767th Nose Art

Photo courtesy of Len Cole

Our Baby

Ship No. -62

B-24H-15-FO

Serial No. - 42-52388

This aircraft was lost to a mid-air collision on the first combat mission flown by the 461st Bomb Group. Lt. William H. Zumsteg was in command when "Our Baby" collided with "TOU JOUR GAY", flown by Lt. Sidney S. Wilson on 2 April 1944. See also Losses.

Malfunction Sired By Ford

Ship No. -63

B-24H -10-DT

Serial No. - 41-28670

Finally! A sharp picture of this plane!! Still looking for crew members who flew her. This aircraft was final-assembled by Douglas from knockdown kit supplied by Ford.

Courtesy Len Cole

Tail Dragon

Ship No. -68

B-24H-15-FO

Serial No. - 42-94732

This aircraft was shot down on the 25 July 1944 raid to Linz with Edwin W. Bowyer in command.

Miss Carriage

Ship No. -73

B-24H -10-FO

Serial No. - 42-52399

Piloted by Lt. Gerald J. Maroney. On a mission over Salon de Provence, a nest for JU-88's, heavy flak was encountered and the ship was hit twice. Lt. Maroney tried to nurse the ship to Switzerland but eventually crashed in France. All of the crew members made it safely out of the plane but most were picked up by Germans. There is a story from a French Newspaper posted HERE. See also Losses.

OMAHA ANN

Ship No. - 74?

B-24H-15-FO

Serial No. - 42-52378

Temporary art, painted for Ann Haggerty from Omaha who had been corresponding with navigator Paul Wagner of crew 62-1. Some of the crew took part in writing her after Wagner received a "Dear John" letter meant for another man named Paul Wagner. The art was part of a campaign to win "replacement" status for Lt. Wagner. I believe this to be ship number 74 because the mission markings are somewhat aligned with the edge of the 4. Number 64 had the markings closer to the pilot's window as you can see in the background of the picture HERE.

Purple Shaft

Ship No. -75

B-24H-10-FO

Serial No. - 42-52412

Comments? E-Mail me.

Hot Toddy

Ship No. -6?

B-24L/M-15-FO

Serial No. - 44-50882

Comments? E-Mail me.

Courtesy Len Cole

PRETTY MICKEY

Ship No. -75

B-24L-5-FO

Serial No. - 44-49418

Comments? E-Mail me.

This aircraft was assigned to the 827th Squadron, 484th BG. It was returned to ZI 6-10-45. Now in view that the 461st and 484th shared the same field this particular ship undoubtedly flew missions with the 461st. However, so far we can find little evidence to show that PRETTY MICKEY was ever actually assigned to the 461st.

Red Head

Ship No. - ??

B-24L-5-FO

Serial No. - 44-49501

Ditched, out of fuel, into the Adriatic on 1/31/45 with Delana in command. See Losses.

Courtesy of Ann Ewing

No. 69

Ship No. - 69

B-24H-??-DT

Serial No. - 41-28683

As you can see, not all the aircraft of the 461st were named and had nose art. This is one of the exceptions I've found. The picture on the left shows two members of the ground crew for this aircraft. The man on the left is Jimmy McMeans. The photo on the right shows No. 69 returning from a flight to France. The right engine is out and the crew feared they would not have enough fuel for a safe return to base so you can see them dumping ammunition.