B-24J 44-40429 of the 5th AF, 43th BG, 64th Bomb Squadron – Michigan nose art
The nose art on MICHIGAN was created by an artist named Bartigan, who was also known for decorating another famous B-24, THE DRAGON AND HIS TAIL. Unfortunately, little else is known about Bartigan, though he was renowned for his skill in utilizing the B-24’s expansive nose area for his artwork. The nose art and name referenced the University of Michigan, specifically its distinctive maize and blue colors. The description humorously notes the often-criticized design of the university’s football helmets, a sentiment shared by a Pacific theater B-24 pilot reflecting on the team’s aesthetics decades later.