NOSE ART SOURCE
Walt Disney's
Mickey Mouse

Many artists and animators employed at Walt Disney's Studios used their talents and skills
during WW2 to produce a multitude of official insignia for USAAF groups and squadrons
using the full range of Disney characters.
A number of designs were also created for individual aircraft and  Mickey Mouse
was a particular favourite for use on Venturas (PV-1s) destined for the US Navy
due to the proximity of the Lockheed plant.
.
He is harder to find on USAAF aircraft and few examples of the cartoon Mouse seem to have
been used unofficially by those who painted nose art on other types of bombers, fighters or transports.
This is surprising considering the immense popularity of Disney's characters and the simplicity of the artwork.
If you have found any more examples of Mickey Mouse used on nose arts,
please share them with me.
 
Mickey Mouse was also popular with members of the RAF and appeared on some rare examples
of nose art found on Lancaster and Halifax bombers assigned to the Canadian and Australian units.
Indeed, a somewhat distorted variation was also used by the Luftwaffe's Lehrgeschwader 2
on their aircraft during the campaign against France,
and, later, as a personal emblem for Hauptman Horst Carganico on his Me109, assigned to JG5.
 
Mickey Mouse first made his appearance in Disney's movie "Plane Crazy" in 1928, inspired by the
exploits of Charles Lindberg's first solo crossing of the Atlantic a year earlier.
Created in secret by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, Mickey Mouse was an instant success and the later
"Steamboat Willie" became the first cartoon with synchronised sound.
Both name and image of Mickey Mouse are copyrighted by The Walt Disney Company
and I use them here purelyfor historical/educational purpose.
 
Name Serial #

Group / Sqn
RAT RACE 42-78128 464/776
MICKEY MOUSE 42-94851 34/
MICKEY MOUSE 42-52055 451/726
(MICKEY MOUSE) SHARKMOUTH ??? 459/756
(MICKEY MOUSE) ??? 4/
US NAVY Ventura PV-1s

AREN'T THOSE NEW
BLOCKBUSTERS BEAUTIFUL!

 USN PV-1

I'M SAVIN'
SOMETHIN' FER
THE JAPS

 USN PV-1

OUR GUNNERS
CAN MAKE
FIVE O's = 5

 USN PV-1

WOW! LOOK AT ALL
THE PV-1's!

 USN PV-1
KWIT-CHER-BELLI-AKIN USN PV-1

SHUCKS!
10 JAPS IN 10 MINUTES
NOW WHAT WILL WE DO

 USN PV-1

THAT'S THE FINISH
FOT THAT SUB PILOT!

 USN PV-1

HE'S NOT SO TOUGH
FOLKS

 USN PV-1
SUPER RACE HUH USN PV-1