RAF - RCAF Aircraft Nose Art in World War II

RAF& RCAF Aircraft Nose Art • In World War II

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Clarence Simonsen

HIKOKI PUBLICATIONS

First published in Great Britain in 2001 by Hikoki Publications Ltd Ashtree House, Station Road, Ottringham, East Yorkshire, HU12 OBJ Tel: 01964 624223 Fax: 01964 624666 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hikokiwarplanes.com © 2001 Hikoki Publications All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission. All enquiries should be directed to the publisher.

ISBN 1 90210920 1

Edited by David Wadman & Barry Ketley Artwork by Clarence Simonsen & Jon Field Design by Hikoki Publications Printed in Great Britain by Ian Allan Printing, Hersham Distribution & Marketing in UK & Europe by Midland Publishing (a part of the Ian Allan Group) Unit 3 Maizefield, Hinckley, Leics LElO 1YF Tel: 01455 233747 Fax: 01455 233737 E-mail: [email protected] Distribution & Marketing in USA & Canada by Howell Press Inc 1713-2D Allied Lane, Charlotteville, Virginia 22903-5336, USA Tel: (001) 804977 4006 Fax: (001) 804971 7204 E-mail: [email protected]

ALSO AVAILABLE

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FORTHCOMING

Caption to title page: Quite possibly the most risque, albeit shortlived, piece of artwork on any Halifax was 'Uncle Sam's Peace Terms' which was applied to an unidentified machine of 428 Squadron at Dalton, Yorkshire in 1944. The artwork survived for only two weeks before it was spotted by the squadron padre, S/L Harry Coleman, who ordered it removed immediately. The Halifax is believed to be B Mk II fN973 which was lost on a mining operation on 18 April 1944 (Delbert Todd)

Luftwaffe Colours 1935-1945 by Michael Ullmann ISBN 1 902109 34 1

Dedication This book is dedicated to all the Canadians who painted combat aircraft in time of war

"Art is an instrument of war: for use as a weapon ofdefence and attack against the enemy" Pablo Picasso i-

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CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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OTHER BOMBERS Liberators, Wellingtons and more

INTRODUCTION

150

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COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS BEGINNINGS

Aircraft profiles and nose art

Aircraft, artwork and World War I

161

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MOSQUITOS SECOND ROUND

The hillbillies

World War II, pinups and Walt Disney

199

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FIGHTERS ARTISTS AND 'ERKS

Spits, Hurris, Jugs and other vessels

The men who painted the 'planes

210

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TRANSPORT AND RECONNAISSANCE GIFT SQUADRONS 1939-1945 Porcupines and other flying animals

LANCASTERS Made in Canada, used in Germany

Little and large

244

Captions to artwork

256

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Above: Nose artists at work. Canadians FlL WH. Grass, the pilot, and F/Sgt E. McLeish, an air gunner, apply their talents to 'Zombie', Halifax B Mk III NRI26, EQ-Z, of 408 Squadron RCAp, on 29 November 1944. The aircraft was lost when it hit a I,600ft high hill in Northumberland on 18 February 1945 and was burnt out (408 Squadron)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In 1966 I began my nose art project for two simple reasons; I loved the art and not one single book on the subject existed. At the time I did not realise the magnitude of the task ahead of me which would include tracking down and interviewing veterans and photographs and painting replicas of selected nose art. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who gave their time to give me every assistiillce in th,e completion of this ,project. Of the nose artists, I wish to thank especially Thomas E. Dunn, Albert 'Muff' Mills, Bert Evans and Thomas Walton. This book is about you and your fellow nose artists. Thank you. Also I would like to extend a special 'Thank You' to Barry Ketley and Dave Wadman whose contributions and assistance to this work is most gratefully appreciated. My special thanks also go out to the following people and organisations who bore with me throughout this project: Major Dan Edgar, Sgt Glen Lloyd, Sgt Regent Lapierre, M/Cpl Jerry Gendron, Cpl Les Hayes, Cpl Les Robb and Cpl Edgar Stein of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron CAF, CFB Edmonton, Alberta. Trudy Armstrong, Richard deBoer, Dan Bragg, Heidi Knauf, Jacek Malec, Chris Sartorreto, Alex Smith and the late Roy Staniland of the Aerospace Museum of Calgary. Margaret Adamic of The Disney Publishing Group. David R. Smith and Robert Tieman of the Walt Disney Archives. Karl Marlo and Arthur McArthur of Jantzen Incorporated of Portland, Oregon. Reid Austin, former art director for Alberto Vargas and owner of the 'Reid Austin Collection' who allowed me access to the 'Petty Girl' story and permitted me to reproduce material from his collection. Marjorie Jule Petty, the original 'Petty Girl' who graciously provided a signed copy of the 1935 pin-up art and story by her father, George Petty. Dave Birrell, Bob Evans, Dan Fox, Ken Matthews and Keith Phillips of The Nanton Lancaster Society. Lynn Hanks and Fritz M. Johnson of the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group of Seattle, Washington. Bruce A. Felton of the 408(Goose) Squadron Association. Jaromir and Martin Kohout of 'SLET' in the Czech Republic. Vincent Elmer of the 419(Moose) Squadron Association. Herb Smale at 14 Wing, CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia. Capt K. Moore 410 (Cougar) Squadron, CAF. Tony Jarvis and Paul Squires of the Ventura Memorial Flight Association. Edwidge Munn of the National Archives of Canada. Marc-Andre Vachon of the Public Works and Govern-ment Service, Ottawa. Major w.A. March of Air Command H.Q. (History),

Westwin, Manitoba. Michael Kidd of DND, Ottawa. Major K.W. Farrell of the Canadian Forces Photo Unit. Hugh H. Halliday, Curator, and Charles Gruchy of the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa. Lena O'Harta and Kim Parnell of BGM Photo Centre, Ottawa. Ken Cothliff of 6 Group, RAF Bomber Command Association. ', Jack McIntosh and Doug Penny of the Bomber Aircrew Association of Southern Alberta. Sgt PT. Hughes, Editor, RCMP Quarterly. S.H. Clarke of the Air Historical Branch, MoD London, England. Peter Smith of the Calgary Sun newspaper. Jim Bowman, Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta. Walter Bashfield, Albert Gibeau and Colleen Granda of Nose Creek Museum, Airdrie, Alberta. Karl Kjarsgaard of Canadian Airlines. Brian Ogilvie, Ogilvie's Copy Centre, Calgary, Alberta. David S.Carter for permission to tell the story, along with the use of photographs and log-book entries of his father, Alfred Williams Carter. Veterans: Bob Adamyk, Russell Beach, Fred Bendus, Ken Blyth, W/Cdr Jim Bodman, John A. Bright, S/Ldr G.L.Creed, FlU W.M. Constable, E.M. Cooper, George Craig, Ron Craven, Ray Dancose, LAC Frank DeBaie, Don Doucette, Ian Duncan, FlU Jack Dundas, Vincent Elmer, Jack Fleming, Dick Furber, F/Sgt Bill Gray, Sgt D.W. Gray, M/Sgt Ed Gregory, FlU John Harding DFC, F/Sgt Russ Harling, Wes and Eva Hobson, W/Cdr Chester Hull, Jeff Jeffery DFC, FlU Ronnie Jenkins, Harold Kearl, S/Ldr Reg J. Lane DSO, DFC, FlO Denis 'Dinny' Le Blanc, Doug Mackie, John Gillespie Magee Jr, Don Matthews, John W. McLeod, Edward A. Moore, Harry Mosher, S/Ldr Nesbitt DFC, Sgt Charles Nolan II, Jim Northrup, Art Parker, Sgt Karel Pavlik, Dr Murray Peden, Doug Penny, Patty Porter, R. Ratcliffe, Bob Revell, William Riome, Eli Ross, FlU William Snider, Bert Somerton, Melvin J. Strunk, Victor E. Swimmings, Jim Taylor, James Ernie Thompson, Delbert Todd, FlO Francis Leo Tiberio, Ray Wardell, Laurie Wileman, Vernon T. Wilkes, Kenneth D. Williams, LAC Raymond Wise, F/Sgt Bill Wright. Additional photos were kindly supplied by Tim Mason, Alastair McQuaid (via David Howley), Martin Pegg, Bruce Robertson, Geoff Thomas anc! Richard L. Ward.

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INTRODUCTION Artists have always accompanied armies and recorded their duty in time of war. War artists deal with their visual images on the battle front or from a safe viewpoint. Their different styles in ink, paint or pencil varied just as much as their motive or purpose. In the first World War the artist not only saw, but experienced the bloody battles, death and smell of combat. These artists had been or still were serving as frontline troops, often within sight and sound of the enemy. Their paintings recorded the ruined landscapes, gas attacks, rain, mud, the wounded and death on both sides. This would all change in the second World War. The war artist in World War Two was a non-combatant. There were exceptions but, like their war correspondent colleagues, the artist also worked in an official capacity. They were formally commissioned to produce art to order. Today, museums around the world contain and display the works of official World War Two war artists. During the early months of World War Two, another art form began to appear; artwork painted on aircraft, and by 1945 it had reached its creative peak. Originally this artwork was painted close to the pilots' position but· later moved to the nose of the aircraft, thus creating the nickname 'Nose Art'. Many ofthe artists were unknown enlisted men whose fee ranged from pure enjoyment to a bottle of hard liquor. They painted on the skin of the aircraft, their studio the great outdoors in every corner of the world. Their art came in thousands of different shapes and sizes; a name two feet long or a Petty pin-up girl in almost billboard size. They attempted to paint the art based on the attitudes of the pilot and or crew in virtually any subject that could be thought of. Although the 1940s pin-up girl was the most popular, the characters of Walt Disney's cartoons came a very close second. When an aircraft was lost, either from an operation or an accident, any nose art carried by the aircraft was generally lost forever. Only a photograph could record this lost art but, unfortunately, too many aircraft were gone before any photos could be taken. At the end of World War Two, thousands of aircraft were broken up along with their art, and few examples remain today. As for the artist, he was not this lucky, his story and place in Canadian (even less in RAF) history was not even documented. During my thirty-three year period of research it became apparent that there was a need for an accurate reference source that would cover the subject of the nose art of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Some of the photographs that appear in this book have been published before, but in most cases, with scant ref-

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erence to the artist or the story behind his painting. Hundreds of new photos have been obtained and reproduced from private collections. These photographs, published here in combination with the old official ones, are included within the pages of this book in an attempt to convey the true story of this nose art. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only book that records the story of the nose art of both the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War and the men that painted it. Along with my work on this book my hobby is to recreate this art on genuine aircraft skin. This I do in as true a representation of the original as possible. Not only as a labour of love but also in dedication to the more than 17,000 RCAF aircrew who gave their lives in the cause of freedom during the period 1939-1945.

Clarence A. Simonsen Airdrie, Alberta, Canada 1999

BEGINNINGS Aircraft, artwork and World War I The application of artwork to military aircraft began with the First World War. It would subsequently appear in every war up to and including,the Gulf War of 19901991 and the more recent NATO air campaign above eastern Europe. Man began decorating his instruments of war long before history was recorded. In school we learnt about battles with painted chariots, Roman standards, Viking longships, the Aztecs and Mayas, the woad-covered ancient Britons, the North American Indians, who would decorate themselves, their homes and their horses with a rudimentary artwork known as 'warpaint' and, later, the medieval armoured knights. Man next gave names to the machines that he created to give them a power and an identity with which to bring a specific image to mind. Our history books are full of the names of ships that bring a famous or infamous event or person to mind, names such as Mayflower, Victory, Titanic, Bismarck, Hood, Arizona or Missouri. Had these been just numbers, then the images would be neither as evocative or as memorable. 3 Above: Genuine nose art! This Macchi M.5, M1304I, flown by a pilot named Arccidiacano, wears Italian national insignia and camouflage and the number '20' on the hull side, with personal markings in the form ofa motto, '1 Casi Sono Due' (There are two possibilities) as well as the sea monster on the nose and aflagpainted on the side ofthe stabilising float. The zig-zag effect on the hull is the demarcation line between the glossy white underside paint and the uppersurface varnished plywood. Location is somewhere in the Adriatic, possibly Porto Corsini

Aviation rapidly acquired an aura of romanticism and by the outbreak of war in 1914 the exploits of the 'dashing young men in their flying machines' trying to kill one another in the name of patriotism soon led to World War One becaming a melting pot of aircraft camouflage, national and individual markings, and unit insignia.

France With the birth of aviation at the beginning of this century, just as with its maritime cousins, the aviation world was to produce some famous names and events. In 1903, the United States of America became the cradle of powered aircraft flight. This was soon overtaken, however, as France became its nursery. On the eve of World War One France was the centre of world aviation, thanks in part to American Wilbur Wright. In 1909, the Frenchman Louis Bleriot flew the English Channel. In the same year the words 'aileron', 'fuselage' and 'nacelle', were admitted into the Oxford English Dictionary. The first flying instruction under military control took place in France in 1910, and other developments, too numerous to name here, followed. It is within the scope of this book, however, to look at three of these, relevant to aircraft markings. They are: • In the early 1900s the rear canvas covered section of French motor transport vehicles were often painted with a form of individual art. Then, during World War One, as French aviation aces were beginning to receive so much 7

publicity and were becoming national heroes, they too adopted distinctive individual artwork with which to decorate their aircraft. This was done in a very similar fashion to that applied to motor vehicles. • As early as July 1912, the French Army recommended a roundel, known as a 'cockade' in France, of three concentric circles in the national colours of red, white and blue, be applied to all French aircraft. This was done as an aid for French ground troops to recognise the nationality of the aircraft. These new roundels were applied with the outer band in red, the inner in white and the centre portion blue. • In 1912, the French formed the first squadron or 'Escadrille' which had ten aircraft. Each Escadrille was given a number that remained constant although it would be pre<:;eded by a prefix that would identify the aircraft type in use. For example, the first American aviation volunteers during World War One flew in Escadrille No 124. When they flew Nieuport aircraft they were identified as N.124, then, when they changed to Spad aircraft, they became known as Spa.124. The French authorities allowed each Escadrille to adopt their own insignia and apply it to the fuselages of their aircraft. Sometimes it would also be applied under the wings.

Germany Aviation in Germany had concerned itself primarily with the development of the airship and it was not until the arrival of the armed Fokker monoplane into service in 1915 that the German air service began to more fully realise the potential of heavier than air aircraft. As the earliest dedicated fighter squadrons were formed, the young men attracted to this type of warfare were naturally some of the more dashing and bolder personalities, many of whom came from the Imperial cavalry regiments. Their elan soon led to the use of individual markings on their new mounts as the German propaganda machinery promoted these new heroes. Not only this, but the German air service developed a more systematic approach to the use of large areas of colour and artwork on their aircraft to identify particular units-or men- than any other of the combatant nations. Who has not heard of the 'Red Baron'? This association with the cavalry was in a sense reinforced by the use of the black cross as a national identity marking, a device used by the Teutonic knights of old.

Italy Although aviation had advanced from the United States to Europe, it was Italy who first used aircraft in an operational war flight. This occurred when they were used for spotting troop movements in Libya on October 22, 1911. Then, during the following week, she became the first country to use an aircraft in anger by dropping bombs and by 1913 had organised squadrons, just as the French

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had done. Early Italian squadron markings usually consisted of the name of the unit in black lettering on clear varnished fuselages. As the war progressed, more elaborate individual and unit markings along French lines appeared. In 1915, however, the Italians introduced a novel form of national marking to their aircraft. Instead of the roundels or crosses adopted by the other belligerents, the Italians chose to paint the outer sections of the undersides of the wings of their aircraft in the national colours of red and green. The centre section remained in clear varnish or silver to represent the white section Qf the It~l­ ian flag.' These markings were progressively replaced by red/white/green roundels once the RFC arrived on the Italian front.

Great Britain In August 1914, four squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps, Nos 2, 3, 4 and 5, were sent to France to join the British Expeditionary Force, the first RFC aircraft landing there on 11 August. These aircraft carried no markings other than small serial numbers and it was at first felt that there was no need for identification markings. When Royal Marines opened fire on British aircraft, however, it became obvious that some form of rapid identification for ground troops was needed. This marking took the form of a large Union Flag which was first applied to British aircraft on 23 August 1914. It was not long before it was discovered that this type of marking was unsuitable as it could often appear to look like the German cross. So, on 11 December 1914, the RFC adopted the French style of roundel with the colours reversed, blue for the outer ring and red for the centre. Although the Union flag often still appeared as a rudder marking until early 1915, in May of that year the RFC and RNAS first applied stripes of equal width to the rudders of their aircraft. Here again it was an adaptation of the French marking with a darker blue than that of the French. When RFC Squadron markings were introduced in April 1916, they were applied to aircraft fuselages in simple lines or devices, usually in black or white. The Royal Naval Air Service, on the other hand, retained colourful flight and squadron markings based on ship's signal flags for some time. Although initially RFC pilots had little use for individual markings, a scheme was adopted whereby public money could buy a name on an RFC aircraft, the donor being allowed to choose the inscription to be applied. By August 1917 a total of 437 aircraft had been sponsored in this manner. If a named aircraft was lost or destroyed, the name would be applied to another aircraft, even if it were of different make. There was even a price guide available for potential donors: £1,500 for a B.E.2c, £2,250 for a Vickers 'Gunbus' and £3,500 for a floatplane.

Canada On 4 August 1914, Canada went to war with Germany but had neither a pilot nor an aircraft with which to join

the air war over France. The Canadian Aviation Corps was formed on 16 September 1914, with officers Capt E.L. Janny of Galt, Ontario and Lt W.F. Sharpe of Prescott, Ontario. Next, the Canadian government purchased a Burgess-Dunne float-equipped biplane from Marblehead, Massachusetts and shipped it to England. This, the first Canadian military aircraft to arrive in Europe, received no markings and was placed in storage on arrival in England, later being scrapped. So, with no aircraft to fly, Capt Janny resigned and returned to Canada. Lt Sharpe transferred_ to the RFC and was killed on a solo flight on 7 May 1915.: Thus ended the short and sad existence of the Canadian Aviation Corps. One point that should not be overlooked is that, despite its short history, the Canadian Aviation Corps had a uniform and had designed and used a cap and collar badge featuring the Canadian Maple Leaf. With no Canadian air arm in existence, hundreds of young Canadians wanted to become pilots in either the Royal Flying Corps or Royal Naval Air Service. Although most Canadians are familiar with the names of Barker, Bishop and other aces in the RFC, the names of Canadian aces with the RNAS may not be so well known. The pilots of the RNAS were a breed apart from their RFC contemporaries. They were trained under the long standing regulations and traditions of the Royal Navy and had a deep-rooted pride in being a part of the Senior Service. Formed in July 1914 from the Naval Wing of the R.F.C and with less than 100 aircraft on strength, these 'airborne sailors' left for France during August 1914. Many young Canadians eager to fly in France had been rejected by the RFC because they could not fly, but now these same young men were told that, having learnt to fly, they could be accepted into the RNAS. All Canadian volunteers were first required to attend a civil flying school at their own expense and many of them opted to do this. Most of these young pupils received their training at the Curtiss School of Aviation, Long Brance, Ontario. Graduates from this training then continued on to England, again at their own expense. Here they were commissioned into the RNAS. After further training they were then posted to one of the new Naval Wings then being formed. In the spring of 1916, No.3 (Naval) Wing was formed at Maidstone in Kent under the command of Capt W.L. Elder RN. Most of the pilots of this unit were Canadians. In July 1916, No.3 Wing moved to France an-d undertook many bombing missions until when, in early 1917, the hard-pressed RFC began to draw on them for reinforcements. In this manner, many Canadians were gradually posted to the Naval squadrons on the Western Front. When 3 Wing was finally disbanded in May 1917, over forty Canadians had served within the unit.

No 10 Naval Squadron was formed in February 1917. At first flying Nieuport Scouts, the unit soon moved to Furnes in Flanders where in March, it was re-equipped with Sopwith Triplanes. Among the aircrew of Naval 10 at Furnes was the newly promoted 'B' Flight Commander, Canadian Raymond Collishaw, who picked four other Canadians to join him in the flight. By the end of April, Naval 10 had moved to a field at Droglandt and it was here that their squadron markings W~Fe first applied. The three Flig!:J.!S each selected a colounO'be applied to the forward fuselage, cowling and wheel covers of each of their aircraft. 'p.: Flight selected Red, 'B' Flight Black and 'C' Flight Blue. Having selected their respective colours, Collishaw then directed the pilots of his flight to pick names for each of their aircraft that began with the word 'Black'. These names were painted in white beneath the cockpit. Ellis Reid from Toronto picked 'Black Roger', Gerry Nash of Hamilton chose 'Black Sheep', J.E. Sharman of Winnipeg selected 'Black Death', Mel Alexander, another Toronto native took 'Black Prince' and Collishaw 'Black Maria'. This 'Black Flight' as it became known, soon became a familiar sight in the skies above Flanders, destroying 87 enemy aircraft during the months of June and July 1917. Although not a part of the soon to be famous Black flight, two other Canadians from Alberta became aces while with Naval 10 and deserve mention here. The first was FIt Lt J.G. Manuel DSC from Edmonton, Alberta, who scored ten air to air victories before being killed in a mid-air collision on 10 June 1918. The second was S/Ldr A.w. Carter MBE, DSC, who had previously served with 3 Naval squadron and ended the war with a total of fourteen victories. When the RFC and the RNAS amalgamated to become the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, fully one quarter of the pilots were Canadians. Ten of the twenty-seven leading aces in the RAF were from Canada with Collishaw ending the war with 68 confirmed kills. The first Canadian airman to destroy an enemy aircraft was a naval pilot, Arthur Strachan Ince, of Toronto, Ontario, and the first Canadian ace was another naval pilot, FIt Lt Rochfort Grange, also from Toronto. Nine days after the end of the First World War, No.1 Squadron (Canadian) was formed at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire. The forming of all-Canadian squadrons had been suggested by the British in 1915 but no authorisation was formally given until 5 August 1918. On 25 November 1918, No.2 Squadron (Canadian) was formed and then, four months later, No.1 Wing was formed to administer the two squadrons. The Canadian government of the day subsequently decided not to maintain a peacetime air force and all were disbanded on 9 August 1920. For the second time in history, the Canadian Air Force was gone, but in their short period of life, both 1 and 2 9

squadrons managed to adorn the fuselage and tails of their aircraft with the distinctive maple leaf.

United States of America The American aviation volunteers of the First World War and their insignia still remain a misunderstood subject to this day. Early in 1914, American volunteers for British air service were turned away because of their US citizenship. As the US was neutral at that time, many Americans claimed Canadian birthright but this also failed. The American volunteers were advised to join the French Foreign Legion, where an oath of allegiance was sworn to the Legion and not to France. The French later transferred these volunteers to temporary duty in the French Air Service although several were killed while serving as infantry before the transfer could take effect. American volunteers who served in the Air Service were collectively called the 'Lafayette Flying Corps' by the French government. Sixty-five of the 209 volunteers were killed during World War One. In April 1916, Escadrille N.124 with Nieuport 28 aircraft was formed with five French officers and nineteen American volunteer pilots. They were first named 'Escadrille Americaine' but, because of protests by the German government and remembering that America was still officially a neutral, the name was changed to 'Escadrille

du Voluntairs' and finally to 'Escadrille Lafayette'. The first emblem adopted by the unit was a painting of the head of a Seminole Indian, a tribe from Florida. This head was painted on the fuselage of the Nieuport aircraft and remained the unit emblem until April 1917. In all, ten volunteers were killed while serving in Escadrille Lafayette, nine in combat and one as the result of injuries sustained when falling off a horse. At 13.18 on 6 April 1917, the United States of America declared war on Germany and her Allies. Escadrille Lafayette was the first to raise the Stars and Stripes over the Western Front, and for two months, was the only active air arm of the USA. Also from 6 April 1917, a new North American Indian head, that of a Sioux Indian, appeared on the new Spad XIII aircraft with which the unit was then equipped. Then, in early 1918, Escadrille Lafayette transferred to the US Air Service and became the 103rd Pursuit Squadron. The first American national marking was adapted from the French roundel but with the colours in the order of the old imperial Russian markings, ie red outer, blue, and white centre. Post-war this was later superseded by a blue disc with a white star which in turn bore a red central disc.

4 Left: Typical ofmany ofthe young men from Canada who volunteered for service with the RNAS, this is Squadron Commander Alfred William Carter MBE, DSC. Note his pilot's badge above his rank insignia on his cuff

5 Below: An early version of a 'sharkmouth' (or should it be skullmouth?) on a Maurice Farman M.F.llbis, type 37, no. 9133, of 2 Wing, RNAS. Shown as it appeared on 1mbros in the Aegean in summer 1916, the machine was known familiarly as the Goo-Goo or the Bogeyman (1M. BrucelG.S. Leslie collection)

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6: Even the humble Corps reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps sometimes received nose art. This is a 90 hp RAF-engined B.E.2c (probably Daimlerbuilt no. 2650)which has been fitted out with landing lights and underwing flare holders for night flying. Curiously, the presentation name appears to have been modified from 'Tasmania' to 'Tasman' on the original print. Note the machine gun on a flexible mounting for the observer in the front cockpit and the manufacturers decal on the extreme nose

7: The Royal Navy was not as restrained as the RFC when it came to marking their aircraft. Here Sopwith Camels of Naval 10 display their nose markings. 'A' Flight was commanded by Canadian ace Alfred William (Nick) Carter from 3 July 1917. Previously it was believed that the stripes were black on 'A' Flight machines and red on 'B' Fligh~but the recent discovery of documents from the Carter archives shows that in fact the opposite was the case. 'C' Flight used blue stripes. These aircraft are from 'A' Flight, the nearest being B6289 flown by the Canadian ace, WM. Alexander

8: This unidentified crew displayed a sense ofhumour in their choice of markings for their reconnaissance Farman F40. A similar figure to that painted on the port side of the nacelle was also applied on the starboard side. The unit is believed to be the Belgian 4me Escadrille d'Observation

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9: This Nieuport Ni 11 ReM is alleged to be wearing Rumanian markings and a personal cat emblem, seen shortly after the end of World War I during a visit to Lvov in Poland. However, the shades of the tailstripes and the cockades suggest that it could actually be in Imperial Russian service

Captain Robert Rockwell, commander of the USAS 93rdAero Squadron posing in front of his SPAD I3. The aircraft carries the Seminole Indian head insigne ofthe unit and is still wearing French camouflage

10:

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11: A lineup ofsurrendered

German aircraft from IG3 late in 1918 wearing brightly coloured stripes and allwhite tails. The nearest machine is an Albatros D. V or D. Va with an unusually broad cross on the tail. The remaining aircraft are all Fokker D. VIIs, the nearest pair apparently being G.A. W -built

SECOND ROUND World War II, pin-ups and Walt Disney Until the Battle of Britain individual art or insignia was not officially permitted by the Royal Air Force. While it is clearly impossible to determine the precise date when the first example of RAF nose art appeared in World War II, it probably occurred with 266 Squadron in December 1939. On 2 September 1939, 226 Squadron, with 16 Fairey Battle aircraft, landed at Rheims in France as part of 72 Wing of the Advanced Air Striking Force. By December three of these aircraft at least carried individual nose art and names. One Battle, coded MQ-R, flew with a pirate skull and crossbones flag and was named 'Jolly Roger', while a second (MQ-H?) carried the outline of a winged creature and the name 'Madam Harpy'. A third was 'Old Faithful'. The Battle was soon found to be no match for the modern German fighters but still contributed heroic 12 Above: A Lockheed Hudson prior to ferrying across the Atlantic from Gander in Canada direct to the RAp, most likely late in 1940. The picture shows 'Pappy' Ryan, a civilian delivery pilot, receiving the aircraft paperwork shortly before departure. The Donald Duck artwork would have been applied by a Disney artist at the Lockheed works at Burbank, California, the inscription being added at Gander. Note the blanking plate over the dorsal turret position (BR)

efforts to stop the German advance through France. Thus, the Fairey light day bomber should be credited as the first RAF bomber to use nose art in World War II. When the RAF began its bombeing offensive against Germany the mainstays were aircraft such as the Blenheim, Hampden and Wellington. Many of these early medium bombers carried Walt Disney or 'Popeye the Sailor' cartoon characters from the strip published in the Daily Mirror. Such was the popularity of these cartoons that the Wellington even received its nickname, 'Wimpy', from the character J. Wellington Wimpy in the Popeye strip. Canadians were already serving in RAF units at the outbreak of war. By the time of the Battle of Britain, 'maple leaf' or 'Canada' markings were officially permitted on aircraft. From these modest examples, 'personalisation' of aircraft became more and more common as the usefulness of the practice in contributing to enhanced morale gained greater, if unofficial, recognition. As the fortunes of war ebbed and flowed, the quantity and quality of the artwork applied to RAF and RCAF aircraft reflected these changes. During times of pressure, much of the artwork was small and constrained, but as the cer-

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tainty of ultimate victory grew, the artwork became larger and more exuberant. Certainly, as the numbers of Commonwealth crew members serving in the RAF grew, their less-restrained attitudes tended to influence the style of artwork. The sources of inspiration for these were many and varied and can be seen in the pictures throughout this book. Some themes and topics-and artists-had, however, much greater influence than others and are examined in greater detail here.

