Скачать или смотреть Nose Art 2: Varga Girl, October 1943, Esquire Magazine

During WWII, a thousand identical B-17s roll off the assembly line and fly to an uncertain fate. In combat, the crewmen fight to stay alive another day.

They paint a unique nose art and give a special name for their plane because all they need is to feel special that they will always survive and comeback.

While ideas for nose art came from everywhere, the majority of the art was inspired by the "pin-up" art found in the magazines and calendars of the time. Among them, the most widely copied artist was Alberto Vargas.

It is not too much to say that Alberto Vargas helped boost the morale and unity of men and women during WWII with his exquisite art.

Strawberry Bitch: It was painted in the US prior to going to North Africa. After surviving the war, the plane was selected for preservation and stored. Since 1959 it has been at the National Museum of the US Airforce in Ohio.

This image "Torches at Midnight" appeared on October 1943 issue of Esquire and also on January 1945 Esquire Mini Calendar.

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Reference: Gary M. Valant, Vintage Aircraft Nose Art - Ready for Duty, Osceola, WI 1987, Motorbooks International