Warbird Information Exchange

I found, and purchased this oil painting recently in Indiana, it is painted on a roughly cut piece of beige/greenish canvas and seems to have some age to it.

It appears to show a post war B 24M (going by the tail number).

I was wondering if there is any chance it could represent either a real plane or real base.

I hope people enjoy it as much as I am.



The only information I've found is this tag on the back -

It looks like Marpi Point airfield on Saipan. IIRC there were no B-24 groups stationed there but the 30th BG (B-24s) were stationed at Kagman field on the other end of the island.

Tom P.

If they had single tails I would swear they were Sunderland flying boats.

They are B-24s of the 72nd Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bomb Group, Thirteenth Air Force. The base they are flying over could be one of a number of bases in the South Pacific. I cannot make out the serial number clearly enough to look up the aircraft.

-G
www.GBlume.com

Serials are 44-42202 and 44-42388; per Baugher they're both B-24Ms but no info on those particular aircraft.

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Aircraft #53 http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/ ... mar-leyte/

Not listed, but perhaps B-24M 44-42388, http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_4.html

https://www.facebook.com/5th-Bomb-Group ... 234918726/
http://5thbomberbarons.info/

Thank you to everyone who has provided input on this, I truly appreciate it (and knew this forum would be able to provide the answers I was looking for).

I am thrilled to have more information about this paint, I will compile this information and attach it to the back of the painting.

A few casual thoughts on this painting.

First, I thought those white things were clouds but after looking closely at the one by the ship dock, I now think some of those are from the result of bombs exploding/burning targets on the ground. The one over the water in front of the ship's bow looks like it splashed in the water. So....I'm speculating the painting depicts an actual photo of a bomb run. There is a low aircraft over the runway that maybe pulling out of the run.

Second.....I did some casual looking (Googling) on the name Rusie. If the OP wanted to research further, here are some initial leads to work with to see if they go anywhere.

Seems there are indeed Rusie's in Indiana. One being baseball Hall of Famer Amos Rusie.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Rusie

I also came across this United Way Youtube of an older lady in Indiana named Ruth Rusie. Could her or Amos be connected to the painting?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jit4konDcIk

Third......there was a PVT Chalmers J. Rusie, S/N 17164815 who enlisted at Ft Crook, NE on 11/9/42 and he was in the Air Corp.

Thank you for all the assistance. I will let you know if I find anything more.

Paul