Walt Disney Walt Disney was born on 5 December 1901 in Chicago, Illinois but the family was soon to move to a farm near Marcelin, Missouri, where Walt spent his early childhood. In 1910, the family moved again; this time to Kansas City, Missouri. It was here that Walt and his brothers became delivery boys for their father's 800-customer paper round. In August 1914 came the outbreak of the First World War. Each morning, as Walt began work at 4 am, he would always read about the situation in France in the papers delivered to his father. On 8 June 1917, he read that General Pershing had landed with his staff at Liverpool, England, enroute to France in preparation for the organising of the American Expeditionary Force. Now Walt saw young Americans were joining up to fight in France. During the summer of 1917, the Disney family returned to Chicago where Walt enrolled into the Academy of Fine Arts and in the evenings, took up a correspondence course on cartooning. He had many ideas, but his one desire was to join the AEF and head to France. At 15 years of age he was too young to enlist but learnt in 1918 that he could join the American Red Cross and work in France. On November 18, 1918, just seven days after the Armistice, Walt arrived in France. For the next nine months he drove every vehicle from a small ambulance right up to a five ton truck. It will always be open to speculation as to what effect the artwork carried on French wagons had on him. It must have had some effect because it is known that he painted his own cartoon art on one of the ambulances which he drove. On returning to the United States, he was employed as a commercial artist in Kansas City, and then, during the period from 1928 to. 1937, his animated cartoons changed the world of entertainment forever. It was during this period that his films and artistic expertise reached a peak which many believed he never bettered. In addi13 Above left: Fairey Battle 'MQ-R' of226 Squadron of the AASF, based at Rheims in France during winter 1939-40, shows off some of the earliest nose art of WWll. It is believed the aircraft is K9183, which was lost over Luxembourg on 10 May 1940 14 Left: Battles from 226 Squadron at Rheims, the nearest carrying a peculiar emblem and the name 'Madam Harpy'. This presumably indicates that the machine is coded 'MQ-H'. Aircraft 'K' in the background is thought to be K7705

14

tion to wide-ranging acclaim, in 1937 he was awarded a special Oscar, presented to him by film star Shirley Temple, for his 1937 classic, full length animated film, Snow White and the Se en Dwar es. When he opened his new studios at Burbank, California it was bounded by the Griffith park Airport, Grand Central Air Terminal which operated as a primary aviation training school for the U.S.Army Air Corps, and by Lockheed airport and air-testing terminal. Thus, surrounded by u.S. military aviation locations, it may seem strange that it took the U.S.Navy to spur on the creation of Disney artwork for W.W.II combat insignia. In June 1939, a letter arrived on Disney's desk from aviation cadet Burt Stanley, then in training at San Diego, California. Stanley had written to suggest that, as the Navy lacked any imaginative insignia similar to that used in the Army Air Corps in W.W.I, could Disney design a special insignia for the new aircraft carrier, USS Wasp. Thinking back to his ambulance days in France, Disney at once realized what the young cadet was asking. Deciding to give it a try, he handed the job over to artist Henry Porter, better known as 'Hank', who immediately gave the job his full attention. The result of his work was a belligerent wasp, standing in an aggressive stance and wearing four boxing gloves. It did not take long for the new design to be adopted and it was soon decorating everything from flight jackets to the letterhead on writing paper. As word of this design began to spread, a second request was sent to Disney in early 1940. Lt Earl S. Caldwell, USN, asked that a new design be drawn for an insignia for the new Patrol Torpedo Boats called the 'Mosquito Fleet.' Again the Disney artists went to work, and in April, the new design began to appear, painted on each side of the PT Boats. Photos of these new ships with their new artwork began to appear in Popular Mechanics, Life and Mechanix Illustrated. What had started out as an individual suggestion now turned into a flood of requests to the Disney studio. Undismayed, Walt told Hank Porter to create as many designs as he could and organise his own department within the studio. So, the design team grew from one to five; Hank was joined by Roy Williams, Van Kaufman, George Goepperm and Edward Parks. In their first year of operation, Hank and his new team produced over 200 individual designs for the Army, Navy, Marines and various other government bodies. Walt made it very clear, however, that no commercial use could be made from the family of Disney cartoon characters. He also made sure that no government department could advertise Mickey, Minnie, Pluto or Donald Duck. Soon requests began to arrive from British Commonwealth forces and French, Polish and other European troops exiled to England and many of these were given Disney characters who appeared in fighting uniform for the first time.

1941 proved to be quite traumatic for Walt when half of his staff went on strike. It seems that they were dissatisfied with lay-offs, working conditions and communication problems between themselves and Disney and the management. What effect the strike and loss of top artists had on Disney films is impossible to say, but Walt did turn to Canada for his first war contract. During the summer of 1941, he signed a contract to make four, short War Bond Drive films for Canada: Thrifty Pig, featuring the Three Little Pigs, and Se en Wise Dwar es were released in 1941 and Donald's Decision and All Together, again featuring the seven Dwarves, were released in 1942. For some obscure reason, these four, made for Canada films, were not declassified until 1991 when they were shown in a week-long film festival called 'Forsaken Films' in Taormina, Italy on 31 July 1992. They are now part of the War Museum collection in Ottawa. On 8 December 1941, Disney was offered a film contract by the American government to make twenty training films for US troops. By the end of the war, Disney artists had created over 1,200 military insignia, many of which were supplied to Canada's armed forces. At the beginning ofWW II, the Home War Establishment of the RCAF consisted of a Western and Eastern Air Command, made up of seven squadrons, all flying obsolete aircraft. The first priority for new aircraft was given to Eastern Command due to the threat from UBoats to shipping in the eastern Atlantic and eastern coastal regions of Canada. The majority of those squadrons that served exclusively in Canada received no official unit badge but took a title or nickname. 10 Sqn RCAF was mobilised on 10 September 1939 and was re-designated as a bomber reconnaissance squadron on 31 October, flying Digby and Liberator aircraft on anti-submarine patrols off of Canada's east coast. It won the unofficial title of 'North Atlantic Squadron' with a record of twenty-two attacks on U-boats and three sinkings. Their unofficial badge and unit insignia of 'Dumbo' came from Disney, as did their nickname. The baby elephant, 'Dumbo', was the first of the Disney family of cartoon characters allowed to appear on wartime insignia. He was not a permanent Disney figure like Donald Duck or Pluto, and had just been released (in 1941) in a short animated film. As the squadron insignia requests becan to flow into the studio, Dumbo quickly became a favourite, ranking seventh in the top requested Disney characters for aircraft insignia. When the American 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, commanded by Captain Elliott Roosevelt, son of the US president, arrived in Argentia, Newfoundland in 1941, they were equipped with Lockheed Ventura PV-3 bombers. Again, Disney created a Dumbo insignia for the squadron. Many of the 286 Ventura bombers that served with the RCAF arrived complete with Disney artwork already applied. With the studio right next door to the Lockheed plant, the artists simply walked over to the

15

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15 Top left: One ofthe earliest Walt Disney studio-designed military insignia was this one dating from March 1940, featuring a mosquito on a torpedo for the 'Mosquito Fleet', the US Navy's Patrol Torpedo boats (© Disney Enterprises Inc) 16 Bottom left: One of Disney's dogs of war was this pugnacious bulldog, designed for the USAAF 62nd Fighter Squadron, and used on several RCAF and RAF aircraft (© Disney Enterprises Inc)

16

17 Top right: This is the Seawolf, designed for 149 Squadron, RCAp, a torpedo bomber unit based at Pat Bay in British Columbia. The emblem was superseded by a squadron-originated design featuring a half-wolf, half-fish, after July 1943 when the unit was redesignated as a Bomber Reconnaissance squadron. 149 Squadron was disbanded on 15 March 1944 (© Disney Enterprises Inc) 18 Bottom right: Cats were a relatively less popular creature in the Disney war menagerie. This one, the Flying Lancer, was used by 126 Squadron, RCAp, while they were in Nova Scotia in September 1942 (© Disney Enterprises Inc)

I

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19 Top left: Less warlike in character were the famous Seven Dwarves

21 Top right: Perhaps not surprisingly, monkeys did not often feature

who featured in this 'Vfor Victory' design used by A Flight, 15 Service Flying Training School, RCAp, based at Claresholm in Alberta (© Disney Enterprises 1nc)

in military insignia but here is one that did. This was used by the Recovery Unit (Motor Boat) of9 Squadron, RCAp, used while they were based at Bella Bella, British Columbia (© Disney Enterprises Inc)

20 Bottom left: Designed by Disney studios but for some reason only infrequently applied to aircraft was this emblem produced for 122 Squadron, RCAF; the 'Flying Nightmare'. Perhaps the visual pun could not offset the alternative meaning to the unit's nickname (© Disney Enterprises Inc)

22 Bottom right: Possibly second in fame only to the Flying Tiger

emblem was this eagle designed for theAmerican-manned 71 (Eagle) Squadron of the RAp, dating from September 1940 (© Disney Enterprises Inc)

17

plant and created the various art designs right on the aircraft before they were shipped out. Although most of this art was applied to the rear fuselage side, much of it was also applied as nose art. The total number of officially requested Disney insignia for the RCAF during W.W.II is believed to have been twenty-eight, but many more were simply just copied and used by other Canadian squadrons. In reality, hundreds of RCAF aircraft adopted unofficial Disney type artwork, inspired by the movies and cartoons which Disney created during the war years. The following is a list of Canadian home and overseas based squadrons that used a Disney designed insignia at some stage during the war. It is not known exactly how many of these appeared on the aircraft of each squadron: • •

• •

• • •

• • • • • •

2 Sqn RCAF (later became 402 Sqn RCAF), England. Butch the Falcon design. 9 Bomber Reconnaissance Sqn RCAF (Marine Recovery Section), Bella Bella, British Columbia. Monkey design. Canadian Motor Launch Flotilla, RCN, British Columbia. Dragon design. 15 Service Flying Training School RCAF 'A: Flight, Claresholm, Alberta. Seven Dwarves in 'V' formation design. No 21 Staging Unit, RCAF, Port Hardy, British' Columbia. Donald Duck design. 120 Sqn RCAF, Coal Harbour, British Columbia. Pluto design. 122 Sqn RCAF, Pat Bay, British Columbia. Knightmares design featuring a knight riding a part horse, part plane. 126 Sqn RCAF, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Black tomcat with sword design, the 'Flying Lancers'. 128 Sqn RCAF, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Wolf design. 135 Sqn RCAF, Mossbank, Saskatchewan. Bulldog design. 145 Sqn RCAF, Torbay, Newfoundland. Lion with wings design; 'Fury with Balance'. 149 Sqn RCAF, Pat Bay, British Columbia. Sea-wolf design. RCAF flying instructors, Regina, Saskatchewan. Thumper the rabbit design.

N for the Nut Brothers The 1920s saw a variety of unique and diverse comic artists create several humourous features in both single panel and strip form. One of these was the highly successful 'Our Boarding House' created by American Gene Ahern in 1921. On 21 June 1936, Ahern created a new panel for King Features Syndicate called 'Room and Board,' which appeared in a Sunday newspaper. He also created a topper strip for the panel called 'The Squirrel Cage.' This strip was one of pure fantasy and nonsense with absurd humour featuring a little old man, with a long beard and wearing a black coat and, according to the strip,

18

was located in Cuckoo County, Foozland. Each week saw the little old man attempting to hitch-hike to the city of Swolz but, despite his best efforts, always ended up back where he had started from. He became known simply as the 'little old man' who spoke no English, however, all of the other strip characters did, two of whom were Ches and Wal, the Nut brothers. By 1939, this strip had become more popular than the main 'Room and Board' feature. In 1942 nose art featuring Ches and Wal was painted on Halifax II, LQ-N, serial WI095, with the slogan, 'The Nut Bros. Ches and Wal Back Again.'

Li'l Abner Alfred George Caplin, was born in New Haven, Connecticutt in 1909 and moved shortly thereafter with his family to Bridgeport. Early on, his first and last names were shortened and he became known to all as Al Cappo At the age of 12, he lost his left leg in a streetcar accident, but this did not deter him from going on and fulfilling his dreams of becoming a cartoon illustrator. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Boston and by 1933 had become an assistant on the Joe Palooka cartoon strip. In 1934, at the age of 24, he had a new idea and launched a strip called 'Li'l Abner' featuring hillbilly dialect and the social satire in similar fashion to that of Mark Twain. Capp had the ability to create an extraordinary collection of characters, and named each in accordance with their social habits and attitudes. When the US entered the war, the characters of this famous cartoon strip became instant hits as nose art subjects along with other of Capp's creations such as 'Kickapoo Joy Juice', 'Skonk Works' and the famous 'Dogpatch' institution of 'Sadie Hawkins Day'. The female characters that he created were courageous and supremely endowed, boasting names such as 'Moonbeam McSwine', 'Stupefyin' Jones' and 'Appasionata von Climax.' It was many of Capp's creations that decorate.d the aircraft of 418 Squadron.

Captain A.R.P. Reilly-Ffoull FFI and Bar The British invented newspaper comic strip first appeared on 23 February 1850 in The Penny Illustrated News, and began to appear regularly in 1904 when Alfred Harmsworth launched his Daily Illustrated Mirror. British newspaper strips are virtually synonymous with The Daily Mirror and even during the dark days of World War II, the paper printed a full page and a half of comic strips. In the mid 1920's, the home-grown british material began to replace the syndicated American imports like 'Mutt and Jeff', 'Blondie' and 'Popeye.' The Mirror introduced a series of British strips, each modelled on a successful American one. On 4 June 1938, 'Just Jake' appeared in an attempt to make a 'Li'l Abner' out of English 'country bumpkins'. The strip became a hit with Jake saying 'dood' instead of 'did' and he became something of a cult during the war when artist Bernard Graddon switched the focus from hero Jake to the cigarchomping villain, 'Captain A.R.P.Reilly-Ffoull.' This strip and its characters were to have a major effect on British bomber nose art.

Flight Lieutenant 'Tote' Bonney RCAF Until the autumn of 1941, fighter protection for Canada's west coast had been non-existent since 1(RCAF) fighter squadron had left for the UK in 1940. This was rectified when the Canadian government were able to divert 72 Curtis Kittyhawk Mk 1s from an RAF contract to the RCAP. The first two units to receive these aircraft were 118 (East Coast) Sqn and 111 (West Coast) Sqn. Disbanded on 1 February 1941, 111 Sqn was reformed on 3 November 1941 under the command of S/Ldr A. Deane Nesbitt, a former member of No 1 (F) Sqn RCAF, and a Battle of Britain veteran. Declared operational on 12 March 1942, the squadron was based at Patricia Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Five days later, the squadron was 'adopted' by the Saanich Indian tribe who presented S/Ldr Nesbitt with a carved wooden 'Thunderbird' totem which gave rise to the squadron's 'Thunderbird' nickname. Later the squadron became a part of the RCAF reinforcement group for the USAAF defences in Alaska and completed two combat tours operating against Japanese forces on Kiska Island. On 25 September 1942, S/Ldr Boomer of 111 Sqn shot down a Japanese fioatplane making him the only Home War Establishment RCAF pilot to do so in World War II. 111 Sqn was later redesignated 440 Squadron and transferred to Ayr, Scotland. In his 'Terry and The Pirates' comic strip, artist Milton Caniff would often introduce real-life characters, based upon servicemen he had met while touring various bases. However, he did not confine these inclusions to depict-

l ,

23 Below left: SILdr Deane Nesbitt and the 'Thunderbird' totem 24 Below right: FILt 'Tote' Bonny first appeared in the 30 October 1943 issue o/Terry and the Pirates

ing ordinary, regular enlisted men. Well-known personalities were also included such as Claire Chennault and Joseph Stillwell. Perhaps his most famous character was 'Flip' Corkin, a character based upon USAAF Captain, Philip G. Cochrane who had served as a fighter pilot in both Africa and the Far East. In the 'Terry' strip of 30 October 1943, a lost RCAF Spitfire, landed at the base used by Terry and his group. Under gun-point, the pilot, FlU 'Tote' Bonney meets Colonel 'Flip' Corkin. From this meeting on, 'Tote' Bonney remained in the strip until 10 January 1944, appearing as one of the regular characters in over fifty strips. The idea of including a Canadian pilot was based on an idea by RCAF Sgt Jerry Bricker of No 4 Training Command at Calgary, Alberta. Jerry Bricker was a well-established publisher running his own business when war broke out in 1939. Shortly afterwards he joined the RCAF where his publishing background was to greatly benefit Canadian servicemen. He became the first Canadian to apply for and introduce the free features of the American Camp Newspaper Service to Canadian forces publications. At the Alberta Manning Depot in Edmonton he took on the job of editor of The Airman; at St Thomas TIS it was The Aircraftsman and at No 4 SFTS, Saskatoon, he founded Reconnaissance before being posted to Calgary. When working on these publications he had noticed that, in the Ameri ~an strips, Milton Caniff had featured all of the Allies except the Canadians in his 'Terry' strips. As Canada had been involved in the war since the beginning, Jerry Bricker decided that it was time for a Canadian to join the American newspaper war. He wrote to Caniff about this with the result that, over the next two months, the artist and the publisher collaborated to produce a Canadian fighter pilot to join in the fight against the Japanese.

19

On 30 October 1943, a tall, handsome Canadian (with a Scottish background) named 'Tote' Bonney arrived in the strip carrying, for good luck, a carved wooden Thunderbird totem which gave rise to his 'Tote' nickname. Bonney's character had been based on S/Ldr Deane Nesbitt and the carved totem presented to him by the Saanich Indians.

Gremlins Gremlins are one of those clans of 'little people' found in fables, legends and fairy stories. They can, however, become a huge problem for pilots' and air forces all over the world. Seldom taller than twelve inches, they can only be seen by aircrew and can look like Brownies, Elves, Goblins or Pixies. For some unknown reason, Gremlins love aircraft and airfields. There is no doubt that they have been around, unseen, since man first flew but it was not until 1924 at Kelly Field, Texas that the first recorded sighting took place. Then in 1928, they began to become visible to pilots of the RAF, often being seen sitting on the compass, the tailor the wings. Gremlins always seem to appear in greater numbers during time of war and will infiltrate their way into air forces of all nations, on every fighting front. They always seem to choose new pilots and will flatten tyres, steal or hide maps, hole or block fuel lines and poke tree branches through fabric covered wings. Then, not satisfied with that, they will often cause the compass to point the wrong way, move airfields from where the pilot thought they were and, especially when a senior officer or instructor is watching, cause a landing aircraft to bounce up and down in a strange manner. Unfortunately, Gremlins are only visible to pilots and not to people on the ground... In early 1939, the RAF was be infested with another, much smaller branch of the Gremlin family known as Widgets and the groundcrews with yet another: ground dwelling members of the family which became known as Whistling Wiffenpoofs. American aviation too received the attentions of other Gremlin family members. At the Seattle, Washington plant of Boeing, the Strato-Gremlin

was discovered. This one was usually found above heights of 35,OOOft and loved the ice and cold. They particularly liked the new B-17 bomber and were known to drink large quantities of oil, play with the radios and antennae and warm their fingers on the spark plugs and cause engines to fail. With the establishment of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the Gremlin families found many new homes in Canada, and soon the RCAF was full of these mischeavous folk who were often found ready, willing and able to add to the trials of new pilots under training there. Not all members of the Gremlin family were bad, however, all pilots agree that the bad far outnumber the good and it is therefore not suprising that, when a pilot or crew of an aircraft found Gremlins on board, they had good reason to become nervous. In November 1941, Walt Disney read an unpublished story by RAF F/Lt Roald Dahl who, in two years of operational flying, had recorded numerous instances of Gremlins and the problems they had given to fighter pilots. Disney acquired the rights to the story and produced a feature film based on Dahls' Gremlin story. Walt Disney became so caught up with the Gremlin film that he illustrated a special, one-page article which appeared in the 1942 RAF Journal. Unfortunately, due to costs and problems with producing an acceptable Gremlin image, the film was abandoned in 1943. Steven Spielberg was eventually the first to produce a film Gremlin which appeared in his three-part, post-war film The Twilight Zone in which a Gremlin is seen creating damage to a jet airliner in flight. As far as is known, this was the only film to come close to the earlier Disney idea. Although not placed on film during World War II, the Disney art team created at least 28 insignia that featured a Gremlin for good luck. Another good luck yet little known Gremlin story is that of the crest designed for the Womens' Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) programme for female ferry pilots. Initially frowned upon, a programme to use women to ferry American military aircraft was finally established 25 Left: Gremlin art pr.oduced by the RCAF cartoonist Ricky showing the creatures about their nefarious business. The original caption relates how S/L Schwab DFC noted that the holes in his wing were not bullet holes but were produced by his gremlin using a pneumatic drill somewhere over Egypt. During a cold spell Schwab claimed to have seen the same pixy again, this time wearing a beaver cap, fur coat and ear muffs

20

in the US in late 1942. This was only brought about, however, after American aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran and twenty-five of her contemporaries had gone to England, at the invitation of the British authorities, to help form the Air Transport Auxiliary there, which had no qualms about female ferry pilots. One of the early trainees for this programme, a former Disney artist, had been killed in a flying accident and for this lady and the whole WASP programme, the Disney team created a special insignia featuring a little lady Gremlin coming in for a landing. She was given the name 'Fifinella' or 'Fifi' for short and the insignia was worn as a leather badge on the coveralls and jackets until 1944.

26 Below left: Gremlins at work at 19 Service Flying Training School, a part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, based at Vulcan, Alberta in 1943 27 Top right: Two Halifax bombers of 432 Squadron, RCAF, used this nose art ofa gremlin on a double eagle. This had originally been created for the 339th Fighter Squadron, USAAF, which flew the twinengined P-38 Lightning from 1942-45. The art was unofficial when the unit disbanded on 1 Jan 1946 and was never approved 28 Below right: Anne Armstrong McClellan, an American WASp, wearing the Disney-designed 'Fifinella' badge in June 1943

21

r Pin-ups Jane One of the most popular wartime cartoons featured the naive but voluptuous 'Jane'. First appearing in the Daily Mirror in December 1932, she brought a whole new meaning to the term 'comic strip'. Always accompanied by her Dachshund dog she got herself involved in various escapades which inevitably ended with her minus all her clothes. eedless to say, this greatly endeared her to the RAF aircrews-and the nose artists. Indeed, she was one of the few British cartoon characters to transfer over to the US, in the US Forces paper Stars and Stripes.

Milton Caniff 'Miss Lace' was the creation of American artist Milton Caniff. Milton Caniff began to draw sexy girls in 1926 while cover artist for Ohio State's freshman magazine. In October 1935, he created a popular newspaper strip called Terry and the Pirates which, by 1941, was read by an audience of over 20 million in Canada and the US. The strip was published in 135 newspapers and featured 'Flip Corkin' (based on a real life USAAC colonel, Philip Cochrane) and the intelligent man's man and ladies man, 'Terry'. The strip was full of action and heavy in dialogue but also featured many alluring ladies such as 'April Kane', 'Sgt Jane Allen', 'The Dragon Lady', 'Rouge' and, most importantly, 'Burma'. Burma was drawn with an alluring and excellent figure which made her a special part of the strip. With the entry of the US into the war, training camps were constructed at all points of the country, and with them came the Army Camp Newspapers. In January 1943, Caniff joined into the war effort by drawing a special strip called Terry which only appeared in the Army newspapers. This strip was done by him in his spare time and, since he now had a more lustful audience, he made Burma the main focus and displayed more of her charms. The Army loved it but the newspaper syndicate feared that a mix-up would develop between the civilian newspaper and the military. As the syndicate were paying Caniff good money for his work on Terry and the Pirates, Caniff now created an entirely new strip called Male Call and the Terry and the Pirates characters were all eliminated, including Burma. He drew a special strip that informed his readers that Burma had returned to the funny papers and, at the same time, introduced the new figure called 'Miss Lace'. He was flooded with complaints but soon, the new girl had made everybody forget about Burma. The erotic adventures of Miss Lace, the voluptuous and sexy hero29 Above left: The hapless Jane about to reveal all again to her appreciative male readers in 1943 30 Left: Halifax B Mk 111 MZ731 served initially with 640 Squadron RAp, based at Leconfield from June 1944. It was probably there she acquired her 'Jane' nose art. The slogan possibly indicates that the aircraft was coded C8-U. Following an accident on 21 August she was repaired and returned nine days later. At the end of September 1944 she was sent to 1658 HCU from where she was eventually sent for scrapping at the end of December that year, finally being written offon 16 April 1945 (Ottawa RE 7784)

22

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HEY! SHAKE A LEe:.! JU5i MADE A 2EMARK.

TO 'S'OME SOLDIER'S - AND THEY -STARrED FI6I-lTIN.G' , AN\O,.;e;, TI-lEM5EL..VE'S!

ine, appeared in over two thousand service newspapers and reached around the world. She never appeared nude as England's 'Jane' often did, but she was a true sexy pin-

up figure and millions of GIs enjoyed the exposure of a kind not seen in family newspapers. She was painted on hundreds of Allied aircraft, such as Lancaster X, KB747, as copies of this pose were signed and sent to various units by Caniff himself. Perhaps the most famous Miss Lace pose was that painted by American artist Nick Fingelly on a USAAF B-17G (42-97976) of the 447th BG of the 8th Air Force.

31 Above: Enter Miss Lace. The Milton Caniff strip which first introduced the heroine to the US serviceman 32 Left: A signed drawing of Miss Lace as she often appeared on aircraft 33 Below: Artist Gillette A. Elvgren produced this image entitled 'PeekA View'

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The Petty Girl In autumn 1933 a new mens' magazine called Esquire was launched in Chicago, directed towards the high society sophisticated elite male in North America, in which the publisher decided to feature a sexily-dressed girl in a cartoon. This in itself was not new but the style of the illustrator responsible, George Petty, was. Demand was immediately so great that Esquire became a monthly with issue number two in January 1934. The 1933 Petty girl cartoon at long last put good taste in the American pinup by giving her the style and elegance of the American upper class. This cartoon lady soon began to appear as a true pinup and became an American family enterprise. George Petty was the master of airbrush techniques and improved on previous pinup girls by making her legs longer, her torso shorter and her head smaller. This unreal lady with her vivid female anatomy suited the fantasies of American men of all ages. Petty's wife produced catch phrases that appeared with the pictures, while daughter Marjorie was in fact the living 'Petty Girl', spending hours holding a pose for her father to sketch. Even son George Jm appeared as the bronzed escort in two advertisements. By 1939 Petty was making $1,000 per illustration, had no contract with Esquire but two other enormous contracts with Old Gold and Jantzen. The Princeton University class of 1939 voted him favourite

34 Top left: Marjorie Petty at nineteen years of age as a student at Northwestern University in 1939 35 Below left: George Petty and daughter Marjorie alighting from the train in Los Angeles in 1944. Six of MGM's loveliest from the 'Ziegfeld Follies' were on hand to meet the Petty Girl and the artist. Each holds a white telephone ready to take calls from admirers of the artist and his work (Reid Austin collection) 36 Top right: The Petty girl, 'Bashful', from 'Esquire' magazine, March 1941. The original caption read "No, it isn't that 1 have anything else on, Mrs Van Gilder. .. but I didn't know it was to be a comeas-you-are party" (Reid Austin collection) 37 Above: Even the most humble aircraft sometimes acquired nose art. This Petty girl, obviously based on 'Bashful', was carried by an RCAFTiger Moth, serial5028, while it was on strength with 32 EFTS at Fort William, Ontario, sometime between 19 June 1941 and 16 June 1945 when the aircraft was struck offcharge (Lloyd Carbert)

24

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38 Above: The author's collection of matchbook covers featuring numerous models of Petty girl. The originals are brightly coloured and quite a number ofthese formed the basis for nose art on aircraft On a stylistic note, compare the chunkier treatment ofthe girls' legs compared to those painted by Alberto Varga (© Petty Estate)

25

39 Left: A rare ad for 'Jan', the Jantzen bathing suit and sun tanning oil. Alberto Varga produced a very similar image as his Esquire calendar pinup for August 1941 (Arthur McArthur collection) 40, 42-45 Be/olll left: This collection ofpin-ups by Zoe Mozert was produced by M utoscope in the 1940s and is typical ofthose which had a major impact on aircraft nose art (Author collection) 41 Below centre left: The Petty girl bathing suit of 1940 (Jantzen Inc)

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26

,."INT_o;IIN U ••• "'.

artist-Rembrandt came second. By the end of 1939 Petty girls were costing Esquire $1,500 each and Petty was demanding more money from the magazine.

Enter Alberto Varga In response, Esquire went on a quiet search for another artist and found Alberto Vargas, who had identical watercolour and airbrush techniques. The January 1941 issue of the magazine marked the first appearance of a 'Petty Girl' with a 'Varga Girl'. (Vargas had by now dropped the final's' from his name). December 1941 was the last appearance of Petty art as the gatefold in Esquire. As the USA entered World War Two, it was the Varga girl that appeared alone for the troops, becoming the top pinup on all fronts of the war. The Varga pinup girl was to bring its own very American approach to nose art in Britain and around the world. The numbers of American aircraft that carried some form of Varga girl, dressed or undressed, ran into thousands and by 1944 the quality of such nose art within the USAAF had reached a standard unmatched in any other air force. Only that on the Canadian bombers of.6 Group (RCAF) in England and the Canadian-crewed bombers in South-East Asia which carried copies of Varga and Petty's work came a close second to the Americans. George Petty had very little work showcased in the war years but the popularity of his 1939, 1940 and 1941 gatefolds maintained his work as the inspiration for nose 46 Below: This is the Varga pin-up from the January 1945 edition of Esquire. It was an immediate hit with squadron painters and crews

and wall paintings until 1945. Post-war the Petty girl continued to appear in her own calendar and True magazine, the most popular mens' magazine of the 1950s. Today male fantasies are fuelled by photos and videos but the creations of George Petty are still to be found in enthusiasts' collections.

Canadian 'Whites' With the passing of the War Exchange Act on 6 December 1940, certain 'non-essential' goods were banned from being imported into Canada. In short, this meant that, among other things, American comic books were banned from import. Canadians could still read their own comic supplements in Canadian newspapers and many American comic heroes appeared in these, but they could never replace the originals. When Cyril and Gene Bell, two brothers who printed banner advertisements for Totonto's fleet of street cars, heard of the ban, they purchased a second printing press and began printing Canadian comic books featuring Canadian heroes. These comics were known as 'Whites' because they lacked the colour associated with their American counterparts. The Bell brothers published the first, the most and the best wartime Canadian comics and by the end of the war had printed over 20 million. All retained a similar theme based on patriotic Canadian attitudes towards the war. They may be gone but one Bell character which had been painted as Halifax nose art remains to this day. On 5 August 1944, Halifax Mk VII, serial number NP714, was assigned to 408 Sqn and coded EQ-Y. It was decided to give her some nose art and a suitable design was painted on to a section of fabric which was then applied to the nose of NP714. The art work was never named but it featured a girl drum major and the 'V for Victory'. The girl is reported as originating from one of the Bell brothers comic characters who appeared with the ficticious Canadian band leader 'Drummy Young'. Young was always shown as fighting against the forces of evil during World War II, and many of the plots featured well endowed young ladies and a scantily dressed girl drum major. Needless to say, these young female characters were always seen at the mercy of some evil villain, and would always be rescued in the nick of time by Young.

