The man who painted “Miss Lace”
Nicholas H. Fingelly was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1922. The
family moved to Fairfield when Nick was seven years of age. He attended
Roger Ludloe High School and after graduation volunteered to serve in the
USAAF. In May 1943, he was stationed at Lowrey Field in Colorado, where
this photo was taken.
He moved to Harvard, Nebraska, in June 1943, and left for England in
November, arriving at station #126, Rattlesden.
In Nick’s words – “Lt. Bauman, then having seen some of my paintings,
showed me the sketch, asking if I would paint a life size version on the
airplane, which I did, in November 1944.” This was the seventh B-17 he painted
in the 447th B. Group.
The above was contributed by Clarence Simonsen 12/13/03
Dear Mr. Bates,
I just now came across your wonderful site on "Lace". I have been
involved in nose art for the past 37 years - both American and Canadian.
I knew the artist who painted "Lace" from 1981 until his death in 1993.
He was just the most perfect friend and shared all his history with me.
Would you please include his photo on your site?
Clarence Simonsen
Thanks Clarence!! - Bruce
A Brief Bio note on Nick Figely, from J. R. Kirkwood
Hi Bruce,
I just purchased a nose art book with a picture of A Bit O' Lace.
Included was this narrative;
When Nick Fingelly was growing up he loved to draw wildlife scenes as
well as build model airplanes. That fascination with things aeronautical,
socommon amongst youngsters in the 1930's, led him to the Army Air Forces.
After completing his armament training in 1943, Fingelly was sent to
England and joined the 709thSquadron, 447th Bomb Group in November 1943.
Due to his artistic background he was sought after for nose art. As
he remembered, "I believe I painted nine or ten aircraft and this I did
in my spare time." He started with L'il Eight Ball which was inspired
by an American comic strip, then Nazdrowie which is polish for To Your Good
Health, and the others: Hurry Home, The Big Ass Bird, Bugs Bunny, Jr., Sarah
Gray, Miss Monookey, and Sanddusky Jo.
By far his most famous creation was A Bit O' Lace, a much photographed
B-17G. Fingelly was approached by co-pilot John H. Bauman with a
personalized 19*4 in sketch of the much loved Miss Lace from Milton Caniff's
very popular Army strip Male Call. Bauman had asked Caniff if it
would be OK to name a Vega-built B-17 after the very fetching woman but,
typically of the artist's wartime generosity, Caniff sent back a sketch
autographed, "A Bit O' Lace" for Lt. John H. Bauman and the gang, with
my very best wishes, Milton Caniff, NY Oct. 1944."
It took Fingelly five or six hours to finish the stunning piece of art
which streched the entire length of the Fort's nose. The bomber flew
a total of eighty-three missions by the time the war ended, then she was
flown home, arriving in the United States on July 5, 1945. Coincidentally,
Fingelly was one of the passengers. A skeleton crew flew her to South
Plains, Texas, for "reclamation," and she ended up being scrapped at Kingman,
Arizona.
(The book is out of print, but here is the detail: The History of Aircraft
Nose Art-WWI to Today, by Jeffery L. Ethell and Clarence Simonsen. - J.
R. Kirkwood)