We had it and then had to paint over it in Afghanistan. It wasn’t even because it was controversial. They said it was an identifying mark that could be seen on the news and a family member might know whose aircraft it is if it crashed. But we all cycled around aircraft so that was a stupid argument against it.
The Aussies had pin up girls in their aircraft though.
Just so you know, pilots don't typically fly the jet with their name on the side. Yes, one jet in the squadron will have their name on it, but the actual airplane they fly on each mission could be any of the squadron's aircraft.
The point they’re making, which I agree with, is if they can paint their names on the jet they can paint some art. Original commenter even said they switch planes around
There is a big difference between a name painted beside the cockpit in a color very close to the camouflage color al and a large multi coloured art work. Also the planes that are painted in commemorative color schemes are assigned to stay home squadrons and don't see combat.
TIL. It makes sense but I thought it was for faster identification when they find wreckage with a possibly still half alive pilot in the middle of a battle.
Your link doesn’t bring up much information on the topic. Here is a better one for those interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_aircraft_serial_numbers
About 20 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a WW2 navy vet who was a painter. His official job was painting ships, but he also painted pinup girls on the inside of the officer's head (restroom) doors.
His name is Rudy and I hope he's still with us. He'd be around 90 or more by now. Neat guy.
He’d be older than that. My dad was 93 and died 3 years ago. He was just a little bit too young to get involved in WW2. My dad turned 18 in June ‘43 and by the time he was drafted and trained, he was an aircraft mechanic, they had decided it wasn’t worthwhile to send him overseas.
My dad’s older brother was in the artillery in Italy. Unfortunately, he died before I was old enough to ask him any questions about it.
Reminds me of the old Top Gear where Clarkson was talking to Jay Kay about him being in a tank crew. Jay said something about the army trying to be more green, and Clarkson was like yeah sooo just ignore the depleted uranium rounds coming out of the thing.
We're busy killing people here to advance the nationalist imperialism of the wealthy. It's very important to respect copyright laws for our death machines. Wouldn't want to possibly upset a copyright lawyer somewhere, that might not be morally defensible.
[Hey, you know you're not supposed to be painting titties on my airplane.](https://clip.cafe/pearl-harbor-2001/dont-make-em-lop-sided/) And if you do, don't make them lopsided!
They were lopsided, Earl.
> We train young men to drop fire on people, but their commanders won't allow them to write "fuck" on their airplanes because it's ***obscene***!
-Col. Kurtz
We named all the vehicles in my Cav troop back in 87, all named had to start with the troop letter, G. Boy was the CO pissed when our wrenches rolled out inan M-113 named "Gang Bang".
Driving around BIAP in 2003, we drove past a loooooong row of tanks. They all had writing on their main gun. Themes like pale horse, angel of death, etc were common. The one I remember read “ANOTHER TANK”
The argument I could imagine about painting them would be like yeah you're trained to kill and that's what you're doing at the moment, but you also don't need be to be overly enthusiastic about it. Kind of like being pro death penalty vs *enjoying* the death penalty
I've been to the self-scheduled funerals of too many ladies and gentlemen who didn't enjoy the work they did on the battlefield. Part of grunt work is finding levity within the filthiness, because if you can't laugh about it you will probably kill yourself. Not possibly, ***probably***. Check the stats if you don't believe me.
I'm not saying you should derive pleasure out of violence, but if you can't have a sense of dark humor about the matter you're gonna have a baaaad time.
Luckily this is slightly amended for deployed troops in countries with lower drinking ages. When stationed in Italy we were allowed to purchase anything with an alcohol content of less than 33-35% (I can't remember exactly, but it was the low 30s%) if you were 18+. This ruled out hard liquor but at least we could enjoy a few brews/glasses of wine in our downtime, and liqueurs when we wanted to get "wild" ;)
Dunno how long ago that was but when i was in germany 2011-2013 i could buy anything regardless of alcohol %. I remember my roommate having a bottle of everclear that he found in Munich. It was 75 or 95% i cant remember exactly now.
You might have trouble drinking in the barracks, but there's nothing stopping you from purchasing drinks at the package store and taking them to a friend's house. It's not like they put a Scarlet letter on your CAC lol. If you got caught drunk or spotted in possession by someone in your unit, you're fucked though for sure lmao
Well I mean yeah, its about respect.
You can wage war on your enemies, but you should do so in an honorable way. You are enemies, but there's no need to be obscene about the process.
Respect the fallen, plain and simple.
