The image painted by Sgt Chestnut on Yankee Gal II showed a little more discretion than the first example ? but only just! Currently unexplained is a third example of Yankee Gal, also painted by Sgt Chestnut, and showing a sitting nude on the natural metal background. It is not yet known if this was an earlier or later version of imagery for #916 or a third B24 carrying the same name.

B24J #916 was lost in bad weather on 23 January 45 on a mission to bomb Baguio on Luzon and was being flown by Donald Johnson?s crew. The 19-plane formation broke up as they approached a storm near Leyte and each aircraft went into it separately ? Yankee Gal II did not reappear and all on board were eventually declared lost. The plane is believed to have completed at least 8 missions after being assigned to the group in November 44.

   
Was this a third Yankee Gal painted by Sgt Chestnut?

 

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© Ray Bowden 30 November 2023

 

Information Update for Readers of "Plane Names & Fancy Noses - 91st Bomb Group (Heavy)"