Warbird Information Exchange

Okay, for all you Vega built B-17 and YB-40 experts out there...

I am trying to learn more about the Disney artists that occasionally dropped by the Vega plant and put artwork on the sides of the B-17s that were being produced. The most noteworthy example that I've seen posted here and other places is the YB-40 picture from the NMUSAF with Mickey Mouse.

[img][img]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g204/tulsaboy/yb-40mickeymouse.jpg[/img]

I have been studying the YB-40 modifications that were done in the Douglas-Tulsa plant, and one of the pictures that I have found looks down the line of YB-40s during modification, showing their port sides. Several of the YB-40s have artwork on that side, but not at the nose- more where the Mickey Mouse is in the above picture, just in front of the national insignia. Does anyone have more information on this? In an old Air Classics article that I happened across by Martin Bowman, he mentions that the Disney artists used to periodically stop by the Vega plant and had fun drawing/painting on the B-17s. Does anyone have any additional pictures of this artwork? The picture that I have of the YB-40s shows a man in a rocking chair, with a "talk" bubble.

Any ideas? Clues? Does anyone know Martin Bowman, and do you think he would have more information/photos?

Thanks!

kevin
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FOUND the elusive DT-built B-24! Woo-hoo!!!

I would even contact Disney themselves to see what they have!

Kevin,

I know that several PV-1's also received Disney artwork on the Lockheed assembly line.

Scroll down at the following link. The captions of the Venturas suggest that RNZAF units painted the artwork. But compare these examples with the B-17 pic you posted, and it's clear that the same artist(s) painted them. Notice especially the shape of the caption bubbles and the lettering within them.

http://www.skylighters.org/disney/

I've also seen this style of Disney artwork (rear fuselage; square-shaped caption bubbles) on PV-1's in the Aleutians. I seriously doubt that the RNZAF painted them!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Dan K-

Outstanding! That is exactly what I'm looking for. It helps me better understand what they might have put on the YB-40s. I'll try to get a picture of the line of YB-40s posted for you, so that maybe you can interpret it for me.

Thanks, and to others- keep the ideas coming!

kevin

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FOUND the elusive DT-built B-24! Woo-hoo!!!

That's very interesting stuff.

I love the one with Grumpy Dwarf. With the look in his eyes I think Snow White had better look out.

Thanks again, very cool post.

-David