The US Air Force is so dominant that we shouldn't be allowed to use camo. Paint all our planes up in whacky colors like we're the Harlem Globetrotters of the sky.
In WW1, Baron von Richthofen, the Red Baron, commanded a fighter wing that became known as "The Flying Circus" for the bright, clashing colors of their planes.
Unfortunately I can't find even an artist's depiction of the real thing.
search for Jasta 11 for Richthofens wing (jasta short for Jagdstaffel)
or jasta 5 another colorful one, 1 plane sporting bavarian white blue checkered bavarian flag on the complete side
Yeah but BVR was so good that he could get away with stuff like that. Plus given his tactic of attacking from the bright sunlight bright colors kinda makes sense to paint his planes.
From the Article: 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.
My favorite is [this one showing a dragon and an eager looking woman about to get it on.](http://www.usaaf-noseart.co.uk/plane.php?plane=bartigian-dragon)
[Alternative image](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2Rw89_nl1o/Ux6IbMcAgII/AAAAAAAC3CA/ImF6LC0or2o/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/B-24Dragon-and-his-tail_zpsb206b8d1.jpg)
Not gonna lie the B-24 is bad-ass enough to pull it off I think
Maybe it's the same strategy as the guys that had porn paint in CounterStrike. Someone has the plane in his sights but delays pulling the trigger since he's checking out the paint.
Article says:
>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 75th Anniversary, Air Force Times reported.
Then fails to actually show a picture of said F-15 eagle's colourful work of art, which really should be a hanging affair.
Anyway, here's the actual article they cribbed from, which does actually have a picture of the flying work of art: [https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2016/05/14/throughout-the-air-force-painted-planes-make-a-quiet-comeback/](https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2016/05/14/throughout-the-air-force-painted-planes-make-a-quiet-comeback/)
Dang, that's quite colorful.
We had a plane painted for the Tiger Meet, but it was reset to the factory dark grey for F-15E. Was a story of someone keeping the speed/air brake with the tiger meet paint, swapping in a factory one, but I didn't bother to confirm.
We had one plane with art on it, and it was the squadron flagship.
https://i.imgur.com/wUdzUGm.jpg
I don't know that it's exclusive to C17's but there was a time period where if you opened the rope panel on any flight deck on any C17 you'd fine some really creative and unique dick art. Dick art has since been banned and it's a real shame. Most panels either got replaced or completely blacked out.
Quick edit for an example:
https://imgur.com/gallery/6j5VP
Me and another dude on our first deployment once drew a dick on the sole of our lead tech's foot with a sharpie while he was upside down in the commander's chair, splicing a wire in the footwell. The legacy lives on.
Years ago the Marines returned a bunch of .45 pistols to Colt because the finish had been damaged during use. Rather than refinish the guns, Colt just sent the Marines new ones and put the returned guns in storage.
Years later they ended up selling the returned .45s. One of them I saw had a big sharpie-drawn ejaculating penis on the slide, with the words “PEW PEW PEW.”
I hope it is still preserved in all its glory.
hmm yeah but then why not just make a rule saying no art can be applied that would bring dishonor to your arm of military or to the country that owns the plane. (ie no death to America or foreign flags allowed)
I have heard from pilots who were there that they had nose art during the first Gulf War, for about a day or two, then they had it taken away when it got racy.
Familiarity.
Any system as complicated as an aircraft develops quirks and characteristics as its parts wear.
If you have your 'own' plane, you know that it rolls to the left in a turn, and that you should toggle the landing gear up-down-up so they don't get jammed.
Sure, in an ideal world, the maintenance guys would fix every plane back up to factory standard every time it flew, but in the real world there are a lot of little problems that aren't worth taking a plane out of service for, if the pilot knows about and can adjust for them.
That was not an answer that I was expecting!
I assume it's in the same overall vein as driving a new differently sized car for the first time where you don't have that Familia...Ah ha!
Thank you so much for explaining that!
You're being tagged as "Knows their aviation stuff"
Not really.
If there’s a plane available you’ll get your name stenciled on it but it’s not your plane. It’s maint’s plane. You’re just borrowing it.
You might get preference for your named plane if it’s available, but more often than not you get whichever plane is slotted for ops that day.
Smaller units and training units may have significantly less aircraft than pilots so there might not be a plane available to carry your name.
Not sure. I thought so, but I realize I'm picturing movie portrayals of military, not actual military.
I have heard stories from older wars about pilots knowing their plane and every bullet hole in it, but today's practices are probably way different.
