New England Aircraft Warbirds for days gone by

[mh53eflyguy]

This is probably the best place to ask this question. I went to the New England Escadrille Airshow in the late 80's and early 90s at the Manchester Airport in New Hampshire, and one year I specifically remember seeing a B-24 with the nose art of "Strawberry Bitch." I know it was not the one in Dayton. I remember that specifically there was either two or three (all of the ones left flying at the time, as I recall) B-24's.

I have found a couple of "hits" to support that there was a touring B-24 in this scheme, such as a forum on airliners of another guy remembering the same as I have.

Is it possible that Diamond Lil was sporting this nose art for a short period of time? Was this the Collings Foundations scheme before switching to the"A Dragon and it's Tail" scheme?

I know that my family has photos of this, but unfortunately they are across the country right now.

On a different topic, I always looked forward to the New England Escadrille Airshows. Those were the first airshows I saw as a kid. "Plunkett's Passion", "Double Trouble Too", and "909," as well as a Canadian FG-1/F4U are solid memories of my days of yore.
I'll never forget watching a C-5 land at MHT on a 7001 foot runway. It was stopped in less than 5,000'. Also, there was usually an F-111 from Pease doing a fly-over and made some sweet passes. Those were that days.

[gary1954]

I don't recall Diamond Lil ever sporting Strawberry Bitch nose art but hey, I've been known to be wrong, But I don't recall it in my lifetime.

[bombadier29]

I know it wasn't Diamond Lil and I know it wasn't Tallichet's (Weeks) bird. I'd bet my social security check that it wasn't Collings foundation either.

[Jerry O'Neill]

I've been around the warbird scene in New England for a while and I'm 100% sure there was never a B-24 with the name "Strawberry Bitch" around here.

[phil65]

I've been around the warbird scene in New England for a while and I'm 100% sure there was never a B-24 with the name "Strawberry Bitch" around here.

+1

[p51]

Most cool, that looks like "Old Boy," (44-72826) the first P-51 I ever went up in.

[me109g4]

They had some great shows at MHT, sure miss them. One yr. they had 2 B-17s there and people had set up umbrellas, picnic blankets etc. right behind them,, well when they started it cleared all that stuff away,, fun to watch,,,,lol

[krlang]

Got a FB message from the Col. to look at this topic, since he cant respond.

There were two B-24's at the Escadrille show back in around 88.
It was the Collings "All American" with the Schlitz Sponsor logo on the RH side.
The other was Tallichet's "Delectible Doris" that was made airworthy and toured with the Belle for a few years.

Doris is now "Joe", in the dungeon at Kermit's

[krlang]

Not too long after it was on tour Dave got a little grief in the Bible belt from the nose art.
Delectable Doris was half naked, so the airplane became "Joe".

[krlang]

Here are a couple more pics from MHT,


Verne Rayburn in his A-36


Collings B-24 before the Schlitz Sponsorship.


NWM's Fuddy Duddy after a big birdstrike, and a little duct tape. Yup, flew in the show like this.


Folsom's Flying Service of Maine, C-47 on Floats, what a sight to see taxiing on the ramp.

[wls3]

B-24 was featured in the 1977 TV movie Young Joe:The Forgotten Kennedy, hence the name "Joe" ?
Not always in the dungeon. Any photos as "Delectable Doris" ? Can't remember that.



Here is right side (Schlitz Beer) of B-24 "All American"
Keep the pictures coming Ken, good memories.
Any old post started by the Kernel always gets my attention.

Last edited by wls3 on Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[bombadier29]

Not too long after it was on tour Dave got a little grief in the Bible belt from the nose art.
Delectable Doris was half naked, so the airplane became "Joe".

Another one of Rohr's made up stories. The airplane was painted as Joe for the Kennedy movie. No other reason.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Great shots! I have some snapshots of "Delectable Doris" from 1975 at the Pratt & Whitney 50th show. It'll take some time to dig them out.
Tallichet's B-24 was NOT painted as "Joe" for the filming of the TV movie. It was painted "Joe" sometime after that. Perhaps in honor of him, but it is not seen on the aircraft in the film. I do remember it in late 1980's at Manchester as "Delectable Doris". I didn't see the "Joe" artwork until it went on tour with DT's road show.
BTW, the two B-24's together at Manchester was 1989.
Jerry

[phil65]

What were the two 24's? I remember the two 17's.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Collings "All American", shortly after it was first restored, and Tallichet's "Delectable Doris".
The 2 B-17's that same year (1989) were Tallichet's "100 Bomb Group" (now "the Movie Memphis Belle")
and "Fuddy Duddy". "909" was absent, dismantled in Beaver Falls, PA.
Jerry