A “NOSE” FOR THE ART OF THE AIRCRAFT

If you’re flying into Midland International Airport and have an hour or so to spare, make your way to the Commemorative Air Force Airpower Museum (“CAF” for short). Or, if you’re driving, head straight to the airport anyway. The Museum is located on the airport grounds just a mile or so from the terminal. The CAF displays an impressive array of dynamic aircraft (we’re talking about real air power) and restores, maintains, and flies its vintage military craft around the country, often performing in air shows. The CAF, in fact, sponsors the annual AIRSHO, one of America’s premiere aviation events. One of the CAF museum’s biggest attractions, however, is its “Nose Art” Gallery. This collection of thirty-three World War II airplane fuselage panels, decorated with risqué, larger-than-life portraits based on pinup girls created during the war years, is the largest of its kind in the world. Considered true American folk art by the Smithsonian, these titillating artifacts and their attendant ephemera provide an engaging look at World War II aircraft and the men who not only flew them but embellished them with the provocative designs affectionately known as “the Girls”.