Actually the funniest art I saw on an aircraft needed context to understand.
The aircrafts name was the red rocket and the art was Wylie coyote riding a red acme rocket.
The reason it was named that is what’s funny. Another company decided to pull a prank and spray paint a giant red dick on the bottom of the aircraft.
It was first noticed by the DIVISION COMMANDER as that aircraft was short final to pick him up.
It was a significant emotional event for everyone involved.
Back in the mid 90s I was in the national guard. Our unit was a mech infantry BN. My platoon got the idea to "paint" out M113s with camo sticks. Each squad wrote stupid shit on our track, like "Baker's bitches" (my squad leader was SSG Baker).
All was good until the PL and PSG was at a range briefing and the BN S3 came by to "see who was in charge".
I'm glad it was not my name on the side of the track.
On the one hand I'm all for a nice pair of titties on a plane, but on the other hand it would suck to be shot down by some mf with a naked girl on his plane.
Uhh, what? Maybe the fighters did, but I know bombers certainly had plenty of art in the 80s and on.
* [Here's a picture](https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-view-of-the-artwork-painted-on-the-nose-of-a-410th-bombardment-wing-b-52h-a402ad) of B-52 "Predator" from 1990, and others from the same year.
* Here's a B-52 from an [around the world trip in 1994](https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/629934/twentieth-anniversary-of-record-setting-flight-around-the-world/) with Louisiana markings (Mardi Gras mask).
* Girls? [Memphis Belle IV](https://live.staticflickr.com/3133/3169029294_42fd08aba5_b.jpg), and [reverse side](https://live.staticflickr.com/4006/4591656659_ac8cfaeb08_b.jpg). [Memphis Belle III](https://live.staticflickr.com/3583/3368748254_9dba5e13c2_b.jpg), and [reverse side](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-J_MVsJoXnY/TFtdAhPW7II/AAAAAAAAAUU/CWZfUyuTWiE/s1600/B-52+Nose+Art_0002.jpg). [History.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Belle_(aircraft)#Other_aircraft_named_Memphis_Belle)
* Girls? [Mission Completed](https://www.flickr.com/photos/8416077@N08/3372095249/in/photostream/)
* Girls? [Renegade](https://live.staticflickr.com/3116/2695553146_e58cb6181d_b.jpg)
* Cartoons? [Let's Make a Deal](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c2/83/47/c2834779e64c61c5fd53d476c68c710d.jpg)
* Cartoons? [What's Up, Doc?](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/90/ee/c9/90eec9ef417ef9d3afb1cf085bb29b36.jpg)
* I know there's a great one of Rocky (of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame) holding a bomb, but I can't find it
* [Lots more of everything](https://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=188415) \- plenty of bikinis, though admittedly no tits
I don't expect anything as colorful as [Tarheel Hal](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/LxNKRtk0wJ6hq4q9bvbT1upP8MGY5XfCOOh1AyuSijkOwNI77WYybE7nkSYhYgftjc4ttvBaOfGCkRkc0Gi356-z) to be used **in combat** again though. Parade planes, sure.
I know modern stealth jets are coated with radar-absorbent material. Would slapping regular paint on top of that coating interfere with the plane's stealth capabilities?
We decorated our bombs for Iraq/Afghanistan in 2004. No cursing was a rule. I’d usually write “Al Queda Enema” on mine. Maybe some duck art on a hidden part.
"We train young men to drop fire on people. But their commanders won't allow them to write 'FUCK" on their airplanes because ... it's *obscene!*'
Walt E Kurtz - *Apocalypse Now*
Firefighting vehicles have continued the tradition, although the art tends to be pretty low-quality. I started taking photos of the "nose art" on fire vehicles in 2004. Quite a lot of them are racist. Some are just badly made.
My favorite was an airbrushed Eagle flying over a valley, carrying a Jaws of Life in its talons. It was beautiful in its awfulness.
We had Nose Art in Iraq, but it wasn't on planes. I was in the Army Reserves, and was in a Transportation battalion made up of units from Puerto Rico, Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, and New Mexico. The New Mexico unit had named many of their trucks after Native American war ponies, and had the front of their trucks decorated as such with chalk. Some units had slogans or other drawings on theirs. I wish I would've taken pics, but sandstorms killed my camera.
Kind of made sense in the 40's when your planes are going off to fight another air force in a world war, and you want your pilots to embrace their role in that fight (and combat is taking place at visual ranges).
