This is the second version of Disney's "Dopey" that was completed by Amos. The first was painted on the left side of "Arkansas Traveler". As with all of his Snow White figures, Nicholson painted his character facing forward towards the nose of the B24. This plane survived in service until being condemned in November 1945 after the end of the war. However, its combat career is as yet unknown. There was at least one further version of "Dopey" which was painted with a forward facing character but its jumbled colourful lettering was stacked diagonally upwards unlike the title displayed on this B24D. On 17th April 1944, the plane suffered a collapse of its right main undercarriage and severe skin wrinkling which suggests possible twisting of the airframe. Whether or not this is 42-40268 or another aircraft altogether is not clear. If the airframe was twisted then it is unlikely that the plane could have remained unsalvaged until 18 months later. Anyone who can clarify this is invited to make contact -- please.

Decades after painting the original version 2 of "Dopey", Amos Nicholson was asked to paint a wall mural depicting the B24 with its distinctive nose art. This he did and duly signed his masterpiece -- something he failed to do on the original aircraft during the war years.

© Ray Bowden