Nose Art
- Thread starter 3175375
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67newport
Old Man with a Hat
3175375
Senior Member
P-47 Thunderbolt “Daddy Rabbit” with an impressive collection of mission symbols! P-47D-28RA 42-29262 Daddy RABBIT. This machine was flown by Captain Neil D. Stanley of 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group 9th Air Force in the European Theatre of Operations during the closing chapters of WWII. Looking at the mission markings:
2 – air combat kills
20 – A/C destroyed strafing
4 – tanks destroyed
5 – locomotives destroyed
8 – fighter sweeps
15 - fighter escorts (top hats)
50 – bombing missions
Still looking for rabbits...?!!
2 – air combat kills
20 – A/C destroyed strafing
4 – tanks destroyed
5 – locomotives destroyed
8 – fighter sweeps
15 - fighter escorts (top hats)
50 – bombing missions
Still looking for rabbits...?!!
3175375
Senior Member
I have seen a number of these at various military bases.
A bit of Apollo era history. In the early 60's NASA needed to extend the range of the ground tracking and communications network. To this end, 8 KC-135's were modified with a 7 foot steerable dish in the nose. CAlled Apollo Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A/RIA), they provided a mobile communications link. After Apollo, they were used as Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (also ARIA). This was the last operational one - it's sitting at the air park at the Air Force museum. It was given the moniker "Bird of Prey" - this is the nose art....
A bit of Apollo era history. In the early 60's NASA needed to extend the range of the ground tracking and communications network. To this end, 8 KC-135's were modified with a 7 foot steerable dish in the nose. CAlled Apollo Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A/RIA), they provided a mobile communications link. After Apollo, they were used as Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (also ARIA). This was the last operational one - it's sitting at the air park at the Air Force museum. It was given the moniker "Bird of Prey" - this is the nose art....
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
Either someone decided to censor the Shack, or it took damage!
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
3175375
Senior Member
Not really a gate guard, but this B-29 was photographed at the old March AFB Museum, which at the time took up some space on the ramp. It and other display aircraft were since moved across the runway next to the interstate where an exit was built so that civilians would have the opportunity to see these aircraft. I've not been to the new museum since I got out of the service, but understand it is very nice. According to Wiki, this is one of 22 surviving airframes with two of those currently flying.
March, is that the one in Oklahoma? If so, I saw that display in the '90s.
This was an odd one. Wasnt, still not, sure what that young lady is doing, let alone what she is wearing. Anyway, a source is here: The Zodiac Squadron, and it's incredible nose art by Phil Brinkman
Aries, the ram. Guess she's shearing it...
Other zodiac nose art at some source:
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What's funny about all of these, they were forbidden by the USAAF! When did they lose control??? 
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
What's funny about all of these, they were forbidden by the USAAF! When did they lose control???
That's interesting question. This sorta touches on it: Aircraft Nose Art Makes Quiet Comeback, Reviving Air Force Tradition
i am certain by today's standards, the society wouldnt stand for it.
Today, therefore, surely the miltitary has "rules" on this stuff, probably did then too. "Objectifying" women was "acceptable" back then, the military personnel flying/working on planes were men.
I am NOT arguing FOR/AGAINST one thing or another. Aint judging either, however, as a father with daughters and grand daughters, I am cool they toned that stuff down.
We were sending these young men into war, and from which many would NEVER come home. that doesnt make it "OK" to put a naked lady on your bomber, but maybe it helped morale. In context of time/place, I get it.
What's more "obscene" though? A provocative painting of an imaginary lady on your plane, or hosing your buddy's blood & guts out of his turret gun?
It wasnt just the pinup issue. Add to that the copyrights/trademark "infringement" potential .. dunno if Disney, for example, had the outrage to sue the government DURING the war and risk being called "unpatriotic".
Gimme sharks, and dragons, and other fearsome images all day long. Seems that is, and always has been ok.
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3175375
Senior Member
I suspect that the next thing to go are squadron images, etc. like this one:
I hope not. I think these are cool -- and the related command patches.
I am sure they must "offend" somebody .. but so does a "sunny day". Are those the nex things to go?
I am sure they must "offend" somebody .. but so does a "sunny day". Are those the nex things to go?
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
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