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As I research the nose art issue more and more I have a basic question. We all “know” nose art is “authorized” (or is it) during war time but, I have found nothing which states this in writing. Is this an un-written law or is it stated in an AFI, directive, or supplement somewhere?

Ugly But Well Hung

Here's a start, dice, from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_art

The first recorded piece of nose art was a sea monster painted on the nose of an Italian flying boat in 1913. This was followed by the popular tradition of painting mouths underneath the propeller spinner, initiated by the German pilots in World War I. While the nose art in World War I were mainly embellished or extravagant squad insignia, true nose art started to occur in World War II, which is considered the golden age of nose art, with both Axis and Allied pilots taking part. During the height of the war, nose-artists were in very high demand and were paid quite well for their services while Air Force officials tolerated the nose art in an effort to boost the morale of the crew. This lack of restraint combined with the stresses of war, and high probability of death resulted in an excess of nose art that has yet to be repeated. Due to changes in Air Force policy and general "political correctness" the amount of nose art has been in steady decline since the Korean War.


"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Thnaks 30mm I will look over the site tomorrow. It's quotes like this one I'm wondering about....

"Due to changes in Air Force policy..."

What policy and was/are they offical policies or un-written ones? <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ugly But Well Hung

I know it isn't Reg AF, but I'm working on how the Guard (IL anyway) makes their determination, since they tend to be influenced by them.

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I know it isn't Reg AF, but I'm working on how the Guard (IL anyway) makes their determination, since they tend to be influenced by them.

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30mm, sorry to say not much help on that website but thanks for the link anyway. I have the Guard reg which covers nose art and it based of AFI 21-105 with only minor chages to include the art.

Ugly But Well Hung

I'll be checking with our in-hose Col and see if he can shed any light. He's a former Hog driver.

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Dont be stirring the pot gents. Ifin anyone comes to take away my door I'll hunt you all down and boil your firstborn. <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a pearage or Westminster Abbey........Nelson

_________________
YGBSM !

My first born is a 6'3" crewchief...good luck.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
<b>Dont be stirring the pot gents.</b> Ifin anyone comes to take away my door I'll hunt you all down and boil your firstborn. <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

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Hawg166, you have hit on something that has been bothering me for a while now. As I write I keep wondering if I may be shooting us in the foot and endangering the door art I love so much, for everyone. My book, as it is today, will high-light the inconsistencies in both command regulations and how they have been applied through-out the years.

I don’t know, I want to tell the complete door art story but, as many of you know, when a “problem” is identified in print the AF tends to take care of the issue by getting rid of the item that’s causing the problem.

The only way not to shine a light on the inconsistencies is to start my book from scratch and only talk about the images themselves and not go into the hows and whys of the regulations behind them.

I can see it now, I become known as the guy who told the door/nose art story but, also the guy who killed art on the A-10!! What’s you guys thoughts on he matter?


Ugly But Well Hung

Speak the truth, and dont be concerned of the consequences.

Door art, is the link between man and machine Pilot and Maintainer, not enough is said about DCC ownership and those bonds that ensure the success of the mission and the safety of the Pilot. Icons are always aprt of the warrior identity, mascots if you will.

As long as you express the heritage in it, it will be viewed as sacred.

Policies are written by those in a seat, far removed from the days of being a warrior.

Dont let someones carpet define our heritage Dice.

Remember the audience that is recieving your Book is a 1000 Times larger than the DOD minions scrutinising it.

Think about it, Current and former military, Aviation buffs, Professors, students, Children, casual glancers, Researchers, and above all Representivies of local and federal govt. All these people in america and around the globe havea right to the truth.

Dont let the PC weenies take advantage of the sacrilage they have committed against the heritage of the service.

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see their near and dear bathed in tears, to ride their horses and sleep on the white bellies of their wives and daughters."
-Genghis Khan

_________________
\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

Dice

Just exactly how did you singlehandedly kill art on the Hawg? I was just watching a DVD copy of <i>Pistol Packin' Mama</i>, the documentary on a 390th Bomb Group B-17 during WWII. They had some pretty serious noseart on one side, but there is a point in the movie where one of the crew recalls that when they landed at Framlingham (Parham), the group commander came out and said "put some pants on that!"

