Kevin Wilson of the 381st.org sent me a complete list of the planes flown by Austin during WW2. To date I've only found a couple of photos of him standing in front of The Alamo which he flew later in the war so this list along with the serial numbers of the plane along with his crew has helped tremendously. I've tried to locate as many images of the nose art and have included them below to the best of accuracy as I could.
Planes are listed in order as per his mission log.
-Wild Bill (MS-Z)42-37538 (used in 2 missions, first mission ever-he was co-pilot.)
-In Like Errol (MS-M)42-102590 (used in 2 missions, named for Errol Flynn. Plane was lost on 3/30/45.)
-Feather Merchant (MS-Y)42-37553 (the original Feather Merchant was lost on 10/8/43)
-Stage Door Canteen (MS-R)42-31990 (named by Vivien Leigh, Lawrence Olivier and Mary Churchill).
-Columbus Miss (MS-N)42-97313 (used in 2 missions)
-Me & My Gal (MS-W)42-40017 (note: this plane was salvaged and renamed twice Miasses Dragon and Assend, I was unable to locate a photo with the nose art Austin flew.)
-Hells Angel (MS-P)42-97265 (note: there were two Hells Angel's in the 381st, the other was shot down 8/17/43)
-Los Angeles City Limits (MS-U)42-107018 (used in 4 missions)
-Tomahawk Warrior (MS-X)42-97267
-Pair of Queens Gee & Bee (MS-J)42-38127 (used in 3 missions, flew once as co-pilot.)
-Dee Marie (GD-K)42-97076 (flew as group lead, plane loaned from the 534th)
-no name (PFF) (GD-J)44-8036 (loaned from the 534th)
-no name (VP-N)44-8175 (used in 2 missions, planed loaned from the 533rd)
-The Alamo (MS-L)44-8228 (used in 2 missions)
-Sunkist Special (MS-I)42-97625 (used in 2 missions)
-Crack O' Dawn (MS-S)43-38998 (loaned from the 533rd, flew as group lead)
-no name (PFF) (VP-U)44-8196
-no name (MS-N)44-8402 (used in 2 missions)
Friday, August 6, 2010
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