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Answer :
Are military pilots still allowed to custom paint their helmets and put "nose art" on their planes?
Thanks for your question. I've been retired for a few years, but generally, this should still be correct:
· Almost 20 years ago the USAF and then the USN and USMC combat pilots switched from the old, polycarbonate helmet to the modern, Kevlar-reinforced "lightweight" helmet. The old helmet had dual or single visors, and was usually white in color. They were pretty heavy, especially under large "g" forces. It was, however, easy to customize with paint, stickers and designs. The new helmet is flat gray, has a visor that is attached by elastic bands and is about 40% lighter. The only decoration done to these helmets to my knowledge is that the visor has a leather cover, and numerous designs, usually embroidered patches and names are used.
· As far as nose art, it is alive and well, but it is not quite the art of World War 2 or Korea. There are guidelines issued by commanders as to how big the designs can be and who can apply them, but they are out there. Not every jet will have nose art, but every combat aircraft usually has a depiction of aircraft kills or bombing raids credited to that aircraft.
Here’s a picture of an F-16 with nose art and one of my old helmets, with visor "art" from the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, AZ, which was one of the units I flew with.
Take care,
Mike Carter
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