WWII noseart trivia

[texasmom]

Name the type of aircraft (and Group that the aircraft belonged to) this art was on.
(sorry, I intended for this to be in the O'Club. You're welcomed to move it if I've placed it in the wrong forum)

[Enker]

Hmm, all I could dig up without getting random things is that it was painted on a B-24 Liberator of the Far East Army Air Force. I did not find the bomb group  that it belonged to though.

[uptown]

868th bomb squadron maybe?

[texasmom]

Yes
and Yes (almost)

This particular nose art was on a B-24 Liberator.  There were "Snooper" units, which were low level night radar bombing aircraft [targets: enemy shipping], which was the reason for the "snooper" image here. 

"The primary 5th Bombardment Group "Snooper" unit, the 394th Bombardment Squadron, was so effective that Admiral Halsey singled them out for special praise in sinking so much enemy tonnage.  These radar bombers were usually painted with black undersurfaces, or painted entirely black at times, to camouflage them from enemy gunners in the night skies." [Emblems of Air War]

The 868th was the second of the "Snooper" squadrons formed.  [*edit* But I think they weren't in the 5th Group. I think they flew independantly w/in the 13th Air Force]

  Nice job! I'll have to find something more difficult next time I guess.

[uptown]

Now see if you can figure this one out.

[Guppy35]

The SNOOPER
B-24J-120-CO
Serial number 42-109952
27th Bomb Squadron,30th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force
 
 
 

[texasmom]

No. 425 Squadron RCAF
Halifax NR-271
(had an American pilot, Chuck Lesesne)
flew a total of 43 operations (19 of them piloted by Lesesne)

While on their 22nd operation in another Halifax, they were hit by flak and then attacked by three enemy Me-262 jet fighters. F/Lt. Lesesne ordered his Canadian crew to abandon the Halifax, struggling to hold the aircraft steady as they did. Sadly, he was badly injured in the attack and later died on the ground in the arms of his air-gunner. F/Lt. Lesesne's was one of 379 Americans whose names appear on Canada's Bomber Command Memorial. [Nanton Lancaster Society]

[texasmom]

The SNOOPER
B-24J-120-CO
Serial number 42-109952
27th Bomb Squadron,30th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force

Is my little 'Emblems of Air War' book providing incorrect information by placing it in the 5th Group?
I'm wondering if you have a better book than I do. You probably do, knowing your collection of books.

[uptown]

  boy that was quick. Very good.
 Dang Corky, how do you know this stuff. You amaze me.

[texasmom]

This one is by one of the most prominent artists... so it may be too easy as well. Give it a shot.
I guess asking for the type of aircraft is out...since even I can figure it out just from looking.

[uptown]

P-51D serial number 44-73155 flown by 2Lt Lowther of the 4th fighter group 

[Guppy35]

Painted by 4th FG Assitant Crew Chief Don Allen who did some amazing work for the 4th

[Guppy35]

Is my little 'Emblems of Air War' book providing incorrect information by placing it in the 5th Group?
I'm wondering if you have a better book than I do. You probably do, knowing your collection of books.

I started in Wally Foreman's book "B-24 Nose Art Name Directory" and then went to http://www.b24bestweb.com/ to double check.

Wally passed away a few years back.  He was 'the" B24 nose art guy.  He also happened to be part of the Twin Cities Aero Historians so I got a chance to know him.  He was always good for B24 info

[texasmom]

One thing I've really loved about being part of this game is that before I started playing, I loved the history (the people mostly) of WWII, but had no understanding of the aircraft or vehicles beyond the simple reference of "it's either an aircraft, or a vehicle."  The references were just numbers & letters that I usually just skimmed over because I had no idea what they actually were. 

I probably still don't have a clear picture of what it was really like for any of them, but now I can at least use some frame of reference better than either 'aircraft' or 'vehicle.' 

[Guppy35]

One thing I've really loved about being part of this game is that before I started playing, I loved the history (the people mostly) of WWII, but had no understanding of the aircraft or vehicles beyond the simple reference of "it's either an aircraft, or a vehicle."  The references were just numbers & letters that I usually just skimmed over because I had no idea what they actually were. 

I probably still don't have a clear picture of what it was really like for any of them, but now I can at least use some frame of reference better than either 'aircraft' or 'vehicle.' 

I think the game does it's job best if folks do use it as a reason to learn a bit more about WW2 and WW2 aviation.  I've always found that the different aircraft have been a way for me to focus in on a different group of people.  Whether it be Spit XII drivers, P38s, different bomber crews or whatever.  The machines can be fascinating, but without the people who made them work there is no story for me.