Destiny's Child
Digital, Photoshop
09/11/2003
DESTINY'S CHILD B-17G-30-BO 42-31812 401st Bomb Squadron / 91st BG.
This image was completed as part of my *Classy Chassy series of images, Inspired by the WWII nose art taken from the works of classic pin-up artists such has Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren, Peter Driben, Edward Runci & many more.
Sincere thanks and appreciation is given to Jack Gaffney, the original nose artist and crew chief of ‘Destiny’s Child’ for giving his kind permission for me to reproduce his original artwork as part of the Classy Chassy series.
"Destiny's Child" was crew chief/Nose Artist Jack Gaffney's pride and joy. Destined to fly a total of 53 combat sorties over occupied Europe this plane was taken by as many as 15 different crews between 22nd February and 20th July 1944. Every one of those 53 sorties was without a single abort due to mechanical faults, for this amazing achievement Jack was awarded a Bronze Star for its maintenance record. On 20th July 1944, while attacking the airfield at Mockau near Leipzig, "Destiny's Child" was caught by waves of Fw190s and Me109s, sixty strong, which sliced through the formation and left it burning in #4 engine with wings and elevators badly damaged. Unfortunately only five of the nine man crew survived
In memory of Pilot. Lt. Charles E. Van Ausdall Navigator. Lt. Richard D. Loomis. Tail Gunner/Sgt. Vernon Winters. Top Turret/Sullivan.
*Classy Chassy;
The name was taken from the title of a book by Ian logan and Henry Nield in 1977 which dealt with American Aircraft 'Girl Art' from 1942-1953.
I have also found reference to a couple of B -17 Aircarft from the 388th BG/563rd BS named 'Classy Chassy', and further reference to at least six B-24's with the same spelling, plus four B-24's with the spelling 'Classy Chassis' .... it appears that there were many variations on a theme throughout the war years.
Around 2005 I registered the Domain name 'Classy Chassy', with the intention of using it for a website portfolio to house all my 'Nose Art' related images - In fact I created the following graphics'Classy Chassy Logo' to be used in conjunction with the website.