Noseart is the heritage of the USAF, and it not only should be allowed by encouraged. OK, maybe it needs to be toned down a little, but most of it isn't offensive to anyone. Why the 81st at Spang had to take the Panthers off their engine cowlings I don't know. Honestly I am surprised the 75th hasn't had to take the Flying Tigers noseart off their jets. Not that I would want that, but every day someone kills yet another aspect of our heritage, and doesn't think of the consequences.

Anyhow, just to let you know Nigel and I are bound for Spang on 1 June, hopefully they won't paint over any of their doors before we get there!

Cheers! M2

What Thug said.

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Dice

Just exactly how did you singlehandedly kill art on the Hawg?

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M2, I haven't yet and maybe no one will even take notice of my book but, there is always a chance someone will...

Thug, thanks for the responce and you gave me a lot to think about.



Ugly But Well Hung

Dice,

During WW Gulf I in 1990 while at the beach, when were were painting nose art, we were told that it was a reg that if the aircraft flew at leat 1 combat mission with the nose art it would stay, however upon returning from leave after getting back all the nose art was removed. Interesting enough, when they closed the beach they put a hog in the air park 099 i believe and put the nose art back on it. Dog Hog I believe was the nose art, a georgia bull dog. but another twist, the original pilot and Crew dog were not painted on, but a crew dog that died (not during DSI) and I believe a pilot who was shot down.

Sorry i cant help anymore than that.

JB

Unitam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant!!!!

Thanks jbpig I will keep looking but, I have not found a reg or AFI which states the one combat rule.

Ugly But Well Hung

I say keep going on the book. Preservation of this kind of history is important, IMO, especially as the AF goes more and more towards it's politically correct BS ways.

If anyone cares, 117s have some interesting "bay door" art, and some interesting names. Most all 117s are Desert Storm vets, about 10 are also OIF vets, 2 are also Operation Just Cause vets, and 12 would've been Operation El Dorado Canyon vets, had they not been cancelled at the 11th hour to attack Libya with the F-111s. Some of them here(minus associated tail number IAW website ROE):

"War Pig"
"Black Magic"
"Night Stalker"
"Deadly Jester"
"Lazy Ace"
"Wiley E. Coyote's Tritonal Express"
"Delta Dawn"
"Fatal Attraction"
"Spell Bound"
"Aces and Eights"
"Midnight Rider"
"Perpetrator"
"Black Magic"
"Unexpected Guest" (cool name, IMO)
"Something Wicked"
"The Chickenhawk"
"Thor"
"Dark Angel"
"Double Down"
"The Toxic Avenger"
"Final Verdict" (also cool name, IMO)
"Lone Wolf"
"Shaba"
"The Overachiever" (my assigned bird)
"Raven Beauty"
"Sneak Attack"
"Mad Max"
"Nachtflake"
"Avenging Angel"
"Black Assassin"
"Once Bitten"
"Black Devil"
"The Dragon"
"Christine"
"Habu II"
"Magic Hammer"
"Midnight Reaper"
"Black Widow"
"Mystic Warrior"
"It's Hammertime"
"Affectionately Christine"

DICE,

YOU WRITE THE TRUTH,NO MATTER WHAT AND JUST LIKE T-SHIRTS,THAT CHANGED SO MANY TIMES,DOORART AND NOSE ART "DO'S AND DONTS"
WILL TOO

THE 23RD,74TH&75TH HAD THEIRS REMOVED FOR THE TFS PATCH AND US IN THE 76TH GOT TO KEEP OURS AND WERE ENCOURAGED TO PUT DOOR ART ON EVERY JET.

MAYBE YOUR BOOK ,WILL BE THE THING THAT "TURNS" THE TABLE AND THE USAF WILL GOES BACK TO THE "COMBAT" RULE.

GOOSE

TYPE-7 THE F-117' HAD COOL BAY ART,ITS IN ALOT OF THE PAINTED LADIES BOOKS.

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"