The artist in the photo directly below is Marine Randall Sprenger, Sr. He was one of several talented young men who "decorated" fighting aircraft for U.S. airmen/bomber crews during the Second World War. This photo ended up on the cover of Life magazine. The rest are examples of some of the nose art painted by such men. The last one reminds me of the old Nike ad.
Update: Thanks to reader Todd who sent in this photo from his great uncle's group, the 5th Air Force.
Awesome collection of Nose Art. I have a couple books on the subject.
ReplyDeleteOn some of the modern USAF aircraft, the art has moved inside the maintenance panels...
Thanks for sharing!
I've never seen these. Good find and thanks.
ReplyDeleteYep, classic nose art! Sadly that all went away...
ReplyDeleteI've seen about half of these before, but thanks for the new ones!
ReplyDeleteThe first pic is my Dad, He was on Siapan 1944. Ranny Sprenger
ReplyDeleteThere you are Opa! I'm glad you stopped by. See you in a few weeks!
DeleteMany of these artist's were sign painters in civilian life.
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ReplyDeleteI love the Babe called the Yellow Rose !!!!!!!!! Nice curves !!!!!
DeleteLace" was taken from a Milton Caniff (Terry and the pirates) comic strip that was only for the troops during WW II.
ReplyDeleteDennis the librarian shusher