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An RAAF E-7A Wedgetail currently deployed on operations in the Middle East Region has been decorated World War 2-style nose art by one of its ground crew.
The nose art was designed by graphic arts student turned avionics technician, Leading Aircraftwoman Bronwyn, who spent several hours of her own time designing the artwork.
“I decided to design some nose art for this rotation and I wanted it to be something that all the crew would be proud of,” LAC Bronwyn said.
“The crew are known to regularly quote lines from The Simpsons to lighten the mood and increase morale during quieter periods of the missions.
“As such, the design is a spin-off from the Simpsons’ Flying Hellfish episode with modifications to include a Wedgetail Eagle sporting a tattoo of the iconic lightning bolt that we normally display on our aircraft tail.”
LAC Bronwyn said that she worked with a small number of other aircraft maintainers spending a night transferring the design to the aircraft.
“I had three other maintainers help me out as it was a pretty big job,” LAC Bronwyn said.
“We set up a projector at night and used chinagraph pencils to draw the design onto the aircraft.
“It took about four hours in total and the design covers a few rivets which were rather difficult to colour over.”
LAC Bronwyn said the nose art has brought plenty of positive comments from Australian and Coalition Forces.
“Aircrew enjoy posing in front of it and I’ve heard some good comments from other sections around base on how well it stands out,” she said.
“This is the first time my artwork has been displayed on an aircraft and I hope it won’t be the last.
“I’ve also submitted a tail art design for Number 2 Squadron’s 100 year anniversary competition but won’t find out about those results for a while yet.”
Supplied story by Corporal Ben Dempster
adammudhen
says:Bloody brilliant! Love the design and love the fact that nose art is still a thing. I wonder if any of the deployed crew might end up with a tattoo of the design…..I’m sure someone will.
Ben
says:Awesome
Taurean Lea
says:I love this artwork LAC Bronwyn!!!! Let’s give all RAAF aircraft more fancy artwork!!!!!!!!
Daryl
says:Outstanding .Should be more of it.I’m just about to order a book from Amazon on this very subject.Called “”More Painted Ladies””…..ISBN 0-88740-514-2.
Nose art from WW2 thru Nam.
Allan
says:All RAAF aircraft should be allowed to have nose art. It would be a good way to keep sqn morale up and maybe pay homage to the history of the units involved.