Popeye

.. "NUA,8Y )anmlr>'/tal1lQl1fh • OJ a>ld alUl it>! Mtf .1«f,

Oufdol,'I1WW
The prickly mariner Popeye made his first appearance in 1929 in the Thimble Theatre strip created by E.c. Segar. Popeye's approach to correcting injustices was to wallop them on the nose and, aided by dollops of spinach which gave him superstrength and made him indestructible, made him instantly popular with readers. He was soon accompanied by an equally wildly eccentric cast of characters such as the shiftless J. Wellington Wimpy, whose sole interest in life was hamburgers, and who gave his name to the Wellington bomber. The antics of this manic crew and their unforgettable one-liners; "Let's you and him fight", appealed to the gallows humour of aircrews and ensured that Popeye is still popular today.

27

47 Above: A collection of covers from various wartime Canadian 'White' comics. All are characterised by patriotic and/or humourous themes and sometimes indifferent artistry. Compare this to the drawing of Popeye, Wimpy and Oscar (above right) who appear in a vignette from a typical episode, this one set in a submarine

28

00. IZZAT AU? I "THOUGHT &.IA

WAS "'f'RCI'NA SMOKE us OUT

Sharkmouths The painting of sharkmouth designs on aircraft has spanned the history of aircraft markings. In June 1941, 112 Sqn RAF in North Africa were issued with American-built Curtiss P-40 fighters. Almost immediately the new fighter proved its worth, causing one pilot to remark that the aircraft was a real shark when compared to the Hurricane Mk Is and Gloster Gladiator Mk IIs then being used by the Desert Air Force. The P-40 not only performed like a shark, it also looked like one, with its pointed spinner and deep radiator intake. During September 1941, 112 Sqn painted a sharkmouth design around the intake opening and eyes ahead of the exhausts, whereupon the fighter really did take on a shark-like appearance. Photographs of the aircraft were soon appearing in the Illustrated London News and were reprinted in many American publications. Ironically, the inspiration for these markings had come from photos in the Luftwaffe magazine Signal which had featured Messerschmitt Bf 110s of ZG 76 which had carried huge sharkmouths on the nose from early in the war. Over in Burma, a group of Americans were arriving in Rangoon; these were members of a new US company

known as 'CAMCO' or Central Aircraft ManUfacturing Company. In reality they were members of the American Volunteer Group under the command of Captain Claire L. Chennault. The initial group consisted of 100 Curtiss P-40 fighters and 250 personnel made up of ground-crew, pilots and medical and administration staff, the aircraft being shipped to Rangoon directly from the Curtiss factory in Buffalo, NY. That December, a pilot with the group, Eriksen E. Shilling, saw a photo of one of 112 Squadron's P-40 fighters carrying the sharkmouth design and, recalling what he had heard of Japanese folklore stories of their fear of sharks, suggested to Chennault that they adopt the same markings. Chennault agreed immediately and the design was applied to the AVG aircraft. However, Chennault still wanted a distinctive AVG emblem that could also be applied. He contacted David Corcoran and Harry Price of China Defence Supplies in Washington asking for their help. Price contacted Walt Disney at his Burbank studio and passed on Chennault's request. In its original form the request asked for the inclusion of the words, 'Flying Tiger Shark' in their Chinese form, but this somehow got lost. In all, the Disney team created nine designs, each featuring a Bengal tiger, and only one of these designs depicted one in flight. Originally the idea of artist Roy Williams, it was created in its final form by Hank Porter, becoming a flying tiger superimposed on a 'V' (for victory) and was soon appearing on aircraft and uniform patches where it was carried until the disbandment on 4 July 1942. With the formation of the 23rd Fighter Group, the services of Disney were again sought for a unit insignia. This time the design was completed by Roy Williams and featured a flying tiger shooting down a golden thunderbolt. This design, displayed in front of the US national insignia became the official insignia of the 14th Air Force of the USAAF on 6 August 1943. The design was also worn by the now Brigadier-General Chennault and painted on the nose of his personal C-47 transport.

48: This picture of a sharkmouthed Curtiss Tomahawk IlA in service with 112 Squadron, RAF, appeared in the India Illustrated Weekly and was the picture which inspired the AVe to decorate their P-40s in similar fashion. Possibly hand coloured, the photo probably dates from August-September 1941 when the shark's teeth first made their appearance with 112 Squadron. The pilot may be Peter Brunton who chose the device as his personal marking, greatly impressing the CO who then decided that all squadron aircraft should be similarly finished, much to the disgust ofBrunton!

29

49: This picture, taken in autumn 1945 at Greenwood, Nova Scotia, shows a Liberator GR IV 3742 (exUSAAF 44-44351) of 10 Squadron, RCAF. The nose art was painted in the spring of 1945 before the bomber was posted to Eastern Air Command Meteorolgical Flight at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The tiger face flew regular flights from 17 July 1945 until the unit was disbanded on 30 September that year (Bert Somerton)

50: This magazine picture (in colour in the original form) of a USAAF B-24J was the inspiration for the tiger head paintwork on RCAF Liberator IV 3742

51: A tiny sharkmouth can be just made out on the nose framing of this RAAF Ventura Mk 11, AE854, of 464 Squadron, seen in the UK in March 1943. Coded S B -J, the aircraft also carried gremlin nose art and the name 'Joybelle' as well as eighteen misson markers. The navigator in the crew was a Canadian,Jack Fleming, (far right) from Red Deer, Alberta (Mrs Jack Fleming)

30

ARTISTS AND 'ERKS The men who painted the 'planes 52 Above: A tribute to the unknown artists who decorated military aircraft. Painted by a talented illustrator of whom nothing is known except his name, Emmett Watson, this illustration appeared on the cover of the Toronto Star Weekly of5 July 1941 (Toronto Star)

Thirty-two of the scores of nose artists whose work is featured in this book are listed here. Of these, one was Czech, two American, six British and twenty-three Canadian. Twenty of these served in the RCAF, ten in the

31

RAF, and two in the USAAF 8th Air Force. Nine were commissioned officers, three were Flight Sergeants, five were Sergeants, five were Corporals and ten were Leading Aircraftsmen. Artist Sgt GAllen FlO Ken Blyth FlO RD. Cherrington Sgt Wally Davidson Cpl Alan Day Sgt Thomas E.Dunn LAC Tom Elgey PIO Bert Evans LAC Ferguson Cpl Nicholas Fingelly LAC Freemantle FlU John Harding LAC Norman Hughes Sgt E.A. Johnson PIO Ley Kenyon LAC Chuck Lisowski LAC Loranger LAC Albert Mills Cpl John McGregor FlO William McKnight PIO Trevor Nichols Sgt Karel Pavlik FlO D. Roberts F/Sgt T. Ronuchuk Cpl Alan Rosenthal Cpl Anthony L. Starcer F/Sgt Dan Sheitka LAC Thompson LAC Raymond Tracy Sgt Thomas Walton FlU Vernon Wilkes FlU Johnny Wynne

Squadron(s) 408SqnRCAF 408Sqn RCAF 570Sqn RAF 424 Sqn RCAF 159Sqn RAF 432SqnRCAF 242SqnRAF 408 Sqn RCAF 424 Sqn RCAF USAAF8thAF 168Sqn RCAF 103 Sqn RAF 407 SqnRCAF 427 SqnRCAF 419SqnRCAF 433 SqnRCAF 19 SFTS 428 & 432 Sqns RCAF 419Sqn RCAF 242Sqn RAF 101 Sqn RAP 313 Sqn RAF 418Sqn RCAF 408 Sqn RCAF 429 Sqn RCAF USAAF8thAF 408SqnRCAF 242SqnRAF 407 SqnRCAF 428SqnRCAF 150 & 550 Sqns RAF 214SqnRAF

The experiences of a random few of these artists are given below to illustrate the way in which the emblems they painted were inspired, selected and executed.

Nose art

Aircraft

Code

Serial No

Squadron

'C for Cock'

Wellington X

NA-C

HE918

'F for Fury'

Wellington X

QO-F

HE638

'E for Express'

Halifax V

ZL-E

LK975

428 428 427

Wellington NA-C 'Wotcher Cock?' was a common Cockney greeting that took on an entirely different meaning for Canadian servicemen. Wellington QO-F 'F for Fury' was based on an idea approved by the whole crew, it was very colourful when completed. 52 years later, 'Muff' repainted this nose art.

Halifax ZL-E 'E for Express' was based on this original sketch of an English train. In May 1945, Canadian-built Lancaster Mk Xs replaced the Halifaxes of 408 Sqn. 'Muff' was assigned as one of the groundcrew to EO-A, incidentally the aircraft in which his brother was one of the aircrew. 'Muff' painted the nose art on this aircraft 'A for Abner' based on the Al Capp newspaper strip. His wartime art was not confined to aircraft alone. He also painted a large wall mural in the flight room of No 4 hangar at Linton-on-Ouse. This mural depicted the mischievous antics of Canadian airmen in a location called 'Fred's Pub'. It could still be seen in 1968 and, as far as is known, may still survive if the building still stands. To make extra money, 'Muff' also drew cartoons on the wartime 'Airgraph' letters, charging five shillings (25 pence in present English currency or $Cdn 1.25) per letter. His work was always in great demand and he would often complete as many as ten cartoons in one day. 'Muff' spent most of his life working on art which, apart from his wartime service, was in the Toronto area where he became art director for McGaw-Jordan, a position he held for thirty years. Today his work can still be seen in his political cartoons in the Cambridge Times newspaper.

Albert Edward 'Muff' Mills

Tom Walton

In 1943, like hundreds of his fellow Canadians, Albert Edward Mills, known to his friends as 'Muff', joined the wartime RCAF and trained as an air frame mechanic, beginning his career working on Anson trainers at No 14 SFTS, Aylmer, Ontario. Later that year he was posted to 428 (Ghost) Sqn at Dalton, Yorkshire where he worked, and painted art on Wellington Mk X bombers. Unfortunately, he kept few records of his work but feels that he completed six or seven in addition to painting scores for missions and fighters shot down. His scrap book still contains three of his original nose art sketches but to date, no photos have been found of the artwork that he painted on the Wellingtons. These three were:

In January 1945, Wireless OperatorlAir Gunner Sgt Tom Walton painted artwork on the nose of Lancaster X KB864 of 428 Sqn. The nose art on the port side was based on the Esquire pinup for January 1945 and was given the name 'Sugar's Blues'. The name came from a very popular wartime swing tune. Additionally, each of KB864's twenty-one operational flights was recorded by a little diving girl, based on another Varga figure (from the August 1944 Varga calendar), and similar in appearance to the trademark of the Jantzen swimming suit company. On the starboard side he painted artwork of a white ghost dropping a bomb. All of the nose art on KB864 was painted in four standard issue colours: Red, White, Blue

32

53 Above left: The original sketch by MuffMills for the nose art on Wellington X HE638 of428 Squadron 54 Above right: Muff Mills himself standing in front of a Lancaster 55 Right: Artwork on Lancaster X KB864, NA-S, of428 Squadron, painted by Sgt Tom Walton. The inspiration was the Varga Esquire girl for January 1945. The diving lady mission markings were inspired by the pinup in the August 1944 issue of the magazine

56: Thomas E. Dunn twice painted Halifax NP694 with nose artwork based on the biblical poem from Luke 3:5. This is the second version, completed in late June-July 1944 and shows the aircraft soon after it had completed 71 missions, the last six being with 432 Squadron where Dunn had painted the nose art. NP694 flew another seven missions with 432 Squadron before being scrapped

33

57: This is Halifax B Mk VII NP769, coded EQ-l, of408 Squadron. The stork emblem and name, indicative of the youth of the crew, were painted onto the aircraft by the pilot, Kenneth Blyth. This was made difficult by the fact that the only paints available were quick-drying aircraft dopes in the standard RAF colours. 'Cradle Crew' was lost on 9 April 1945 during an operation against Hamburg with only one survivor (K. Blyth)

58: Halifax B Mk VII PN230, EQ- V, of 408 Squadron acts a backdrop to her crew. From left: Stan Mason (mid-upper gunner) who replaced 'Hairless Joe' Harrington, Bob 'Rabbit' Crawford (rear gunner), Art 'Gee Sam' Larson (navigator), Ron 'The Dirty Old Man' Craven (pilot), Art 'Blood & Guts' Dobbs (wireless operator), Charles 'Gasless' Wong (flight engineer) and Bert 'Scratch' Evans (bomb aimer). The artwork on 'Vicky the Vicious Virgin' was done by Bert Evans. Refer to page 36 for more details of 'Vicky' and her crew

59 Left: A closeup of Bert Evan's painting on PN230, seen after she had completed her last mission with 408 Squadron. Oddly she wears 17 mission markers although only 13 were recorded by the pilot, Ron Craven 60 Right: Thomas E. Dunn painting the wings on Halifax B Mk VII NP689, QO-M, of 432 Squadron shortly after she had completed a tour of 30 missions. The aircraft went on to complete over50 more operations before she was shot down over Hagen on 15 March 1945 (Thomas E. Dunn)

34

and Yellow. Tom Walton was discharged from the RCAF on 27 August 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer.

with a grand total of seventy-eight missions. At the end of her tour, NP694 was flown to 0.45 Maintenance Unit and scrapped shortly after.

Thomas E. Dunn Thomas Dunn was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 23 December 1912. During his high school years he enrolled in a correspondence course on hand lettering and show card writing. In order to gain experience, he also took up extra work on small signs, trucks and large wall advertisements. On 31 October 1941, he put away his brushes and joined the RCAF. He was first posted to Brandon, Manitoba for basic training after which he was posted to the depot at St.Thomas, Ontario to undergo training as an aircraft mechanic. After postings to Aylmer, and Rockliffe, both in Ontario, he ended up in Debert, Nova Scotia where he remained until late 1943 when he was posted to join 6 Group, Bomber Command, in England. On arrival in the UK, Sergeant Dunn joined 432 (Leaside) Sqn at East Moor in Yorkshire where his artistic talents were soon discovered. He completed his first pieces of nose art in the spring pf 1944, his creations being, 'Moonlight Mermaid', 'Oscar The Outlaw', 'Old Joe Vagabond', 'Queen of them All' and 'Leaside Lulu'. He twice painted a very symbolic piece of nose art with a verse from Luke 3:5 of the New Testament: "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low". Halifax VII, QO-R, serial no NP694 was assigned to 432 Sqn on 24 June 1944 after completing sixty-five successful operations with another RCAF squadron. After the lettering had been applied, the crew said that they wished that they had added· some artwork so Tom removed the lettering and began again. The new nose art consisted of a light blue cloud with three yellow lightning bolts coming from it, passing through a cross and carrying on to strike a swastika and a factory. NP694 completed thirteen operations with 432 Sqn, finishing the war

Tom was now to paint the same nose art on two Halifaxes, each of a different squadron. The first 'Willie The Wolf' was painted on Halifax VII, QO-W, serial no NP707 in July 1944. NP707 completed 67 operations with 432 Sqn before being flown away to disposal on 29 May 1945 by P/O Harold Kearl. The nose art from this aircraft was one of those selected for saving by F/Lt Lindsay and on 10 June 1976, was placed on display in the Officers' Mess at Gloucester St, Ottawa. Today, this nose art panel is part of the Canadian War Museum collection. The second aircraft to receive 'Willie The Wolf' artwork from Tom was Halifax VII, 6U-W, serial PN240 of 415 (Swordfish) Sqn RCAF. PN240 completed 42 operations before being scrapped at High Ercall in May 1945. Tom Dunn recalls that the crew of PN240 were so impressed with the art work on NP707 that they wanted the same painted on their aircraft. He received £5.00 (approx $CDN25.00) for each painting, quite a healthy sum for 1944. He would first mark out the area to be painted in chalked squares, then chalk in a sketch of the design which, when completed, would then be painted in. In photographs, both aircraft look almost identical but, they are different, each having different styles of bombs as mission markers. During World War II, Tom Dunn completed some twelve Halifax nose art paintings. He was discharged from the RCAF on 24 September 1945 and returned to sign-writing in various cities in Ontario, eventually retiring to Kitchener.

Kenneth Blyth The following story was related by former nose artist and pilot Kenneth Blyth who flew 'Cradle Crew' on thirteen of his nineteen operations during World War II. Former Flying Officer Ken Blyth has just completed a book entitled 'Cradle Crew' which tells the full story of the crew of this Halifax bomber and their lives as POWs. It is published by Sunflower University Press, Manhatten, Kansas, USA. Ken Blyth was born in Windsor, Ontario on 30 November 1923, moving to Ottawa in 1930 at the age of seven. He graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1940 and joined the RCAF in October 1942. He received his wings at No.4 SFTS Saskatoon on 10 December 1943 and left for England on 31 March 1944. He underwent further flying training at Church Lawford, Ossington and Dishforth before being posted to 408 Sqn at Linton-on-Ouse. He and his new crew were assigned to fly a new Halifax VII, EQ-J, serial number NP769. From the beginning, the crew disliked the call-sign J-Jig and persuaded the squadron to change it to J -Johnny. As they were probably the youngest crew on the squadron, they gave NP679 a very appropriate name, 'Cradle Crew', soon deciding that the application of some nose art was

35

the order of the day. With limited art talent, Ken Blyth acquired a picture of a stork and applied a similar design, with the stork holding a bomb, to the nose of the aircraft in chalk. Before painting could commence, they were scheduled to fly on an operation. One of the spectators for the take-off was padre McLeod who asked "what in the blazes have they drawn on the nose?" When told what it was he replied, "well, I hope it isn't open season on storks wherever they are going"! Unable to locate suitable paint for the nose art, Ken completed the design by using aircraft dope, a paint which dries very rapidly, making the painting a difficult job. The correct colours for the artwork were: hat: black; tufts, belly and part of legs: white; arms(wings) and tail: red; beak: yellow; eyes and bottoms of legs: light blue and the bomb: brown. The name was applied in red with a white outline.

Bert Evans Bert Evans was born in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario on 29 March 1923 where he went to school. From his early years he showed creative talent in drawing and calligraphy. In 1943 he left school and joined the RCAF, reporting to No.1 Manning Depot in Toronto. Following initial training he was posted to No.4 Bombing and Gunnery School and lastly to No.1 Air Navigation School where he received his bomb-aimer's wings.

haircut and while the barber worked I noticed a goodlooking pinup lady on the wall. I mentioned this to the barber and how good she would look on our Halifax bomber and upon leaving the barber handed me the photo of the topless lady. In the next two weeks I painted her on the port nose of our aircraft and she became 'Vicky'. The painting became a joint effort with me on a ladder and pilot Ron Craven below directing with 'bigger eyes', or 'more hair'. Even the padre got into the act suggesting 'more clothes'. We completed 21 operations, the last thirteen in 'Vicky' and then converted to Canadian-built Lancaster Mk Xs in May 1945. I then painted a new 'Vicky the Vicious Virgin' on Lancaster KB905." The pilot of 'Vicky', Ron Craven, first saw action as second pilot in Halifax EQ-G, NP809, of 408 Squadron on 24 December 1944. The following extracts from his logbook covering his flights as captain of PN230 make interesting reading: 22 Feb 1945:

Received our new Halifax Mk VII, serial PN230, The aircraft was delivered to 426 Sqn on 21 Feb but was not needed, then flown to 408 Sqn, She was painted with noseart by bomb-aimer Bert Evans between 22·27 Feb 1945.

23 Feb 45:

Essen in EQ-X. 117 aircraft attacked

24 Feb 45:

Kamen. EQ-V. (PN230). Saw Halifax next to 'Vicky' struck by bombs dropped from Lancaster squadron above. Hali-

His overseas posting took him to Bournemouth in England, followed by survival training in Scotland. His advanced flying school was located in Dumfries and from there he was posted successively to the OTU at Honeybourne and then to the Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe. Finally he and the rest of his new crew were ready for operations and they were posted to 408 (Goose) Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire. There they were assigned Halifax B Mk VII, PN230, which received the code EQ-V

fax exploded. 27 Feb 45:

Mainz. EQ-V. Noseart completed on 'Vicky'. 182 aircraft attacked,

28 Feb 45:

Craven had noted how very rough the surface of the black underside paint was. Without permission he obtained two buckets of issue floor wax and the crew spent the day applying the wax with mops to 'Vicky'. They finished the job by hand-polishing the complete bomber.

2 March 45:

Cologne. EQ-V. 177 aircraft attacked, 110sl. Craven and crew found that the airspeed of 'Vicky' had increased by 20mph. They retumed to base 25 minutes ahead of the other

For some time the crew could not find a good name for their aircraft, then discussions among the crew regarding their amorous adventures in England led to the the conclusion that "if there's a virgin left in all of England she must be a very vicious lady" and so their aircraft found her name: 'Vicky the Vicious Virgin'. This was painted on both sides of the nose in large red white-outlined letters.

squadron aircraft. Craven was questioned on his early ar rival and over-straining his engines. The wax experiment is explained. 5 March 45:

land 25 bombers crashed due to icing problems. Craven and crew have no problems as wax prevents ice build-up.

6 March 45:

Ground crews in 6 Group are ordered to apply wax to all aircraft.

8 March 45:

The nose still required a pinup and Evans recalls "I had attempted to obtain oil paints on the base but they just gave me a strange look and told me to get lost. While on leave in Leeds I walked past a small sign painting shop and decided to ask about oil paints. These were a very rare item in England but the owner was most kind and suplied me with small tins of all the basic oil colours. On return from one of our operations we were diverted to an American air base due to bad weather at Linton-onOuse. To kill some time I decided to get an American

Chemnitz. EQ-V. 183 aircraft attack, 610sl. On leaving Eng-

Hamburg. EQ-V. 82 attack, 1 losl.

11 March 45:

Essen. EQ-V. 194 attack 210sl.

12 March 45:

Dortmund. EQ-V. Saw first (2) Me 262 jets.

13 March 45:

Wuppertal. EQ-V. 97 attack.

15 March 45:

Castrop-Rauxel. EQ·V. 70 attack.

18 March 45:

Witten. EQ-V. 81 attack. 'Vicky' attacked by nighlfighter.

22 March 45:

Dorsten. EQ-V. 96 attack.

8 April 45:

Hamburg. EQ-V. 189 attack, 810sl. Fighter attack, corkscrew down to 3,000 ft, 15 German ammo trains destroyed.

17 May 45:

Conversion to new Canadian I.ancaster Mk X aircraft.

GIFT SQUADRONS 1939-1945 Porcupines and other flying animals During World War II, 'Gift Squadrons' were given names under an Air Ministry scheme which allowed some of those Colonies and Dominions cities and towns or other organisations who had made contributions for the air offensive against Germany to link their name to individual squadrons. Some names were included as part of the official squadron title, while many others were only 'linked' to particular squadrons for the duration of the war. Most RAF squadrons had an association with an English town or city, but very few had the name officially incorporated into the squadron title. The exploits of these squadrons were usually issued to the 'home town' on a weekly basis for publication in local newspapers and often used in the 'Wings for Victory' campaign. All RCAF bomber squadron names were officially embodied within the squadron title and remain so with the squadrons still active today, fifty-five years later.

i

61 Above: Direct links between Hollywood and RAF and RCAF units were rare. This picture was taken on 5 May 1943 at RAF Leeming, (63 (RCAF) Base where 427 Squadron was 'adopted' by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. HalifaxB Mk V DK186, ZL-L, was painted with a flying MGM Studios lion for the ceremony, during which Sgt E.A. Johnson chalked the name'Lana Turner' between its paws. This was later painted on in a different style (Bashfield)

No.6 (RCAF) Group Squadron Names 405 (Vancouver) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, in February 1943. 408 (Goose) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Kingsville, Ontario and featured the Canada goose. 415 (Swordfish) Squadron: Adopted by San Antonio Mines, Bissett, Manitoba, in April 1945. Featured a swordfish design in recognition of the squadron's anti-submarine role. 419 (Moose) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Kamloops, British Columbia, and named for the nickname of its first Commanding Officer, W/Cdr. John 'Moose' Fulton of Kamloops who was killed in action on 28 July 1942. 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron: Adopted by the Womens Air Force Auxiliary, London, Ontario, in ovember 1943 and featured the fearsome night-hunting Canadian snowy owl.

37

424 (Tiger) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Hamilton, Ontario and the Tigercat rugby team. 425 (Alouette) Squadron: Adopted by La Presse newspaper in Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec. Featured the Alouette bird and the motto 'Je te plumerai' from a French-Canadian folk song. 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Regina, Sakatchewan and featured the North American Indian 'Thunderbird' design. 427 (Lion) Squadron: . Adopted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, California, USA and used the MGM lion motif. 428 (Ghost) Squadron: Adopted by the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, Toronto, Ontario. Featured a Ghost head. 429 (Bison) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Bradford, Yorkshire,England in 1943 and also by the city of Lethbridge, Alberta in 1944. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron: Adopted by the city of Simcoe, Ontario and featured the head of an Iroquois Indian.

Topcliffe, Yorkshire. On 19 April, they transferred to No. 8 Pathfinder Group at Gransden Lodge, Bedfordshire. The squadron was the only RCAF bomber squadron to serve in the pathfinding role during World War II. Code

Serial No

LQ-A

W1092

LQ-B

W1094

LQ-C

W1110

LQ-D

W1111

LQ-E

W1112

LQ-G

W1113

LQ-H

W7708

LQ-J

W7709

LQ-K

W7707

LQ-M

W7704

LQ-N

W1095

LQ-O

W1096

LQ-P

W1097

LQ-Q

W7703

LQ-R

W7710

LQ-U

DT476

LQ-

JD123

LQ-

DT633

LQ-

HR800

LQ-

JB899

Name/Nose art Admiral Bill

Hammer and Sickle

Nfor the Nut Bros

Ruhr Valley Express

408 (Goose) Squadron: Halifax B Mk II December 1942-0ctober 1943

432 (Leaside) Squadron: Adopted by the town of Leaside, Ontario. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron: Adopted by the Porcupine district of northern Ontario. 434 (Bluenose) Squadron: Adopted by the Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 'Bluenose' being a common nickname for Nova Scotians and also the name of a very famous sailing vessel.

Brief histories of the RCAF Gift Squadrons and their aircraft, with their names where known:

Remarks

Code

Serial No

EQ-A

JB363

EQ-B

JD209

Lost on Krefeld mission 22 August 1943.

EQ-B

JD271

Lost on Leipzig mission 20 February 1944.

EQ-B

DT676

EQ-C

DT749

EQ-D

JB969

Ditched in North Sea when engines caught fire.

EQ-E

JD332

Lost on Kassel mision 23 October 1943.

EQ-F

JB913

Lost on Cologne mission 4 July 1943.

EQ-G

JB909

Lost on Stuttgart mission 15 April 1943.

EQ-H

HR622

EQ-J

DT679

EQ-K

JD164

Damaged by flak over Stuttgart and ditched off Thomey Island on 27 November 1943

EQ-L

BB311

EQ-M

JD374

Lost on Leipzig mission 4 December 1943.

405 (Vancouver) Squadron:

EQ-O

JB931

Lost on Bochum mission 14 May 1943.

Halifax B Mk II April-September 1942 405 Sqn RCAP was the first RCAF bomber squadron formed outside Canada, this taking place on 23 April 1941. They flew Wellington and Halifax aircraft in No.4 Group of Bomber Command, flying their first mission on the night of 12/13 June 1941 against the railway marshalling yards at Schwerte, Germany. From October 1942 until February 1943 the squadron flew anti-submarine patrols for 18 Group Coastal Command from Beaulieu, Hampshire. On 1 March 1943, they transferred to No.6 (RCAF) Group Bomber Command and were based at

EQ-O

DT749

EQ-Q

JD278

EQ-O

BB336

38

SOC 11 January 1945.

EQ-P

JD216

Lost on Gelsenkirchen mission 10 July 1943

EQ-Q

JD333

Force-landed after take-off at Snape Mires 26 Novem

EQ-Q

JB898

EQ-Q

JB972

Lost on Dusseldorf mission 2 July 1943

EQ-Q

JD274

Force-landed when both starboard engines failed 3

EQ-Q

JD278

SOC 11 January 1945.

ber 1943. SOC 1 November 1944.

August 1944.

62: Halifax B Mk II WI 095,

LQ-N of 405 Squadron, seen here on 16 July 1942, featured the 'Nut Brothers' from the Gene Ahearn cartoon strip. The aircraft later undershot while landing at Topcliffe on 1 April 1944 while it was serving with 1659 HCV (PLI0462)

63: Another Halifax B Mk II from 405 Squadron. This one is W1094, LQ-B, with FI Sgt R. W Barton from Ottawa in the pilot's seat. Shortly before this picture was taken on 16 July 1942, Barton had found his aircraft upside down after an incident with a German nightfighter over Bremen. 'Admiral Bill' carries a crude rendition of 'Popeye the Sailor' and three anchors as mission markers. Ultimately the aircraft was lost when it stalled while on approach to St Eval on 26 November 1942 (PLI0416)

64: A closeup ofthe nose of

Halifax Mk II W7710, LQR, of 405 Squadron. When this picture was taken 'Rfor Robert' had completed 12 missions, each indicated by a bomb on another truck. It was posted missing on 2 October 1942 on a raid against Flensburg, the Canadian crew (FlO E.C Olsen, Sgt B.B. Copeland, PI o JC Kitchen, FISgtAJR. Vineberg, FlSgtA.M. Carter, PIO A.M. Green and FISgt WG. McCron) all being killed (Vince Elmer Collection)

39

65: The replacement within 405 Squadron for W7710 was this Halifax, serial number unknown, which carried the same name but different artwork (Vince Elmer Collection) 66 Below: 'Willie Wolf', a Halifax B Mk VII, NP717, EQ- W, of 408 Squadron. Piloted by FlO E.B. Gilson the aircraft made its first operational mission on 4 August 1944 against German forces in the Bois de Cassan in France. Later in the war the squadron C/O, WIC F.R. Sharp used it as his personal aircraft. 'Willie' survived 58 missions and was struck offcharge in May 1945 (408 Squadron)

WOOL

"...r

WOOI·.... NQ

s,oar SHUlrs

i ..

a.. . YON

rid> p''';d<

Dual-duty shirts for work or sports -10 last you throughauf the long, cold winter. Enjoy them for hunting when the nip of frost bites the autumn air ... for skoting when winter comes at lasl. .. and for the long hard

67 Far left: Inspiration for the artwork on 'Willie Wolf' came from this Tru Val sports shirt advertisement of 25 September 1944

pull of the everyday work

thot's going to bring wietoryf Tailored with the peJfecfion that's made TruVol Shirts lOp favorltes .~

with men who are proud to

~

be called discriminating.

