More B-25 WWII Nose Art | a 7 Image Story This seven image story post is a continuation of B-25 WWII Nose Art | a 7 Image Story and continues to focus on the B-25 Mitchell bomber. The most popular WWII planes for nose art were the bombers since they had more space around the nose to paint. More planes with nose art are posted in my portfolios. Also, see WWII Nose Art | a 7 Image Story for history and more information on the practice of painting art work on the noses of WWII aircraft.
B-25 Doolittle Raiders Special Delivery Special Delivery is the official B-25 of the Doolittle Raiders Association. It has been restored and is now owned by the Lone Star Flight Museum. It’s painted in the colors of a Doolittle Raider’s B-25 Mitchell bomber that flew the Doolittle Raid bombing mission over Tokyo on 18 Apr 1942.
B-25 Old Glory The B-25 Mitchell bomber, now named Old Glory, was built 1944 and served with the 12th Air Force in Italy. After being stored from 1945 to1947, it was was put back into service in an administrative role at McClellan Field. After a decade of service, it was declared surplus and sold into private ownership. It passed through several owners and spent time as a fire bomber. Eventually, it was restored to its military configuration and went through a couple of names until being renamed “Old Glory” in 1995.
B-25 My Buck On the opposite side of this B-25 Mitchell bomber’s nose is painted “Executive Sweet”, its actual name. The “My Buck” nose art was painted as a memorial to Link Piazzo and his late wife Helen, the lovely lady in the painting. My Buck was Link’s nickname for Helen. Built late in the war, Executive Sweet saw stateside service during the remainder of WWII as a crew trainer. Then, in 1948, it became a VIP transport. After several years in military service at the School of Aviation Medicine, it was sold as surplus. It changed hands several times while appearing in films and TV shows. Eventually, it was sold to a private owner who restored it back to a wartime B-25 J model appearance. Finally, it made its way to the American Aeronautical Foundation, who operates it today.
B-25 Yankee Warrior The B-25 Mitchell bomber, named Yankee Warrior, is the only B-25D still flying today. Built in 1943, it served in North Africa and Sicily in WWII, then served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for a while. Finally The Yankee Air Museum purchased it in 1987.
B-25 Betty’s Dream This B-25 Mitchell bomber is outfitted for attack and strafing missions. Betty’s Dream has 8 additional .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the nose and controlled by the pilot. Betty’s Dream was one of two B-25 Mitchell’s that intercepted and escorted an official Japanese surrender delegation flying in two Japanese ‘Betty’ bombers to the a US airfield at Le Shima, an island off Okinawa. From Le Shima, the Japanese officials were transferred to a C-54 transport and flown to Manila, where they met with representatives of the Allied nations to formalize the terms of the Japanese surrender. Today, Betty’s Dream is owned by the Texas Flying Legends Museum in Houston, TX.
B-25 Panchito The B-25 Mitchell named Panchito seems to make many air shows and fly-ins each year. It’s been to Oshkosh for the past several years. The original Panchito served in the Pacific Theater in the 41st BG, 396th BS were it was named after a Mexican rooster of the 1943 animated musical “The Three Cabarellos”. The 41st BG was the only B-25 medium bomber unit in the Seventh Air Force. The 41st BG operated in the Central Pacific where it flew over 240 combat missions in single squadron strength. Visit the Delaware Aviation Museum to learn more about Panchito.
B-25 Georgie’s Gal Nose Art Georgie’s Gal, a B-25J Mitchell, went into service in June 1944; toward the ebd of WWII. Georgie’s Gal was purchased from the military and operated out of Phoenix, AZ in the 60’s. It flew as “The Devil Made Me Do It” in the 1970’s. Pseudo armament was added in 1992. It flew as “Man Of War” then as “Martha Jean” in 1999. Finally, it was purchased by Liberty Aviation Museum in 2011 and refurbished as “Georgie’s Gal”. So, what about the nose art; Angela or Helena? Perhaps, Georgie’s Gal was an angel to fly, yet hell to the enemy!
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category More B-25 WWII Nose Art.
Click any image below for a slide show.
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