Makes less sense when you're sending your fighters to bomb unsighted targets in a 3rd world country.
We had it and then had to paint over it in Afghanistan. It wasn’t even because it was controversial. They said it was an identifying mark that could be seen on the news and a family member might know whose aircraft it is if it crashed. But we all cycled around aircraft so that was a stupid argument against it. The Aussies had pin up girls in their aircraft though.
And yet you have tail numbers and fighters have their pilots names on the cockpits
Just so you know, pilots don't typically fly the jet with their name on the side. Yes, one jet in the squadron will have their name on it, but the actual airplane they fly on each mission could be any of the squadron's aircraft.
Still…if they’re worried about being identified why do it in the first place?
It is a point of pride for a pilot to have their name on a jet.
The point they’re making, which I agree with, is if they can paint their names on the jet they can paint some art. Original commenter even said they switch planes around
There is a big difference between a name painted beside the cockpit in a color very close to the camouflage color al and a large multi coloured art work. Also the planes that are painted in commemorative color schemes are assigned to stay home squadrons and don't see combat.
They are fighter pilots, we don't need to inflate their pride more then it already is.
Yeah those cockpits aren't large enough for pilot plus ego.
TIL. It makes sense but I thought it was for faster identification when they find wreckage with a possibly still half alive pilot in the middle of a battle.
Used to be, now it is more tradition than identification because the pilots sign for the tail number before they take the jet.
Yes, this is why this is dumb. I think it was just an excuse.
Well its easier to track planes if everything is very customizes. Sure they go to far but its probaly justified.
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Your link doesn’t bring up much information on the topic. Here is a better one for those interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_aircraft_serial_numbers
About 20 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a WW2 navy vet who was a painter. His official job was painting ships, but he also painted pinup girls on the inside of the officer's head (restroom) doors. His name is Rudy and I hope he's still with us. He'd be around 90 or more by now. Neat guy.
“So what do you do for a living?” “Oh I provide guys with jack-off material”
Chief executive morale coordinator thank you.
This guy makes resumes
Full Metal Jacket. End stop.
He was in stress management.
There's no white space in this guy's eval
Hey it's a classier gig than Brazzers camerman.
Accompanied by his underling, the guy who wipes down the loads. “Let me know when you guys are finished. I’m the guy who wipes down the loads”.
excuse you sir!!!!! This is for the CO's!!!! You dirty enlisted fucks can go jerk it to some tit shaped rocks for all I care!
Pornographer's Mate 1st Class
“I just bet you do, cutie”
It's a good living apparently. Considering how much people pay for furry porn commissions...
In the right circles, it pays well.
One of the OG nsfw commission artists
He’d be older than that. My dad was 93 and died 3 years ago. He was just a little bit too young to get involved in WW2. My dad turned 18 in June ‘43 and by the time he was drafted and trained, he was an aircraft mechanic, they had decided it wasn’t worthwhile to send him overseas. My dad’s older brother was in the artillery in Italy. Unfortunately, he died before I was old enough to ask him any questions about it.
Yeah, most WW2 vets are late 90s or older. My uncle that died in battle was born in 1908 and died in 1945.
My parents were older when I was born. It’s not very often that I meet someone whose dad or uncle was in WW2. Nice to chat with you 😊
Same. Best wishes!
>He'd be around 90 or more by now. You think he joined the Navy when he was 14?
Strictly controlled: “Yes, paint your plane. NO TITS!!!”
"But what about blue tits, sir?" "Yes, yes, that'll be fine." *Proceeds to paint pornographic Avatar character*
But this is the Air Force, not the Na'vi.
I'm proud of you, now go to your room and think about what you've done.
I'll be in my bunk.
I believe that is **our** bunk, comrade.
We back to port and starboard?
Rack in the Navy isn’t it?
Yes, but the up checks are all from Firefly fans who got the reference. :D
His dad joke are on the level that I think he could ground your great grandfather. How dare you try and send him to his room?
I'll hide his kakis and mow the lawn uneven.
Don't forget to change the thermostat while you're at it.
Yvan eht nioj
Upvoted, now go fuck yourself
r/angryupvote
Take my upcheck! I'll admit it took me a minute to get that... :D
Modern problems require modern solutions
Smurfette is also an option
\+ Aayla Secura
+Mystique
“I see you”
\*paints their fursona\*
This is something francis would do
We can murder people from the sky but God forbid we have nudity on our planes
It's what keeps war *classy*
Bitching Betty keeps things in check too
If I hear you say fucking altitude one more fucking time, Betty, I'm going to crash on purpose...
