FULL YEAR (1943) of WORLD WAR II Aircraft Comic Books in Original Binder

[BOOT]

Recently found this binder with all 1943 issues of BELL SERVICEMAN.

 

Over the years, I had picked up a couple of issues of BELL SERVICEMAN. These comic books were produced by BELL AIRCRAFT CORPORATION of Buffalo, New York, for the employees of its aircraft service division. Produced during World War II, these were classified as "RESTRICTED" at the time. The passage of time has freed them from the restricted status.

 

These comics were only distributed to employees of the Bell Aircraft Corporation at the Buffalo plant. They were restricted - never meant for distribution outside of the plant. They are not listed in any Guide.

 

Here is the full run for 1943, published in the midst of World War II.

 

Six covers feature Hitler/Tojo/Mussolini. There are several great bold designs that look like tattoos or airplane art.

 

These comic books don't feature superheroes, but they helped the real heroes of WW II. They helped servicemen keep the planes flying, and thus literally helped the allies win World War II.

 

Binder and Issues 1-3

[BOOT]

Issues 4-8

[BOOT]

Issues 9-12

[Miamiknight3434]

This is pretty cool. Thank you for sharing

 

 

[BOOT]

Issues 13-16

[BOOT]

Issues 17-20

 

The cover for Number 17 really makes one chuckle if one considers what it says about Mussolini.

[BOOT]

Issues 21-24

[BOOT]

This is pretty cool. Thank you for sharing

 

You're welcome! (thumbs u

[Tri-Color Brian]

Awesome! We're there cartoons inside, or just on the cover?

[thehumantorch]

Very cool slice of history, thanks for sharing.

[BOOT]

Awesome! We're there cartoons inside, or just on the cover?

Mostly comics mixed with a couple of photo diagrams and text pieces. Nothing to make Kirby or Everett sweat, but did the job!

[Bunky Brian]

Boot continues to amaze with his collection

[Primetime]

Nice. I can smell the 1943 paper from here

[KirbyJack]

Coolness!

My first house was a "bomber" house; originally a 20' X 20" one bedroom built specifically for workers of the Martin Bomber Plant in Bellevue, NE.

They had their own magazine, too, but not nearly as cool!

[DarrenSmith]

Great find BOOT. Which issue was this picture from?

 

 

 

[BB-Gun]

There wasn't a lot of information about Bell's contribution to carrier based aircraft on-line. A later development of the P-39 was this slick looking aircraft, the XFL-1 Airabonita.

 

and the Kingcobra P-63 was also used.

Both aircraft were used more to support the Red army on the eastern front.

 

The P-59 was the first jet developed by Bell but it wasn't used since it was inferior to the Mustang P-51.

 

Anyone more knowledgeable want to chime in. Scrooge?

[Griff]

Awesome find Boot ! and thank you for sharing it with us

[BOOT]

Great find BOOT. Which issue was this picture from?

 

 

That is actually from a later 1944 issue - V. 2 #24, December 15, 1944.

[BOOT]

Awesome find Boot ! and thank you for sharing it with us

You are certainly welcome! Glad you liked it!

[BOOT]

The earlier issues had more detailed comic stories. In the second year, the comic stories got more simple and quickly drawn.

 

Here are some samples from the interiors of the first two issues. The artist shows the Axis leaders as "gremlins" working to sabotage planes!