NOSE ART SOURCE
VARGAS ESQUIRE CENTREFOLD
MARCH 1944
"PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA"

One of the favourite titles to appear as aircraft nose art was spawned from the popular 1942-43 song written and recorded by Al Dexter (later by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters). Alberto Vargas immortalised the title with his "Pistol Packin' Mama" pin up which appeared in March 1944 as the centre gatefold of Esquire Magazine. The gun toting pin up was an obvious choice for bomber crews and fighter pilots and it appeared on almost every type of airplane. In some cases a differing image was used with the title and in others there was a slight or complete variation in the title but the same Vargas image.
If you have any photos of any of these aircraft or their crews, or can add other examples or details of their service and fate,
please share them with me.

Name Serial #

Group / Sqn
Texas Kate B-24
44-40358		 30/392
Mist'er Chance B-24
41-28691		 466/785
Tex's Pal P-47 ????
Pistol Packin Mama B-25D
41-30764		 22/2 and 345/501
Pistol Packin Mama
MIA 28 April 44 - Sweden		 B-24
42-52124		 450/720
Mama ! B-25 321/
Pistol Packin Mama B-24 Pacific Theatre
Robbie L B-24
42-40516		 380/529
Miss Fortune B-24
42-52559		 467/790
Calamity Jane B-24
42-52440		 450/722
Bangin' Lulu B-24
44-48829		 446/707
Pistol Packin Mama B-24
42-72858		 44/68
Pistol Packin Mamma B-17
????		 15AF
Pistol Packin Mama B-24
????		 464/
Rangoon Rambler B-24
????		 ????
Pistol Packin Mama ???? 308/
???? USN PB4Y ????
Pistol Packin Mama B-24
????		 90/
Pist'l Packin Mama B-17
42-37779
Transferred to AFSC 3 May 44		 91/324
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-31037		 401/613
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-30142
MIA 5 Nov 43		 406 Night Leaflet Sqn
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-39782
MIA 8 Feb44		 379/526
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
????		 452/
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-31586		 97/414
Pistol Packin' Mama B-17
42-30434		 390/570
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-30609
MIA 10 Feb 44		 95/335
Pistol Packin' Mama B-17
????		 95/
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-31213		 303/359
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-30791		 305/422
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
42-30866		 305/508
Pistol Packin Mama B-17
????		 301/32
Pistol Packin Mama C47
????		 New Guinea
       
       
       
       
       
       

© Ray Bowden