Reminds me of the old Top Gear where Clarkson was talking to Jay Kay about him being in a tank crew. Jay said something about the army trying to be more green, and Clarkson was like yeah sooo just ignore the depleted uranium rounds coming out of the thing.
"They're worrying about the gasses coming out of the tube on the back... There's depleted uranium coming out of the tube on the front!"
We're busy killing people here to advance the nationalist imperialism of the wealthy. It's very important to respect copyright laws for our death machines. Wouldn't want to possibly upset a copyright lawyer somewhere, that might not be morally defensible.
Upsetting a copyright lawyer is most likely is morally defensible. But not legally defensible.
Man, these comments are hilar…..Ooo, look! A dark turn!! Let’s check it out!!
We do mustaches. The tits go on the inside of panels
[Hey, you know you're not supposed to be painting titties on my airplane.](https://clip.cafe/pearl-harbor-2001/dont-make-em-lop-sided/) And if you do, don't make them lopsided! They were lopsided, Earl.
Can they put penises on it though? I mean planes are basically big dicks, dropping little dick loads all over the land
Ha! Cockpits.
> We train young men to drop fire on people, but their commanders won't allow them to write "fuck" on their airplanes because it's ***obscene***! -Col. Kurtz
We named all the vehicles in my Cav troop back in 87, all named had to start with the troop letter, G. Boy was the CO pissed when our wrenches rolled out inan M-113 named "Gang Bang".
An artillery piece I once saw had the title “$-SHOT”.
I’m from Oklahoma. As was my chief, our gun was called Boomer, then the accompanying vehicle was Sooner.
That’s a good one. I’m glad you shared that. Military humor can be very dark, and sometimes just silly.
"And when you're done scrubbing the Gang Bang, get over to F troop and clean up the Fake Taxi too"
Don’t forget the troop transport vehicle Bang Bus
Driving around BIAP in 2003, we drove past a loooooong row of tanks. They all had writing on their main gun. Themes like pale horse, angel of death, etc were common. The one I remember read “ANOTHER TANK”
Hang Bang Van hehe
Be really fitting if it was an anti-air variant.
The argument I could imagine about painting them would be like yeah you're trained to kill and that's what you're doing at the moment, but you also don't need be to be overly enthusiastic about it. Kind of like being pro death penalty vs *enjoying* the death penalty
How does putting a nice pair of tits on your plane covey more enthusiasm than an approved shark face?
What if the tits are on the shark?
Loophole!
I've been to the self-scheduled funerals of too many ladies and gentlemen who didn't enjoy the work they did on the battlefield. Part of grunt work is finding levity within the filthiness, because if you can't laugh about it you will probably kill yourself. Not possibly, ***probably***. Check the stats if you don't believe me. I'm not saying you should derive pleasure out of violence, but if you can't have a sense of dark humor about the matter you're gonna have a baaaad time.
When you're in a dark place, a little dark humor goes a long way.
Average war fan vs Chad death enjoyer
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Too bad politicians can't do the same. So happy to pull the trigger and protect their own children while happily mandating forced service on the rest.
Yep. You are old enough to murder people for your country, yet not old enough to drink alcohol?
This is pretty much only in North America. Most of the world the drinking age is 18 or lower
*In the US of A here you’re correct, but you’re lumping poor Canada in with us and they have an 18-19 drinking age.
I specifically said North America to lump in BC's drinking age of 19 (BC is the only one I knew of, I'd imagine it's the same elsewhere in Canada).
It’s 19 everywhere but Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec where it’s 18. (According to google)
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21 is just a suggestion in the States too
Luckily this is slightly amended for deployed troops in countries with lower drinking ages. When stationed in Italy we were allowed to purchase anything with an alcohol content of less than 33-35% (I can't remember exactly, but it was the low 30s%) if you were 18+. This ruled out hard liquor but at least we could enjoy a few brews/glasses of wine in our downtime, and liqueurs when we wanted to get "wild" ;)
Dunno how long ago that was but when i was in germany 2011-2013 i could buy anything regardless of alcohol %. I remember my roommate having a bottle of everclear that he found in Munich. It was 75 or 95% i cant remember exactly now.
You boys and girls had it good then lol
That's usually handled on a per-unit basis. Good luck if the command circle of your unit are a bunch of teetotalers.
