The EAA AirVenture Museum, in collaboration with the Commemorative Air Force, will be hosting the CAF's ultra rare collection of authentic WWII nose art, which just happens to be the largest and only collection of its kind in the world. 34 panels cut from B-24s and B-17s at a scrap yard in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas after the war feature pinups reminiscent of those by Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren, and George Petty. All but one are from aircraft that flew combat overseas during the war and each has an amazing story behind it.
I along with a number of other EAA staff began the installation of the exhibit in the museum's Eagle Hangar last week, with supervision from CAF Curator Keegan Chetwynd. We have about half of the collection installed, but more work will be done over the next 3-4 weeks to completely finish the exhibit. We are absolutely thrilled and honored to host this collection, which will be on display through the end of 2016. Here is a peek at some of the work we've accomplished so far with the exhibit.
Reply With Quote