90th Bomb Group

Not sure where my first post went after I tried to edit it, but here is a new one with updated information.

I’m an artist that paints period correct WWII nose art on restored warbirds and I’m also writing a book on nose art. I’m hoping I can get some help with the 90th. Here are the known artists that I’m working on for my nose art book within the 90th. For example, what they did for their regular duty, where they were from, what they did after the war, what other planes they may have painted, etc. And if any of these planes listed were lost and the circumstances. I know Booby Trap was lost for sure.

Jack Eipper

319th

44-40431  MODEL: B-24J-160-CO  NOSE ART: MISS KIWANIS
44-40364  MODEL: B-24J-160-CO NOSE ART: JINI
44-40725  MODEL: B-24J-175-CO  NOSE ART: RUBY'S RICKSHA (Not sure on this, but I’ve seen an original drawing signed “SGT Steve Eipper”, so I assume that he painted it as well, and that Jack was a nickname.


Sgt Short
Anyone know his full name and duty?
400th

44-40190  MODEL: B-24J-150-CO NOSE ART: THE BUTCHER'S DAUGHTER
42-109983  MODEL: B-24J-120-CO NOSE ART: HO HUM


Arthur Hoffman
(would love to talk to Cherrie Clark about her Dad)

A-20 Little Chief

319th

44-40400  MODEL: B-24J-160-CO  NOSE ART:  PACIFIC LADY (PORT SIDE)  ROAD TO TOKYO (STARBOARD SIDE)



321st

44-40193  MODEL:B-24J-150-CO  NOSE ART: MISS JOLLY ROGER BOOBY TRAP
I know he painted Booby Trap, but I don’t think he painted Miss Jolly Roger. The styles are not the same. Was Miss Jolly Roger done first for another crew?)


400th

44-40340  MODEL: B-24J-155-CO NOSE ART: BUCK BENNY RIDES AGAIN



Allan Cooper

319th

41-11866  MODEL: B-24D-CO  NOSE ART: THE NIPPER

321st

44-41534  MODEL: B-24L-5-CO  NOSE ART: SAY UNCLE

320th

44-40728  MODEL: B-24J-175-CO NOSE ART: THE BOISE BRONC

400th

42-109996  MODEL: B-24J-125-CO NOSE ART: THE JOLLY ROGER EXPRESS


Al Merkling
44-40314  MODEL: B-24J-155-CO NOSE ART: QUEEN MAE
Marking was in the 20th CMS, so this may be the only 90th ship that he painted. Not sure how that came about.



I don’t know who the artist is, but I am pretty sure these were all done by the same artist.

44-40XXX  MODEL: B-24J-145/180-CO  NOSE ART SHAMROCK SHERRY
42-72941  MODEL: B-24D-170-CO  NOSE ART: LILAS MARIE
44-40720  MODEL: B-24J-175-CO NOSE ART: LILAS MARIE THE 2nd



Chad Hill
Django Studios

This is the newest thread with updated information.

I have photos of most of these aircraft, but I really would like to get copies of Hoffman painting Booby Trap from Cherie Clark for my book.

Jack Eipper and Al Merkling were not attached to the 90th.

The 90th only had one Short that I can find and that is Sgt Ralph W., serial #16035079, from Chicago. Ground personnel with the 400 and he died in 1972.

Allan G. Cooper serial#764240 San Francisco, co pilot of the J Horner crew which was the subject of Tom Baker's book IT WASN'T SO JOLLY The Story of the Jolly Rogers and the James Horner Crew 1942-1945

Arthur Hoffman serial#35579884 from Indianapolis IN assigned to Headquarters and the Photo Section. On May 27, 1945 returning from a recco to Indochina they ditched about 10 miles from Maguire Field. Missing Air Crew Report 14523

Thanks for the information Bob!

I know Marking was in the 20th (stated above), but who was Eipper with if not the 90th? I assume they were all at the same base at the same time at some point then near the end of the war. At least so far, I've not come across anything that he painted that wasn't in the 90th. What about a Sgt Steve Eipper?

It Wasn't So Jolly is on my short list of books to purchase, so that is good to know that it will cover Cooper's experience. Hopefully it discusses some of the artwork.

Color of Ruby's Rickshaw

Color pics of BD

Color of Ho Hum

Color Miss JR

Color Buck Benny and one with Jack Benny

Color Nipper from the wartime books