The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force announced the recent acquisition of a collection of artwork by Corporal Anthony Starcer, an artist renowned for his "nose" art during World War II.
Starcer served with the 91st Bomb Group, where he brought character and spirit to the B-17 Flying Fortresses that flew across the skies of Europe.
During his service, Starcer painted nose art on nearly 130 B-17 bombers. His work became a defining feature of the 91st Bomb Group and remains one of the most recognizable artistic legacies of the U.S. Army Air Forces in WWII. Notable aircraft that bore Starcer's designs include "Nine O' Nine," "Shoo Shoo Baby," "Sleepy Time Gal," "Outhouse Mouse" and the well-known "Chowhound."
The Starcer collectionwill be placed on display at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Avenue, in Pooler at a later date to be announced. Operating hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. For more information, call (912) 748-8888 or go to www.mightyeighth.org
The Tony Starcer Collection includes 13 original oil-on-canvas paintings that show the iconic nose art he created for these World War II aircraft. Each painting is a reminder of the personal stories, humor and camaraderie that defined the wartime experience of airmen.
"When I started this journey to find a home for my dad's collection, I asked the question on the different Facebook groups where everyone would like to see it land," said Jerry Starcer, son of the artist. "There were many museums mentioned, but one name kept being suggested over and over... The Mighty Eighth in (Pooler.)"
In addition to his work on aircraft, Starcer was an accomplished portrait artist. The collection also features 13 pencil portraits of prominent Allied military and political leaders, drawn on original WWII-era V-Mail stationery. The detailed and expressive sketches include figures such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Bernard Montgomery, General George C. Marshall and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin.
"The one-of-a-kind canvases were done just before his passing in 1986, making them almost 40 years old," Jerry Starcer said. "The V-mails were done in Bassingbourn, England and are over 80 years old. Some of the last words to me by my dad were to keep his name alive. I thank the Mighty Eighth Museum for helping me do that."
"This collection is a truly extraordinary addition to our museum," said Tiffany Bueno, Research & Collections manager at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. "Tony Starcer's work not only reflects the artistic flair of the era but also offers a deeply human connection to the people and planes that shaped the air war over Europe."
The Starcer Collection will be preserved as part of the museum's permanent collection, offering future generations a way to explore the history, art and personal stories of the Mighty Eighth.
About the museum
The Eighth Air Force is the largest air armada in history. The museum uses films, exhibits, artifacts and archival materials to tell the stories of individuals who served in the Eighth Air Force. Their sacrifices made victory in World War II possible.