WW2 Nose Art Trivia

[Jolly]

This airplane featured an actual picture of a negligee-clad actress on the nose, one she sent to the ground crew after the crew had written her a letter. What kind of airplane was it and what was the plane's name?

Two hints:

1. The airplane has been featured on a U.S postage stamp.
2. The actress starred with John Wayne in a 1940's era movie, that lost over $1M, a considerable amount of money at the time.

Bonus: Who was the actress?

[bachophile]

Still waiting for the answer. Googling did not get me anywhere. Checked every John Wayne co star and possible nose art and came up with nothing.

[Jolly]

The airplane was a P-38, the Lucky Lady. The ground crew had written a letter to Laraine Day, who sent them an autographed pic-up of her in a negligee. The picture was laminated to the side of the plane.

[Jolly]

The movie was a 1947 release by RKO, entitled Tycoon. Maureen O'Hara was supposed to play the female lead, but she was pulled for Sinbad the Sailor and Day got the part.

I don't know why it lost over a million bucks, it's not a bad movie.

[Jolly]

[Jolly]

[Jolly]

[Jolly]

[Jolly]

As to the exact picture, I'm not sure which one.

[bachophile]

Damn. Missed that one