JllUVAt PAJAMAS ift lin. frvVQI
40

68 Left: And this is the original artwork for 'Willie Wolf', which has been preserved to this day. The colours are: brown fox in RCAF uniform in natural colours, pale blue outline to the boots, the scarf white with red dots, brown bomb, white disc and yellow lettering (Sgt G Lloyd 408 Squadron)

69: Halifax B Mk VII NP714, of 408 Squadron during her operational career. Records refer to her individual identity letter as being 'V' but after an accident in December 1944 this was changed to 'A' on her return to the squadron in January 1945, as seen here in the only known photo showing afull side view. The 'drum majorette' artwork just visible on the nose was probably inspired by the 'Drummy Young' cartoon strip' in one of the 'white' comics (Muff Mills)

70: A closeup view of the artwork on NP714 in May 1945 after she had completed 66 missions, the last against Wangerooge in Holland. Interestingly, the artwork was first painted on canvas before being doped onto the fuselage. It is now preserved in the art gallery at the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Centre in Alberta (Muff Mills)

71: In the RCAF many aircraft carried nose art but only a few carried tail art. Apart from the fact that this is the tail turret ofa Halifax belonging to 408 Squadron, little is known ofthis picture. The cartoon features the hapless Dagwood Bumstead from the comic strip 'Blondie' in a typically manic situation (PL40132)

41

72: A close view ofthe nose art on Halifax B Mk VIJ, NP80?, EQ-E, of 408 Squadron. The artwork appears to have been based on the legs ofthe voluptuous Flame MeGoon of the Al Capp cartoon series 'Li'l Abner'. 'I'm Easy' refers to a common phrase of the time used by ladies of relaxed virtues... (408 Squadron)

73: The same Halifax B Mk VII, NP80? as seen above, on short finals. The aircraft has obviously had several owners as the latest code letters are only roughly scrawled in chalk over several others whieh have been roughly obliterated. Close study ofthese suggests that it may be in the hands of 426 Squadron where NP808 served as OW-E before being ultimately scrapped on 1 July 1948 (408 Squadron)

74:Halifax B Mk III NR126, EQ-Z, of 408 Squadron, was the subject of a series of official pictures taken as her nose artwork was being applied. This photo shows the finished result after the aircraft had completed 20 operations, each marked by a small maple leaf (408 Squadron)

42

75: A carefully positioned AEC Matador 2500 gallon refuelling truck hides the codes on this Halifax B Mk VI/. It is either NP754, EQ-P' of 408 Squadron or NP740, OW-p, of 426, both of which were apparently named 'Cowans' Cowards'. This was clearly a misnomer as the aircraft carries a scoreboard of 60 completed operations. Both aircraft survived to be struck offcharge in 1945. Just visible are the nicknames of some ofthe crew: on the nose 'Frenchy' and under the cockpit 'Chuck'. The 'B6' code on the truck identifies it as belonging to 6 Group, RAF Bomber Command (R.L. Ward)

76: Despite the fact that these panels with the artwork from Halifax B Mk VII NP747, EQ-N of 408 Squadron still survive in Canada, no picture of the complete aircraft appears to have done likewise. Her first operation was to Brest on 25/26August 1944,followed by eighteen others, during the course of which she was twice damaged by enemy flak. In October she was sent for disposal where these panels were removed by M r R. Goodwin on Il April 1945 (408 Squadron)

77: Halifax B Mk VII NP756, EQ-P' of 408 Squadron was unnamed but carried this artwork of a diving female figure. The massive proportions of the Messier undercarriage legs are clearly apparent. The aircraft survived the war to be struck off charge on 26 May 1945 (Muff Mills)

43

/

78: Halifax B Mk VII NP780, EQ-C, of 408 Squadron wore an odd combination of emblems. One was a West Highland White terrier, the other was a voluptuous female, probably based on the famous Jane Russell pose in the film 'The Outlaw'. Here the aircraft has completed 44 missions, all but four marked by small seated white dogs. It has also acquired wings to represent a full tour of30 operations. NP780 was sold for scrap on 30 December 1949

79: This is 'Zombie IV', a Halifax B Mk V fitted with the Dowty undercarriage and Merlin engines. As the picture was taken by a memberof408 Squadrpn, it is likely that this ajrcraft is one ofonly three ofthe type used by the unit; DG23I, DG233 and DG253. These were used briefly between October and December 1942. It has completed at least six operations (Glen Lloyd, 408 Squadron)

80: Halifax NP742, 'Embraceable U' aka 'Calgary Pale', was another Mk VII used by 408 Squadron. Coded EQ-u' it was assigned to the unit on 8 August 1944. It suffered an accident on 18 November, eventually returning to the squadron on 13 January 1945. It is seen here wearing 33 mission markers, the crew proudly posing in front (Harold Kearl)

44

81 Right: Presumably seen after its return to 408, NP742 now wears 43 mission markers but only one name (408 Squadron) 82 Below left: 'Pappy's Buzz Bomb', or more formally, Halifax B Mk VII NP757, EQ-B, from 'A' Flight, 408 Squadron. The aircraft was destroyed after an engine failure on take-off from North Witham, Lincolnshire, on 2 February 1945. When this picture was taken at Linton-on-Ouse in 1944, the aircraft had compLeted 23 operational missions (Muff Mills)

83 Above right: Artwork can be confusing! Pilot PIO HaroLd Kearl poses in Halifax VII NP707, QO-W, of 432 Squadron. This was the first 'Willie the Wolf' painted by Tom Dunn, seen after the aircraft had completed 65 missions. The artwork still survives in the Canadian War Museum (Thomas E. Dunn) 84 Right: And this was the second 'Willie the Wolf' painted by the same artist but onto Halifax VII PN240, 6U-W, of415 Squadron. The aircraft completed at least 42 missions, claimed an enemy fighter and was eventually scrapped in January 1947 (Thomas E. Dunn)

45

85: 'Archie the Archer' displays his scoreboard-41 completed ops. The aircraft, a Halifax B Mk lll, LL575, arrived at 415 Squadron in July 1944. Coded 6U-N it carried out its first mission, against Hamburg, on 28 July. The pilot on this raid was FlO WF Brown. The aircraft had just completed a mission against Oberhausenonl November 1944 when this picture was taken. The following night its last mission with 415 Squadron (against Dusseldorf) was flown by FlO J W Tims and his crew before it was transferred to training duties with 1666 Conversion Unit (Author)

86: This Halifax B Mk Vll, PN237, was flown by FiLl Lew Minkler and his crew from 415 Squadron. Transferred from 432 Squadron on 7 March 1945 the aircraft was then coded 6U-T and completed 16 missions with Minkler and his crew, the last against German-held positions at Wangerooge on 25 April 1945. 'Torchy Tess' was sent for disposal on 20 May 1945, and eventually scrapped on 27 July 1947 (Lew Minkler)

87: English Electric-built Halifax B Mk Vll RG447 flew with 415 Squadron coded 6U-S and named 'Star-eyed Sue'. She survived the war to be struck offcharge on 15 May 1945. In this picture she had completed 18 missions, each marked with a star

46

EQ-R

JB925

Lost on Pilzen mission 17 April 1943.

EQ-Q

NP772

SOC 26 May 1945.

EQ-R

JB968

Lost on Hannover mission 28 September 1943.

EQ-R

NP712

Lost on Hamburg mission 5 May 1945.

EQ-S

JD323

Lost on Hannover mission 9 October 1943.

EQ-R

NP742

SOC 26 May 1945.

EQ-T

JD276

Overshot on landing at Pocklington and burned 19

EQ-R

NP776

Lost over Heligoland 18 May 1945.

November 1943.

EQ-S

NP777

SOC 26 May 1945.

Crashed and burnt out at Lower Brailes,Oxfordshire

EQ-S

NP710

Crashed on landing and burnt out 11 October 1944.

12 November 1943.

EQ-U

NP742

EQ-U

JB893

SOC 26 May 1945. Named 'Embraceable You'

EQ-V

HR658

EQ-V

JB790

Lost on Bochum mission 13 June 1943.

EQ-V/A

NP714

'Drum majorette'. Re-coded 'Pi January 1945

EQ-W

JB971

Lost on Mannheim mission 23 September 1943.

EQ-U

NP778

Crashed while in circuit at Tholthorpe 21 November

Lost on Le Creusot mission 20 June 1943.

EQ-V

PN230

Sold for scrap 30 December 1949. Named 'Vicky the

EQ-W

NP717

EQ-X

BB343

EQ-Y

JD107

(Calgary Pale).

1944.

Vicious Virgin'.

Halifax BMk V used during the period October-December 1942 DG231, DG233, DG253.

One of these possibly coded EQ-Z

EQ-W

NP719

EQ-Y

NP749

SOC 26 May 1945.

EQ-Z

NP718

Lost over Hemmingstadt 8 March 1945. Named 'Zom-

EQ-Z

NR126

408 (Goose) Squadron: Halifax B Mk III and VII 408 Squadron flew the Halifax Mk III and VII between September 1944 and May 1945. Only six Mk Ills were on charge to the squadron.

SOC 28 May 1945. 'Willie Wolf artwork in Canadian War Museum, Ottawa. Lost on Kiel mission 16 September 1944.

bie'. Name only, no nose-art. Mk III, flew into hill in Cheviots in bad weather 18 February 1945 (With 420 Sqn). Named 'Zombie' with art

415 (Swordfish) Squadron: Code

Serial No

Remarks

EQ-A

NR209

A Mk.lll, lost on Hannover mission 5January 1945.

EQ-B

PN227

SOC 19 December 1946.

EQ-B

NP757

Crashed at North Wttham after engine failure on 2

EQ-C

NP780

Sold for scrap 30 December 1949. Named 'Chesty.'

EQ-D

MZ907

A Mk III, lost on Munster mission 25 March 1945.

EQ-E

NP746

Lost over Zuffenhauser during mission to Stuttgart 28

EQ-E

NP80?

Named 'I'm Easy.'

EQ-F

NP750

Lost on Bochum mission 4 November 1944.

EQ-G

NP809

Sold for scrap 30 December 1949.

EQ-H

NP810

Lost over Rauxel21 November 1944.

EQ-H

NP745

Abandoned by crew when control was lost and

February 1945. Named 'Pappy's Buzz Bomb.'

January 1945.

crashed at Penruddock 17 October 1944. Named 'Hellza-poppin' . EQ-H

NR124

EQ-J

NP769

A Mk III, SOC 2 November 1945. Lost on Hamburg mission (as EQ-D) 9 April 1945.

Halifax B Mk III and VII On 12 July 1944, 415 Squadron officially transferred from Coastal Command to No.6 (RCAF) Group of Bomber Command, establishing itself at East Moor on 26th of that month. Given the code letters 6U, many of its aircraft, Halifax Mk Ills, came from 432 Squadron and still retained nose art from their former unit. Meanwhile, 432 Sqn were re-equipping with Halifax Mk VIIs, on which Thomas Dunn would paint the various nose art designs. On 5 July 1944 a Mk VII, NP707, arrived at 432 Squadron bearing nose art depicting a naked woman being chased by a wolf and known as WILLIE 'The Wolf.' The crew of a 415 Squadron Halifax VII, 6U-W, serial PN240, saw this artwork and were so impressed that they asked Dunn to paint a replica of it on their aircraft. Dunn completed the work and so two bombers, in different RCAF squadrons, now bore the same nose art, painted by the same artist.

Named 'Cradle Crew.' EQ-K

NP804

Lost on Munster mission 25 March 1945.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

EQ-K

LW207

SOC 26 May 1945. Named '01' Daid Eye'. Nose art in

6U-A

NA185

Lost on Leipzig mission 11 April 1945.

art gallery Edmonton Aviation Heritage Centre, Alberta

6U·B

NA610

SOC 15 May 1945. Scrapped 10 September 1946.

EQ-L

.NP751

SOC 26 May 1945.

6U-C

MZ590

Suffered structural failure during landing at Topcliffe 16

EQ-M

NP773

1944.

6U-D

NA181

SOC 15'May 1945. Scrapped 5 May 1947.

6U-E

MZ603

Ex-432 Sqn, lost over Dusseldorf 2 November 1944.

NR206

Ex-424 Sqn, SOC 8 January 1947. Named 'Fi-Fi.' Written off after Heligoland raid 18 April 1945.

May 1945. Scrapped.

Lost on Wilhemshaven mission 16 October

EQ-N

NP780

Sold for scrap 30 December 1949.

EQ-N

RG477

A Mk III, lost over Worms 22 February 1945.

EQ-N

NP747

SOC 3July 1945. Named 'Notorious Nan'.

6U-F

Named 'Eddie's Nightmare.'

Nose art in art gallery, Edmonton Aviation

6U-G

LV941

Heritage Centre, Alberta.

6U-G

MZ922

Lost over Hamburg 31 May 1944.

6U-G

MZ949

SOC 15 May 1945. Scrapped 25 January 1947. Scrapped 3 November 1945.

EQ-O

MZ421

A Mk III, SOC 25 January 1947.

EQ-O

PN232

SOC 15August 1947.

6U-1

NA124

EQ-P

NP754

SOC 28 March 1945. Named 'Cowan's Cowards.'

6U-J

PN236

SOC 31 May 1945. Named 'Jumping Jiminy.'

EQ-P

NP756

SOC 26 May 1945. Un-named but carried artwork of

6U-K

MZ847

Force landed in Kent with two engines on fire 1Octo

a diving nude woman.

ber 1944.Scrapped.

47

6U-K

NR156

36 ops. Accident 29 October 1944. Scrapped 9 Octo

VR-D

JD420

Lost on Magdeburg mission 21 January 1944.

ber 1946. Named 'Here's How.'

VR-D

JD463

Lost over Frankfurt 5 November 1944.

6U-L

NR253

Lost over Magdeburg 16 January 1945.

VR-D

HR925

SOC 1 November 1945.

6U-L

NP940

Mk VII, ex-424 Sqn. SOC 20 August 1946.

VR-E

JP204

Hit ground at Ripon, Yorks and burnt 2 November

6U-M

MZ483

SOC 22 June 1945.

6U-M

LK765

Ex-432 Sqn, SOC 15 May 1945.Named 'Block

VR-E

JB900

SOC 14 December 1944.

Buzzter.' Scrapped 21 December 1946.

VR-E

JD466

Lost over Magdeburg 21 January 1944.

6U-N

NA199

Ex-434,408, 420 Sqns. 8 ops with 415 from 11 Janu

VR-F

JD257

Lost over Mannheim 10 August 1943.

ary 1945. Scrapped 21 December 1945. Known as

VR-F

JD457

Lost over Mannheim 23 September 1943

'Finger' (Percy Prune) no name.

VR-G

JP200

6U-N

LL575

SOC 18 May 1945. Named 'Archie the Archer.'

6U-N

LL576

Crashed NW of Pateley Bridge, Yorks. 28 January

1944.

Lost on mine-laying operation near Kiel 20 February 1944.

VR-G

LW279

SOC 30 July 1946.

VR-G

BB376

VR-H

LW325

Crashed and burned at Defford after propeller blades

1945.

Crashed at Cawton, Yorks in bad weather 8 June 1944.

6U-N

LL593

6U-N

NA202

SOC 23 July 1946.

6U-O

MZ946

SOC 18 January 1947.

6U-P

MZ456

Lost over Hanau 6 January 1945.

VR-H

JB859

SOC 1November 1945. Named 'Thundering Heard'

6U-Q

LW595

Ex-432 Sqn, lost on Hamburg mission 29 July 1944.

VR-H

JD158

Named 'Have Another.' Lost on Peenemunde mission

VR-J

JB929

Ground-looped on landing 18 February 1944.

came off starboard outer engine 24 August 1944.

Named 'Queen of them All.' 6U-R

NA517

Sold as scrap 14 March 1947.

17 August 1943.

6U-R

PN174

Mk VII. SOC 9 October 1946.

VR-J

HX189

6U-R

NP694

Ex-432 Sqn Mk VII, SOC 15 August 1947. Carried

VR-L

JP125

Overshot on landing at Ford 25 March 1944.

poem 'Valley...'

VR-M

JP203

Hit church tower while landing at Hawarden 8 June

6U-S

LW552

Ex-434 Sqn, SOC 14 March 1947.

6U-S

MZ690

SOC 18 May 1945.

VR-N

JD163

Lost over Peenemunde 18 August 1943.

6U-S

NR124

SOC 2 November 1945.

VR-N

DT689

Named 'Moose after Hitler' on very front of nose.

VR-O

JD114

6U-S

RG447

Mk VII, SOC 15 May 1945. Named 'Star Eyed Sue.'

6U-T

NA611

Swung on take-off, crashed and burnt 14 January

6U-T

PN237

Ex-432 Sqn, Scrapped 27 July 1947. Named 'Torchy

1945.

1945.

ruary 1944 over Leipzig. VR-P

JP201

Tess.' NA186

Lost over Hamburg 9 March 1945.

VR-P

DT615

6U-U

NA600

SOC 15 May 1945. Scrapped 25 January 1947.

VR-P

JD270

6U-U

MZ686

Destroyed after engine fire on take-off and

NP754

Mk VII, SOC 28 March 1945.

6U-V

PN239

Mk VII, named 'Vulture's Vengeance'. 7ops with nose art it was sold for scrap 5 January 1949.

6U-W

PN240

Lost over Berlin 1September 1943. Nose art 'Popeye

VR-Q

JD459

Hit a pill-box and a car during take-off 13 March 1944.

VR-Q

DT619

Crashed at Coltishall27 February 1943.Nose art 'Bird

VR-R

BB323

Exploded over Venia, Holland 14 July 1943. Nose art

VR-R

JP112

Overshot on landing 19 December 1943.

Named 'Queenie'.

on Bomb.'

Mk VII, named 'Willie the Wolf (2nd) sold for scrap 5 January 1949.

Named 'P for Peter.'

throwing bomb.'

1944. 6U-U

Collided with Halifax LL137 and crashed in Devon 15 November 1944.

6U-U

detonation of bomb-load at East Moor 28 August

Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944. Named 'Medicine Hat.' Coded 'V' from 22 November 1943. Lost 19 Feb-

'Mermaid.'

6U-X

NR122

SOC 18 May 1945. Scrapped 9 October 1946.

VR-R

JP131

SOC 1November 1945.

6U-Y

NP938

Mk VII, force landed near Cambrai with engine fire 19

VR-R

LW240

Lost over Modane 17 September 1943.

6U-Y

MZ586

March 1945.

VR-R

LW282

Lost over Berlin 30 December 1943.

Named 'Y Worry?' Ex-432 Sqn. To 415 Sqn 14 July

VR-R

JN954

Lost over Montzen 28 April 1943

1944.35 ops.SOC 16 December 1944 then to 187

VR-S

JP121

Lost on Stuttgart mission 6 January 1944.

Sqn RAF. T041 Group on 13 February 1945.

VR-S

JD210

6U-Z

MZ861

SOC 2May 1945.

6U-Z

NR228

Ex - 424 Sqn aircraft. SOC 31 May 1945.

Lost on Mannheim mission 6 September 1943. Named 'Happy Valley Sally.'

VR-T

JD420

Lost over Magdeburg 21 January 1944.

VR-V

JD410

Lost over Mannheim 6 September 1943.

VR-X

JD325

Lost on Frankfurt mission 26 November 1943.

419 (Moose) Squadron: Halifax B Mk II November 1942-Apri11944 Code

Serial No

Remarks Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944.

VR-A

LW327

VR-A

JD456

Lost over Berlin 16 February 1944.

VR-C

JD458

Lost over Peenemunde 18 August 1944.

VR-D

JD158

Lost over Peenemunde 18 August 1943.

48

AHalifax called 'Medicine Hat' No one is really sure where the name 'Medicine Hat' originated, although a town in southern Alberta bears the name to this day. There are various stories told, the most popular being those connected to North American Indian legend. During World War II a Halifax bomber bore this name and a part of her origin was in Alberta.

88 Top: Halifax B Mk II Series 1 (Special) JD1I4, VR-O, of 419 (Moose) Squadron after 45 bombing raids (one carrying an aerial mine) and pictured at Middleton St George in mid-1943

90 Above: Unusually placed nose art on the Tollerton fairing of Halifax B Mk II Series 1 (Special) DT689, VR-N, of419 Squadron, with the unit's moose menacing Hitler (Vince Elmer Collection)

89 Above: Typical ofthe youth ofmany RCAFand RAFpilots, this is 20-year old Jack McIntosh, first skipper of 'Medicine Hat' (McIntosh)

49

91: Apart from the fact that this three-headed dragon was carried by a 419 (Moose) Squadron Halifax, nothing is known of this artwork (Vince Elmer Collection)

92: This emblem of a bird on a bomb (painted by PIO Ley Kenyon) was carried by Halifax B Mk I1 DT619, VR-Q, of 419 Squadron. During their third operation (minelaying near the Frisian Islands) in this aircraft on 27 February 1943, Jack McIntosh and his crew were attacked by a German nightfighter which killed two crew members, wounded a third and set the aircraft on fire. McIntosh succeeded in forcelanding at Coltishall with three 1,5001b mines still on board

93: Ley Kenyon was also responsible for this visual pun on Halifax B Mk I1 JB859, VR-H,of419Squadron, flown by FlLt Stanley Heard from Saskatchewan. Heard flew six operational missions in this aircraft but was shot down by a German nightfighter and killed, along with the rest of crew, on his fifteenth operation (the Peenemiinde raid of171 18August1943) while flying another VR-H, JD158. 'Thundering Heard', on the other hand, survived to be struck off charge on 1 November 1945

50

94: This is the artwork carried by the luckless Halifax Mk fl, JD158, VRH, which was beingflown by Stanley Heard and his crew when they were shot down and killed on 17/18 August 1943. From the style of the artwork it seems likely that this was another example of PIO Ley Kenyon's handiwork, while the subject matter suggests that it was inspired by an Australian, possibly Sgt D.M. Macpherson., the only Australian member of the crew

95: Quite what inspired the mermaid on Halifax B Mk 11 BB323, coded VR-R of 419 Squadron, is a minor mystery. Pictured here at Middleton St George in June ]943, the aircraft had completed at least 27 operations and claimed two enemy aircraft. Unfortunately the mermaid's luck was not to hold outfor much longer as the aircraft exploded over Venia, Holland, on 14 July after being hit by a nightfighter from the nearby Luftwaffe base. The rear gunner was killed but the rest ofthe crew survived asPOWs

96: A better view of the mermaid emblem on BB323 which was based loosely on the Varga calendarpinup for December 1943 and painted by Cpl John McGregor, one ofthe groundcrew. Seated in the cockpit is pilot Bill Gray, seen in June 1943,just prior to his 23rd operation. The pilot proved to be luckier than his aircraft, surviving the war. The motto has a grim humour, roughly translating as 'Through flak until you're sick of it'. This aircraft was chosen to drop a 1,OOOlb bomb (on Diisseldorf) on behalf of a young Dutch refugee on the occasion of419 Squadron's 1,000th sortie (Bill Gray)

51

97: English Electric-built Halifax B MkII JD459, VRQ, of 419 Squadron and some of her ground crew. 'Queenie' has completed 26 operations marked by two different types of mission markers, the meaning of which is unknown. She was written offafter hitting a car and a pillbox on take-offon 13 March 1944 (Vince Elmer Collection)

98: JD210 was another Halifax Mk II from 419 Squadron. Coded VR-S the aircraft had completed 18 operations when this picture was taken. She was lost on the Mannheim mission of6 September 1943, one of 13 Halifaxes lost out of 195 participating in the raid. Among the crew members, all of whom were killed in the crash at Hattenheim, were two Americans; the pilot, FlO fA. Studer, and PIO H.A. Danniger (Vince Elmer Collection)

99: 'The Swoose Express Delivers With Ease' was Halifax B Mk 111 LW392, otherwise identified as PTS of 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron, RCAFWhen this picture· was taken the aircraft had completed 15 operations, each marked by a small white snowy owl. There was also a small maple leaf (common on many 6 Group bombers) and another owl under the cockpit. LW392 survived the war only to be struck off charge on 10 October 1945 (PL29942)

52

During the autumn of 1942, a new version of the Halifax bomber was introduced into service with Bomber Command; the front turret was gone and it its place was a rounded, smooth fairing. Gone too was the mid-upper turret, saving weight and giving the aircraft an increase in top speed of 16mph. Some additional weight saving measures were incorporated in the new bomber, known as the Halifax B Mk II, Series I (Special). In November 1942, 419 (Moose) Sqn began conversion from the Wellington Mk III to the new Halifax B Mk II. In May 1943, the squadron, based at Middleton St.George, Durham, received a brand new Halifax B II, Series I (Special) which was assigned to FlO Jack McIntosh of Medicine Hat, Alberta. This aircraft, coded at different times as VR-O or VR-D, serial JD114, flew more operations than any other in 419 squadron. Jack McIntosh was born in the small town of Medicine Hat on 26 June 1922. His father had emigrated from Scotland at the end of WWI, with the promise of a good job and also to occasionally play the bagpipes. His first and only job was with the town police force, in which he served for forty years, also having a town street named in his honour. Twice wounded during WWI, he was awarded the Military Medal and Bar. Out of respect for his father's acqievements, Jack joined the local' Militia (South Alberfa Regiment) in 1938. After graduating from high school in 1938, he was hired by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and had just settled into his new career when war broke out in Europe. Militia parades were now held each week as well as a three week summer camp on the Sarcee military training area on the south western outskirts of Calgary. 'By March 1941, Jack was a fully qualified infantry sergeant and at this point, decided to join the Regular Service, but not the Canadian Army, for a number of reasons which cannot be stated here. He applied for aircrew service in the RCAF and reported for duty on 30 June 1941. His first posting was to the Manning Depot at Brandon, Manitoba where, in addition to the training learnt in the Militia, he met over 1,000 new recruits from all parts of Canada and the United States. Thanks to the advantage of his early Militia training he was promoted to Corporal after one month. A promotion which, among other things, meant no guard or kitchen duty. During World War II, very few branches of the armed forces of the Commonwealth placed so great a responsibility on young officers a~d NCOs as that of being a pilot in Bomber Command. The making of one such bomber pilot and the naming of his aircraft is now told by Jack McIntosh. "After Manning Depot in Brandon, I was posted to No.2 Initial Training School at Regina, Saskatchewan for eight weeks. This was the academic study of engines,

Morse Code, theory of flight, drill, aircraft recognition, navigation, Link training and many interviews. Here the selection was made as to the category you would be best suited for in the RCAP. I was picked for pilot training and posted to No.8 EFTS, Vancouver, B.C., for two months flying in Tiger Moth aircraft. Few of our class had been up in any type of aircraft and approximately 30% were 'washed out'. At the end of my training I had completed thirty-four hours dual and forty hours solo flying time. On 2 December I took a short leave and on the 7th, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. I then moved to No.7 SFTS at Fort Macleod, Alberta, a very cold and windy place to fly. After four months of flying the old Anson, I was awarded my pilots wings on 15 April 1942 and then promoted to Sergeant and posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 201 hours flying time. All Canadian aircrew were posted to Bournemouth in England, with my ship leaving on 12 May 1942, on the trip we lost five ships in our convoy. In late June 1942, I was posted to Shawbury, Shropshire, for advanced training on (Airspeed) Oxfords, map reading, blind controlled landing, navigation, instrument flying and aircraft recognition. With 280 hours in my log-book, I was posted to an OTU, to prepare to fly the Wellington bomber, and my first look at a big bird. We became a crew of five different categories as we did night cross-country flights and came face to face with crashes and other crews being killed. As an RCAF pilot I was next posted to a Heavy Conversion Unit, with 353 hours in my log. On 1 January 1943, No.6 (RCAF) Group of Bomber Command was formed and aged 20, with eighteen months in the service, I became the leader of six men in a new four engined Halifax bomber. Our crew was now posted to 419 (Moose) Sqn, Middleton St. George, County Durham, England. When I first saw the Handley-Page Halifax B Mk II, I was in utter awe of the size of the four engined bomber. On 13 February 1943, I flew my first operation as 'second dicky' to Sgt Bill Gray, to bomb Lorient, France. We did further training and briefing on escape, ditching, survival, night cross-country, and at last became an operational crew. On trips to Wilhelmshaven and Cologne we were shaken to see flak for the first time, face real bullets, crashes and German night-fighters." Jack continues: "On our third operation we were shot up very bad by flak and one German night-fighter killed two crew, wounded another and set the bomber on fire causing a crash landing on our English base." (Halifax Mk II DT619, nose art 'Bird on a Bomb', painted by Pia Ley Kenyon of 419 Squadron. Rear gunner Sgt G.!. Dunbar was killed. With three 1,500lb mines on board, Jack McIntosh forcelanded his aircraft at Coltishall). "Weather was always a major factor, cloud, icing, navigation, winds, and then we took a direct hit on the starboard wing gas tank. Again we made it back to England, this time without a crash. On our first six operations we had three very close calls where all could have been killed,

53

but only three replacements were assigned; navigator, engineer and rear gunner. Now my personal feelings had to be dealt with, as I was overcome with a real fear of making a mistake, killing others in my crew, and facing the fact that we may not survive the war. On 1 May 1943, our CO, W/Cdr Merv Fleming, the padre and myself had a long talk about my feelings, life and death in real situations. After our talk, the CO informed me that a new type Halifax was coming from the factory, and if I wanted, I could be the first to take her on operations. I made a point to get a ride over to meet the English female ferry pilot, and still to this day recall how upset she became as she did not wish to meet any operational pilots". "The new bomber was a Halifax B Mk II Series I (Special), serial JD114. On 6 May, it was ready to test fly, we had to level bomb bomb sight, do a height test, stall the aircraft to see how it reacted, feather each engine in turn and give the crew a chance to test their individual stations. The bomber was now painted in squadron letters 'VR', aircraft initial '0 for Orange' but no other markings. We flew six operations when the crew decided it was time to give our bomber a name and some type of nose art painting. I was first asked to pick a name and selected my home city in Alberta, Medicine Hat. The nose artist was one of our ground crew and he picked the painting of Walt Disney's 'Goofy' dropping bombs which he picked from a hat. I never met the artist or learned his name and from what I recall, there was no charge for his work. The painting was all completed in one day and first flew on operation number nine, 21 June 1943. Over the next five months I completed twenty-three operations in 'Medicine Hat', and although we had a few close calls, we never received another hit or injury to the crew. The name and nose art made it feel she was 'our' aircraft and would always bring us home. My highlight operations were Hamburg, Germany-three ops in five nights-seeing the firestorm of 28 July 1943, and the raid to Peenemtinde on 17 August 1943. The German rocket research base cost No.6 (RCAF) Group a loss of20% of her aircraft. The very last aircraft of Bomber Command to land in southern England after the Peenemtinde raid was 'Medicine Hat'."

