Need help with ID B-26 Marauder nose art/ or Unit emblem ????????

[EMBLEMHUNTER]

Here's an interesting image I found some time ago of a B-26 Marauder with an emblem I'm trying to find out if it was an actual "Squadron" emblem or just fancy "nose art" I'm leaning towards it being of the first, if you recognize this one Please post, much thanks
Johnny

 

[Cocker]

I'd be enclined to think it's a nose art based on a variation of the 451st Bomb Squadron patch.

 

[ties70]

I'd be enclined to think it's a nose art based on a variation of the 451st Bomb Squadron patch.

Cedric,

I had the same idea, but somehow the design is too good to be just some field-made nose art...it's probably a proper Disney design...at least it has the quality of one...

 

[Cocker]

Cedric,

I had the same idea, but somehow the design is too good to be just some field-made nose art...it's probably a proper Disney design...at least it has the quality of one...

It's true that it's really neat and clean if it was only a nose-art. Too bad there is no other information about this picture.

 

[ties70]

The correct serial number would make a difference, but it could be 41-315xx...or 41-513xx...or 41-316xxx...or...or...

 

[Dimitry M]

it looks like a 41-515 to me. my uncles grandfather flew the big hairy bird/cuddles B-26 during WW2

The correct serial number would make a difference, but it could be 41-315xx...or 41-513xx...or 41-316xxx...or...or...

 

[ties70]

So this answers at least the question, what it is NOT...the squadron patch of the 34th BS / 17th BG.

Ties

 

[Cocker]

Well done, Ties!! So it was indeed a nose art!

 

[ties70]

Well done, Ties!! So it was indeed a nose art!

Yep, the name of 41-31582 B/N 05 was...Gorilla...

 

[Cocker]

Did you find it on Mark Styling's website? ^^

 

[ties70]

Half 'n half...the excerpt above is from "B-26 Units in the MTO", and yes, that's Mark Styling....the confrmation of S/N and "Gorilla" comes from his website...

 

[EMBLEMHUNTER]

O.k. but the image says "Unknown insignia" it doesn't say "nose art" so I'm still wondering if it was an Unofficial 34th ............ as I also don't see the name "Gorilla" on it it that was it's name seems like it would have also been painted on with the "insignia" as well ..........

 

[ausreenactor]

Love that image. Where did you get it? Detail is amazing.

 

[ties70]

The reference towards the name GORILLA comes from the exact website that you took the picture from:

Aircraft illustration

Aircraft illustration - side views, combat paintings and civil aircraft promotional / publishing work. Prints can be ordered directly from this site or commissions can be taken.

www.markstyling.com

Another cross reference for the name can be found here: https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/B-26-Marauder/1941031582.html

If you at least check out one other plane of the same squadron, Hiawatha, you will notice that this B-26 has its nose art look like a squadron insignia, as well.

It might not have been common to have the nose art styled like a squadron insignia patch, but it definitely happened:

https://www.markstyling.com/B26_17/B26.17bg.cu.74.jpg SCARELESS JOE

https://www.markstyling.com/B26_17/B26.17bg.cu.77.jpg IN DER FUERHERS FACE

https://www.markstyling.com/B26_17/B26.17bg.cu.92.jpg CHIEF OF THE MEDIUMS

Best regards,

Ties

 

[ausreenactor]

View attachment 49435

So this answers at least the question, what it is NOT...the squadron patch of the 34th BS / 17th BG.

Ties

34th have held on to the Native American Thunderbird since the Doolittle Raid.

 

[ausreenactor]

My God. What a site.... !!

 

[EMBLEMHUNTER]

Love that image. Where did you get it? Detail is amazing.

It was sent to me via a person from another posting ...

 

[EMBLEMHUNTER]

The reference towards the name GORILLA comes from the exact website that you took the picture from:

Aircraft illustration

Aircraft illustration - side views, combat paintings and civil aircraft promotional / publishing work. Prints can be ordered directly from this site or commissions can be taken.

www.markstyling.com

Another cross reference for the name can be found here: https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/B-26-Marauder/1941031582.html

If you at least check out one other plane of the same squadron, Hiawatha, you will notice that this B-26 has its nose art look like a squadron insignia, as well.

View attachment 49493

It might not have been common to have the nose art styled like a squadron insignia patch, but it definitely happened:

https://www.markstyling.com/B26_17/B26.17bg.cu.74.jpg SCARELESS JOE

https://www.markstyling.com/B26_17/B26.17bg.cu.77.jpg IN DER FUERHERS FACE

https://www.markstyling.com/B26_17/B26.17bg.cu.92.jpg CHIEF OF THE MEDIUMS

Best regards,

Ties

The image was sent to me via another site posting I didn't take the image myself .......

 

[LJDRVR]

I don't know how the timeline fits, but that gorilla is a Tex Avery character from Bugs Bunny cartoons. The weird thing is that he didn't appear - as far as I can tell - until 1948.