Robert Merchant Collection: A Nebraska Aerial Photographer’s Experience in the Pacific during WWII
Nose art was used during WWII to boost morale by illustrating loved ones and characters that served as a reminder of home. Nose art varied depending upon the crew’s personal tastes. Some favored cartoon characters, or drawings similar to the style of political cartoons, while others preferred pin-up girls. Like other airmen, the Jolly Rogers decorated the noses of their planes, mostly B-24 Liberators.
![The Butcher Boy (serial number: 41-24108) [RG5841-3-9]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-9.jpg)
The Butcher Boy (serial number: 41-24108)
![Hellzapoppin [RG5841-3-10]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-10.jpg)
Hellzapoppin
![Heavenly Body [RG5841-3-22]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-22.jpg)
Heavenly Body
![Honeymoon Express [RG5841-3-26]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-26.jpg)
Honeymoon Express
Two men presumably assigned to this particular B-24 pose next to the artwork from the cockpit.
![Pretty Baby [RG5841-3-28]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-28.jpg)
Pretty Baby
![Naughty Blue Eyes [RG5841-3-29]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-29.jpg)
Naughty Blue Eyes
![Gone With the Wind [RG5841-3-34]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-34.jpg)
Gone With The Wind (serial number: 41-24286)
![The Nipper [RG5841-3-37]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-37.jpg)
The Nipper
This B-24 crashed somewhere en route from Australia to Hamilton Air Force Base, California. It was deemed officially lost on December 19, 1943.
![Patched Up Piece [RG5841-3-38]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-38.jpg)
Patched Up Piece
Artwork by Al Merkling
![Ready Willing and Able [RG5841-3-39]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-39.jpg)
Ready Willing and Able (serial number 42-41078)
This B-24 is marked with having participated in 59 bombing missions, and having shot down three enemy fighters and one ship.
![How’m-I-Doin’ [RG5841-3-42]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-42.jpg)
How’m-I-Doin’ (Serial number 42-41223)
This B-24 was part of the Jolly Rogers’ 320th Bomb Squadron.
![Margie [RG5841-3-43]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-43.jpg)
Margie
The artwork of this B-24 is based on Margie Stewart, the only official U.S. Army pin-up girl.
![Star Duster [RG5841-3-48]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-48.jpg)
Star Duster
![The Strip Polka (Serial number: 42-40970) [RG5841-3-51]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-51.jpg)
The Strip Polka (Serial number: 42-40970).
![American Beauty [RG5841-3-61]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-61.jpg)
American Beauty
![Jolly Roger Express (serial number: 42-109996) [RG5841-3-62]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-62.jpg)
Jolly Roger Express (serial number: 42-109996)
![Pluto [RG5841-3-63]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-63.jpg)
Pluto
![Come And Get It [RG5841-3-6]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-6.jpg)
Come And Get It
Donald Duck of Disney fame is painted on this B-24. Disney cartoons were commonly used for nose art during WWII.
![Mission Belle [RG5841-3-66]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-66.jpg)
Mission Belle (serial number: 42-40389)
The crew of the B-24 Mission Belle pose by their plane, which features Hedy Lamar’s character Tondelayo from the 1942 film White Cargo.
![The Redhot Ridinhood [RG5841-3-24]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-24.jpg)
The Redhot Ridinhood
This nose art is a risqué reimaging of the 1943 cartoon character of the same name. The cartoon character was a nightclub singer and the big bad wolf clad in gentlemen’s attire.
![Big Emma [RG5841-3-5]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-5.jpg)
Big Emma (serial number: 41-23715)
The large number of bomb and plane decals indicate that this plane has already flown several missions and destroyed several enemy aircrafts.
![Temptation [RG5841-3-27]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-27.jpg)
Temptation
Temptation was shot down during a mission in the Pacific. Two of its crew were never found.
![The Hangover Haven II [RG5841-3-4]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-4_0.jpg)
The Hangover Haven II
This nose art was drawn and signed by artist Al Merkling.
![Joltin’ Janie II [R5841-3-17]](https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collections-img_RG5841-3-17.jpg)
Joltin’ Janie II (serial number: 42-40233)
This B-24 was a part of the 321st bomb squadron.
