Donald Duck featured on the Seasweep
This B-25 Mitchell bomber features a merman version of Donald Duck, armed with a trident. Nose art such as this was a common characteristic of airships during WWII as Donald Duck became increasingly popular through propaganda films. The cartoons often displayed Donald brandishing weapons or saying taunting phrases such as “Come and get it.”
In propaganda films, Donald was usually cast as an American soldier serving in the army with episodes highlighting the draft, training, and his first mission. Perhaps the most famous short is “Der Fuehrer’s Face” which won the Academy Award for the Best Animated Short Film in 1943. The title is based on the popular song by Spike Jones released in 1942. In the film, Donald works in Nazi Germany and experiences the hardships of such a position. In the end, he discovers it was only a dream and is relieved to wake up in America.
For more images of nose art in WWII, search in WWII US Air Force Photos.