Early Experiences - What turned you on?

[a9127]

Aircraft nose art during WWII was quite risque. Even though both the USAAF and RAF issued directives against decorating aircraft they couldn't prevent it and finally decided it was good for morale.

That is Betty Grable ("Million Dollar" legs ) gracing "Sentimental Journey" a Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress," and of course the famous "Memphis Belle." The site said it was the restored original but there is also a "movie" version that makes the rounds.

Of course our friends and allies in the RAF also got into the act, "Just Jane" is very sexy and nicely adorns this Avro "Lancaster."

But perhaps the most elaborate and "X-Rated" art to adorn any aircraft was "The Dragon And His Tail" a Consolidated B-24 "Liberator" flown by the United States. It survived the war only to be destroyed for scrap. The artwork was restored on another "Liberator" of the same type many years later. I first saw a picture of it in one of my Dad's aviation magazines. It is, needless to say, quite popular over 70 years later at air shows. Wonder why?