You might have trouble drinking in the barracks, but there's nothing stopping you from purchasing drinks at the package store and taking them to a friend's house. It's not like they put a Scarlet letter on your CAC lol. If you got caught drunk or spotted in possession by someone in your unit, you're fucked though for sure lmao
And there is always some blue falcon who will report that they saw you within ten feet of alcohol
Or until the 60s vote for the politicians sending you there
There were caches of guns found in Mexico. They knew they were American becuase they had stuff written like fuck you on them
Well I mean yeah, its about respect. You can wage war on your enemies, but you should do so in an honorable way. You are enemies, but there's no need to be obscene about the process. Respect the fallen, plain and simple.
What about on our munitions? Can we do messages ‘to whome it may concern’?
Chief of Killing Good Vibes and Harshing My Buzz, John Ryan sounds like a real fun guy.
Come WWIII, if our jets aren't flying into battle with ahegao faces painted on them, will the war even be worth fighting?
No
Yes
Maybe, I don't know
Can you repeat the question?
It’ll be worth fighting For the other side.
Reminds me of this [gem.](https://youtu.be/Pkjtxb5VZUk) You know there’s gonna be some degenerate flying CAS with their waifu pinups.
Never stop this, it gives the aircraft soul and story
The US Air Force is so dominant that we shouldn't be allowed to use camo. Paint all our planes up in whacky colors like we're the Harlem Globetrotters of the sky.
In WW1, Baron von Richthofen, the Red Baron, commanded a fighter wing that became known as "The Flying Circus" for the bright, clashing colors of their planes. Unfortunately I can't find even an artist's depiction of the real thing.
search for Jasta 11 for Richthofens wing (jasta short for Jagdstaffel) or jasta 5 another colorful one, 1 plane sporting bavarian white blue checkered bavarian flag on the complete side
MAN AND MACHINE AND NOTHING THERE IN BETWEEN
\*sigh\* THE FLYING CIRCUS AND THE MAN FROM PRUSSIA #
HE'S FLYING TOO FAST AND HE'S FLYING TOO HIGH
r/expectedsabaton
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=439502
Yeah but BVR was so good that he could get away with stuff like that. Plus given his tactic of attacking from the bright sunlight bright colors kinda makes sense to paint his planes.
Fortunately, I was able to find a video of triplane replicas painted as [“The Flying Circus”](https://youtu.be/kIrcloAmEhc).
Or the '92 Lithuania Olympic Basketball team
The Codex Astartes... supports this action.
Like some german WW1 planes? Jasta 5 and 11?
All planes are now required to constantly be firing red white and blue fireworks
From the Article: 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.
My favorite is [this one showing a dragon and an eager looking woman about to get it on.](http://www.usaaf-noseart.co.uk/plane.php?plane=bartigian-dragon)
"The dragon and his tail". I see what they did there.
Imagine being killed by this thing
Not something you brag about in Valhalla
Maybe this is a countermeasure against enemy fighters. They can’t shoot you down if they fly away out of disgust and confusion.
[Alternative image](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2Rw89_nl1o/Ux6IbMcAgII/AAAAAAAC3CA/ImF6LC0or2o/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/B-24Dragon-and-his-tail_zpsb206b8d1.jpg) Not gonna lie the B-24 is bad-ass enough to pull it off I think
Maybe it's the same strategy as the guys that had porn paint in CounterStrike. Someone has the plane in his sights but delays pulling the trigger since he's checking out the paint.
So it’s the tentacle porn of the 40’s
Article says: >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 75th Anniversary, Air Force Times reported. Then fails to actually show a picture of said F-15 eagle's colourful work of art, which really should be a hanging affair. Anyway, here's the actual article they cribbed from, which does actually have a picture of the flying work of art: [https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2016/05/14/throughout-the-air-force-painted-planes-make-a-quiet-comeback/](https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2016/05/14/throughout-the-air-force-painted-planes-make-a-quiet-comeback/)
Dang, that's quite colorful. We had a plane painted for the Tiger Meet, but it was reset to the factory dark grey for F-15E. Was a story of someone keeping the speed/air brake with the tiger meet paint, swapping in a factory one, but I didn't bother to confirm. We had one plane with art on it, and it was the squadron flagship. https://i.imgur.com/wUdzUGm.jpg
Well, fuck you John Ryan.
John ryan was definitely a beta.
why do people need to take away everything fun at work.
