Seeking Bureau Number of PB4Y-1P named Wild Cherry II

[NNAM]

Per USN Aircraft Location Reports
16 June 1945 - VD-1 was on Guam with 7 PB4Y-1P
7 July 1945 - 8 aircraft on Guam
28 July 1945 - 2 aircraft on Guam, 6 at Yontan, Okinawa.
4 Aug 1945 - 8 aircraft on Guam.

It's only a short hop of about 120 miles from Guam to Tinian.

I recall reading stories of artists whose work was in demand being temporarily "transferred" officially or unofficially to create those artworks, or airfraft being "diverted" to allow it to happen.

Any idea of the "price" of his artworks to the crews?

He charged $50.00 per a/c. Made enough to take a 3-month honeymoon and put himslef through art school after the war! And, according to War Diaries, yes they were based on Guam, but had dets at Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and Guadalcanal. No doubt, someone "had" to land at Tinian to get "the job" done. Story goes, Hal sometimes did two a/c a day - plus his Navy job.

 

[NNAM]

He charged $50.00 per a/c. Made enough to take a 3-month honeymoon and put himslef through art school after the war! And, according to War Diaries, yes they were based on Guam, but had dets at Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and Guadalcanal. No doubt, someone "had" to land at Tinian to get "the job" done. Story goes, Hal sometimes did two a/c a day - plus his Navy job.

OK - I checked all the Aircraft History cards in the 63xxx and 65xxx. There were NO VD-1 a/c in the 63xxx. There were 5 in the 65xxx, but none of the 5 also listed VPB-102. Now what?

 

[NNAM]

What I meant was to check every BuNo in the 63xxx & 65xxx blocks provided, not just the "27's". You could eliminate any aircraft that was wrecked or Stuck Off Charge before 1945 or assigned somewhere other than the Pacific. Work backwards to limit the possibilities.

63915-63991 PB4Y-1 Consolidated (76 aircraft)
65287-65396 PB4Y-1 Consolidated (109 aircraft)

OK - I checked all the Aircraft History cards in the 63xxx and 65xxx. There were NO VD-1 a/c in the 63xxx. There were 5 in the 65xxx, but none of the 5 also listed VPB-102. Now what?

 

[fubar57]

Do you have this book?.... VPB-102/14 Association - Book Order Information

 

[fubar57]

Also here.... VPB-102/14 Association - Tale Spins Book Cover I only went through a few. No photos yet but mentions of a lot of people and some books that were written about VPB-102

 

[NNAM]

Also here.... VPB-102/14 Association - Tale Spins Book Cover I only went through a few. No photos yet but mentions of a lot of people and some books that were written about VPB-102

No, the Museum doesn't have either book. Wish someone would look to see. if a/c are identified by BuNo, otherwise the books would just get added to the HUGE collection.

 

[NNAM]

I have a copy of WWII: The Golden Age of Nose Art by Hal Olsen. There is no list or BuNos in this book, BUT he does say he got to Tinian in January 1945 - that should narrow it down quite a bit! Anyone know where we can find the build dates for VP/VPB-102s a/c?

 

[SaparotRob]

The drama continues! I hope you don't mind me eavesdropping on this thread. I love the detective stories.

 

[fubar57]

From this book

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From Baugher's site