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The  use of nose art on aircraft was not only popular during the war, but nearly a prerequisite. The 456th Bomb Group was no exception! Below you will see some of the varied and "flavorful" examples of nose art from the four squadrons comprising the group. Note that the site is full of photos of 456th aircraft and there are many examples of nose art on other pages.

If you have any photos of 456th Bomb Group nose art to share, please contact the webmaster.

For a list of 456th Bomb Group Aircraft names, click here: AC Names.

"Miss Conduct (Target for Tonight)"

Another view of Miss Conduct HERE.

"O'Reilly's Datter"

 

"Phoney Express II" Painted by Joe Niess, 745th Sqdn. See also here.

"The Joker" artwork originally painted by Bob Mace and James Williams.

"Miss Your Lovin' "

 

The actual nose art still intact years later... This was found on an auction site but the original resides at the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland, Texas.

 

This photo was taken in the B-24 room of the Yankee Air Force Museum, located at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan, on 6 April 2000. This extraordinary room is full of mementos, information, photos, letters, etc. on the B-24, which was produced there by Ford Motor Company at the rate of one bomber every 55 minutes. There is also an entire room devoted to the Willow Run B-24 Assembly (see also the Aircraft page for more info). This display of nose art photos, the best in the room, is exclusively from the 456th Bomb Group. The text reads:

"The nose art photographs named were taken with a 'Brownie' camera by co-pilot Lt. Walt Jenkins with the 456th Bomb Group, 15th AAF in Italy in the years 1944-45. The Baby, Gin Rose, Sugar Baby, The Joker, Gravel Gertie, Miss Conduct, Plum Lake, Baby Boots, We Call Her Yo-Yo, Cheryl Kay, Heavenly Body, Betty Lou. No Names: Girl on Rug, Girl with Rolling Pin. Donated by Chas. Henning"

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