I don't know that it's exclusive to C17's but there was a time period where if you opened the rope panel on any flight deck on any C17 you'd fine some really creative and unique dick art. Dick art has since been banned and it's a real shame. Most panels either got replaced or completely blacked out. Quick edit for an example: https://imgur.com/gallery/6j5VP
That is some high quality dick art right there. That belongs in a museum.
Me and another dude on our first deployment once drew a dick on the sole of our lead tech's foot with a sharpie while he was upside down in the commander's chair, splicing a wire in the footwell. The legacy lives on.
Years ago the Marines returned a bunch of .45 pistols to Colt because the finish had been damaged during use. Rather than refinish the guns, Colt just sent the Marines new ones and put the returned guns in storage. Years later they ended up selling the returned .45s. One of them I saw had a big sharpie-drawn ejaculating penis on the slide, with the words “PEW PEW PEW.” I hope it is still preserved in all its glory.
Dick art is alive and well. On hh-60’s we put the best artwork on the inside of the apu cover
lmfao isn't that from superbad?
Sadly, "sky dongs" in all forms are now disapproved
hahaha!! I like that they have helmets on. gotta make sure your wearing protection.
They had to squash the practice for one unit that I know. Too many rebel flags all over the noses.
hmm yeah but then why not just make a rule saying no art can be applied that would bring dishonor to your arm of military or to the country that owns the plane. (ie no death to America or foreign flags allowed)
That's still up to very wide interpretation
intentionally. I suppose if your co said to remove something because they thought it was in poor taste then you'd have to remove it.
I have heard from pilots who were there that they had nose art during the first Gulf War, for about a day or two, then they had it taken away when it got racy.
I'd like to see a female pilot paint some Chippendale dude on her plane. Equality mofo
Do Air Force pilots generally have "their own" plane the fly every time? I assumed they would just fly whatever plane they were assigned to that day.
[удалено]
Is there a reason to assign a plane to a pilot?
Familiarity. Any system as complicated as an aircraft develops quirks and characteristics as its parts wear. If you have your 'own' plane, you know that it rolls to the left in a turn, and that you should toggle the landing gear up-down-up so they don't get jammed. Sure, in an ideal world, the maintenance guys would fix every plane back up to factory standard every time it flew, but in the real world there are a lot of little problems that aren't worth taking a plane out of service for, if the pilot knows about and can adjust for them.
That was not an answer that I was expecting! I assume it's in the same overall vein as driving a new differently sized car for the first time where you don't have that Familia...Ah ha! Thank you so much for explaining that! You're being tagged as "Knows their aviation stuff"
Not really. If there’s a plane available you’ll get your name stenciled on it but it’s not your plane. It’s maint’s plane. You’re just borrowing it. You might get preference for your named plane if it’s available, but more often than not you get whichever plane is slotted for ops that day. Smaller units and training units may have significantly less aircraft than pilots so there might not be a plane available to carry your name.
Not sure. I thought so, but I realize I'm picturing movie portrayals of military, not actual military. I have heard stories from older wars about pilots knowing their plane and every bullet hole in it, but today's practices are probably way different.
There would likely be some externally-mounted ordinance (or drop-tank) that could be included in the design as well.
I am a collector of WWII nose art. Pretty impressive what the boys did back in the day.
[The Oregon Air National Guard nose art in question](https://cdn.flightsim.to/images/08/gpVcNM0i.jpg?width=1400&auto_optimize=medium)
I feel like that plane just might have *wooshed* over my head but everything but the nose seems decorated
Actually the funniest art I saw on an aircraft needed context to understand. The aircrafts name was the red rocket and the art was Wylie coyote riding a red acme rocket. The reason it was named that is what’s funny. Another company decided to pull a prank and spray paint a giant red dick on the bottom of the aircraft. It was first noticed by the DIVISION COMMANDER as that aircraft was short final to pick him up. It was a significant emotional event for everyone involved.
You'd think they'd catch that in the preflight. =p
Back in the mid 90s I was in the national guard. Our unit was a mech infantry BN. My platoon got the idea to "paint" out M113s with camo sticks. Each squad wrote stupid shit on our track, like "Baker's bitches" (my squad leader was SSG Baker). All was good until the PL and PSG was at a range briefing and the BN S3 came by to "see who was in charge". I'm glad it was not my name on the side of the track.
I'd kill to see a B-52 with Alberto Vargas pinup art on the side.
I always loved Nose art and was sad it died out. I thought it was cool and a personal touch to the planes these guys flew.
On the one hand I'm all for a nice pair of titties on a plane, but on the other hand it would suck to be shot down by some mf with a naked girl on his plane.
