined.

Purpose and Rationale Behind Nose Art

Nose art was a morale booster, and those in daily combat needed that boost. Facing the prospect of death on every flight, the crew deserved all of the encouragement, and smiles, available to them.

The art on the plane unified the crew, and identified it, and made it unique from all of the aircraft in their unit or on their base.

Also, there was widespread appeal in the practice since it was not officially approved, and it provided a playful outlet against "authority". Regulations against it were not regularly enforced.

The Nose Art Artists

Artist painting nose art on the B-29 Superfortress "Little Gem" during World War II
Artist painting nose art on the B-29 Superfortress "Little Gem"

The work was done by both professional civilian artists and talented amateur artists serving in the war theaters in Europe and the Pacific. At the height of the war, nose art artists were in very high demand and were paid well for their services.

One of the most well known artists of the era is Don Allen, a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art graduate. As a U.S. Army Air Forces fighter crew chief, Don used military aircraft for his palette during the war. For $35, pilots commissioned Allen to paint designs on their airplanes.

Military Airplane Nose Art Subject Matter

Pin-ups represented a dominant theme on the noses of WWII bombers and fighters. Artists often mimicked Vargas-style "fantasy girl" pinup art on the military aircraft they painted. Aircraft names like Lady Eve, Forbidden Fruit, Heavenly Body, Our Gal Sa, Miss Behavin, Double Exposure and Picadilly Lilly were based on pinup girl art.

But other subjects were also popular, such as cartoon characters, on aircraft such as Super Wabbit, Ruptured Duck, and Thumper.

B-24 Liberator "Shy Chi Baby" nose art
B-24 Liberator "Shy Chi Baby"

Hometowns and states were also frequently used, on Miami Clipper, Memphis Belle, Carolina Moo, Arkansas Traveler and others. Names of wives of the crew, sweethearts, girlfriends, and mascots were frequent topics.

Other bombers had nose art that was intimidating to enemies, on planes such as Surprise Attack and Axis Nightmare.

Airplane Nose Art During World War II

Nose art was found on many models of fighters, and bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator. The B-29 Superfortress was a popular palette due to its large expanse of relatively open "painting space" on the nose of its massive fuselage.

B-25 Mitchell "Baby Blue Eyes"
B-25 Mitchell "Baby Blue Eyes"
B-17 Flying Fortress "Calamity Jane"
B-17 Flying Fortress "Calamity Jane"
B-29 Superfortress "Straight Flush"
B-29 Superfortress "Straight Flush"
B-24 Liberator "Going My Way"
B-24 Liberator "Going My Way"

 

... Read more about nose art during World War II

 

 

Nose Art on Restored WWII Military Warbirds

Nose art on B-29 Superfortress "Peachy"  in Colorado
Nose art on the restored WWII B-29 Superfortress "Peachy" (staff photo)

Hundreds of photos give a glimpse into airplane nose art history.

While we enjoy viewing the old photographs, we prefer to see the art work in person to get a better feel as to their size, placement, colors and textures.

We have visited a number of aviation galleries, museums, air parks, and air shows nationwide, and include below some highlights of the excellent aircraft nose art we've had the privilege to photograph.

These facilities feature excellent collections of restored aircraft and nose art.

Artists continue to express the nose art tradition by paintings on the large fleet of restored WWII warbirds such as those maintained by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

... Read more about nose art on restored WWII warbirds

Nose view of C-47 Skytrain "That's All, Brother", S/N 42-92847, Registration N47TB, Cherbourg, France, June of 2014. (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)
C-47 Skytrain "That's All, Brother", S/N 42-92847, Registration N47TB, Cherbourg, France, June of 2014

Nose art on Boeing Stearman N68461... "Sweet C" (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)
Nose art on Boeing Stearman N68461... "Sweet C"

Nose Art on Post-WWII Airplanes

Example of modern-day nose art, on the F-15 ... "Let's Roll"
Example of modern-day nose art, on the F-15 Eagle ... "Let's Roll"

Today the fascination with military aviation nose art continues, with a number of artists and studios creating reproductions or take-offs on some of the favorite classics of WWII.

The popularity of the art form has even led to creation of "nose art galleries" and "nose art studios" which specialize in the creation and sale of various type of art works.

Nose art can be seen on B-52 Stratoforessses, KC-135 tankers, Dassault Mirage jets, and many more.

Prints, posters, metal signs, decals, patches, bomber jackets and scale models are available from many sources.

... Read more about nose art on post-WWII Airplanes

Nose art on the KC-135A, S/N 55-3130, "Ole Grandad" of the U.S. Air Force, at the March Field Air Museum in California (Staff Photo)
KC-135A, S/N 55-3130, "Ole Grandad" of the U.S. Air Force, at the March Field Air Museum in California