Nose Art Themes

The Stars

When it comes to finding a publicity angle there can be few institutions that could rival the movie studios at the height of their success. The Hollywood public relations machine of the major wartime studios like MGM, Fox, Universal, Warner and Columbia was well aware of the publicity potential in the naming of an aircraft when it came to launching a new movie or promoting one of their stars. It was more than willing to co-operate with the PR officers on the ground who were, in turn, concerned with the continual boosting and maintenance of morale on the combat and supporting bases. Entertainers travelled the world to visit troops in far flung bases on their USO tours and it was not uncommon for famous movie stars, US and British, to hold naming ceremonies whilst at an air base before and after performing their show. Occasionally, the stars actually got to choose the name themselves but more commonly it had been selected by the PR men attached to the unit or the studios publicity agents. One particularly amusing example was the naming of a B17 Fortress at the 381st Bomb Group's base at Ridgewell, England, by Edward G Robinson. He chose the title "Happy Bottom" and explained to his puzzled audience that it was for his wife "Glad-Ass!" On that occasion the name was chosen soon after the star's arrival at the base and was hastily painted on the B17's nose while the star toured the base. This contrasted with the naming of "Yankee Doodle Dandy", a 390th Bomb Group Fort, used to promote the popular movie of that name starring Jimmy Cagney. The elaborate montage of stars and multi-coloured titling with striped top hat must have been prepared well in advance of the naming ceremony attended by the star himself.

Name	Serial #	Type	Unit
Buck Benny Rides Again Named for Jack Benny	44-40340	B-24	90th Bomb Group, 400th Bomb Squadron
Bucksheesh Benny Rides Again Named for Jack Benny	41-24112	B-24D	389th Bomb Group
The Captain Gene Named by Jeanette MacDonald		B-24
Dinah Shore		B-26	320th Bomb Group
Don't Lena on me Named after movie star Lena Horne		B17
Eddie Cantor		C-47
Fightin Irish - June Haver Named for June Haver	44-6748	B-17G-60-DL	301st Bomb Group, 353rd Bomb Squadron
Florida Thrush	44-23394	P-38J-20-LO	347th Fighter Group
Gotta Haver Named for June Haver	43-38367	B-17G-85-BO	34th Bomb Group, 7th Bomb Squadron
Happy Bottom Named by Edward G Robinson	42-102664	B-17G-55-BO	381st Bomb Group, 532nd Squadron
He Dood It Named by Red Skelton		A-20
Heady Hedy Named for Hedy Lamar		P-38	18th Fighter Group, 44th Squadron
Hope-full Devil Named after Bob Hope	42-63482	B-29-20-BA	505th Bomb Group, 484th Bomb Squadron
Idaliza Named for Ida Lupino	42-97546	B-17G-20-VE	303rd Bomb Group, 360th Bomb Squadron
In Like Errol Named for Errol Flynn	42-102590	B-17G-55-BO	381st Bomb Group, 535th Bomb Squadron
In Like Flynn Named for Errol Flynn	43-38549?	B-17G-90-BO	385th Bomb Group
Lady Anna Named for Anna Neagle	44-83288	B-17G-75-DL	379th Bomb Group, 527-S Bomb Squadron
Lana Named for Lana Turner		A-20
Loretta Young Christened at Selfridge AAB by Loretta Young	41-31624	B-26B-15-MA	386th Bomb Group
Lucille Ball Named for comedienne Lucille Ball	42-3532	B-17G-5-DL	351st Bomb Group, 511th Bomb Squadron
Lucille Ball II Named for comedienne Lucille Ball	42-107005	B-17G-35-DL	351st Bomb Group, 511th Bomb Squadron
Mrs Margaret Carnes Vivan Leigh, star of stage and screen, christens the C47 Skytrain		C-47	Unknown
Olivia de H Named for Olivia de Havilland	44-13316	P-51	357th Fighter Group
Paulette Named by and in honour of Paulette Goddard, movie star	42-100239	B-24J-85-CO	7th Group
Pidgeon Coop Named by Walter Pidgeon		B-24	Unknown
Russell's Raiders Named for Jane Russell		P-47
Sabu Photo courtesy of J Ethell	44-40749	B-24J-180-CO	494th Bomb Group
Schnozzle Named for Jimmie Durante	42-40011	B-17	381st Bomb Group, 534th Bomb Squadron
Sheridan Express Named for Ann Sheridan		B-25	341st Bomb Group
Shovelnose and Handlebar Named after Bob Hope	42-103613	P-51	10th Fighter Group, 12-E Squadron
Slick Chick Art based on Rita Hayworth publicity photo	42-3343	B-17F-50-DL	301st Bomb Group, 32nd Bomb Squadron
Spirit Of Hollywood Christened by Gloria Jean	42-52336	B-24H-15-FO	461st Bomb Group, 766th Bomb Squadron
Stage Door Canteen Named by Vivien Leigh, Lawrence Olivier and Mary Churchill	42-31990	B-17G-35-BO	381st Bomb Group, 535th Bomb Squadron
Steady Hedy Named for Hedy Lamar	42-97181	B-17G-45-BO	306th Bomb Group, 369th Bomb Squadron
Tempest Turner Named for Lana Turner - used to promote "Marriage is a Private Affair"	43-38216	B-17G-80-BO	34th Bomb Group, 18th Bomb Squadron
Unknown Named by Eddie Cantor	43-12?44	C-47
Venus Ramey Named for Miss America 1944	43-38492	B-17G-90-BO	301st Bomb Group, 353rd Bomb Squadron
Winged Victory Christened and signed by Jeanne Crain, one of the stars of the movie.			Unknown
Yankee Doodle Dandy Named by Jimmy Cagney	42-39953	B-17G-5-VE	390th Bomb Group, 569th Bomb Squadron

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

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Nose Art Themes

The Stars