The History of Aircraft Nose Art – WWI to Today Sentimental Journey

The History of Aircraft Nose Art"Grim-faced Luftwaffe pilots proud of the guts that take them within the suicide circle of a fortress formation, determined to do or die for the Fatherland, must wonder what the hell kind of an air force they are up against.

They come diving in, teeth clenched, hell-bent for Hitler, and along with the hail of lead they are greeted by the stupid grin of some absurd comic book character, or the nude form of a Petty girl painted on the nose of the bomber they are attacking… – Andy Rooney Stars and Stripes, August 5, 1943 to friend and foe alike, the sexy pin-up paintings and names such as Sleepy-Time Gal were as much a part of the American fighters and bombers of World War II as cowboy hats and six shooters were to the wranglers of the Old West.

But aircraft nose art is not an American ‘invention’ nor is it a product of World War II.

In fact, nose art’s roots stretch back to 1913. By 1918, most of the great aviators-von Richthofen, Rickenbacker, and many others-were known for the personal markings on their aircraft as much as for their exploits. In the seven decades since WWI, nose art has given individual identity to the warplanes of many nations, in war and in peace.

The History of Aircraft Nose Art is the first book to present the complete history of this delightful art form. Packed with more than 400 photos (half in colour), this book presents the best nose art from all eras-World War I, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and on into the modern era-and from many nations-Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Soviet others. Union, Spain, the United States, and but this is more than just a photo album.

It is an extraordinary journey through the hearts and minds of the pilots, crews and nose artists who used cowling for canvas, leaving this colourful legacy. Interviews with these men and women reveal the influences-Capp, Disney, Elvgren, Petty and Vargas-and stories behind the greatest nose art of all time.

The front cover illustration was created by World War II nose artist Don Allen especially for this book. He based it on the nose art he painted on Lt. Marvin Arthur’s P-51 Blondie. Above, Allen poses with the original blondie. Don Allen was a crew chief on 4th Fighter Group Spitfires, P-47sand P-51s from 1943 to 1945.

He painted most of the 4th’s famous nose art, including Boise Bee and Salem Representative. The fascinating stories of these and other nose art masterpieces form the backbone of this book.