Painted Ladies

Nose art and unusual markings as seen on Desert Storm-era B-52s, B-1Bs , FB-111s, F-16s, F-4s, and many others.



Today's nose art has become the rule and not the exception throughout the bomber and tanker fores of Strategic Air Command, and although Tactical Air Command frowns on non-standard markings of any sort, several TAC gained Air National Guard units have artwork on their aircraft.



Tradition plays a large part in modem nose art. As shown in Randy Walkers' new book cartoons and sexy ladies have returned. Names like "Memphis Belle", "Chow Hound" and "Maid in the USA", that once went to war on B-17s and B-24s are now carried by B-52s and FB-111s, as well as many other modem aircraft.



This modem nose art is often applied by a professional artist, though it is sometimes painted by members of the unit, and in the process some excellent artwork has been created.