Vintage Aircraft Maintenance Comics From The 1940s And 1950s

In the Nov. 1, 1941 issue, Aviation magazine placed a notification for the ‘Annual Maintenance Number’ that would be published in the December issue. This publication would include the inside-story of latest maintenance methods in the U.S. and abroad compiled from facility visits by Aviation’s editors. This comic was included in the announcement of this editorial. Caption reads, "Poor Maguire just learned that the President wants 12,000 more airplanes!"

Angel aircraft-maintenance worker Maguire makes another appearance in an Aviation Week comic – this time, at the end of an article entitled “War on Two Fronts” in the Oct. 1, 1941 issue. These two comics were designed by the American cartoonist, Bo Brown. Caption reads, "Maguire hasn't learned the traffic rules in his own aircraft plant."

Schrader comic from Aug. 1, 1940 included in its ad for tire gauges: “Check your tire pressures regularly before you put in more air and your tire gauge will help you prevent tire trouble in the future.”

From Gulf Aviation Products in the May 1944 issue of Aviation Week, this little birdie is one in a series of ads entitled, “The Birdmen’s Perch.” In each comic, he offers tips and instructions for aircraft maintenance. 

In an ad from General Electric in the August 1956 issue, the piece describes, "8 ways G-E Hydraulic turbopumps can help give you aircraft greater availability, better performance.” 

Featuring a Scotsman beating up gremlins, this comic is from the aircraft polish company Plexiglo. This ad appeared in the March 1943 issue. Related Article: History of Gremlins. 

Aircraft Bolt Corporation featured this soothsayer comic in the October 1956 issue. 

Equipment-handling company Whiting Corporation featured this comic in its April 1944 advertisement: “All right, let’s talk about weight. This is the era of pounds and tons, not grams and ounces. Loads are blockbusters, heavy cargo, troops. The impossible is happening—the airplane has grown up.”

This comic shows the ‘old way’ and the ‘new way’ of the aircraft tires and wheels industry. The General Tire & Rubber Company issued this comic in the October 1943 issue.