767th Nose Art
Courtesy of Frank Connell
Aircraft #61 of the 767th Squadron was lost on July 25, 1944 on the Linz, Austria mission.
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
Enhanced by Gerry Kersey
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.
The Mary E
Ship No. 71
B-24J-???-CO
Serial No. - 44-4????
If anyone can identify the men in this picture, let me know. I suspect one of them might be Capt. Leffler, but I don't know for sure.
Courtesy of George Leffler
72
Ship No. 72
B-24G-10-NT
Serial No. - 42-78267
From Stan Staples
#77
Ship No. 77
B-24J-10-FO
Serial No. - 44-41044
#77 coming home with one engine out.
Courtesy of Jirka Černošek
Welcome Wagon
Ship No. 69
B-24J-5-DT
Serial No. - 42-51319
This aircraft was lost on 17 December 1944 with the Capalbo crew. Does anyone know what the nose art is on this aircraft? It looks like a teddy bear, but I can't quite make it out.
