When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Exceptional original WWII U.S. Army Air Forces hand-painted canvas panel associated with the 312th Bombardment Group (Light), Fifth Air Force — the famed “Roarin’ 20’s.”
The 312th Bomb Group operated Douglas A-20 Havoc attack bombers in the Southwest Pacific during WWII and adopted the nickname “Roarin’ 20’s.” The hand-painted design on this piece incorporates “ROARIN’ A-20’s” above a wonderfully rendered twin-engine A-20 with caricature airmen, surrounded by Pacific locations apparently documenting the wartime travels/service of its original owner.
Painted locations include HAWAII, TARAWA, NEW GUINEA, NADZAB, MOROTAI, MINDORO, LUZON, NEGROS, OKINAWA, KYUSHU and JAPAN.
The design appears to be a personalized piece of WWII theater-made USAAF folk art rather than conventional aircraft nose art — essentially an airman’s visual record of his unit and travels through the Pacific Theater.
The olive-drab canvas, construction and bound edges suggest that this was originally part of a WWII USAAF aviator’s flight/garment bag or similar military luggage. It survives today as the decorated panel only. Exact original bag model has not been conclusively identified.
Approximately 20 1/2 inches wide × 13–13 1/2 inches high. Please refer to photographs with tape measure for exact dimensions.
Original hand-painted wartime surface remains extremely attractive, with age, fading, staining, edge wear and other evidence of genuine use. Reverse remains plain olive drab. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition.
A particularly evocative piece of WWII Pacific aviation history combining original USAAF material, A-20 Havoc imagery, 312th Bomb Group “Roarin’ 20’s” identification and a remarkable hand-painted Pacific service/travel record.
An outstanding display piece for an advanced WWII USAAF, Fifth Air Force, A-20 Havoc, 312th Bomb Group, nose art, trench art or military aviation collection.
