B-24 Nose Art

 



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]



The Butcher Boy (serial number: 41-24108)

 



Hellzapoppin [RG5841-3-10]



Hellzapoppin

Heavenly Body [RG5841-3-22]



Heavenly Body

Honeymoon Express [RG5841-3-26]



Honeymoon Express



Two men presumably assigned to this particular B-24 pose next to the artwork from the cockpit.

Pretty Baby [RG5841-3-28]



Pretty Baby

Naughty Blue Eyes [RG5841-3-29]



Naughty Blue Eyes

Gone With the Wind [RG5841-3-34]



Gone With The Wind (serial number: 41-24286)

The Nipper [RG5841-3-37]



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]



Patched Up Piece



Artwork by Al Merkling

Ready Willing and Able [RG5841-3-39]



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]



How’m-I-Doin’ (Serial number 42-41223)



This B-24 was part of the Jolly Rogers’ 320th Bomb Squadron.

Margie [RG5841-3-43]



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]



Star Duster

The Strip Polka (Serial number: 42-40970) [RG5841-3-51]



The Strip Polka (Serial number: 42-40970).

American Beauty [RG5841-3-61]



American Beauty

Jolly Roger Express (serial number: 42-109996) [RG5841-3-62]



Jolly Roger Express (serial number: 42-109996)

Pluto [RG5841-3-63]



Pluto

Come And Get It [RG5841-3-6]



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]



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]



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]



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]



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]



The Hangover Haven II



This nose art was drawn and signed by artist Al Merkling.

Joltin’ Janie II [R5841-3-17]



Joltin’ Janie II (serial number: 42-40233)



This B-24 was a part of the 321st bomb squadron.

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