I've been an avid reader of WWII history for roughly 47 of my 57 years. In middle school and high school I checked out every WWII related book, particularly WWII aviation. Same with our county library. As an adult I started buying WWII history books. So, I've seen a lot of WWII Nose art.
Then along comes Facebook.
There's a WWII Nose Art facebook group that I am a member of and there is one thing I have learned: the WWII aviation books of my youth were heavily censored. Of course I had seen a lot of female forms in nose art, but not until the advent of the internet and particularly the aforementioned Facebook group did I realize the overwhelming number and variety of naked female forms that adorned American combat aircraft of WWII.
I can't even show you what I'm referring to, many would not pass the NSFW ban here. Some are borderline pornographic.
And I think P-38 pilots and B-29 crews were the worst! Something about being way out in the Pacific I guess?
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
Many years ago...and I mean many, I met P-47 Thunderbolt ace, Robert Johnson. Late 1960's. Maybe early 70's. He was at an air show with the Thunderbolt Pilots Association. Great guy, with no ego or attitude at all, unlike some others that I've met. He took a picture out of his wallet that had never been shown in any book. He was standing in front of his Jug, nicknamed "Lucky." The picture painted on the nose of the airplane was of a big hand, giving the Germans the middle finger. To risque to publish in those days. You can see it on the internet, now. But I saw the original pulled right out of Bob Johnson's pocket. He had been a hero of mine. I had read his book, "Thunderbolt," until it fell apart. Then bought another copy. Meeting him was quite a thrill for me. As was seeing that photo that so few others had seen. Now, of course, that picture is as tame as a drawing of Micky Mouse.
"From our orbital vantage point, we observe an earth without borders, full of peace, beauty and magnificence, and we pray that humanity as a whole can imagine a borderless world as we see it, and strive to live as one in peace." Astronaut William C. McCool RIP, January 29, 2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia
"From our orbital vantage point, we observe an earth without borders, full of peace, beauty and magnificence, and we pray that humanity as a whole can imagine a borderless world as we see it, and strive to live as one in peace." Astronaut William C. McCool RIP, January 29, 2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia
Hey those brave men and many of them were still boys when they joined the Army needed something to remind them of their gals back home and motivate them to finish the job and go home alive. The US entered the war in 1941 and for many, they left home after that to go to training in the different services and they didn't go home for 4 or more years. That's a long time.
I often wonder what happened to those young men who flew the nose art. Many ended tragically:
This one was lost in 1945.
This horrific crash at Byoritsu oil refinery, Formosa, was photographed by a B-25 of the 5th Air Force’s 345th Bomb Group on 26 May 1945. Just as it released its string of para-frags B-25 NO. 192 was hit by flak from a camouflaged battery and trails smoke and a gaping hole is visible on the pilot’s s side.
The aircraft visible is the North American B-25J-10-NC Mitchell (s/n 43-36192) “Jaunty Jo”. Crew : 2/Lt Robert J. Knauf Pilot, 2/Lt Martin H. Mulner Jr. Co-Pilot, 1/Lt Lloyd E. Bodell Navigator, Cpl Harold O. Montville Eng/Gunner, Sgt Tennyson C. Harrell Radio/Gunner. They were all killed in the crash.
The F-105 Pussy Galore is my favourite nose art story.
The pilot* of the original is a regular on the F-105 Facebook page and his son Mark has produced two excellent works available on Amazon Prime: "Thud Pilot" and "Hun Pilot".
*Vic Vizcarra actually never flew with the famous nose art, he was shot down in another aircraft and was busy evading for a time before he was finally rescued and made it back to base. By that time the "lady" had already been ordered removed.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,383PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,383
Miami, FL USA
Some of my favorite nose art,
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Honey Bunny is one of my favorites when flying the P-38 in IL-2.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
Look for me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Tic Toc...or anywhere you may frequent, besides SimHq, on the Global Scam Net. Aka, the internet. I am not there, never have been or ever will be, but the fruitless search may be more gratifying then the "content" you might otherwise be exposed to.
"There's a sucker born every minute." Phineas Taylor Barnum