Roost Air Lounge => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ragwing on February 18, 2009, 05:07:07 AM
Title: Nose Art
Post by: Ragwing on February 18, 2009, 05:07:07 AM
During World War II, figurative art emerged in the form of "nose art" on thousands of bombers and fighter escorts flying missions over France, Germany, Africa and the Pacific.
Nose art perhaps modeled on the "Flying Ladies" emerged as the aviator's unique calling card and as personal escorts during missions of great danger and uncertainty. The Army Air Force attempted to ban and censor nose art on many occasions. Ultimately the art prevailed for its value in boosting crew morale was unquestioned.
Nose art emerged as a defining element of the era, gracing everything from war airplanes, to leather flight jackets, to the walls of barracks, huts and O-Clubs across Europe and the Pacific.
Note that this art form ended with the terror of WWII, being replaced with less compelling and more politically correct imagery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No warbird is complete without it's warpaint.
Here are a few examples to prove war is fowl:
The Fighting Rooster (http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/militarynoseart/images/rooster327.jpg)
Special Delivery II (http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/militarynoseart/images/specialdelivery367.jpg)
Old Crow Express (http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/militarynoseart/images/oldcrowexpress440.jpg)
Night Hawk (http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/militarynoseart/images/nighthawk6_440.jpg)
Tail Gunner Donald Duck (http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/militarynoseart/images/machinegunner_donaldduck640.jpg)
Shangri La (http://www.pacprod.com/Planes/Noseart/P51sl.Jpg)
Donald Duck (http://northstargallery.com/thumbnails/duck.jpg)
Bad Nose (http://www.dragonbbs.com/members/ww8566/BAD2-Nose_Art_-_DuckImage-Lg.jpg)
Folklore has it that the term "Ruptured Duck" was coined in World War II for pilots/flight crews that were shot down in combat, but managed to escape back to friendly lines. Early in WWII, several aircraft were named Ruptured Duck by their flight crews. A B-24 from the 34th Bomber group was named Ruptured Duck. There was also a Ruptured Duck serving with the 91st Bomber Group in Europe. Most famous was a aircraft named Ruptured Duck in the flight of Dolittle's Raid over Tokyo in 1942.
Title: Re: Nose Art
Post by: Oddball on February 18, 2009, 10:53:40 AM
You should see some of the stuff the R.A.F put up as nose art during the first Gulf war. ::knockedout:: ::sweat::
Title: Re: Nose Art
Post by: Frank N. O. on February 18, 2009, 11:34:41 AM
While I'm no expert on pin-ups I'm pretty sure Night Hawk is not from WWII, the look just doesn't fit the era.
There sure are a lot of ducks and chickens there huh?
Frank
Title: Re: Nose Art
Post by: Oddball on February 18, 2009, 11:54:53 AM
I would say Night Hawk is from Vietnam ::thinking::
Title: Re: Nose Art
Post by: FlyboyGil on February 18, 2009, 10:27:43 PM
This is a good post! I've always loved how these guys decorated their planes. I've seen that Donald Duck P-51 about 15 years ago at an airshow. Really neat plane! I'll see if I can find a few good ones!
Title: Re: Nose Art
Post by: FlyboyGil on February 18, 2009, 10:29:58 PM
The shark mouth wasn't just popular amongst the Yanks!
