Airplane Art During World War Two

The inscription of art work on military planes dates to World War I, when paintings were usually extravagant company or unit insignia. However, regulations were put in place after the war to stymie the practice.

As the United States entered World War II, nose art regulations were relaxed, or in many cases totally ignored. WWII would become the golden age of aircraft artistry.

Artwork was typically painted on the nose of the plane, and the term "nose art" was coined. Below is a collection of fascinating photos that shows airplane art during World War II.

(Photos: The San Diego Air and Space Museum, via The Passion of Former Days)