That is so cool. There is something about working on those old warbirds that is very cool. I was lucky enough to work at a museum restoring Aussy WWII aircraft. Man your nose art is right on the money, very very cool.
You suck. I must say that this is way cool. Really, how many B-24 are there to paint on? (Let alone flying!) I always wondered why people insisted on calling Dimond Lil' a B-24. Wasn't it always a C-87, or was it a conversion? I'm wondering how much work is involved stuffing a tail turret back there as a C-87's tail is noticeably narrower. Ah, the magic of sheet metal. Looks like we've got something to rap about at the Czar-b-q. So why change Dimond Lil's name? Django might be the next Tony Starcer. (Go ahead and google that, dude.)
That is the coolest shit I have seen in a long time! I have always been fascinated with WWII planes. Outstanding job!!
Wow, thanks everybody! I can tell you I have learned a TON about this particular aircraft and B-24s in general since this all started. The CAF wanted to "rebrand" the aircraft as something that was more marketable in today's PC world. Which in the eyes of Joe Public, isn't always the style with a pin up that we all love. The B-24 takes about $4000/hr to fly and the B-29 takes about $8000/hr to fly. Consider that the B-29 hasn't flown in a few years because they are trying to raise the $3M it will take to re-engine her and you can see how marketing is important to stem the flow of cubic dollars out the door. This B-24 was one of the original British order in '41, and yes it had a glass nose. It was damaged in a nose wheel accident and was taken over by Consolidated. While being repaired, it became the prototype for the LB-30 transport models. She also became a test bed for various model changes and ultimately became a corporate hack. It was cool to see all the original "ghosting" of the original plane amongst all the conversions while it was being taken apart. Anyway, all through the planes life, it was referred to in paperwork at least, as Ol' 927, based on the serial number of the aircraft. So the CAF felt that was a natural name for the rebuild back into it's original configuration. My task was to create an image that was kid friendly, marketable and captured the essense of the airplane. I drew the carton B-24 with a look of determination, dropping the bombs as was originally inteded. I hand drew all the type. I wanted it to look as period correct as possible, along the lines of something Disney would have done (and they did a crapload of insginia work for the war effort). I have a Tshirt already and my Dad bought me a hat as well. I wasnt able to go to the unveiling, but my Dad went in my place. Again, I cant thank Sean and Mikey enough. And especially my Dad for all his help and making me nutty for all this stuff. We used One Shot to paint it. The yellow took 4 coats! When we arrived in Dallas to connect for the flight to Midland, the gate number was B24! In similar HAMB fashion, the WIX (warbird information exchange) raised money to buy the replica guns for the project, which was pretty cool.
HA! I should be so LUCKY! Although I seem to be off to a great start at the shop. I will never paint as good as CheaterRome, but I think I am developing a style for it. I highly suggest a trip to the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland TX, the CAF headquarters. Like I said, to see the real deal in person, was nothing short of awe inspiring. http://www.savethegirls.org/
The only thing as cool as/cooler than Hot Rods are Warbirds. Thanks for the great pics. Heres a cool link about another B-24 called the Lady Be Good that some of you may be interested in.
This is a cool thread! My gramps was a tail gunner on a B-24. The nose art came out great. Not many still flying. Anyone in socal, dont forget the chino air show is coming up later this month and they will have 2 B-17's, a B-25 and a B-24 I believe.
That's way cool Chad. I'll be working the VIP tent at the Mt. Comfort air show this August. Is that were this is gonna be?
I've always liked stuff like that - but what you have done, with your Dad and friends - well, thats just priceless. J.
Very, very cool story, and AWESOME work by all of you involved. Now...you gonna get a flight in it????
Chad bro, I think you and your crew did fantastic. Give yourself a slap on the back. Yeah as prominent as Tony Starcer was with bombers there was an artist with the 4th fighter group called Don Allen and his imagery was fantastic and I think he was equally as talented as well. Add another b-24 artist Phil Brinkman who did a series of Zodiac inspired pieces . Jerome
Chad, great job. A suggestion is that if you use blockout white tinted with the yellow as a base coat, the coverage will be better. It dries quick and covers better than the yellow for the base coat. It seems you used something other than One Shot for the paint and that was probably the reason for the problem with coverage. One shot isn't as good as it used to be since the changes for EPA.
We all raised a drink to the death of Diamond Lil. And several are not happy with the change. Everybody here (Odessa, Midland) knows at least her and FIFI, it seems a shame to lose the handle after all these years. And the name is just part of a serial number??? sad. But at least it has a awesome paint job to show off, and done with a loving hand.
Thats cool guys very well done. Been into nose art for about 22yrs. and when i lived over in England i'll use to go to all the old USAAF fields. some still had lots of nose art still on the walls. O' just did my 1st flight in a T-6 Texan at the airfield in Kissimmee last Sunday........ That was cool to.
F#&@!!!! I don't even know you guys and I hate each and every one of you That's an awesome experience and the art rocks too!
Really really cool job men! Painting such an aircraft noseart is one of the best dreams I have! I'm so fond of those WWII Nose Arts that really give a exact idea of the nightmare these guys were living and what they were thinking about. What an experience Chad, can't imagine your joy when the CAF officers asked you to paint it!!! Your drawing is pretty cool indeed, yes, period correct Technically, I think having read the talentedmechanical crew guys had only the colours for painting marking of the squadron, were they enamel or cellulosic paint for fast drying? Hand painted One shot was sure a good choice with its generous rendering anyway. "just" one question : hadn't you saved coats of yellow applying first a white base on the olive drab? What an exciting awesome adventure!
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