FOR THE BOYS - The Racy Pin-Ups of World War II by Max Allan Collins published by Collectors Press
This volume deals with that timeless art form known as the Pin-Up. And, as such, it consists of much imagery showing original artwork as seen in the ubiquitous cheesecake magazines and calendars of the late 30’s through the mid 40’s.
Application of this artwork to the equally ubiquitous canvasses of postcards, playing cards and matchbooks is also illustrated.
The most relevant ‘canvasses’, to this forum, on which the pin-up appeared is also covered; and in grand fashion.
Amongst the hundreds of images in this book are about 230 which show pin-ups applied to the aluminum skin of USAAF aircraft, the leather of USAAF flight jackets and the walls of USAAF ready rooms and officers clubs.
The majority of these images are in color and, although some are ‘old friends’ which have appeared in previous publications, I believe that a good number of them are previously unpublished.
This book is still in publication and can be found at a number of online retailers (I picked my copy up on evilBay for $10!) as well as at better book stores…
Fade to Black…
Nose art is always facinating! I have one entitled nose art, but it didn’t stretch further to jackets, etc… it was just a compilation of pictures. I find it particularly amusing that when modern day jets come home from war, all the women are suddely and inexplicably decently clad. [;)]
Steve, it’s great that you have all this stuff to post, and that you post it as well. This forum was made for you my friend!! Keep posting the good stuff.
Thanks fellas, glad you like. I’ll try and keep it up. Haven’t spent much time here on the forums lately, though…
Fade to Black…
nose art from that time is amazing. its a little more…romatic shall we say than anything today. that kinda stuff just doesn’t fly in the military these days (pardon the pun hehehe!)
Romantic is, indeed, the word…
You ain’t kiddin’. Sometimes the paint is still wet when the order comes down to remove the artwork altogether.
I forget the who, what, where, why, when and how but there was a case of an aircraft having been painted in a special scheme just to have pictures taken. Then the paint was almost immediately removed within a day or so, and the aircraft never flew with the scheme. I know that the function of a warplane is to blow stuff up and not to look good doing it, but sheesh…c’mon…
Fade to Black…