Artwork of wartime pilots goes on show at RAF Cosford
The brave airmen of World War One and Two went into battle not knowing whether they would return, but many carried memories of home along with them painted on the side of their aircrafts.
An exhibition displaying some of the works of art on planes which flew over Britain during the war has now been opened at RAF Cosford Museum.
The free entry exhibition contains examples of the artwork created by pilots to adorn the noses, tails and fuselage of their aircraft.
The most historic artwork is the love heart motif taken from the Sopwith Camel of Lieutenant Colonel William Barker, a Canadian World War One ace who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918.
Lt Col Barker was awarded the medal for single-handedly fighting more than 15 German aircraft in one combat, a fight which left him critically wounded.
Although not from his Victoria Cross combat aircraft, the motif on display featured on Lt Col Barker's previous aircraft and was given as a gift to his engine mechanic, who later donated it to the RAF Museum.
Other artwork featured includes a Donald Duck taken from a Mosquito, little skunks taken from a Halifax, and a Red Indian brave once on the nose of a Wellington.
A collection of excerpts from the documentary film Nose Art and Pin Ups by Gail Downey will also be shown.
