april2017

paintbrush, they took on the creative task themselves.

The gents who weren’t so skilled, they commissioned

talented artists to transform their ideas into 2D color-

ful paintings. These

artists commanded

up to $15 per plane,

a hefty profit back

then.

One of the more

famous artists of the

time was Don Allen

(Eagle Scout), who

could have an article

here all his own.

These nose art mas-

cots would range

from famous cartoon

characters (Donald

Duck, Popeye, etc.),

animals and insects

of all kinds (wolves,

wasps, sharks, etc.), and other humorous images. All

positive and lighthearted paintings, compared to grim

imagery seen in today’s renditions.