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Nose art has, pretty much, existed since planes became a war-craft. In an effort to boost moral, pilots would paint the squadron’s insignia on the nose of the plane. A little later, shark teeth, under the propeller became all the rage. Then came the pinup.

It was only in World War II that nose art became really popular. So popular, in fact, that nose artists became a hot commodity and their work became more elaborate. One of the most popular themes became women. This isn’t hard to fathom, as most pilots were young men, away from home and the presence of other women. Copies of Alberto Vargas, from esquire, were made, sexy cartoon characters and Hollywood starlets, such as Rita Hayworth.

Waging War on Censorship

In the 1940’s it was much more common to see nudity, than in other eras. WWII is considered the golden age of nose art. The army saw it as a moral booster, and it was evident in patriotic and positive themes.

The war between military censorship and the pilot’s and crew’s need for individualism raged ever since nose art began. Largely, the military allows official insignias, but won’t tolerate anything else. In the case of pinups, it seems they would be censored after World War II. However, distance from the public eye, would also allow some leeway to the artist, as the planes just wouldn’t be seen. Pinups on planes, that were delivered back to the U.S.A, would undergo a remodeling: A bikini would be painted on, or the less conformed soldier would paint the word “censored” over his work.

This attitude would never change, only tighten. The art, itself, would become more realistic (and as such more risque), as times change. It wouldn't, however, ever get leave the hangar, and for quite surprising reasons:

The American public disapproved. The National Organization of Women (NOW) and the National Women's History Project voiced their objections to the practice. On the other hand, some USAF pilots, crews, and artists, including both men and women, strongly defended the art.
The army, apparently didn't want to offend the inhabitants of the infiltrated areas (I don't want to get political, but this information seems shoddy, to say the least, if anyone owns the book "Painted Ladies", by Randy Walker, from witch this piece of information was taken from, please let us know the full story.)

Keeping the Tradition Alive, Through the Years
What makes nose art so rare is the fact that a military air craft moves from hand to hand. Rarely would one painting survive from war to war, or even from mission to mission! Ideas, however would be duplicated, such as Dragon Lady:

Today, nose art is a cherished tradition, even though the army doesn’t permit it. There has been a move away from pinups, as modern society views them as demeaning to women. Still, some wonderful nose art can be found. If not on the battle field, then on World War II B-17 Flying Fortress fuselage wrecks, at appreciation sites and on other pilot gear.