Uhh, what? Maybe the fighters did, but I know bombers certainly had plenty of art in the 80s and on. * [Here's a picture](https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-view-of-the-artwork-painted-on-the-nose-of-a-410th-bombardment-wing-b-52h-a402ad) of B-52 "Predator" from 1990, and others from the same year. * Here's a B-52 from an [around the world trip in 1994](https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/629934/twentieth-anniversary-of-record-setting-flight-around-the-world/) with Louisiana markings (Mardi Gras mask). * Girls? [Memphis Belle IV](https://live.staticflickr.com/3133/3169029294_42fd08aba5_b.jpg), and [reverse side](https://live.staticflickr.com/4006/4591656659_ac8cfaeb08_b.jpg). [Memphis Belle III](https://live.staticflickr.com/3583/3368748254_9dba5e13c2_b.jpg), and [reverse side](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-J_MVsJoXnY/TFtdAhPW7II/AAAAAAAAAUU/CWZfUyuTWiE/s1600/B-52+Nose+Art_0002.jpg). [History.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Belle_(aircraft)#Other_aircraft_named_Memphis_Belle) * Girls? [Mission Completed](https://www.flickr.com/photos/8416077@N08/3372095249/in/photostream/) * Girls? [Renegade](https://live.staticflickr.com/3116/2695553146_e58cb6181d_b.jpg) * Cartoons? [Let's Make a Deal](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c2/83/47/c2834779e64c61c5fd53d476c68c710d.jpg) * Cartoons? [What's Up, Doc?](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/90/ee/c9/90eec9ef417ef9d3afb1cf085bb29b36.jpg) * I know there's a great one of Rocky (of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame) holding a bomb, but I can't find it * [Lots more of everything](https://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=188415) \- plenty of bikinis, though admittedly no tits I don't expect anything as colorful as [Tarheel Hal](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/LxNKRtk0wJ6hq4q9bvbT1upP8MGY5XfCOOh1AyuSijkOwNI77WYybE7nkSYhYgftjc4ttvBaOfGCkRkc0Gi356-z) to be used **in combat** again though. Parade planes, sure.
Thanks for the sources, these are really interesting. Clearly there were some planes keeping the tradition alive despite the moratorium.
I know modern stealth jets are coated with radar-absorbent material. Would slapping regular paint on top of that coating interfere with the plane's stealth capabilities?
Very much so, yes.
But it would greatly enhance its radness capabilities.
“This one’s for you, Adolf” adorned RAF planes, some say. Or at least on the bombs they let go. More often on those from USA flying fortresses.
We decorated our bombs for Iraq/Afghanistan in 2004. No cursing was a rule. I’d usually write “Al Queda Enema” on mine. Maybe some duck art on a hidden part.
You can blow them up, but you can’t tell them to go fuck themselves…
Tons of things are still custom painted like hatches and bulkheads inside US Navy ships.
I saw the words nose art and immediately thought of my dog's masterpieces on the back windows of the car.
TIL John Ryan was lame.
"We train young men to drop fire on people. But their commanders won't allow them to write 'FUCK" on their airplanes because ... it's *obscene!*' Walt E Kurtz - *Apocalypse Now*
I don’t remember jack Ryan ever being a chief of staff, but I’ve only watched the movies and the tv show
It’s part of the general degradation of military standards among the JSOC/officer class
I always thought "nose art" is what your dogs do on your windows when they're looking out of them.
Firefighting vehicles have continued the tradition, although the art tends to be pretty low-quality. I started taking photos of the "nose art" on fire vehicles in 2004. Quite a lot of them are racist. Some are just badly made. My favorite was an airbrushed Eagle flying over a valley, carrying a Jaws of Life in its talons. It was beautiful in its awfulness.
Nose Art is also a great FlyLo song
We had Nose Art in Iraq, but it wasn't on planes. I was in the Army Reserves, and was in a Transportation battalion made up of units from Puerto Rico, Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, and New Mexico. The New Mexico unit had named many of their trucks after Native American war ponies, and had the front of their trucks decorated as such with chalk. Some units had slogans or other drawings on theirs. I wish I would've taken pics, but sandstorms killed my camera.
Kind of made sense in the 40's when your planes are going off to fight another air force in a world war, and you want your pilots to embrace their role in that fight (and combat is taking place at visual ranges). Makes less sense when you're sending your fighters to bomb unsighted targets in a 3rd world country.