Halifax BMk II (Special), BB323, 'Mermaid' In April 1943, Edmonton born Sgt Pilot Bill Gray and his crew received a new Halifax B Mk II (Special), coded VR-R, serial BB323, which they first flew on their sixteenth operation and for the remaining trips of their tour which they completed in June 1943. The mermaid nose art carried by this aircraft was designed by Cliff Wilby and Russ Harling and painted by ground crew member, Cpl John McGregor. The top half of the mermaid figure was adapted from the December 1943 Varga calendar pinup and the bottom half from suggestions by the crew. The wording, 'Per Flak Ad Nauseum' ('Through flak until you're sick of it') was a play on the wording of the RCAFI RAF motto, 'Per Ardua Ad Astra' ('Through Adversity to the Stars'). 54

During a Canadian Victory Loan campaign, a child refugee from Holland named Anne personally sent $500.00 to the Chief of Air Staff in Ottawa. She accompanied her gift with the request that a bomb be dropped on Germany by an RCAF crew. Fit Sgt Bill Gray and his crew were selected to carry out the little girl's request. A 1,000lb bomb, painted black for the occasion, was decorated with the inscription, 'For Anne, To mark 'Moose' Squadron's 1,000th Sortie.' The city of Dtisseldorf was the target selected for this special bomb, along with many others from 'Moose' Squadron. On his return from the mission, Fit Sgt Gray reported, "Anne can rest assured we are getting lots of revenge for what the Germans did to Holland." 'Mermaid' met her end on the night of 13-14 July 1943 when she formed part of a bomber force that attacked Aachen in Holland. The crew of BB323 on that occasion consisted of: 2nd Lt B.J. Furey (USAAF) pilot; F/Sgt G.e. Perrett (RAF), co-pilot; WIO M. Cottenden (RCAF), navigator; Sgt J.S. Carmichael (RAF), flight engineer; WIO K. La Salle (RCAF), gunner; Sgt J.e. Gilchrist (RCAF) wireless-operator and Sgt w.e. Batkin (RAF), rear gunner. As the Halifax 'neared Venlo it developed intercom trouble and the rear guns would not fire. Then it was attacked by two German nightfighters and the rear gunner was killed. One of the Luftwaffe pilots was Lt Struning who was based at Venlo. With the controls damaged and a fire in the bomb bay (which still held the bombs) and in the port wing, Furey Qrdered the crew to bailout. As the bomber went down it exploded over the road and rail bridge over the River Meuse at an altitude of 150metres, scattering burning wreckage over 14 different locations. This caused 30 fires, destroyed seven houses and damaged 170 more, with r.esults that can still be seen today. All six surviving members of the crew became POWs. Sgt Batkin is buried in the war cemetery at Nijmegen, Holland.

Halifax B Mk II, JB859, 'Thundering Heard' Halifax B Mk II VR-H, serial JB859, was flown and named by her pilot, FlU Stanley Mervyn Heard, of Swift Current, Saskatchewan and the nose art was painted by PIO Ley Kenyon. FlU Heard completed six operational trips in this aircraft. Crews could not always fly in the same aircraft for every mission, and this was the case on 17/18 August 1943, when seventeen bombers from the squadron were part of the force sent to attack the German research centre at Peenemiinde. On this, his fifteenth operation, while flying Halifax JD158, VR-H, FlU Heard and his crew of eight were all killed when their aircraft was shot down by a German night-fighter. Not having been flown on the Peenemtinde mission, 'Thundering Heard' was transferred to No 1666 HCD on 29 August 1943, eventually being ferried to Rawcliffe and scrapped in 1945.

420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron: Halifax B Mk III, December 1943-May 1945

written off 29 September 1944. PT-X

MZ505

Named 'X-Terminator', SOC 16 July 1945.

PT-Y

NP951

SOC 1 November 1945.

PT-Z

LW122

SOC 16 May 1945.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

PT-A

NR139

SOC 16 May 1945.

PT-B

NA179

Crashed on landing aproach and burnt out 5 March 1945.

424 (Tiger) Squadron:

PT-B

NA509

Overshot runway while landing at Welles Bourne 23

Halifax B Mk III, January 1944·May 1945

November 1944. PT-B

,r

NA632

Overshot runway while landing at Rufforth and hit pole

Code

Serial No

Remarks

15 January 1945.

QB-A

NR227

SOC 16 May 1945.

QB-A

LV879

Shot down by night-fighter over Nuremberg

ary 1945. Named 'The Champ' (Bulldog).

QB-A

HX311

Lost over Berlin 16 February 1944.

QB-A

LV951

Named 'The 'P\ Train', lost over Braunschweig 13 Aug-

PT-B

MZ432

Lost over Hannover 5January 1945.

PT-B

MZ587

Collapsed after heavy landing and bumt out 13 Janu-

31 March 1944.

PT-B

LW380

SOC 5 May 1945.

PT-C

NR207

SOC 4 May 1945.

PT-D

NR208

SOC 4 May 1945.

QB-A

MZ814

SOC 21 August 1945.

PT-E

NR135

Named 'Eur-A-Pean Express' SOC 16 May 1945.

QB-B

HX313

Lost near Bourg Leopold 28 May 1944.

PH

LW419

SOC 4 October 1945.

QB-B

MZ813

PH

LV953

Named 'Fangs of Fire', SOC 4 May 1945.

ust 1944.

Named 'Bambi', hit trees while landing at Leiston and burnt 21 February 1945.

PT-G

MZ473

SOC 16 May 1945.

PT-H

MZ504

Named 'Hoiboit de Hoirnit', lost over Nurernburg 31

QB-D

NP945

March 1944.

QB-E

PT-I

NR258

SOC 16 May 1945.

QB-F

LW113

Named 'Der Fuehrer's Fate', lost over Osnabnlick 7 December 1944. Named 'Easy Does It.' Named 'The Fiery Queen', overshot on landing at Tiree 16 January 1945.

PT-I

MZ952

SOC 21 January 1947.

PT-J

LW476

Lost over Somain 1 May 1944.

QB-F

LV953

Named 'Fangs of Fire', SOC 4 May 1945.

PT-K

LW421

Engine failure on take off, landed at Little Ouseburn

QB-G

LV961

Lost over Metz 29 June 1944.

and bumt. 1July 1944.

QB-G

MZ458

SOC 26 November 1946.

QB-G

MZ802

PT-L

MZ503

Lost over Karlsruhe 31 March 1944.

PT-L

MZ620

SOC 24 October 1946.

PT-L

MZ951

Named 'Let's Get Crackin'-City of London' SOC 6 De-

Named 'Gallopin' Gerty', lost over Bochum 10 October 1944.

• QB-G

NR206

Named 'Fi-Fi', SOC 8 January 1947.

cember 1946.

QB-G

NR258

SOC 16 May 1945.

QB-H

LW444

Named 'Hellzapoppin', crashed at Skipton-on-Swale

PT-L

NP946

Lost over Heligoland.19 May 1945.

PT-M

MZ435

SOC 25 July 1945.

PT-M

MZ595

SOC 14 March 1947.

QB-H

LV998

Lost on mining operation 13 January 1945.

PT-M

NA183

Lost over Magdeburg 17 January 1945.

QB-H

LW552

SOC 14 March 1947.

PT-N

MZ645

Lost over Hamburg 29 July 1944.

QB-I

LW170

Ditched in sea after running out of fuel 10August

PT-N

NA630

SOC 15August 1947.

PT-N

NP959

Lost over Chemnitz 6 March 1945.

QB-J

LW131

Lost over Dusseldorf 3 November 1944.

PT-N

LW389

SOC 28 August 1946.

QB-L

LW416

Named 'Long Shot Lou', SOC 16 July 1945.

PT-N

NR124

SOC 2 November 1945.

QB-N

MZ901

Lost on mining operation over Kattegat 16 November

PT-N

LL589

SOC 13 December 1945.

PT-O

NA169

SOC 24 May 1945.

QB-O

HX318

Named 'Oscar', lost over Karlsruhe 25 April 1944.

PT-P

NR227

SOC 16 May 1947.

QB-O

LW119

SOC 7 November 1946.

PT-R

MZ569

SOC 24 January 1947.

QB-P

HX319

Named 'Pistol Packing Peggy', SOC 28 January 1947.

PT-S

LW392

Named 'The Swoose Express - Delivers with Ease',

QB-Q

NR228

SOC 31 May 1945.

SOC 10 October 1945.

QB-R

LV959

Lost over Bois-de-Casson 5August 1944.

PT-T

LW645

during local flight 22 January 1944.

1945.

1944.

Swung off runway and hit snowbank and collapsed 28

QB-R

MZ898

SOC 17 January 1947.

January 1945.

QB-R

NP940

SOC 20 August 1946.

PT-T

NR138

SOC 2 November 1945.

QB-S

PT-U

HX346

Hit tree on approach to Moreton-on-Swale 21 Novem-

QB-T

LW438

Swung on take-off from Elvington and hit hedge and collapsed 22 January 1945.

ber 1944. PT-U

LL580

SOC 13 December 1946.

QB-U

MZ418

Shot down by Me 262 near Hamburg 31 March 1945.

PT-U

MZ502

Lost near Bourg Leopold 28 May 1944.

QB-U

LV991

S.O.C. 13 January 1947.

PT-U

MZ713

Lost over Ferfay 25July 1944.

QB-V

PT-U

NA190

Crashed and exploded at Hazelwood Castle after

QB-W

LW433

Lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

wings iced up 5 March 1945.

QB-W

NP930

Sold for scrap 14 March 1947.

QB-X

LW347

Lost over Hamburg 29 July 1944.

PT-V

LW692

Lost near Lenz 21 April 1944.

PT-W

MZ594

Landed at Woodbridge with heavy flak damage and

Named 'Victorious Virgin'.

55

The story of Halifax MZ802 'Gallopin' Gerty' Of the approximately 45,000 Canadians who gave their lives in World War II, almost half were members of the RCAF. The RCAF Honour Roll contains over seventeen thousand names with 14,544 killed overseas, 12,266 of these being on active operations. The majority of overseas casualties came from RAF Bomber Command, in which 9,919 Canadians gave their lives; no fewer than 4,272 of these were from No.6 (RCAF) Group. Over 27,000 (70%) of the RCAF's active operations during World War II were flown in the Handley-Page Halifax bomber. This aircraft became the workhorse of the RCAF bomber squadrons. Seeing them through the toughest and most costly phases of the war, it was the aircraft in which, the majority of Canadian aircrew were killed in action. Today the Halifax Aircraft Association Memorial pays tribute to our Allies, the men and women of the air and groundcrews who knew the versatile Halifax. Also remembered are the many thousands of Americans who came to Canada, enlisted into the RCAF and served with the Halifax bomber. When Canada went to war in September 1939, many Americans volunteered for aircrew duties in the RCAF. Those living in Canada, or giving a Canadian address were treated as Canadians. The remainder were given detailed information to vi,sit Canadian recruiting stations. Simultaneously, Canadian authorities met with American authorities who secretly confirmed that they would not object to enrolment if it was handled discreetly. During the spring of 194b,'asemi-secret organisation was created. Known as the Clayton-Knight Committee, it enlisted (in theory) recruits for the Dominion Aeronautical Association, (created by the Canadian Government) and not for the RCAF. In fact, the DAA actually functioned as an integral part of the RCAF Manning Directorate. On 8 December 1941, 6,129 Americans were serving in the RCAF as aircrew. Three thousand were aircrew trainees within the BCATP, 900 had graduated from their training, 650 were employed as staff officers and instructors and 670 were enlisted as ground personnel. In all, some 8,864 Americans had enlisted into the RCAP. Now, with America's entry into the war following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, all were given the opportunity to enlist in the US armed forces. For whatever reason, 5,067 of these Americans elected to stay and complete their service in the RCAP. The following story recognises two such men, both Americans in the RCAF who flew together in the same Halifax bomber.

James G. Keys; the American pilot of 'Gallopin' Gerty' Jim Keys was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and as a youngster was intensely interested in the world of aviation. Shortly after graduating from High School, Jim learnt that the RCAF were accepting US recruits for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After nagging his parents for two months, he was given their blessing and left home to travel to a recruiting depot in Hamilton, Ontario, to enlist into the RCAF. Having enlisted he

56

was then told to return home and wait to be called. Two weeks later the summons arrived and Jim left for Canada again, this time to report to No.1 Training Command at the Exposition Grounds in Totonto, Ontario. His next move was to No.3 Initial Training School at Victoriaville, Quebec and then on to No.ll Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de la Madeleine, also in the province of Quebec. His Service Flying Training was completed at No.5 SFTS, Brantford, Ontario and it was here that Jim received his wings. He then moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he embarked in a ship that would, as part of a convoy, take him to England and more intermediate training on Oxford and Wellington aircraft. On 10 May 1944 Jim Keys was assigned to the RCAF's base No. 63 at Skipton-on-Swale, home of 424 (Tiger) Squadron, RCAF. In December 1943, the squadron had returned from flying the Vickers Wellington on operations in North Africa to convert to the four-engined Halifax B Mk III. Until 3 July 1944, Jim had flown several Halifax bombers but on this day, he and his crew were assigned to MZ802, coded QB-G (G for Gerty). The Canadian ground-crew took it upon themselves to have the squadron nose artist 'Ferguson' paint the nose art on the aircraft. Jim Keys recalled, "One day we came out to the parking pad and there it was. We were very proud of their (the ground-crew) efforts and had them out for a night at the pub." The painting featured a large pink elephant in full charge, holding over its head in its trunk, a large yellow bomb; above which were painted the words 'Gallopin' Gerty.' Jim Keys was not the only American in the crew, the wireless operator, WIO Charles C. Gunn, came from New York. The remaining crew members were: MidUpper Gunner; FltISgt Peter Engbrecht RCAF, CGM. Bomb Aimer; FlO Pat Patterson RCAF. Flight Engineer; Sgt Charles Macdonald RAF. Navigator; FlO William (Bill) Riome RCAF, DFC. Rear Gunner; Flt/Sgt Gordon Gillanders RCAF, DFM. (Two confirmed victories, one victory shared with Engbrecht and one probable). Another interesting aspect concerning the crew of 'Gerty' was that the mid-upper gunner, FltISgt Peter Engbrecht was a member of Canada's pacifist Mennonite community. Born in 1923 in a Ukrainian Mennonite village, he emigrated at age three with his family to Canada and settled in Whitewater, Manitoba. When Canada entered the war in September 1939 Peter, who had become a crack-shot with a .22 rifle, became exceptionally eager to join the RCAF. After making his views known, Peter and his father consulted with their church bishop. Following this consultation, permission was finally given and he enlisted into the RCAF in March 1941. For the first two years of his service, Peter worked in a variety of ground jobs before being sent to England to train as an air gunner and then, in May 1944 he was posted to 424 (Tiger) Squadron and joined the crew of 'Gerty'. On their second operational flight, they were flying a different Halifax named 'Dipsy Doodle'. During the course

of the mission, they were attacked fourteen times by German fighters in a running battle between the target and the English coast. Peter Engbrecht recalled, "Just after we left the target area, bullets began whistling over our aircraft and I opened fire in the direction the tracers came from, then Patterson (the bomb aimer) saw the fighter (a Bf 110) go down in flames, and another explosion when it hit the ground." Three of his turret's four guns became unserviceable as did all four of the tail gunner's weapons. Co-operation between pilot and crew allowed them to take some violent evasive action and shake off several more attacks. A few minutes later, an Fw 190 attacked from the port quarter; Engbrecht brought his guns to bear on the fighter and opened fire with his single, serviceable weapon and suddenly, the 190 blew up. The night-fighter attacks continued almost all the way back to the English coast but again, co-operation between pilot and crew, allowed them to evade further damage. Then, on 10 June, during a mission to bomb Versailles-Matelots, their bomber was attacked again and Pete Engbrecht claimed two more German aircraft shot down, a Bf 109 and Bf 110. For these actions he was one of only eight Canadians awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and was invested by HM King George VI on 8 July 1944. The citation for the award read, "His exceptional coolness and confidence under fire was a source of inspiration to the other crew members". He was also commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer. Officially, Engbrecht is credited with 5.5 kills, but he always believed that the actual total was nine. Retiring from the RCAF in June 1945 he became a farmer but re-enlisted into the RCAF in 1948 and trained as a radar technician. Twenty-five years later, as the longest serving NORAD serviceman, he retired from the service for good with the post war rank of Master Corporal. On Thursday 28 September 1972, Pete Engbrecht was honoured by the RCAF Association with a fly-past salute on Parliament Hill, Ottawa. Master Corporal Engbrecht was the first person of this rank ever to take this salute. He died in Altona, Manitoba, on 23 April 1991. 'Gerty's' operations with Jim Key's crew between 3 July 1944 and 4 October 1944 were as follows: Date 6 July

Target

Type of Operation

Siracourt V-2 site

Day

12 July

Bremont

V-2site

Night

14 July

Anderbelk V-2 site

. Night

18 July

Caen area. German armoured

Day

vehicles 18 July

Wesseling (3 fighter attacks)

20 July

Anderbelk V·2 site

Night Day

26 July

Stuttgart

Night

5August

St.Leu d'Esserant

Day

7August

Falaise (German armour)

Night

8August

Brest (Mining operation)

Night

12 August

Brunswick

Night

14 August

Tassily (fighter)

Day

16August

Kiel (Mining operation)

Night

17 August

La Rochelle (Mining operation)

Night

18August

Connantre Rail Yards

Night

28 August

Brest Harbour

Day

14 September

Wilhelmshaven

Day

20 September

Calais coastal guns

Day

23 September

Domburg coastal guns

Day

25 September

Calais coastal guns

Day

27 September

Sterkrade synthetic oil plant

Day

28 September

Cap Gris Nez V-2 site

Day

4 October

Bergen

Day

Jim and his crew finished their tour in 'Gerty' on 4 October 1944 with a trip to Bergen, orway and were then sent on leave. 'Gerty' flew a total of thirty-two operations with 424 Squadron and was credited with shooting down three German fighters. On 6/7 October 1944 'Gerty', with a different crew, was a part ofthe largest No.6 Group raid ever dispatched. On this raid, 293 RCAF-crewed bombers flew to their target, Dortmund, and dropped 813 tons of bombs and incendiaries. The total strength of this force was 523 bombers which also included seven aircraft from 405 (Pathfinder) Sqn. On 9/10 October 1944, 'Gerty' was among 209 No.6 Group bombers sent to Bochum. Of these aircraft, five aborted the mission and three were shot down, 'Gerty' being one of them. This was a double blow to 424 Squadron as their CO, WICdr G.A. Roy, was in 'Gerty' that night and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

Pink elephants In July 1942, the US 404th Bomb Squadron was preparing for movement from the US to Palestine. For this transfer, the unit's B-24D aircraft had been finished in a special pink-tan finish known unofficially as 'Titty' pink. When the Japanese invaded Midway and the Aleutian Islands, the 404th was reassigned to the 11th Air Force at Nome, Alaska. When the pink B-24's arrived at Nome they quickly became known as the 'Pink Elephants', the name coming from the Disney 1941 film 'Dumbo', where baby Dumbo and his friend Timothy accidentally drank from a clown's bucket that had been topped up with champagne. The drunken dance that follwed was entitled 'Pink Elephant's Parade'; looking much like the B-24's as they taxied around the airfield. The 404th applied for and got, official approval to use the name and pink elephant insignia on 21 November 1942. It is not known if the emblem was ever applied to a 404th B-24. It did however, appear on two RCAF Halifax bombers. 424 Squadron flew five Halifax bombers with the code letter 'G', two of which carried pink elephant nose art:

57

LV961, 'G', assigned to the squadron in December 1943 and lost on 29 June 1944. MZ802, 'G' , assigned to the squadron on 3 July 1944 and lost on 10 October 1944. (Gallopin' Gerty.') NR258 'G', assigned to the squadron in October 1944 and transferred that same month. NR206 'G', assigned to the squadron on 1November 1944 and transferred to 415 Sqn on 13 February 1945.

always attracted a lot of attention, especially when we were diverted to any American 8th Air Force airfield." The nose art was also the subject of a wartime Public Relations film called 'Frontline Artist', which is still held in the archives in Ottawa.

Pink Elephant nose art and named 'Fi-Fi.'

MZ458 'G', assigned to the squadron on 5 February 1944. SOC by RAF on 26 October 1946.

MZ813, a Halifax called 'Bambi' On a cold February morning in 1942, Jack Dundas stood in a line outside the RCAF recruiting depot in Hamilton, Ontario. Like thousands of other young Canadian men, Jack had left the quiet confines of his home and job to start a new career in the air force. After passing through Manning Depot in Toronto, he was posted to No.5 Initial Training School at Belleville, Ontario and then on to No. 13 EFTS at St.Eugene, also in Ontario. This was followed by a posting to No.5 SFTS at Brantford where he qualified to fly the twin-engined Anson. Following qualification, Jack was posted to Little Rissington in England travelling there by sea, in convoy, on board a crowded ship, the Louis Pasteur. On arrival at Little Rissington he returned to flight training, this time on the Airspeed Oxford. He soon moved to Gaydon to fly the Wellington bomber and then to No. 1666 HCU at Wombleton to convert to the Merlin-pow c ered Halifax B Mk II. Following his heavy conversion course, Jack Dundas was posted to 424 (Tiger) Sqn at Skipton-on-Swale from where, during May 1944, he flew on two operations as second pilot. On 5/6 June 1944, he flew his first mission as captain with his own crew as one of the 6,000 Allied aircraft in the air that morning, and can still recall the inspiring sight of the huge invasion armada.

From May to October 1944, Dundas and his crew flew thirty-five operations, during the course of which they bombed the Afrika Korps (sic) base in Belgium, followed the Mynarski Lancaster to Cambrai and added their bomb-load to the thousands dropped on the Ruhr Valley. Over France on a normal bomb-run at 6,000ft, 'Bambi' was caught and held by searchlights, Jack threw the bomber around while all the time, his rear-gunner reported the flak getting closer and closer. No matter how hard he tried, Jack could not escape the searchlight cone. Finally, in desperation, he pushed the nose down at fullpower until they could pull up at very low level where the crew could clearly see the shadows of fences and cows in the countryside below. With the searchlights and flak behind them, Jack recalled the mixed emotions he felt; anger, tears and, most of all, fear. Jack and his crew went on to become the first crew from 424 Sqn to finish a complete tour together, flying most of their missions in" 'Bambi'. She was then transferred to 158 Squadron. Returning from a mission on 21 February 1945, she crashed and burnt out near Leiston after hitting some trees while attempting to land on three engines. Jack Dundas retains fond memories of 'Bambi', and today has a painting of her, painted for him by the author on a piece of World War II Lancaster skin.

425 (Alouette) Squadron: Halifax B Mk III December 1943 -May 1945 Code

Halifax MZ813, QB-B, was a brand new Halifax B Mk III which was assigned to Jack and his crew when the previous QB-B failed to return from a mission. Now, with a brand new aircraft in their hands, the 21 year old Dundas and his crew were faced with deciding on what nose art, beginning with a 'B', they could decorate her with. The majority of the crew favoured the name, 'Beer Barrel Betty' with artwork of a female figure to match. However, Jack felt that they needed something different and recalls, "So I exercised my right and told the crew as skipper, we were going to do it my way! 424 was based within walking distance of Thirsk, and one day in a bookstore, I spied a child's paintbook with the little Walt Disney 'Bambi' on the cover. I thought, dainty little Bambi, bloody great Halifax, what a great contrast! So, I bought the book and had the ground-crew nose artist paint the book cover on the nose of the Halifax. All of the squadron art was done by an artist named Ferguson and his fee for 'Bambi' was two pounds ten, which was a lot of money in those days. When the art was completed the crew felt that 'Fergie' deserved every penny we paid him. The art

58

Serial No

KW-A

Remarks Named 'Alley Oop'.

KW-B

NR252

KW-C

LW428

Named 'Bang On'. SOC 25 March 1944. Lost over Berlin 25 March 1944.

KW-C

MZ418

Shot down by Me 262 over Hamburg 31 March 1945.

KW-C

MZ815

Lost over Hemmingstedt 8 March 1945.

KW-E

LW414

Belly landed 13 February 1945 and later fell off jacks

KW-E

MZ419

during recovery. SOC 19 February 1945.

KW-F

'Easy Rides At Night' S.O.C. 5 June 1945. Named 'Fiery Queen'.

KW-G

NA518

SOC 11 May 1945.

KW-H

MZ672

Named 'Honey Chile'.

KW-J

LW390

Lost over Stuttgart 25 February 1944.

KW-J

LW419

SOC. 4 September 1946.

KW-J

LW632

SOC 14 May 1947.

KW-J

LL547

SOC 22 February 1946.

KW-J

MZ618

Collided with Halifax MZ683 28 June 1944.

KW-J

MZ845

Collided with PN228 and crashed 5 March 1945.

KW-J

NR178

Lost over Hannover 5 January 1945.

KW-J

NR194

Hit trees while landing at Riccall 25 March 1945.

KW-K

LL595

SOC 14 March 1947.

KW-K

LW415

Lost over St.Ghislain 2 May 1944.

100 Above left: Halifax III MZ505, PT-X, of 420 Squadron featured the v.r Hamlin character 'Alley Oop' and 29 bones as mission markers. Struck off charge on 16 July 1945 101 Above right: PT-E, NR135, a Halifax Mk III of 420 Squadron (PL40057) 102 Right: 'Hoiboit de Hoimit' was Halifax Mk III MZ504, PH-H, of 420 Squadron, with over 40 operations to its credit. The date of this picture must be shortly before the aircraft was lost over Nuremberg on 31 March 1944, one of 13 aircraft from 6 Group lost in the 'Nuremberg Massacre' (PL41317) 103: The nose ofHalifax B Mk III MZ802, QB-G, of 424 (Tiger) Squadron carried a spectacular galloping elephant motif In this picture 'Gallopin' Gerty' carries at least 31 mission markers and has claimed three enemy aircraft shot down. She was lost on a raid over B ochum on 10 October 1944, but her artwork was recreated on her successor, NR206, which was named 'Fi-Fi' when transferred to 415 Squadron as '6U-F'. This time the elephant survived the war to be scrapped in 1947

59

J!JJ.·····-·····~~-···~(.If· . . .~. ,,/:::;'»'"' y

"'z: ';

/

!··.

.

