(See the end of this article for five new snapshots of Mama Lou taken in late ’44 and early ’45 when she was flown by the Father of fellow modeler David Eigenberg. Note how much more “beat up” the ship is, and how many more missions she’d flown since the pics on this page taken earlier in her career! Super cool when guys send me shots like these!)
During my research in the National Archives for more material on the Ploesti, Romania, oil refineries low-level bombing mission, I came across an original 8″ x 10″ print of the well-known A-20J Mama Lou. These photos have certainly been published before, but I offer them here due to their very high resolution, which I hope you’ll find interesting.
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“Mama Lou,” was an A-20J, 43-10127, 6Q*B, of the 410 BG/647 BS. Note the unevenly-painted mission markings and nice female nose art gracing the nose. Also, notice the unpainted battle damage patches that dot the airframe. I really like the battle damage repair patch on the left nose gun access panel with the swastika painted on it!
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Finally, I have this rather poor pic scanned from a photocopy. It’s still useful because it shows the remainder of the bird, except for the actual squadron codes (6Q), which are blocked by the port engine.
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I have a few of my PYN-ups Decals set for Mama Lou (and A-20J “Bill”) left in 1/48:
PYN-up Decals A-20 Havoc Hussies #2. My good friend, the late Dan Rees (former B-52 bombardier with the 410th Bombardment Wing, SAC), was the inspiration for this set showcasing two glass-nosed World War II 410th Bomb Group Havocs with their distinctive black/white striped rudders. First is “Mama Lou,” an A-20J, 43-10127, 6Q*B, of the 410 BG/647 BS. About a bazillion (yes, “bazillion” is a technical term :)) unevenly-painted mission markings and nice female nose art grace the nose, and you’ll also notice the unpainted battle damage patches that dot the airframe. I really like the battle damage repair patch on the left nose gun access panel with the swastika painted on it! Reminiscent of the family left at home, “Bill,” an A-20J, 43-22022, 5D*G, of the 410 BG/644 BS displays a little boy wearing his daddy’s flight helmet and pointing towards the sky where his daddy works. This is poignant artwork, and a nice change from the common female figures that adorned the noses of so many WW II planes.
Five new snapshots from David Eigenberg, whose Dad flew Mama Lou in late ’44 and early ’45, when she was the oldest combat ship in the bomb group. Note the beat up finish and many more mission marks than in the pics above! Thanks, David!
