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Nose art painted by Cpl Anthony L Starcer
91st Bomb
Group (Heavy)
Bassingbourn, England
TENNESSEE TESS B-17G 44-8357 401st Squadron
Alberto Vargas' famous illustration from "Esquire" magazine was
the source and inspiration for many nose art painters around the world
and Tony Starcer was no exception. The same image appeared as a
centrefold as well as on sets of "Esky" playing cards -- always
popular with GIs.
Beginning its combat in November 1944, this plane flew many lead
roles and took some of the group's finest officers over some of
toughest targets including Berlin, Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt and
Kassel. At the end of hostilities, "Tennessee Tess" was transferred
into the 306th Bomb Group. By this time, the plane had lost part of
its title and was known simply as "Tess", but it still sported
Starcer's superb painting.
© Ray Bowden
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