~f:~,.,

...,.,.tl:

104Above left: 'Cock ofthe North', a Halifax Mk III from 424 Squadron receives artwork by Sgt Wally Davidson, the mid-upper gunner (PL28222) 105 Above right: Nose view of 'Victorious Virgin', QBV, of 424 Squadron. Serial not known 106 Left: Some of the air and ground crew of 424 Squadron perched on Halifax Mk III 'Victorious Virgin' on 4 December 1944 After completing at least 70 operational missions it seems surprising that the aircraft serial number was not recorded. Note the ubiquitous Canadian maple leaf (PL40879)

107: A distant view of Halifax B Mk III HX318, QB-O, 'Oscar', orB' Flight 424 Squadron, taxiing for take-off from Skipton-onSwale on 13 November 1943. As seen here the aircraft had already racked up an impressive record of 54 operational missions. 'Oscar' was lost over Karlsruhe on 25 April 1944 (PL3304)

60

108: A close view ofthe nose art on HX318 based upon a character in the 'Popeye the Sailor' cartoon strip. 'Oscar' makes interesting use ofthe small nose porthole. Now with 60 mission markers to its credit, the aircraft also sports an additional name not visible in the earlier picture (PL40880)

109: Another 424 Squadron

Halifax III, this is LW416, QB-L, 'Long Shot Lou', which survived the war only to be scrapped in 1947 (Jack Dundas)

110: Looming over various items of ground equipment is the nose ofHalifax B Mk III MZ813, coded QB-B, of 424 Squadron but known to the crew as 'Bambi'. Based on the famous Walt Disney fawn, the name and artwork were chosen by the 21 yearold pilot, Jack Dundas and painted by the squadron artist, a ground crewman named Ferguson. Dundas and his crew completed most of their tour of operations in 'Bambi' who was then transferred to 158 Squadron. On 21 February 1945 she crashed near Leiston while attempting to land on three engines and burnt out (Jack Dundas)

61

111 Above left: Three aircrew from 424 Squadron on 6 June 1944. Left is Sgt Peter Engbrecht, the midupper gunner who had shot down two German nightfighters on 27 May. He later received the CGM. In the middle is Sgt G. C Gillanders, the rear gunner, who received the DFM. On the right is American pilot Jim Keys. They flew the Halifax 'Dipsy Doodle'in the background on the mission of27May but later regularly flew MZ802, QB-G, 'Gallopin' Gerty' (PL30468) 112 Above right: Halifax III LW444, QB-H, of424 Squadron which crashed at Skiptonon-Swale on 22 January 1944 while ana localflying exercise The artwork is based on the Alberto Varga centrefold from the March 1944 issue of Esquire (Jack Dundas) 113 Left: Halifax III LV951, QB-A of 424 Squadron, lost over Braunschweig on 13 August 1941 (Jack Dundas)

114: 424 Sqn was 'adopted' by the city ofHamilton, Ontario and the unit's nickname was a reference to the city's rugby team, which in 1945 became the Hamilton TigerCats footbaliteam.Arriving at 424 Sqn in December 1943, 'The A Train' took her art from the Hamilton TigerCat. On the nose are three ofthe groundcrew:l-r CplH.L. Fanton;Cpl B.J. Kop and LAC M.e. Ferguson (PL29630)

62

115: Two DFM winners in the crew of'Der Fuehrers Fate' pose on the nose of Halifax B Mk III NP945, QB-D, of424 Squadron. Fit Sgts Austin Snider (left) of Ontario and Jack Cumbers of Winnipeg point out the swastikas representing two German aircraft they shot down. This picture was taken on4AugustI944, long before the aircraft was lost on a mission to Osnabriick on 7 December.Four of the crew, who were on their fifth operational mission, survived as POWs (PL317I2)

116: Fit Sgt fA. Campbell BEM and LAC Murray Taylor pose for the official RCAF photographer in front ofa Halifax B Mk III "Ell for Leather', allegedly on the strength of 424 Squadron. The bull's head emblem was copied from that of the US 13th Fighter Squadron and which had appeared in the style shown here in at least one advertisement in the American press in 1943, placed by Oldsmobile who were producing cannon for the US forces (PL2822I)

117: Although ofindifferent

quality, this is one of the rarest pictures in this book as it shows Halifax B Mk III MZ954, KW-M, of 425 Squadron setting off on a mission on 29 November 1944. This was one of the few aircraft ofthe type to be fitted with a ventral turret with a .50 gun, as seen here. Don Doucette flew 12 missions as a gunner in this position (Don Doucette)

63

118 Left: Another poor picture but the only one known showing the complete artwork on Halifax B Mk III MZ672, KW-H, 'Honey Chile', of 425 Squadron, which was fitted with the ventral turret. The aircraft had completed 35 missions when this picture was taken in late 1944 or early 1945, 11 with Don Doucette as mid-lower gunner. Note the 'H' on the undercarriage leg to assist the groundcrew identify their aircraft in the dark. At the end of the war the crew added the names of their wives or girlfriends to their crew positions, a popular pastime within 6 Group by then (Donald Doucette)

119 Above left: The strain after completing his tour is apparent in the face of PIO Jack Ryan, standing in front ofa Halifax III of425 Squadron. When with 432 Squadron earlier it had carried only the wolfand no name (PL33337)

120 Above right: A ground crewman sits on KW-O, 'Old Bill' of 425 Squadron on 22 June 1944. The artwork was based on Bruce Bairnsfather's famous World War I character of the same name and his immortal comment. The bomb log consists of 24 maple leaves (PL30747) 121 Left: This is Halifax B Mk III NR27I, KW-N, of425 Squadron seen in November-December 1944 early in its career after two operations. Each of these was marked by a small engineering nut lying at the feet ofthe intrepid crewman. At least 31 had been painted by the time the aircraft was struck off charge on 16 May 1945 (Author's collection)

64

KW-M

MZ954

SOC 22 November 1946.

KW-N

LW391

Lost over Duisburg 15 November 1944.

KW-N

NR271

Named 'Nuts for Nazis'. SOC 16 May 1945.

KW-O

Named 'Old Bill.'

KW-P

NR136

Named 'Pistol Packing Peggy' SOC 15 May 1945.

KW-Q

LW412

SOC 13 December 1946.

KW-Q

LW413

Crashed into homes on Brierley Hill, Staffs after being

KW-Q

LW715

Lost over Boulogne 16 June 1944.

KW-Q

NP957

Named 'Ville de Quebec' SOC 16 May 1945.

abandoned by crew.

KW-Q

PN173

Lost over Chemnitz 6 March 1945.

KW-R

NR176

SOC 16 November 1945.

KW-R

NR196

Named 'Rita' SOC 16 May 1945.

KW-S

NA201

Named 'Shoo Shoo Baby'. SOC 14 September 1945.

KW-S

MZ454

Crashed and burned at Little Ouseburn due to icing 5 March 1945.

KW-T

MZ602

KW-T

LW424

Lost over Versailles 8 June 1944.

LL596

After training as an air gunner, he arrived in England two days after D-Day and was informed that he was to be assigned as a 'spare gunner' to 425 Squadron where he would fly with any crew that required him as a rear gunner, mid-upper gunner or a new trade, 'mid-under gunner'. Luftwaffe nightfighters habitually attacked night-flying RAF bombers from below and slightly to the rear. To combat this 6 Group had begun to introduce a new gun position on their Halifax aircraft which used a rearwardsfiring .50 calibre machine gun in the belly of the aircraft.

Swung off runway during three-engine practice at Tholthorpe 8 February 1944.

KW-U

on 24 April 1924 to French-Canadian parents. The family returned to Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1929 and Don enlisted in the RCAF in 1942, just one of the 8,864 Americans who flew in the RCAF in World War II.

SOC 13 December 1946.

KW-U

LW431

Lost over Augsburg 26 February 1944.

KW-U

LW680

Collided with M;;':683 and caught fire and exploded 28

KW-U

LL594

Named 'Allen Cup'. Shot down over SLLeu d'Esserent

KW-U

NR277

SOC 17 January 1947.

KW-U

MZ425

Named 'Little Lulu'. SOC 30 May 1945.

KW-U

NA581

Dived into ground and exploded 2August 1944. Named 'Spook and Droop'. SOC 18 June 1945.

June 1944.

5August 1944.

KW-U

LV860

KW-W

NP999

Lost on Hannover operation 5 January 1945.

KW-Y

MZ714

Named 'Yetta' she completed 75 trips and was SOC

KW-Z

LW381

Named 'Head of Bull' SOC 9 November 1946.

Sgt Doucette was one of the first group of gunners selected to man this position. He recalls that he received two days of instruction but no operational training. The gunner sat at the bottom of the fuselage and aimed the gun between his knees, the ammunition feed coming from the right where four boxes contained 4,000 rounds. He flew 31 operations in Halifax bombers, 28 of these as a ventral gunner. His first operation was on 9 August 1944 in Halifax B Mk III, '0', which carried the nose art 'Old Bill.' He completed 12 operational flights (eleven as ventral gunner) in Halifax Mk III MZ672 which carried the nose art 'Honey Chile.'

11 May 1945.

'Allen Cup', LL594 Halifax B Mk III, LL594 was one of the bombers on the strength of 425 (Alouette) Squadron in August 1944. Coded 'U-Uncle', her nose art was a painting of the Canadian Hockey Championship trophy, the Allen Cup. The skipper of the aircraft was S/Ldr Gerry Philbin, a hockey player and a recipient of the cup trophy which he had chosen as the nose art for his aircraft. On 5 August 1944, LL594 was part of a force sent to bomb a target at St. Leu d'Esserent in France. During this mission the aircraft was hit by flak and crashed into the forest at Compiegne, killing six of her crew. The crew members killed on this mission were Pia Raymond Alexander Reed, of Alameda, Saskatchewan, Flt/Sgt William Brown Gracie of Peterborough, Ontario, FlO G. Beresford (RAF), WIO B. Clark (RAF), L.G. Stamp (RAF) and Pia Thomas Edwin Lee of Sarnia, Ontario. S/Ldr Philbin and Sgt G.L. Milliard both survived the crash. Philbin managed to evade capture but Milliard was captured and spent the remainder of the war as a POW.

426 (Thunderbird) Squadron: Halifax B Mk III April-June 1944 and Halifax B Mk VII June 1944 -May 1945 Code

Serial No

OW-A

NP709

Lost over Oberhausen 1November 1944.

OW-B

LW21 0

Mk VII. Broke up in air over York due to icing 5 March

OW-B

PN227

Mk VII. Named 'Carol Dean' (name only) SOC 19 De-

OW-C

LK880

Mk III. Swung on landing and crashed 1June 1944.

OW-C

LW199

Mk III. Lost, circumstances unknown 2 November

OW-C

NP779

SOC 30 May 1945.

OW-D

MZ600

Mk III. Ran off of runway and collapsed undercarriage

OW-D

LW51 0

Mk III. Stalled during a three engined approach and

OW-D

LW201

Mk VII. Sold for scrap 30 December 1949.

OW-E

LK883

Mk III. Lost over Louvain 13 May 1944.

OW-E

NA510

Mk III. Lost near Cambrai 13 June 1944.

OW-E

LW209

Mk VII. lost over Duisburg 18 December 1944.

OW-E

NP808

Sold for scrap 1July 1948.

1945.

cember 1946.

1944.

3 May 1945.

crashed 24 March 1945.

OW-F

LW203

Mk VII. SOC 26 May 1945.

OW-G

LW377

Mk III. Hit by bomb and abandoned by crew 7June

OW-G

NP770

Lost over Munster 18 November 1944.

Donald Doucette Donald Alfred Doucette was born in Portland, Maine

Remarks

1944.

65

OW-G

NP797

SOC 13 February 1947.

OW-G

NP811

lost over Munster 25 March 1945.

Zl-B

lV922

Mk III. Ground-looped during take-off and collapsed 17 April 1945.

OW-J

MZ598

Mk III. lost near Haine St.Pierre 8 May 1944.

Zl-C

lK644

Mk III. lost over Frankfurt 21 December 1943.

OW-J

NP799

lost over Hannover 5 January 1945.

Zl·C

ll194

Mk III. SOC 1November 1945.

OW-K

lK871

Mk III. Ground-looped during take-off 15 January

Zl-C

lW576

Mk III. SOC 27 August 1946.

1945.

Zl·C

lV950

lost near Coquereaux 1August 1944.

OW-K

RG350

Mk III. lost over Magdeburg 17 January 1945.

Zl-D

ll139

Mk III. lost over Magdeburg 22 January 1944.

OW-K

lW204

Mk VII. lost near Seest 6 December 1944.

Zl-D

lV829

Mk III. lost near leipzig 20 February 1944.

OW-K

lW207

Mk VII. Named '01' Daid Eye'. SOC 26 May 1945.

Zl-D

lW162

Mk III. SOC 18 January 1947.

OW-K

NP741

lost nearWanne Eickel12 September 1944.

Zl-D

HX339

Mk III. SOC 30 September 1944.

OW-K

NP775

lost over Bochum 4 November 1944.

Zl-E

lK975

Mk III. SOC 1November 1945.

OW-l

PN238

SOC 15August 1947.

Zl-E

lV996

OW-M

lW682

Mk III. lost over louvain, Belgium 12/13 May 1944.

OW-M

lK796

Mk III. Hit hillside in Kent after running out of fuel 6 March 1945. Named 'Enemy Exterminator'.

Crashed at Geraardsbergen. 6 September 1997 re-

Zl-E

MZ302

Mk III. lost over Metz 29 June 1944.

mains of Bentz, Roach and Summerhayes found.

Zl-F

lK972

Mk III. SOC 1 November 1945.

Mk III. Ditched in North Sea 28 miles NE of Scar-

Zl-F

lW127

borough after running out of fuel 16 August 1944.

Mk III. Hit by bombs over Mondeville and crashed on to target 18 July 1944.

OW-M

NP683

lost near Metz 29 June 1944.

Zl-G

lK633

Mk III. lost over Kassel 23 October 1943.

OW-M

NP696

Crash landed near Brussels on 2 November 1944

Zl-G

RG347

Mk III. Named 'Gutsy Girty' crashed when a tyre blew

OW-M

NP818

out on take-off and bomb-load detonated 27 February

after being hit by flak over Dusseldorf. Ran off of runway into ditch and bumed 25 March

1945.

1945.

Zl-H

lK658

Mk III. SOC 1 November 1945.

OW-N

MZ645

Mk III. lost over Hamburg 29 July 1944.

Zl-H

lV830

Mk III. SOC 14 May 1945.

OW-N

MZ682

Mk III. SOC 14 March 1947.

Zl-H

lW132

Mk III. Caught fire and crashed into sea 8August

OW-N

lW200

Collided with lancaster KB768 and crashed at Rugby 5 December 1944.

Zl·J

lK974

Mk V:Lost over leipzig 20 February 1944. Mk III. SOC 31 December 1946.

1944.

OW-O

NP684

SOC 28 May 1945.

Zl-J

lV994

OW-P

lK879

Mk III. lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

Zl-J

lV965

OW-P

NP740

Named 'Cowan's Cowards' SOC 28 May 1945.

OW-Q

lW382

OW-Q

OW-R

lW206

RG456

Mk III. Force landed at USMF base at Buckenham after catching fire, collapsed on landing 9 October

Mk III. Crashed and exploded at North Woolston rail-

1944.

way station 6 June 1944.

Zl-K

lK627

Mk Y. lost over Frankfurt 21 December 1943.

Mk VII. Crashed at Sawston and bomb-load exploded

Zl-K

lV985

Mk III. lost near Mandeville 18 July 1944.

3 September 1944.

Zl-K

lV987

Mk III. lost over Archeres 8 June 1944.

SOC 27 August 1946.

Zl-K

lW577

Mk III. lost over Berlin 25 March 1944. Mk III. SOC 16 May 1945.

OW-S

MZ750

Mk III. Crashed at Julich 16 November 1944.

Zl-K

NR196

OW-S

NP800

lost over Bochum 4 November 1944.

Zl-K

MZ866

OW-S

RG447

Named 'Star Eyed Sue' SOC 24 July 1947.

OW-U

MZ690

Mk III. SOC 18 May 1945.

OW-U

NR144

Mk III. Hit hill 5 miles north of Juvincourt 6 March

name 'lana Tumer.' This was the Halifax that carried

1945.

artwork of a flying MGM lion holding a bomb between its front paws. (427 was the only RCAF squadron

OW·V

RG452

SOC 20 August 1946.

OW-W

lW207

Mk VII. SOC 26 May 1945.

OW-Y

lW205

Mk VII. SOC 1 November 1946

OW-Y

PN242

OW-Z

NP737

Mk III. Caught fire when an incendiary bomb was acci d.entally dropped during re-fuelling 28 October 1944.

Zl-l

DK186

Mk V. Named 'london's Revenge' it also carried the

'adopted' by a US city-Hollywood, Cal~ornia). Zl-l

ll169

Mk Y. lost over Magedeburg 22 January 1944.

Mk VII. SOC 16 August 1947.

Zl-l

lW130

Mk III. SOC 1 November 1945.

SOC 26 May 1945.

Zl·l

lW548

Mk III. SOC 19 June 1945.

Zl-l

NP957

Mk III. SOC 16 May 1945.

Zl·l

lV968

Mk IIl.lost over Karlsruhe 24 April 1944.

427 (Lion) Squadron:

Zl-l

lV969

Mk III. soc 25 March 1946.

Halifax B Mk III and B Mk V

Zl-M

lV993

Mk III. SOC 8August 1946.

Zl-N

lK700

Code

Serial No

Remarks

Zl-A

EB241

Mk Y. Carried 'Apple' artwork, no name.

Zl-A

lW558

Mk III. lost over Stuttgart 16 March 1944.

Zl·A

lV938

Mk III. lost over Metz 29 June 1944

Zl-A

MZ823

Mk III. Accident(?)1 April 1945

Zl-A

MZ282

Zl-B Zl-B

66

Mk Y. Crashed and bomb-load exploded at Askham Richard, York, following engine failure 9August 1944.

Zl-N

lK799

Mk Y. Collided with HX176 during take-off and then hit wall 7August 1944.

Zl-N

ll191

Mk Y. Crashed at Worstead and burned 20 January

Mk III. S.O.C. 24 March 1945.

Zl-N

MZ357

Mk III. SOC 30 May 1945.

lK923

Mk III. lost near Magdeburg 22 January 1944.

Zl-O

lW575

Mk III. Named 'Pappy's Gang' SOC 18 May 1945.

MZ304

Mk III. Failed to return from mining operation 25 No-

Zl-O

MZ288

Mk III. lost 30 November 1944. No details available.

vember 1944.

Zl-P

EB247

MkY.

1944.

ZL-P

LV831

Mk III. Lost over Bourg Leopold 28 May 1944.

NA-E

DB210

ZL-P

LW139

Mk III. Crashed near Londonderry near York after en-

NA-F

JP195

Mk II. SOC 28 June 1945.

gine failure during take-off 23 February 1945.

NA-F

EB211

MkV.

NA-F

JD386

Mk V. Dived into ground at Bridge Farm, Broughton,

NA-G

JP198

Mk II. SOC 1November 1945.

ZL-Q

DK146

MkV.

ZL-Q

LV828

Mk III. Crashed and burnt out following engine failure 1 February 1944.

MkV.

Lines. 9 February 1944.

ZL-Q

LV830

Mk III. SOC 14 May 1945.

NA-G

EB213

MkV.

ZL-R

LK684

Mk V. Swung off runway on landing 20 May 1944.

NA-H

JN971

Mk II. SOC 1 November 1945.

ZL-R

LW572

Mk III. Lost over Vaires 19 July 194.

NA-I

JN968

Mk II. SOC 1November 1945.

ZL-R

MZ303

SOC 7 October 1946.

NA-I

DK238

MkV.

ZL-S

EB246

Mk V. Named 'Sierra Sue.'

NA-J

JP122

Mk II. SOC 1November 1945.

ZL-S

LK755

Mk III. SOC 18 February 1947.

NA-J

DK235

MkV.

ZL-S

MZ819

Mk III. SOC 17 December 1946.

NA-K

HR857

Mk II. SOC 25 January 1945.

ZL-S

LW114

Mk III. Lost over Boulogne 12 May 1944.

NA-K

LK914

Mk V. Lost oveer Hanover 23 October 1943.

ZL-S

LW133

Mk III. SOC 24 March 1945.

NA-L

JN955

Mk II. SOC 22 February 1945.

ZL-S

LW166

Mk III. Shot down over Sira Court 5 July 1944.

NA-L

DK237

MkV.

ZL-S

LV789

Mk III. Lost over Le Bourget 19ApriI1944.

NA-L

LK947

Mk V. SOC 6 June 1945.

ZL-T

LK843

Mk V.Overshot on landing and hrt hedge 29 February

NA-M

JD271

Mk II. Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944.

1944.

NA-M

LK930

Mk V. Abandoned by crew and crashed 22 March

JP124

Mk II. Used as an instructional airtrame 1945.

ZL-T

LV964

Mk Ill.Lost over Hannover 6 January 1945.

ZL-U

EB243

MkV.

NA-N

ZL-U

LW163

Mk III. SOC 18 January 1947.

NA-N

LK913

Mk V. Lost over Maontlucon 16 October 1943.

ZL-U

MZ285

Mk III. SOC 28 December 1946.

NA-O

JP199

Mk II. Abandoned by crew over Didcot, Berkshire after

ZL-V

LK637

Mk V. SOC I November 1945.

ZL-V

LV986

Mk III. Damaged by night-fighter on 11 May 1944 and

NA-O

LK901

1944.

engines caught fire 21 April 1944.

made emergency landing at Woodbridge.

Mk V. Crashed and burned out at Glenshee, Angus 8 November 1944.

ZL-V

LW161

Mk III. SOC 27 September 1945.

NA-P

JP279

Mk II. SOC 23 August 1945.

ZL-V

LW128

Mk III. Damaged by flak over Archeres. Crew aban-

NA-P

W1271

Mkll.

doned aircraft which crashed near Benson, axon. 8

NA-Q

JP197

Mk II. Pilot accidentally opened bomb-bay doors in-

June 1944. ZL-W

LK965

Mk V. SOC 1November 1945.

ZL-W

LV883

Mk III.

ZL-W

MZ314

ZL-X

RE155

ZL-Y

DK226

H~

by flak over Ghent and abandoned by crew

stead of lowering flaps, aircraft crashed 17 October 1944. NA-Q

DK239

near Ipswich 11 April .1944.

NA-R

JB968

Mk II. Lost over Hanover 28 September 1944.

Mk III. Lost near DUisburg 30 November

NA-R

EB216

MkV.

1944.

NA-R

DG363

MkV.

NA-R

LL 180

Mk V. SOC 1 November 1945.

NA-S

JP201

Mk II. Collided w~h LL137, crashed and burned out 15

MkV.

MkV.

MkV.

ZL-Y

LV995

Mk III. Lost over Arras 13 June 1944.

ZL-Y

LV973

Mk III. Lost over Versailles 11 June 1944.

NA-S

EB214

November 1944.

ZL-Z

DK234

MkV.

NA-T

JP127

Mk II. SOC 16 March 1945.

ZL-Z

LK976

Mk V. Lost over Mannheim 19 November 1943.

NA-T

EB215

MkV.

NA-U

JP203

Mk II. Overshot runway on three engine-anding hit church spire and crashed 8 June 1945.

428 (Ghost) Squadron:

NA-U

JN973

Mk II. Failed to return from mining operation 18 April

Halifax B Mk II November 1943-June 1944 and Halifax B Mk V June 1943-January 1944

NA-U

EB212

MkV.

NA-U

DK270

MkV.

NA-V

JN969

Mk II. Heavy landing due to ice bUild-up on airtrame

NA-V

DK230

MkV.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

NA-A

JP113

Mk II. Named 'Get up them Stairs' it carried a Pegasus emblem. Crash-landed at Attlebridge 21 April 1944.

1944.

12 December 1944.

NA-B

JP191

Mk II. SOC 1November 1945.

NA-W

DK229

MkV.

NA-B

LK928

Mk V. Lost over Frankfurt 21 December 1943.

NA-X

JN967

Mk II. Starboard engines and wing caught fire crashed

NA-C

HR988

Mk II. SOC 1November 1945.

NA-C

EB209

MkV.

NA-X

DK233

NA-C

EB275

MkV.

NA-Y

JP130

NA-C

LK661

Mk V. SOC 9 June 1945

NA-D

JP132

Mk II. SOC 1November 1945.

NA-Y

LK927

NA-D

DK228

MkV.

NA-Z

LW285

NA-E

HX183

Mk II. SOC 1 November 1945.

at East Ferry, Lines. 11 November 1944. MkV. Mk II. Crashed after engine failure during take-off 25 August 1944. Mk V. SOC 1November 1945. Mk II. Crashed at Listerlandet, Sweden during mining operation 24 April 1944.

67

NA-Z

DK196

MkV.

NA-Z

LK947

Mk V. 8 ops then to 429 Sqn January 1944. Dragon art, no name.

AL-N

LK800

Mk III. Shot down by ni9ht-fighter over Niiremburg 31

AL-O

MZ755

Mk III. SOC 18 October 1946.

AL-P

NP954

Mk III. Crashed near Spilsby 1 November 1944.

AL-P

NR203

March 1944.

429 (Bison) Squadron: Halifax B Mk II November 1942-August 1943 Halifax B Mk III March 1944-March 1945 Halifax B Mk V August 1943-January 1944

Mk III. Abandoned by crew over Myton-on-Swale 21 November 1944.

AL-Q

LK662

AL-Q

LK804

Mk V. Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944. Mk III. Ditched in Channel after running out of fuel returning from mission to Niiremburg 31 March 1944.

AL-R

LK947

Mk V. SOC 6 June 1945.

AL-R

LV989

Mk III. Stalled and crashed at Snape, Yorks. 23 May

Mk III. SOC 24 March 1945.

AL-R

MZ303

Mk III. SOC 7 November 1946.

NR196

Mk III. SOC 20 January 1947.

AL-R

LV967

Mk III. SOC 24 January 1947.

NP943

Mk III. SOC 20 January 1947.

AL-S

NP946

Mk III. Lost over Heligoland 19 November 1943.

LK734

Mk V. Force-landed and burnt at Leeming 2 January

AL-T

JD275

Mk III. Lost over Mannheim 19 November 1943.

1944.

AL-T

LV860

Mk III. SOC 18 June 1945.

AL-C

LK995

Mk V. Lost over Frankfurt 26 November 1943.

AL-U

LL171

Mk V. Collapsed (landing gear) after three-engined

AL-C

LV950

Mk III. Lost on operation over Coquereaux 1August AL-V

LL178

Mk V. Crashed at Hawnby, Yorks. 18 March 1944.

Code

Serial

Remarks

AL-A

JD411

Mk II. Lost over Frankfurt 26 November 1943.

AL-A

MZ282

AL-A AL-A AL-C

1944.

1944.

landing at Topcliffe 13August 1944.

AL-D

LK697

Mk V. Lost over Bertin 29 January 1944.

AL-V

LV914

Mk III. Lost over Bertin 25 March 1944.

AL-D

HX339

Mk III. SOC 30 September 1944.

AL-V

MZ318

Mk III. SOC 10 April 1945.

AL-E

JD327

Mk II. Force-landed at Heathfield Park, Sussex 50c-

AL-W

JD333

Mk II. Belly-landed at Snape Mires 26 November

tober 1943.

1943.

AL-E

MZ825

Mk III. Lost over Braunschweig 12August 1944.

AL-W

NA201

Mk III. SOC 14 September 1945.

AL-F

JD318

Mk II. Lost over Berlin 30 December 1943.

AL-X

LW285

Mk II. Lost over Listerlandet, Sweden 24 April 1944.

AL-F

JD325

Mk II. Lost over Frankfurt 26 November 1943.

AL-X

MZ880

AL-F

LW127

Mk III. Struck by bombs over Mandeville and crashe~

AL-F

MZ318

Mk III. SOC 10 April 1945.

AL-G

MZ824

Mk III. Struck by Lancaster PD290 and exploded in mid-air 1 November 1944.

431 (Iroquois) Squadron:

AL-H

MZ906

Mk III. Lost over Essen 23 October 1944.

AL-J

LV993

Mk v. soc 8August 1946. (This aircraft held the

Halifax B Mk III March-October 1944 and Halifax B Mk V July 1943-April1944.

in target area 18 July 1944.

Mk III. Hit by Lancaster at Spilsby and exploded 1November 1944.

AL-Y

MZ312

Mk III. Lost over Bottrop 21 July 1944.

record for completed operations within 6 Group, a total

AL-J

LV965

of 95)

Code

Serial No

Mk III. Caught fire and landed at Old Buckenham, un-

SE-A

LL175

Remarks Mk V. SOC 2 June 1945

dercarriage collapsed 9 October 1944.

SE-A

MZ859

Mk III. Lost over Hamburg 29 July 1944.

SE-B

LL172

AL-J

LW688

Mk III. Lost over Bertin 25 March 1944.

AL-J

MZ453

Mk III. Damaged by flak over Duisburg and abandoned by crew over Brussels 14 October 1944.

SE-B

LK896

Mk V. SOC 14 December 1943.

AL-J

MZ463

Mk III. Lost over OsnabrOck 6 December 1944.

SE-B

NR122

Mk III. SOC 9 October 1946.

AL-J

PN367

Mk III. SOC 28 November 1946.

SE-B

LW462

Mk III. SOC 26 December 1946.

AL-K

JD164

Mk II. Damaged by flak over Stuttgart and ditched off

SE-B

MZ597

Mk III. Lost over Hamburg 29 July 1944.

Thomey Island 27 November 1943.

SE-B

MZ629

Mk III. Lost over Louvain 13 May 1944.

LK746

Mk V. Lost over Berlin 29 January 1944.

SE-B

MZ882

Mk III. Crashed at Skipton Bridge, Yorks. 5August 1944.

AL-K

LW137

Mk III. Lost over Aachen 25 May 1944.

SE-B

NA514

Mk III. Lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

AL-K

LW415

Mk III. Lost over Sl.Ghislain 2May 1944.

SE-C

LL173

Mk V. SOC 1November 1945.

AL-K

LL547

Mk III. SOC 22 February 1944.

SE-C

MZ509

Mk III. Crashed on take-off from USMF base

AL-K

MZ282

Mk III. SOC 24 March 1945.

AL-K

MZ900

Mk III. Damaged by flak over Boulogne and abandoned

SE-C

MZ655

AL-K

Mk V. Collided with another Halifax during landing 4 December 1944.

Membury 26 August 1944.

by crew over English Channel 17 September 1944.

Mk III. Indian Head nose art (but no name carried) SOC 18 June 1945.

AL-L

HX352

Mk III. Lost over Aachen 25 May 1944.

SE-D

LK905

AL-L

LV994

Mk III. SOC 31 Decmber 1946.

SE-D

MZ517

AL-M

LL168

Mk V. Crashed at Topcliffe after losing power 31 August 1944.

SE-E

LK639

Mk V. Lost over Kassel 23 November 1944

AL-N

LL170

Mk V. SOC 12 August 1945.

SE-E

MZ529

Mk III. Lost over Montzen 28 April 1944.

AL-N

LV913

Mk III. Named 'Nancy' crashed at Leeming 13 July

SE-F

LK918

1944.

68

Mk V. Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944. Mk III. Destroyed in a hangar fire at Topcliffe 12 December 1944.

Mk V. Crashed at Dishforth due to fuel shortage 29 January 1944.

