“turn him into stars and form a constellation in his image. His face will make the heavens so beautiful that the world will fall in love with the night and forget about the garish sun.”
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Nose Art, C-47, Commemorative Air Force
I have always had a soft spot for the C-47, the military version of the DC3. At the airshow they offered semi-affordable rides in the venerable old birds. Not really worth it for me, I’ve ridden on them so many times before.
Bill Chance 
Interesting positioning of the world globe, it appears to be the Americas, yet the Southern Cross is distinctly Australian. Nice concurrence?
Yeah, doubt whoever painted that was an expert in astronomy. I don’t know the history of that plane or why it was called “Southern Cross.”
I guess (cough) I am focusing on the wrong thing.
From the website of the company that offers flights in the C-47:
“Originally a TWA aircraft, the Southern Cross Douglas C-47 was adopted by the Army Air Corps to shuttle troops to the front. The twin-propeller plane survived World War II and in the ensuing years underwent a series of makeovers. Its career includes years spent as a reliable set of wings for Delta Air Lines, a troupe of skydiving enthusiasts, and at least one head of state. The C-47 is now meticulously restored to its original WWII-era condition and in the dutiful care of Greatest Generation Aircraft, a nonprofit organization that introduces 21st-century crowds to the C-47 during rides and aerial shows.”
Thanks for that info, the aircraft certainly has managed a long and useful life, a living piece of history.