gwb123 Posted January 9, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 9, 2016 I've been researching old issues of Life magazine through an on-line database, and I found this ad in the October 25, 1943 edition, page 83. It shows a light plane delivering spare parts to a stranded tank crew, with everyone smiling with good ole American grins! One wonders if a low flying plane dropping packages wouldn't have drawn enemy fire, but that is besides the point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted January 9, 2016 I was just about to scroll to the next page when I noticed this little fellow... Mr. Grasshopper! This is a Disney design I had not seen before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted January 9, 2016 Even better, if you sent 10 cents in stamps, you could get the color book "Mr. Grasshopper Wins His Wings". Has anyone ever seen a surviving copy of one of these? Some young aviation fan somewhere must have ordered one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneydave Posted January 9, 2016 Share #4 Posted January 9, 2016 Hello Gil. The Grasshopper design was created by Disney artist Van Kaufman in the fall of 1942 for Aeronca. Besides the booklet, at least one matchbook and four different magazine ads featured the design. I have examples of all of the items in my collection. The booklet and matchbook cover are pretty rare. Here's the entry for the booklet found in my book Service With Character. The Disney Studio and World War II: HFC001 Aeronca Aircraft, Mr. Grasshopper Wins His Wings booklet. 1943. 5¼ x 7 This 26-page booklet was published by the Aeronca Aircraft Corporation and told the story of the Aeronca Grasshopper, a multi-purpose airplane manufactured by this defense contractor. This plane was used for artillery spotting, scouting, and air ambulance duties. Disney artists drew all of the illustrations found in the booklet. The cover of the booklet also features the company’s Disney-designed insignia. Members of the general public could receive a copy by the booklet by sending 10 cents in stamps to Aeronca’s Publicity Department. The booklet was dedicated to “All American Aviators — Past, Present, Future.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted January 9, 2016 That's pretty cool. I assume the booklets are fairly fragile. Like most Disney designs, this is very colorful and lively. Thanks! Any ideas on the character that appears on the upper right corner of the ad? Or is that another variation of Mr. Grasshopper? It looks like he is carrying a hacksaw in one hand and dropping a small bomb with the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted April 30, 2016 Share #6 Posted April 30, 2016 I have this image and am wondering if it was an actual "Unit" emblem as it's similar to the Aeronca design , but yet different too, anyone recognize this one ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne-Hunter Posted February 25, 2018 Share #7 Posted February 25, 2018 Friend of mine found this some years ago. Its about 24 inches in diameter or so - looks to be airplane fabric so we assume it came off a plane. Neither of us have ever been able to identify it, but is definitely based on the Aeronca design. Best ABN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted February 26, 2018 Share #8 Posted February 26, 2018 That very large unit design is a bit similar to this one I'm also seeking an "ID to, .......smaller one especially but needing ID to both , HELP !!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourswag Posted September 12, 2022 Share #9 Posted September 12, 2022 Hi Gang, I found this thread when doing some research on RCAF 427 Lion Squadron Halifax DK226 which had this same artwork in 1943. The RCAF Squadrons had nose art similar or same as many USAAF inspired by girlie mags, and cartoon images. Based in Leeming Yorkshire, 427 Lion Squadron had been "adopted" by MGM and carried the names of the MGM Stars to battle over Germany- in the pic below we see Laraine Day ( which was painted over Ann Sothern). Other aircraft were dedicated to Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Joan Crawford, Greer Garson & etc. ( no Wallace Beery that I have found yet ). MGM collected funds at events in Canada and stars would write letters and send packages to the dedicated air and ground crews. Almost 1/2 of the RCAF aircrews were lost. The code name for this aircraft is ZL-Y, "Y for Yehudi" Yehudi was a catch-phrase used in a popular song about an "invisible" mischievous character- suggesting the bomber itself was invisible and would afflict the Germans. Similarly the Lancaster which my father flew most often, ME501 ZL-T, was named "Spook 'N Droop" which from a Germanic stand means something like a haunting or spirit, coming or attacking from above. Primarily operating at night the idea of an attacking phantom seems common. Very interesting to learn of the genesis and the other uses for the little Abel Grasshopper with the yoke in hand. Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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