122: Left hand portion of the artwork on Halifax Mk III NA201, KW-S, of 425 Squadron. Colours are unfortunately not known (AI Davies Collection)

123: This is the starboard section of the artwork on NA201 with two more ofthe groundcrew being recorded for posterity. 'Shoo Shoo Baby', named after a popular wartime song, outlasted the war, not being stricken unti114 September 1945 (Al Davies Collection)

124: Striking artwork was carried by the Tholthorpebased Halifax 111, KW-F, of the French-Canadian 425 (Aloueue) Squadron. Unfortunately, neither the serial number nor the colours of the 'Fiery Queen' are known (Pat Dancose)

69

125 Above left: Seen on 17 April 1944, this is Halifax B Mk Jl1 NR136, KW-P, of 425 Squadron. 'Pistol Packin' Peggy' marked her mission tally by means of small explosions marked 'bang'. Five can be seen here but quite a few more must have been added by the time she was struck offcharge on 15 May 1945. Note the small rendering ofa NAAFI truck (PL29381) 126 Above right: One of very few pictures of 426 Squadron artwork, this example was on Halifax Mk VII NP740, OW-P, 'Cowans Cowards', struck offcharge on 28 May 1945 (Author's Collection) 127 Centre left: A rather fuzzy picture of Halifax B MkV EB241, ZL-A, of427 Squadron with a visual symbol ofthe call letter and 21 mission markings (Author's Collection) 128 Lower left: Aircrews pose with the tools of their trade, including Halifax B Mk III RG347, ZL-G, of 427 Squadron on 3 November 1944. 'Gutsy Girty' was lost on 27 February 1945 when a tyre blew on takeoff and the bomb load detonated in the ensuing crash. The bombs appear to be I,OOOlb demolition type (PL40064)

70

129 Above left: A Canadian sergeant pilot of 427 Squadron paints a well-known name on his Halifax. The unit had only one Merlin-engined Mk V coded 'J' on strength, so this is highly likely to be LK974, ZL-J, which was lost over Leipzig on 20 February 1944. This was the squadron 'adopted' by Hollywood and MGM Studios and several of the unit's aircraft therefore carried contemporary film stars' names (PL26139) 130 Above right: The American Tegerdine brothers, both serving in the RCAF, pose in front of LV996, LV-E, the 'Enemy Exterminator', flown by Rex Tegerdine, on the left. Pictured here on l3 February 1945, the aircraft crashed on a hillside in Kent on 6 March after running out offuel (PL42162)

131 Centre right: Halifax V LK947 first flew with 428 Squadron in October 1943 as NA-Z. Itthen went to 429 as AL-R. Records are then confused, stating that it next went to 434 Sqn, coded as SE- Y, the code letters for 431, before ending up at 1669 HCU from where it was sent for scrapping in November 1944. This photo is dated 4 April 1944 but the aircraft has no mission markings (PL28610) 132 Right: The dragon emblem of LK947 as it is preserved today. Oddly, it has received 24 mission markers, yet the aircraft log shows only 19 ops (Author)

71

133: A striking Pegasus emblem and a forceful slogan adorn Halifax B Mk II JP113, NA-A, of 428 Squadron at Middleton St George, 4 April 1944 (PL28614)

134: 'Sweet Adeline', a Halifax B Mk 111, AL-A, of 429 Squadron has some very res trained nose art. Perhaps the ground crew felt the same and decorated the sea mine about to be dropped during a 'Gardening' sortie to compensate. This was to be 429 Squadron's 1,OOOth sortie. The ground crew are, from left to right: Fit Sgt fA Milne; Cpl AA Mead; LACs R. W Roe; E. Patter-son; AP Milne; R.s. Sklar and WR. Cockburn. Known serials of aircraft coded 'A' in 429 were MZ282, NR196 and NP943.All survived combat operations to be struck off charge when no longer required (PL29631)

135: Halifax B Mk Ifl LW597, . QO-C, of 432 Squadron carried a very small rendition of the Petty girl design seen on page 24 and a popular bomb tally marking in Canadian squadrons in the form of14 maple leaves. 'Miss Canada' was lost over Augsburg on 26 February 1944, being shot down by a nightfighter. Two gunners were killed but the rest ofthe crew, drawn from the ranks ofthe RAp, RCAF and USAAp, survived as POWs (Thomas E. Dunn)

72

136 Above left: Walt Disney's Goofy was surprisingly popular with nose artists, third only to Donald Duck and Pluto in the number of emblems produced by the Disney Studios. On this Halifax from 429 Squadron the crew themselves chose him as their mascotwith a comment never likely to appear in anything from Disney! No other details are known (PL26083)

137 Top right: Few pictures of artwork on 429 (Bison) aircraft seem to have survived. The artwork on this and the following two Halifaxes from 429 Squadron was painted by Cpl Allan Rosenthal between 1943-45 while he was based at East Moor and Leeming. This is 'Nancy', Halifax B Mk III LV913,AL-N, which crashed at Leeming on 13 July 1944 (Rosenthal) 138 Centre right: AL-R, the 'Reich Express', was one of three Mk III Halifaxes so coded which served with 429 Squadron. Serials were LV967,LV989andMZ303.It is unknown which this is (Rosenthal) 139: 'Betty Hutton', which carried the film star's name in block capitals under the windscreen and a bison dropping bison bombs on the nose. There are 17 here, each marking a mission. No serial is known (Rosenthal)

73

140: Three officersfrom 431 Squadron pose for the official photographer in front of a Halifax named after the town of Simcoe, Ontario, which adopted 431 Squadron. The aircraft was coded SE-S but the serial number remains unrecorded. The men are, from the left:SIL CG. Bull, WIC H.R. Dow (the CO of 431) and SIL WC VanExan DFC Strangely, the only other aircraft belonging to 431 Squadron definitely known to have artwork was NA499, SE-W, a Halifax Mk III named 'Big Chief WhaHoo'. It was scrapped in 1947 (PL31159)

141: Halifax B Mk III LW598 was known as 'QOK' while with 432 Squadron until she crashed and caught fire at Newton-on-Ouse on 9 June 1944 (Doug Penny)

142: This Halifax B Mk IlI, LW595, served with 432 (Leaside) Squadron as QOQ, 'Queen ofThemAll', with whom she completed 35 operations without any real incident. In July 1944, 415 Squadron was transferred to Bomber Command from Coastal and took over many aircraft from 432, including LW595. She did not survive long with 415, being lost on a mission to Hamburg on 29 July 1944. This is one ofthe last pictures taken of the aircraft while with 432, with 34 operations marked and artwork by Tom Dunn. The sash carries the words 'Miss Leaside' (Tom Dunn)

74

143: This artwork by Thomas Dunn was his first rendering ofthe extract from Luke 3.5 on Halifax B Mk VII NP694, QO-R, which had already seen much service with another Canadian squadron (probably 426). See photo 56 for the definitive version which survived until the aircraft was struck off charge on 15 August 1945 (Russell Beach) 144 Below left: Halifax B Mk VII NP755, QO-A, the 'Avenging Angel' of 432 Squadron. The artwork still exists in Canada and the aircraft is illustrated in the colour section of this book (Russell Beach)

145 Above right: Another Halifax Mk 111 of 432 Squadron, this is NR145, QO-C, 'Canada Kid' which was not struck off charge until 16 July 1945 (Russell Beach) 146 Right: 'Eddie's Nightmare', a Halifax B Mk III, serial MZ603, served with 432 Squadron as QOE until it was lost on a mission to Diisseldorf on 2 November 1944. It was a veteran of at least 64 operations, as seen here, before it succumbed to the German defences (Russell Beach)

75

147: An earlier view of

MZ603, when it had already survived 43 operations. Who Eddie was is not recorded (Russell Beach)

148: The 'Queen

0' the Swamp' as portrayed on NP693, a Halifax Mk VII, coded QO-Q, of 432 Squadron. Along with many other aircraft from the unit, the Queen survived the hazards of operational service only to be sent for scrapping in May 1945 (Rosenthal)

149: A nicely drawn cowgirl features on Halifax B Mk III LW582 of432 Squadron. QO-Mwasnotknownas'M for Mother' as was usual but 'M for Mama'. The aircraft was lost near Aucheres on 8 June 1944 (PL29793)

76

150 Right: Another Halifax MK V from 432 Squadron, LK765 wore the codes QQB, and, as seen here, 35 mission markers in the form of mugs of beer. The 30th, marking an operational tour is, however, shown by a keg and wings. 'Block Buzzter' survived until 21 December 1946 (RE77-67) 151 Below left: This is NP692, a Halifax Mk VII, QO-D, of432 Squadron, the second with the name, replacing a Mk III lost on 29 July 1944. With artwork based on a Disney original this aircraftforcelanded at Woodbridge on 27 September 1944 and burned (Doug Penny)

152 Above right: A rare view from the tail gunner's position of NP692, 'The Devastating Dog', taken while returning from a mission in daylight 153 Right: 'The Hussy', Halifax Mk 111 LK686, QQH which lived up to her reputation when she overshot and collapsed on landing at East Moor on 8 August 1944-but not before she had completed at least 28 operations with 432 Squadron (Thomas Dunn)

77

154: The crew ofHalifax B Mk VII NP736 of 432 Squadron had a unique way of marking their mission tally-with The Babi's nappies. 'QO-B' survived at least 28 missions, only to be scrapped in December 1949. This machine is illustrated in the colour section of this book (Russell Beach)

155: Another user ofthe US 13th Fighter Squadron emblem was 'Ferdinand 1/', a Halifax B Mk Vll, NP697 of 432 Squadron. Coded QO-F, this was another aircraft to be scrapped in December 1949. As seen here it carries 64 mission markings and a welldeserved pair of wings and bar, indicating two tours of operations. The bombs carry letters indicating whether the operation was by day or night in almost equal proportions (Russell Beach)

156: RG478, aka QO-Ufor

Utopia, was a HalifaxB Mk Vll which served with 432 Squadron. Clearly the crews thoughts were a long way from an English winter when the artwork was applied. 'Utopia' eventually acquired at least 16 palm trees to indicate completed missions (Russell Beach)

78

SE-F

LW412

Mk III. SOC 13 December 1946.

432 (Leaside) Squadron:

SE-G

LK649

Mk V. Lost over Berlin 29 January 1944.

SE-G

NA498

Mk III. SOC 17 December 1946.

SE-H

LK963

Mk V. Lost over Berlin 29 January 1944.

SE-H

LK837

Mk III. Lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

SE-J

LI.231

Mk V. Collided with Wellington LN535 at Gamston 7

SE-J

MZ922

Mk III. Shot down over Hamburg by Me 262 31 March

SE-K

LK657

Mk V. Lost over Hannover 9 October 1943.

SE-K

LK952

Halifax B Mk III February 1944-July 1944 and Halifax B Mk VII July 1944-May 1945 432 Sqn, established at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire on 1 May 1943, flew their first operation on 23/24 of that month. By the end of the war in Europe they had completed 3,100 sorties in 238 bombing and mining operations. Originally equipped with the Wellington bomber, they converted to the Avro Lancaster Mk II and then, from February 1944 until May 1945, flew the Halifax B Mk III and B Mk VII. During this latter period, the squadron had on charge some 75 aircraft, at least half of which carried some of the best Commonwealth nose art of World War II.

June 1944.

1945.

Mk V. Abandoned over High Wycombe, Bucks. 7 December 1944.

SE-K

MZ657

Mk III. Crashed on take-of from Croft, bomb-load ex-

SE-K

MZ831

Mk III. Lost over Bochum 4 November 1944.

ploded 6 July 1944.

SE-L

LK710

Mk V. Lost over Laon (Leon?) 23 April 1944.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

SE-L

MZ537

Mk III. Lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

QQ-A

MZ672

Mk III. Named 'Honey Chile'. SOC 12 February 1947.

SE-M

LK632

Mk V. Lost over Ludwigshafen 19 November 1943.

QO-A

LW592

Mk III. Lost over Montzen 28 April 1944.

SE-M

MZ364

Mk III. Lost over Kastrup 21 November 1943.

QO-A

NP687

Mk VII. Lost over Stuttgart 26 July 1944.

SE-N

LL150

Mk V. Lost over Berlin 30 January 1944.

QO-A

NP755

Mk VII. Named 'Avenging Angel' SOC 25 May 1945.

SE-N

LK957

Mk V. Lost over Mannhein 19 November

QO-B

LK765

Mk III. Named 'Block Buuter' SOC 21 December

QO-B

NP736

Mk VII. Named 'The Babi' ~ was sold for scrap 30 De-

QO-C

LW597

1943. Mk III. Taxied off of runway at Topcliffe, undercarriage

1946.

SE-N

MZ600

SE-N

EB137

Mk III.

SE-O

LK898

Mk V. Lost over Leipzig 4 December 1943.

SE-O

LW576

Mk III. SOC 27 August 1946.

QO-C

NR145

Mk III. Named 'Canada Kid' SOC 16 July 1947.

SE-P

LK897

Mk V. SOC 23 October 1943.

QO-D

LW596

Mk III. Named 'The Devastating Dog' lost over Ham-

SE-P

LK828

Mk III. Named 'Jake Sent Me', overshot runway at QO-D

NP692

oollapsed May 1945.

Topcliffe and hit ditch 27 November 1944.

cember 1949. Mk III. Named 'Miss Canada' (a Petty design) lost over Augsburg 26 February 1944

burg 29 July 1944.

Mk V. Named 'Queenie' lost over Ludwigshafen 19

Mk VII. Named 'The Devastating Dog' force-landed at Woodbridge and caught fire 27 September 1944.

SE-Q

LK640

November 1943.

QO-D

PN233

Mk VII. Sold for scrap 30 December 1949.

SE-Q

MZ861

Mk III. SOC 2 May 1945.

QO-E

MZ603

Mk III. Named 'Eddie's Nightmare' lost over Dusseldorf

SE-Q

LW572

Mk III. Lost over Vaires 19 July 1944.

SE-R

LL232

Mk V. Struck trees at Topcliffe 24 October 1944.

QO-E

NP708

Mk VII. Sold for scrap 30 December 1949.

SE-R

HX346

Mk V. Hit tree at Moreton-on-Swale 21 November

QO-F

LK764

Mk III. Named 'Ferdinand' SOC 28 February 1947.

1944.

QO-F

NP697

Mk VII. Named 'Ferdinand II' sold for scrap 30 Decem-

QO-G

LW594

Mk III. Lost over Haine SI. Pierre 9 May 1944.

2 November .1944.

SE-R

LK833

Mk III. Lost on operation to Hamburg 29 July 1944.

SE-S

DK185

MkV.

ber 1949.

SE-T

LK964

Mk V. Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944.

QO-G

NA500

Mk III. Lost over Boulogne-sur-Mer 12 May 1944.

SE-T

MZ655

Mk III. SOC 18 June 1945.

QO-G

MZ672

Mk III. SOC 12 February 1947.

SE-U

LK991

Mk V. Crashed at Sandtoft 13 May 1944.

QO-G

PN208

Mk III. Scrapped 30 December 1949.

SE-V

DK264

MkV.

QO-G

NP690

SE-V

NR123

Mk III. Hit trees at Carnaby when brakes failed 10 May 1945.

QO-G

NP701

SE-W

NP999

Mk III. Lost near Hannover 5 January 1945

QO-H

LK686

SE-W

. NA499

SE-X

LK705

Mk VII. Swung off runway at take-off from Linton-onOuse, caught fire 18 August 1944

Mk III. Named 'Big Chief Wha-Hoo' scrapped 14

Mk VII. Lost over Duisburg 18 December 1944. Mk III. Named 'The Hussy' overshot on landing at East Moor and collapsed 8 August 1944.

March 1947.

QO-H

NP703

MkVII.

Mk V. Failed to return from mining operation 26 Febru-

QO-I

NP803

Mk VII. Lost over Wonms 22 February 1945.

ary 1944.

QO-J

LK807

Mk III. Lost over Montzen 28 April 1944.

QO-J

LW617

Mk III. Overshot on landing at Lissett 24 November

QO-J

NP805

Mk VII. Swung into hut during take-off from East Moor

QO-J

PN236

Mk VII. Named 'Jumpin' Jiminy' SOC 31 May 1945.

QO-K

LW598

SE-X

MZ656

Mk III. SOC 16 July 1945.

SE-Y

LI.233

Mk V. SOC 1 November 1945.

SE-Y

NR122

Mk III. SOC 9 October 1946.

SE-Z

LL174

Mk V. SOC 31 August 1945.

1944.

16 April 1945.

Mk III. Named 'Clueless Kitty' crashed and caught fire at Newton-on-Ouse 9 June 1944.

QO-K

NP695

Mk VII. Named 'Katy Bug' lost over OsnabrOck 6 December 1944.

79

QO-K

OO-L

NP704

LW583

OO-M

LW582

OO-M

NP689

Mk VII. Named 'Kif lost over Wannaeickel 3February

QO-Y

NP705

Mk VII. SOC 15 August 1947.

1945.

QO-Z

MZ582

Mk III. Named 'Zombie' (Gremlin artwork) force-landed

Mk III. Named leaside Lulu' lost over Haine St.Pierre

at Woodhouse Grange Farm following engine failure

9 May 1944.

17 September 1945.

Mk III. Named 'Pistol Packin' Mama' lost near Aucheres 8 June 1944.

'Queen of Them All', LW595

Mk VII. Named 'Moonlight Mermaid' lost over Hagen

Halifax B Mk III LW595 was assigned to 432 Squadron on 14 February 1944. She was assigned to FlO Jack Barker and his crew in which E.P. Cooper flew as navigator. The nose art was painted by Thomas Dunn and fealured the 'Miss Leaside' Queen with her left hand raised in the familiar 'V' for victory gesture. Navigator Cooper flew a number of training missions and twenty-three operations in LW595, all without incident They were a well trained crew, never getting lost, never bombing the wrong target, had no mechanical problems, were never hit by flak or an enemy fighter and never fired their guns in angel' while flying in 'Queen.'

15 March 1945.(Completed 80+ operations) OO-N

LK811

OO-N

NA527

Mk III. Lost near Bour9 Leopold 28 May 1944. Mk III. SOC 9August 1945.

OO-N

RG479

Mk VII. soc 15 August 1947.

OO-N

NP719

Mk VII. Lost over Kiel16 September 1944.

OO-N

NP797

Mk VII. soc 13 February 1947.

OO-N

NP801

Mk VII. Lost over Bochum 9 November 1944.

00-0

LW593

Mk III. Named 'Oscar The Outlaw' lost over Berlin 25 March 1944.

00-0

MZ633

Mk III. Collided with NA609 at Selby 21 August 1944.

00-0

NP699

Mk VII. Named 'Oscar The Outlaw II' lost over

00-0

PN224

Mk VII. SOC 1June 1945.

OO-P

PN454

Mk VII. SOC 24 February 1947.

OO-P

NP807

Mk VII. SOC 26 May 1945.

00-0

LW595

Duisburg 18 December 1944.

Mk III. Named 'Oueen of them All' lost over Hamburg while with 415Sqn. 29 July 1944.

00-0

NP693

Mk VII. Named 'Oueen 0' the Swamp' SOC 25 June

00-0

NP804

Mk VII. Lost over Munster 25 March 1945.

1945.

OO-R

LW616

Mk III. LostoverCambrai 13June 1944.

OO-R

NP694

Mk VII. Nose art poem The Valley Shall..: SOC 15 August 1947.

OO-S

LW614

Mk III. Crashed and bumt out Hackness, Yorks. 12 April 1944.

OO-S

NP802

OO-T

NP812

Mk VII.SOC 15 August 1947. Mk VII. Unnamed 'Gremlins' art SOC 24 July 1947.

OO-T

PN237

Mk VII. Named Torchy Tess' S.O.C. 24 July 1947.

OO-U

LW615

Mk III. Bounced on landing at East Moor and overshot the runway 7 May 1944.

In thirty-five operations they only ever had one recall, when a ground fitter forgot to connect the delivery pipe from the overload fuel tanks to the main ones. Because of this mistake, they lost 230 gallons of fuel and were all affected by the fumes. However, their real fear was one deadly spark which could spell disaster for them aIL On this occasion they were not flying 'Queen', but another Halifax, QO-O. In July 1944,415 Sqn was transferred from Coastal Command and took over the Halifax Mk Ills of 432 Sqn who in turn, were issued with the never Halifax B Mk VII. Again, the new aircraft of Jack Barker and his crew, NP693, was given the individual letter 'Q' and later named 'Queen of the Swamp'. LW595 was lost on a mission to Hamburg on 29 July 1944 after being transferred to 415 Sqn but NP693 survived the war, only to be scrapped after being struck off charge on 25 June 1945,

OO-U

NP698

Mk VII. Scrapped 30 December 1949.

QO-U

RG478

Mk VII. Named 'Utopia' SOC 24 July 1947.

OO-V

LK766

Mk III. Named 'Old Joe Vagabond' SOC 11 May 1945.

'Willie The Wolf, NP707, of 432 and 415 Squadrons

oo-v

NP691

Mk VII. Damaged by night-fighter over Grevenbroich

OO-W

MZ632

Mk III. Burst lyre on landing and collapsed 17 March

OO-W

NP707

Mk VII. Named 'Willie The Wolf SOC 24 May 1945

The Kearl brothers, Harold and Eldon, of Cardston, Alberta, joined the RCAF during WWII. During their period of training, they were both graded as 'above average' and upon completion of their training, were posted to bomber squadrons in No ,6 Group in England.

15 January 1945.

1945.

and flown to scrapyard at Handley-Page airfield at Clifton Dome near York by Harold Kearl 29 May 1945. OO-X

MZ506

Mk III. Crashed at Chelveston after engine failure 9

OO-X

LL547

Mk III. SOC 22 February 1946.

OO-X

NP688

Mk VII. Lost over Stuttgart 26 July 1944.

OO-X

NP721

April 1945.

Mk VII. Collapsed and caught fire during take-off from East Moor 5 December 1944.

OO-X

RG455

Mk VII. Lost over Monheim (Mannheim?) 21 February

OO-Y

LW584

Mk III. Lost over Frankfurt 23 March 1944.

OO-Y

MZ586

Mk III. Named 'Y Worry'. Flew 34 operational flights

OO-Y

LK765

Mk III. Named 'Block Buster' SOC 21 December 1946.

1945.

before being SOC 11 May 1945.

80

F/Lt Eldon Kearl was killed on 27 March 1944 when his Lancaster Mk II, EQ-P, serial DS709, was shot down during a raid on Berlin. The Lancaster carried nose art consisting of a large winged bug carrying a bomb. At the time of its loss, P-Peter was on its fourteenth mission, the twenty-fourth birthday of pilot Eldon KearL F/Lt Kearl is buried in the Berlin War Cemetery.

Harold Kearl joined the RCAF in November 1942, reporting to No.4 ITS, Edmonton, Alberta in January 1943. On 25 July 1943 he moved to No.5 EFTS at High River, Alberta where he remained until going on to No.lS SFTS at Claresholm, Alberta on 18 September of that

year, receiving his wings on 17 January 1944. On 5 February 1945, he arrived at No.3 PRC at Innsworth, remaining there until posted to No. l1(P) AFU course at Calveley on 31 May 1944. On 8 August 1944 he was posted to No. 24 OTU at Honeybourne where he joined a crew flying a Wellington Mk III, the crew being: F/Sgt. Gene Olson, Navigator; FlO Leo Rogers, Bomb Aimer; Sgt McNamee, Wireless Operator; Sgt George Condvit, Air Gunner; Sgt Al Smith, Rear Gunner and Sgt Johnny Oliver, Engineer. On 2 January 1945, PIO Kearl and his crew reported to 1664 HCU at Dishforth, Yorkshire, where they converted to the Halifax III. Then, on 23 February they were posted to 432 Squadron at Eastmoor, whose Halifax bombers carried many forms of nose art. Kearl's log book records that the first operation, flown on 1 March 1945 was to Mannheim with W/Cdr Frence as officer in charge. The next few operations show that Kearl and his crew flew nearly every Halifax in the squadron: QO-U, -B, -H, -E, -Y, -S and W. On 25 March they were assigned to fly a mission to Munster in a veteran Halifax coded QO-W, known to all as 'Willie The Wolf' whose nose art featured a painting of a wolf ripping the clothing from a fleeing blonde young woman. The mission markers were recorded with bombs painted benetah the cockpit; red for night missions and white for day. At the beginning of the mission, W's tally stood at 59, the daylight mission by Kearl and his crew would be the 60th for 'Willie' and on return, a white bomb was added to the third row of the mission markers. For the mission to Munster, 100 bombers were dispatched, two aborted and returned' to base and 98 would hit the primary target. 'Willie' flew seven more operations before the end of the war and then the Halifax was consigned to scrap. An entry in Kearl's log book records his last 30 minute flight in NP707 at the end of the war where it reads 'QO-W, Willie The Wolf'. Harold Kearl recalled his last flight, "May 29,1945, " .. .'W', Willie The Wolf, graced the sky for the last time. She was no longer needed as the war was over. I flew her to Handley-Page, Clinton Dome, near York, her birthplace and to her end. Hundreds of aircraft were assembled there to be stripped, bulldozed and burned. Such a fatal ending for a Halifax bomber that gave so much to so many Canadians in Yorkshire, and over the wartime skies of Germany and Europe."

when four Halifax aircraft laid mines off of the Frisian Islands. They were based at Skipton throughout their wartime service, flying the Halifax B Mk III until midJanuary 1945 when they converted to Lancaster Mk Is and Ills which they retained until October 1945. Code

Serial No

Remarks

BM-A

NR120

Lost near Chemnitz after running out of fuel and being

BM-A

HX268

Crashed into sea near Fife 17 May 1945.

BM-B

HX284

Named 'Beer is Best'. Lost over Berlin 25 March 1944.

BM-B

LV967

Named 'B for Beer' SOC 24 January 1947.

BM-C

MZ807

Lost over Hagen 2 December 1944.

BM-D

LV842

SOC 28 January 1947.

BM-E

HX285

abandoned by crew 6 March 1945.

Named 'Evening Ecstasy' Hit tree at Brandesburlon 29 January 1944.

BM-E

MZ419

Named 'Easy Rides At Night' SOC 5 June 1945.

BM-F

HX288

Swung on landing at Skipton-on-Swale when lyre

BM-G

HX292

BM-G

LW129

Lost over Dorlmund 6 October 1944.

BM-G

NR137

SOC 16 May 1945.

burst 23 April 1944. Overshotlanding alTopcliffe 10 April 1945.

BM-H

MZ285

SOC 28 December 1945.

BM-H

MZ828

Crashed during three-engined landing at Skipton, hit

BM-H

MZ909

Lost over Hamburg 15 March 1945.

BM-H

HX281

bridge and bumt out 5August 1944.

Lost returning from Berlin raid, ran out of fuel near Thirsk and abandoned by crew 29 January 1944.

BM-H

LV841

Lost over Berlin 25 March 1944.

BM-I

LV911

Ground-looped at Skipton and burnt 25 July 1944.

BM-J

MZ905

Collided w~h NA219 and SOC 5 March 1945.

BM-K

HX282

Lost over Frankfurt 19 March 1944.

BM-L

LW368

Port undercarriage collapsed while landing on three

BM-L

MZ425

BM-M

MZ944

BM-N

MZ857

engines at Topcliffe 1 February 1945. Named 'Little Lu Lu' completed 16 operations before being SOC 30 May 1945.

Named 'The No Nuttins' and tail turret had 'Shoot You're Loaded' applied. SOC 11 May 1945.

BM-O

HX280

SOC 16 July 1945.

BM-O

NP936

Lost near Kamen 25 February 1945.

BM-O

MZ879

Named 'Orbiting Oscar' lost over lie de Cezembre 31 August 1944.

BM-P

MZ808

Named 'Pride of the Porcupines' lost over Kiel17 August 1944.

BM-Q

MZ872

Named 'Pranging Queen' S.O.C. 17 October 1945.

BM-R

NR136

SOC 15 May 1945.

BM-R

LW361

Named 'The Ruhrrhur' completed 53 operations before being SOC 9 June 1945.

At the time of writing, the original nose art from this aircraft hangs in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

BM-R

NP949

Lost Kastrup-Rauxel21 November 1944.

BM-S

MZ883

SOC 3 September 1947.

BM-T

HX289

Ditched in North Sea when engines failed 22 June

433 (Porcupine) Squadron:

BM-U

HX287

Lost over Noisy Ie Sec 19 April 1944.

Halifax B Mk III, November 1943-January 1945 433 Sqn was formed at Skipton-on-Swale on 25 September 1943, the fourteenth and last RCAF bomber squadron formed overseas during World War II. * The squadron began night operations on 2/3 January 1944

BM-V

HX290

Named 'Victory' SOC 10 September 1945.

BM-W

HX291

1944.

Named 'Whacky'. Lost on Dusseldorf mission of 23 April 1944.

BM-X BM-Y

Named 'The Yokums.'

81

Operation 12A or 13?

WL-M

LW171

Are pilots and aircrew superstitious about the number 13? During World War II many were and often refused to admit that there was a number 13. FlO L.W.W. Loppe was a Halifax pilot on 432 Squadron at East Moor, Yorkshire. His aircraft, a Mk.VII, serialled NP755 and coded QO-A was decorated with a full nude nose art figure and named 'Avenging Angel'. Loppe and his crew had flown twelve operations in her and her next, the thirteenth, would be flown on Friday 13 April 1945. However, in an effort to avoid chancing their luck, the crew flatly refused to recognise 13 and referred to the Friday operation against Kiel as number 12A.

WL-M

LK907

'Avenging Angel' finished the war with a total operational tally of 70 missions and was sent for scrapping on 25 May 1945. Fortunately, the nose art was cut from the aircraft and today it is a part of the Canadian War Museum collection in Ottawa where, rightly or wrongly and in the interests of the so-called 'political correctness', she has suddenly acquired a green bathing suit! ':' 433 Squadron was the last bomber squadron formed overseas but 415 was re-designated as a bomber squadron on 12 July 1944.

Named 'Mugs Mulligan' SOC 8 January 1947. Bird strike injured pilot aircraft collapsed on landin9 25 February 1944.

WL-M

LK972

WL-M

DK260

SOC 1 November 1945.

Named 'Percy Prune Finger' SOC 30 July 1946.

WL-M

NR199

WL-O

LK945

Lost over Leipzig 20 February 1944.

WL-P

LW713

Named 'Pugwash' lost over Arras 13 June 1944.

WL-P

LL288

Named 'Popeye' swung off runway on take-off and

WL·Q

MZ921

Named 'The Queen' SOC 19 October 1946.

WL·R

DK262

Named 'Rotary Club of Halifax.'

WL-S

EB256

broke apart 21 May 1944.

WL-S

LL168

WL-S

LK796

Crashed out of control 31 August 1944. Ditched in North Sea off Scarborough after running out of fuel returning from Berlin 16 August 1944.

WL-S

MZ293

Lost over Arras 13 June 1944.

WL-S

NA497

SOC 29 June 1945.

WL-S

NR118

Lost over Duisburg 18 December 1944.

WL-S

NP959

Lost over Chemnitz 6 March 1944.

WL-T

EB258

WL-T

LW171

SOC 28 January 1947.

WL-T

LK666

Lost over Kassel 23 October 1943.

WL-T

MZ626

Crashed and caught fire at Croft railway station 30 August 1944.

434 (Bluenose) Squadron:

WL-T

MZ846

SOC 17 October 1946.

