Aircraft nose art makes quiet comeback, reviving Air Force tradition

Fox News.com ^ | May 15, 2016

[Kaslin]

Air Force fighters and bombers are soaring into the wild blue yonder with new paint jobs, quietly reviving an old tradition.

The decorative painting and designs on the noses and wings of Air Force planes may not be as racy as they were during World War II, but they are just as meaningful, the Air Force Times reports.

“This is a tradition across the Air Force," Col. Jeff Smith, commander of the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Ore., told the newspaper. “This truly is a source of morale and pride, especially for the dedicated crew chief to know that they have a little mark of themselves on the airplane.”

It took 31 days to transform one of the unit’s dull gray F-15 Eagles into a colorful work of art, commemorating the Oregon Air National Guard’s 75^th Anniversary, the Air Force Times reported.

[DesertRhino]

Honestly, I’m a little scared to look at modern USAF nose art.

[BenLurkin]

And the very first nose art nude will be......Bruce Jenner....

[M Kehoe]

Rainbow flag nose art?

5.56mm

[DesertRhino]

From the article:

Today, there are strict rules in place and all nose art suggestions have to be vetted through a rigorous approval process, the Air Force Times reported.
The nose art must be “distinctive, symbolic, gender neutral, intended to enhance unit pride, designed in good taste,” and abide by copyright and trademark laws, the paper reported, citing a 2015 Air Force memorandum.”

They just can’t stop themselves from their gayness. This rule is precisely the opposite spirit of all nose art from the 40s and 50s.

[Rio]

obscure Southern Oregon PING?

[Snickering Hound]

I guarantee you that their granddaddy's and great granddaddy's got away with much more.

[Roos_Girl]

It has to be gender neutral so....

[brianr10]

I thought they were supposed to be difficult to see. The one in the article is downright gaudy. When the 174th had the F16s in Syracuse, they would virtually disappear while you looked at them in the air.

[a fool in paradise]

>> The nose art must be “distinctive, symbolic, gender neutral, intended to enhance unit pride, designed in good taste,” and abide by copyright and trademark laws,

Let me guess, it can't denigrate the enemy in a war, either...

[a fool in paradise]

It took 31 days to transform one of the unit’s dull gray F-15 Eagles into a colorful work of art,

How much of that time was spent on paperwork?

[Gator113]

I love the old World War II nose art. I have often thought about putting nose art on our Airstream trailer. I just haven’t decided how “in your face” I want it to be.

[Iron Munro]

[Lazamataz]

I love the old World War II nose art. I have often thought about putting nose art on our Airstream trailer. I just haven’t decided how “in your face” I want it to be.

Go for the gusto.

[DesertRhino]

A few that might not make it past the pussies in the AF Officer corps today:

Bottoms up!
Obscene Corrine,
Hard to Get,
Kansas City Kitty,
Strawberry Bitch,
Briefing Time, (Briefs being panties),
Mission Debrief,
Virgin Abroad,
Take off time,
Ace in the hole,
Miss behavin’
Lucky Lady,
Puss & Boots.
Cherokee Strip,
Camera Shy,
Target for Tonight,
Surprise Attack,

On and on. Let your mind fill on the blanks or look em up on Google.

[SunLakesJeff]

The heart still beats, if infrequently.

[Gator113]

With those kinds of stupid rules, maybe they should just stick with a big ‘participation award certificate’ or ribbons.

[pfflier]

The "Let's Roll" Eagle has been onat least one airplane in nearly all USAF squadrons since 9/11. B-52s, B-1s, KC-135s and C-130s have had some very impressive nose art for an equally long time.

It would be nice if some posters checked them out on line before making comments.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

In the new gay military I hate to think what might turn up.

[Gator113]

;>)...I usually do.