WL-T

NR126

Hit hillside at Shill Moor, Cheviots and burned out 18

WL-U

LL243

SOC 17 October 1945. Scrapped 14 March 1947.

Halifax B Mk V, June 1943-May 1944

February 1945.

Serial No

Remarks

WL-U

NA552

WL-A

MZ421

SOC 25 January 1947.

WL·V

NR144

Hit high ground north of Juvincourt 6 March 1945.

WL-A

EB217

WL-W

NP939

Crash-landed at High Wycombe 19 March 1945.

WL-A

LL177

WL-W

LW433

Lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

WL-Y

MZ276

Named 'Y Yellow.'

Code

Named 'Alley Oop' SOC 1 November 1945.

WL-B WL-C

WL-C

MZ920

Named 'C the Comet' caught fire and crashed at

WL-Y

Church Lawford 14 October 1944.

WL-Z

LK953

Lost over Berlin 23 November 1943. Lost over Sterkrade 17 June 1944.

Named 'Yehudi.' LK663

Lost over Kassel 23 October 1943.

WL-D

LKB01

WL·D

LL137

Collided with Halifax JP210 15 November 1944.

Canadian Halifax Bomber Nose Art

WL-E

LK709

Lost over Berlin 29 January 1944.

WL-E

LL136

SOC 1November 1945.

WL-E

MZ878

SOC 14 March 1947.

WL-F

DK251

WL-F

MZ405

SOC BJanuary 1947.

WL-F

MZ420

Engine caught fire following overshoot and abandoned

Of the total heavy bomber production in England during WWII, 35% was devoted to the Handley-Page Halifax four-engined bomber. During the war, over 27,000 (70% ) of the RCAF's bomber operations were flown by the Halifax bomber and, of the 17,000 RCAF personnel who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, nearly 8,240 of these were lost in Halifax squadrons.

WL-G

NR121

Lost over Worms 22 February 1945.

by crew 28 October 1944.

WL-H

LW174

SOC 27 February 1947.

WL-H

MZ876

Named 'Happy Valley Harlot' SOC 13 July 1945.

WL-K

DK24B

WL-K

LK871

Ground-looped ·15 January 1945.

WL-K

LK894

Lost over Munchen-Gladbach 31 August 1943.

WL-K

LL179

Lost over Berlin 21 January 1944.

WL-K

LL285

Hit telegraph pole after take-off from Nunnington,

WL·K

LW173

Lost over Arras 13 June 1944.

WL-K

LW6B9

SOC 16 July 1945.

WL-K

NR115

SOC 2B April 1945.

WL-L

LK70B

Named 'Liverpool Packet' SOC 1 November 194B.

Yorks. 11 December 1944.

82

6 Group RCAF assumed operational status at one minute past midnight on 1 January 1943. It initially consisted of six RCAF bomber squadrons but grew by the end of the war to contain no less than fourteen squadrons located at eight airfields in England. Some former Canadian aircrew who have flown both the Avro Lancater and Halifax still insist that the Halifax was the superior of the two. It is no exaggeration to claim that in one respect it was-the painting and preservation of nose artwork. At the end of the war, the majority of Canadian flown Halifaxes were ferried to large 'graveyards' around England. No. 28 Maintenance Unit at High Ercall, Shrop-

shire and the main Handley-Page repair depot at Rawcliffe, Yorkshire, became the two main holding areas. Many of the Halifaxes which were destined to end their service lives at these locations carried some of the finest Canadian nose art work, much of which either rivalled or beat that used by the USAAF bomber units in England. Now with their end in sight and the loss of this artwork almost certain, an RCAF officer stepped in to save what he could. FlU H.H. Lindsay, formerly RCAF Operations Records Officer of Bomber Command, received permission from the Air Ministry to visit the two sites to photograph the artwork. A black and white photo was taken of as much of the artwork as possible then, attached to the back of each photo was a card, each recording the name of the art, code letters, serial number and RCAF squadron to which each bomber had been allocated to. FlU Lindsay also arranged for the scrapping company to remove some of the panels containing artwork from each aircraft before they were broken up. The scrapping of the airframes was carried out by Robert Goodwin of New Earswick, York, England. It is thanks to the efforts of these two men, that thirteen of these panels were saved from destruction and shipped to the Department of National Defence in Ottawa on 7 May 1946. Today, these panels are proudly displayed in Canadian aviation museums, the largest single collection of Halifax artwork and second largest aircraft nose art collection anywhere in the world. Ironically, not one single original piece of nose art from a Canadian-built Lancaster Mk X is known to survive anywhere.

Artwork

Squadron(s)

Archie the Archer

420, 415, 1666 HCU III

Mark

Serial Fate LL575

SOC 18/5/45

Avenging Angel

432

VII

NP755

SOC 6/6/45

Dragon (unnamed)

428, 429, 434,

V

LK947

6/6/45

SOC 26/5/45

1659 HCU, 1669 HCU Drum Major Girl

426,408

VII

NP714

Fangs of Fire

431,424,420

III

LV953

SOC 4/5/45

Indian Head

431,1659 HCU

III

MZ655

SOC 18/6/45

Jake Sent Me

431,1659 HCU

III

LK828

Overshot while landing at Topcliffe on three engines. SOC 27/11/44

Jumpin' Jiminy

432,415

VII

PN236

SOC 31/5/45

Notorious Nan

408

VII

NP747

SOC 3/7/45

01' Daid Eye

420, 426, 408

VII

LW207

SOC 26/5/45

Willie The Wolf

432

VII

NP707

SOC 29/6/45

WillieWoff

425,408

VII

NP717

SOC 28/5/45

Ville de Quebec

427,429,425

III

NP957

SOC 16/5/45

The thirteen surviving Halifax nose art panels are as follows:

157 Above right: The remaining fragment of the nose art of Halifax VII PN236, 'lumpin' liminy', which went to 432 Squadron as G V-I, but it flew no operations until transferred to 415 Squadron, with whom it completed 17 158 Right: 'Oscar the Outlaw' had a rough ride as a part of 432 Squadron. A Halifax Ill, LW593, QO-O, was shot down over Berlin on the night of24-25 March 1944 after at least 24 missions. Three of the crew were killed, the others, including PIO I.A. Mcintosh, the pilot, became POWs. lust visible here on the third bomb, top row, is a small swastika indicating a claim for an enemy aircraft shot down (Thomas Dunn)

83

159: 'Oscar the Outlaw'

rides again, this time on Halifax B Mk VII NP699, QO-O, of 432 Squadron. Sadly, Oscar II fared no better than his earlier namesake on the squadron, being lost on a mission to Duisburg on the night of1718 December 1944. All the crew, with the exception of the pilot, FlO M. Krakovsky of the RCAp, were killed. Krakovsky survived as a POW Thomas Dunn's handiwork is clearly apparent in the style oflettering on both this aircraft and LW583 (Russell Beach)

160: 'Leaside Lulu' adorned Halifax III LW583 of 432 Squadron. Coded QO-L, 'Lulu' was lost on a mission to Haine St. Pierre in France on 8 May 1944, along with eight other aircraft from Bomber Command. A heartening indicator of the growing strength ofthe French Resistance was the large number of crew members who evaded the Germans and returned to the UK. This included two of 'Lulu's' crew, three of whom were killed, two made POW (Thomas Dunn)

161: The two kids on the nose of this Halifax from 432 Squadron have already completed 22 missions between them, but no other details are known (Russell Beach)

84

162: NP689, a Halifax B Mk VII, QO-M, of 432 Squadron was one of the longest-lived aircraft in the unit. She is seen here carrying nose artwork by Thomas Dunn, including a pair ofwings to indicate she had completed a tour of30 operational missions. The stars were either yellow or white to indicate night or day missions. On 15 March she was shot down over Hagen, Germany, after over 80 operations. Four of the crew baled out successfully. The Canadian Sgt T.D. Scott was, however, subsequently murdered by the Gestapo (Russell Beach)

163: The groundcrew of NP689 seen in spring 1945 after she had completed 80 missions, shortly before she was lost. From left: 'Pinky' Molinsky, Peter Wilson, WJ. McDonald, J. Robinson, Ian Duncan, L. Lawson, John Bright, Jack Webb. The artwork was based upon a calendar pin-up published in 1939 by C. Moss but the original illustrator is unknown (John Bright)

164: The inimitable flowing lettering of Thomas Dunn identifies the artist responsible for the motif on the nose of this Halifax B Mk 1Il, LK766, QO- V; of 432 Squadron. 'Old Joe Vagabond' trailed through the hazards of operational flying only to succumb to the scrapman in May 1945 (Thomas Dunn)

85

165: PIO Harold Kearl and the crew of'Willie the Wolf', NP707, of432 Squadron, at the time of the aircraft's sixtieth mission (to Munster) on 25 March 1945. This Halifax B Mk Vll, coded QO- W, wore artwork by Thomas Dunn which is still preserved in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa

166: This is the first of the two Halifax aircraft of 432 Squadron which carried the gremlin artwork inspired by the unofficial badge of the 339th Fighter Squadron, USAAF. In this case it is B Mk III MZ582, QO-Z, which was the first to use the emblem. She flew at least 34 operations between February and July 1944. As seen here she is decorated with wings to indicate completion of a tour of operations. On 29 September 1944 she was replaced by NP812 which was coded QO- T, and which flew until 20 March 1945. Both aircraft survived war service to be scrapped in England (R. Beach)

167: Apart from the name, 'Quapelle' and the aircraft code letter 'D' on the undercarriage leg, little is known about this Halifax B Mk Vll. The origin ofthe photo, however, suggests that it may be the third QO-D of 432 Squadron, PN233, which survived to be sold for scrap in 1949 (Doug Penny)

86

168 Above left: Halifax III HX284, BM-B, of 433 Squadron, seen here with 65 mission markers, was lost over Holland on a mission to Berlin on 25 March 1944. Four ofthe crew survived as POWs (Victor Swimmings) 169 Above right: Halifax III MZ872, BM-Q, also of 433 Squadron. Despite her name she survived to be SOC on 17 October 1945 170 Right: LAC Chuck Lisowski painting a selfexplanatory motif on the nose of Halifax B Mk III HX290, coded BM-V, of433 Squadron (PLJ0470)

171: Some of the crew on the nose of 'Whacky', a Halifax B Mk III HX291, 8M-I¥, of 433 Squadron. On the left is FlO W W Graham, right FISgt Victor Snowdon. The aircraft was shot down over Belgium by a German nightfighter while returning from a mission against Dusseldorf on the night of 22-23 April 1944. Three of the crew were killed, three made POW and one evaded capture. Neither of the men shown here was involved. The sequence of serials and code letters suggests that this aircraft and HX290 (see above) were delivered to the unit at the same time (PL40881)

87

172 Far left: FlO K.A. McKaskill (left) and FlO WI. Coates pose for the official photographer in front ofHalifax 'Jane' on 31 July 1944. No other details are known (PL31702) 173 Left: An anonymous ground crew man brings the mission tally up to date on 'The Old Straw Hat', a Halifax of 434 Squadron (PL26142)

174: A pOOl' quality but rare picture of a 434 Squadron Halifax. This is B Mk III MZ921, WL-Q, which survived the war to be struck off charge on 19 October 1946. She carried artwork based on the famous Varga pinup in Esquire magazine ofDecember 1943 (Author's Collection)

175: Halifax B Mk V DK262, WL-R, of 434 Squadron about to be christened 'Rotary Club of Halifax' (Nova Scotia) by WAAF Section Officer Gertrude Hunt who came from Nova Scotia. Wearing the lifejacket is FlO John Pauley, the bomb aimer of DK262, and WIC A.P Blackburn RCAp, the squadron's commander

88

176: Artwork of the most basic kind on 'Yehudi'. Unfortunately the serial number of this 434 Squadron Halifax, WL-Y, is not known. Two unidentified air gunners pose for the offical camera on 9 May 1944 after recently claiming a German nightfighter shot down. What the small anchor marking might signify is a mystery (PL29694)

177 An unidentified LAC poses on the wing of an Halifax Mk Vof1669 HCU named 'Lazy Jane' at Dishforth sometime in 1945. The artwork can be seen to be based upon the Daily Mirror character. Ofinterest are the four-bladed propellers (Muff Mills)

178: Halifax B Mk 11 Series 1 BB300, MP-A, belonging to 76 Squadron RAF and her crew. Third from the left is a Canadian, FlO Roy McLeod. As the aircraft sports 29 mission markers the occasion is most likely eitherjU$t before orjust after the aircraft (and presumably the crew) had completed an operational tour of 30 missions. This would place the date at about spring of 1943. From August 1942 until April 1943, 76 Squadron was commanded by Leonard Cheshire (John McLeod)

89

179: Another Halifax crew; this time SILdr TE. Eagleton DFC and his crew of 466 Squadron (based at Driffield) under the nose of Halifax B Mk III, LW172, HD-F, which had completed 91 operations. The crew had just completed their first tour, Eagleton his second. Five operations later the aircraft crashed in fog at Driffield, killing the whole crew. Here Popeye is making one of his less well known known comments to Olive Oyl; "Get Up Them Stairs" (Bruce Robertson)

180: Halifax B Mk III LW625 first went to 192 Squadron, then to 1658 HCU and finally to 171 Squadron where it received the code 6Y-M. The nose artwork shown here features the ubiquitous wartime character 'Chad' who never appeared anywhere except peering over a wall bemoaning the lack of some staple commodity. The motto probably indicates that the crew felt hard done by, being always in the ... (RE77-94)

181: This Halifax with a dog (bear?) Latin motto and matching nose art was flown by a Canadian pilot, FILt Russ Baer. 47 mission markers can be seen (PL31811)

90

182: 'Friday the 13th' is possibly the most famous Halifax on account ofbeing the first of its type to carry out 100 operations. Mk III LV907, NP-F, was delivered to 158 Squadron in March 1944 into the care ofground crew chief FISgt Wicks who was told to call the aircraft whatever he liked by pilot FI o Smith at the beginning of his tour:"I'm not superstitious". After 128 missions LV907 was put on display in Selfridge's store in London's Oxford Street. Scrapped without any forethought, the only parts to remain are the panels carrying the bomb log in the RAF Museum at Hendon (Bruce Robertson)

183: The finely rendered artwork on Halifax B Mk III LV937, MH-E, of 51 Squadron was probably carried out by the resident artist at Snaith, the sergeant in charge of the photographic section who hailed from Bermuda and who had been a commercial artist before the war. This picture was taken soon after LV937 had returned from her IOOth mission on 6/7 December 1944, a raid on Osnabruck (Bruce Robertson)

184: This picture, taken on 31 March 1945, features PI o Vs. Keeling, a Canadian rear gunnel; while, according to the official caption, "serving with an RAF Squadron in Italy with which he has recently completed his first tour". This was most likely 614 Squadron which retained its Halifaxes well into 1945, the only unit in Italy to do so (PL60346)

91

185 Above: Halifax B Mk III PN167, L8-C (or T) of 347 (Free French) Squadron. 'Miquette' in the sun at Elvington early in 1945. The machine wears French fuselage roundels and the distinctive red tail markings used by the unit. The censor has obliterated the H2S radome, nose transparency and the entrance door (Bruce Robertson) 186 Left: FlO Robert Drummond-Hay of 424 Squadron explaining some finer points to the publisher of the Victoria Colonist newspaper, Mr H. T Matson. SIL Ws. Taylor looks on. This may be the tail of Halifax NP945, QB-D, 'Der Fuehrers Fate', seen soon after arriving at the squadron. This aircraft is pictured later in its life on page 63 (PL29627) 187: PIO c.L. Humphreys, the tail gunner ofHalifax B Mk VII LW207, OW-K, of 426 Squadron and his craft. The gun-toting character appears to be based upon the 'L'iIAbner' cartoon strip by Al Capp, a popular source of inspi-ration for Canadian nose (and tail) artists. '01' Daid Eye' was struck offcharge on 26 May 1945 but the panel carrying the artwork still survives in Canada (PL40133)

92

LANCASTERS Made in Canada, used in Germany The Lancaster bomber was born out of the failure of the twin-engined Avro Manchester. The Manchester was reportedly difficult to fly and underpowered with its two Rolls-Royce Vulture engines; in fact, a number of crashes were attributable to the unreliability of the power-plants. In all, 200 Manchester bombers were completed of which 68 were lost on operations and 63 in other circumstances. Due to the urgency required by wartime production, the search for a replacement engine assumed some major priority. Ultimately, Roy Chadwick, Avro's chief designer decided to fit the Manchester with a new wing centre section which would carry four of the well-proven Rolls- Royce Merlin engines. The completed prototype, now re-named Lancaster, proved an immediate success and went on to become known as one of the most famous four-engined bombers ever produced by any country. In all, the basic Lancaster design changed very little during its life, a tribute to designer Roy Chadwick and the Avro company. However, one major change was externally visible on the Mk II when Bristol Hercules radial engines were fitted instead of the more usual Merlins. It was this mark of Lancaster that was the first to 188 Above: Avro Lancaster B Mk III LM739, HW-Z2, of 100 Squadron, RAF, at Elsham Wolds in April 1945. 'Grog's The Shot' serves as a stage for the crew, l-r: PIO McQuaid DFC, SIL Scott D FC, FISgt Nelson, PIO Jones, FISgt Johnson, PIO Sanderson DFC, FiLl Harwood DFC. Apart from 60 missions successfully accomplished, the nose art also shows a German aircraft claimed shot down (Alastair McQuaid via David Howley)

serve with No.6 Group and the first of its type to receive Canadian nose art. The prototype Mk II was serialled DT810 and made its first flight on 26 November 1941. In all, a total of 300 Lancaster Mk lIs were built between September 1942 and March 1944 and were given RAF serials in the ranges DS601 to DS852 and LL617 to LL739. The intentional gaps in serial number allocations were used to frustrate German estimates of wartime production runs. No.6 Group received 120 Lancaster Mk lIs that would serve in three RCAF bomber squadrons. Of these, a total of 82 were lost on operations or as a result of enemy action and by war's end, the Lancaster losses for 6 Group among their Lancaster Mk II and Mk X aircraft totalled 149. The first RCAF squadron to receive the new Lancaster Mk II was 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron, receiving their first seven aircraft on 16 July 1943. By the middle of May 1944, the last oftheir Mk lIs had been transferred to 408 (Goose) Squadron and replaced by Halifax Mk Ills. Thus 408 Sqn became the second RCAF unit to receive the Hercules engined Mk II, becoming the RCAF squadron that would operate the type for the longest period. While every unit applied nose art to their aircraft, 408 Sqn clearly painted the best Mk II artwork. The last RCAF unit to receive this mark of Lancaster was 432 (Leaside) Squadron in October 1943 and the first to relinquish them, to 408 Squadron, on 10 February 1944.

93

The first Canadian production Lancaster X 6 August 1943 was the date chosen for a special media event at Malton, Ontario, home of the Victory Aircraft Plant. It was here that the very first Canadian-built Lancaster Mk X, KB700, was to be christened by Mrs. CG. Power, the wife of the Canadian Minister for Air. The christening ceremony proved to be quite an event with marching members of the Women's Division, Army, Navy and Air Force bands, Canada-wide radio coverage with commentary by Lome Greene and nine thousand workers who broke through police lines to stand beneath the flag draped aircraft that they had built. To the applause of the crowd, Mrs Power pulled the ribbon which allowed a specially made bottle of champagne to shatter on the bomber's nose. Then, the RCAF flag was removed to reveal the special nose art applied to the aircraft; a falling red bomb over which was painted a yellow arrow containing the legend 'Ruhr Express.' The design had been chosen by the Malton workers to show this bomber leaving (like a train) for England, soon to be followed by a regular and constant stream of Canadian-built bombers. To man the aircraft, No.6 Group in England had randomly selected a veteran crew who were sent to Ottawa first to meet the Chief of the Air Staff. This journey to Ottawa brought together a complete crew who had never before flown together until they entered KB700 'Ruhr Express' after the ceremony-a procedure which caused the pilot, S/Ldr Lane to remark later, "Not the way to run a bomber crew." One special member of the crew was a small French poodle puppy which had been picked up in Canada by the mid-upper gunner, F/Sgt R.K. Burgar. The white puppy was named 'Bambi' after the Disney cartoon character and had stayed in the Royal York Hotel the night prior to the ceremony. 'Bambi' flew in the bomber curled up in a wool-lined flying boot. KB700 still required instruments and equipment to be installed before she could leave for England. Nonetheless, the crew entered the aircraft and took off, giving a small, impromptu flying display over the crowd before departing to Dorval, Quebec for the equipment to be installed. Here they stayed for a month while the Lancaster was made ready for her high-altitude trans-Atlantic flight, which included a special oxygen tent for 'Bambi.' On 4 September 1943 the bomber departed for her trip to England although the crew were a little apprehensive about 'Bambi' on account of the strict quarantine laws governing the importation of dogs. KB700 arrived safely in England on 15 September 1943 where 'Bambi' was taken by F/Sgt Burgar to begin her three month period of quarantine. Their job done, the selected crew members dispersed to return to their own squadrons and never flew in KB700 again. The pilot, S/Ldr Lane, returned to the Pathfinder Force Navigation Training Unit until 22 June 1944 when he took command of 405 Squadron at Gransden Lodge, Beds.

94

Coded LQ-Q, KB700 flew two operational sorties with 405 Squadron. The first was to Berlin on 22 November 1943 and S/Ldr Lane was brought in to debrief the crew for a Public Relations exercise. The pilot for this mission was F/Sgt Florein of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. On Friday 24 April 1944 KB700 was transferred to 419 (Moose) Squadron with whom she flew 47 missions coded VR-Z. On the night of 2/3 January 1945, 'Ruhr Express' was destroyed in a crash landing at Middleton St. George on returning from her 49th mission over Germany (against Ntiremburg). In all, 422 bombers, including eight civil examples, were built at Avro's Malton plant and test flown by chief pilot Ernie Taylor and test pilots Don Roger and Bob Wingfield. On 6 August 1943, an Avro plant employee, George Sines, wrote a special poem for the flight test of 'Ruhr Express': The Ruhr Express May the Gods above you ever bless, And keep you safe the Ruhr Express, May you do your job and do it well, And blow the Axis dean to hell. We saw you born you wondrous thing, We watched you grow and then take wing, May you fly long through war-torn days, And give us cause to sing your praise. The job is hard you have to do, But, we have faith you'll see it through, May we have ever cause to bless, Our new ship born, the 'Ruhr Express'. We have waited long to see the day, When you would take wings and flyaway, At last you roar a thunderous tune, And Hitler too will hear it soon. So here's to you the 'Ruhr Express', Speed on your way, may Heaven bless, Your every effort this war to cease, So once again we live in peace. Here's to the men your gallant crew, The RCAF who will see you through, God Save The King, may Heaven bless, Your crew and you, the 'Ruhr Express.'

Lancaster B Mk X, FM serials As the original contract order for 300 Canadian Lancaster B Mk X neared completion, a second contract increased the order for another 200 examples, serials FMlOO-FM300. After VE Day, however, this order was stopped at FM229, giving a total production run of 130.

A total of 90 aircraft in the FM series were ferried to the RAF in England and assigned to Maintenance Units, but never issued to active RCAF squadrons. It is unknown whether any of these FM-serialled aircraft ever received nose art but six were assigned to 405 and 408 Squadrons in the RCAF, although none were flown on operations in World War Two:

tao Sold to Dick Richardson in 1975 and flown to Auchterarder, Scotland as G-BCOH. LQ-M

KB999

Named 'Malton Mike' to Canada 19 June 1945 crashed in lake 193 miles NW of Churchill, Manitoba where it remains to this date at the location 61.14N, 95.29W.

LQ-N

KB956

To Canada 17 June 1945 SOC 25 August 1955.

LQ-O

KB950

To Greenwood, N.S. Canada 17 June 1945. SOC 5

LQ-P

KB968

To Canada 17 June 1945 stored at Calgary and

LQ-Q

KB700

Serial No

Remarks

FM104

To 408 Sqn, May-September 1945.

FM130

To 408 Sqn, May-September 1945.

LQ-R

FM110

To 405 Sqn, May-June 1945.

LQ-Z

FM115

To 405 Sqn, May-June 1945.

LQ-J .

FM120

To 405 Sqn, May-June 1945.

LQ-T

KB945

To Canada 17 June 1945 crashed 19 May 1954.

FM122

To 405 Sqn, May-June 1945.

LQ-U

KB949

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to 407 (Demon) Sqn.

Code EQ-M

LQ-L

August 1955.

scrapped 15 April 1948. Named 'Ruhr Express' crashed 3January 1945 while on the strength of 419 Sqn.

SOC 10 May 1961.(Some parts from this aircraft are

Lancaster FM207 was the last Lancaster ferried to England in World War II and returned to Canada in July 1946. It was taken on charge by the RCAF on 21 August 1946 and assigned to 408 Squadron with the code MN207. In September 1962 it was involved in an accident at Lincoln Park, Calgary, which broke. the aircraft's back. Consequently it was struck off charge on 28 September 1962 and used for spare parts.

with the Calgary Aerospace Museum Lancaster and the Nanton Lancaster Museum) LQ-U

KB955

To Canada 17 June 1945 scrapped 28 September

LQ-W

KB957

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to 407 (Demon) Sqn

LQ-X

KB952

1955.

SOC 2 June 1960. To Canada 17 June 1945 sold at Medicine Hat 21 January 1948. KB959

To Canada 17 June 1945 sold 17 May 1965.

LQ-?

KB966

To Canada 16 June 1945 crashed at Kentville, Nova

LQ-?

KB985

Crashed 3June 1945.

LQ-Y

405 (Vancouver) Squadron: Lancaster B Mk X

405 Squadron was the first unit to take on charge a Canadian-built Lancaster Mk.X bomber. The aircraft KB700, 'Ruhr Express', remained with the squadron from 30 October 1943 until 20 December of that year when it was transferred to 419 Squadron. ~hile with 405 Squadron it flew on two missions arid was coded LQ-Q. From August 1943 until May 1945 the squadron flew the British-built Lancaster Mks I and III. During May and June 1945 they had on strength 21 Canadian-built Mk Xs from the KB and FM serial ranges. None of the squadron's Canadian Mk Xs, excluding KB700, took part in anyoffensive operations.

Scotia 20 April 1953.

.408 (Goose) Squadron: Lancaster B Mk II

The squadron was formed at Lindholme, Yorkshire on 21 June 1941. Its first Commanding Officer was WI Cdr N.W. Timmerman, DSO, DFC, who held this position until 25 March 1942. It was he that gave the unit its Canada Goose emblem and motto 'For Freedom.' Many of the unit's aircraft were decorated with nose art created by Sgt G. Allen of the squadron.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

Code

Serial

Operations Flown

LQ-A

KB961

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to 408(Goose) Sqn

EQ-A

DS708

20 with 426 Sqn

LQ-B

KB964

To Canada 17 June 1945 SOC 23 January 1955.

EQ-A

DS710

11

LQ-C

KB997

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to NO.2 OTU GreenEQ-A

DS759

17 with 426 Sqn

15 with 408 Sqn

SOC 28 September 1955.

wood, Nova Scotia SOC 23 June 1955. LQ-D

KB965

KB977

17 with 408 Sqn

To Canada 17 June 1945 crashed at Ellesmere Island

EQ-B

DS723

7

Lost over Berlin 27 January

EQ-B

DS790

10

Lost over Magdeburg 21 Janu-

SOC 6 September 1960.

EO-B

LL642

49

EQ-C

DS724

1

Named 'Easy Elsie' to Canada 17 June 1945 and then

ust 1955. KB973

Lost on Dortmund operation 22 May 1944.

1944.

to No.2 OTU Greenwood, Nova Scotia SOC 28 Aug-

LQ-F

Lost over Berlin 27 January 1944.

31 July 1950. LQ-E

Remarks

ary 1944.

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to 407 (Demon) Sqn

LQ-G

KB991

To Canada 17 June 1945 crashed 29 July 1948.

LQ-H

KB967

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to NO.2 OTU Green-

LQ-K

KB976

wood, Nova Scotia SOC 23 June 1955.

Abandoned by crew over England 7 October 1943.

EQ-C

DS737

10

Named 'The Countess', crash-

To Canada 17 June 1945 then to 408 ((Goose) Sqn

ed in England 17 December

later converted into water bomber at Edmonton, Alber-

1943.

95

Code

Serial

Remarks

Code

Serial

Operations Flown

EQ-C

OS788

Shot down on Leipzig mission

EQ-M

LL687

15 with 426 Sqn 12 with 408 Sqn

Lost over Hamburg 28 July '44.

EQ-C

LL699

Lost over Brunswick 14 Janu-

EQ-N

LL722

55

Named 'Lady be Good.'

ary 1944.

EQ-O

OS731

20

Lost over Schweinfurt 24 Feb-

EQ-O

OS656

Named 'My Hope Is Constant

EQ-P

OS709

14

Lost over Berlin 27 January

EQ-P

LL617

11 with 432 Sqn

Operations Flown

19 February 1944.

4 with 426 Sqn. 19 with 408 Sqn.

ruary 1944.

In Thee.' EQ-O

OS707

21 with 426 Sqn. 25 with 408 Sqn.

EQ-O

OS729

41

EQ-E

OS730

2 with 432 Sqn 38 with 408 Sqn

EQ-E

OS763

1944.

Named 'Our Mary II' it was also

11 with 426 Sqn

coded EQ-C and EQ-M.

34 with 408 Sqn

Ground looped 7 June 1944.

EQ-P

LL637

3with 432 Sqn 6 with 408 Sqn

Also coded EQ-V and EQ-K.

35 with 426 Sqn 37 with 408 Sqn

Named 'Old Faithful' in recogni-

flown in 408 Sqn. EQ-E

LL676 LL718

EQ-Q

OS684

3

Lost 23 June 1944.

EQ-Q

OS767

11

Lost over Brunswick 14 August

EQ-Q

LL643

23

Lost near Acheres 7 June

EQ-R

OS688

8with 426 Sqn

1944.

Lost Berlin 16 December 1943. 4 with 432 Sqn 4 with 408 Sqn

1944.

Lost over Stuttgart on 15 March

23 with 408 Sqn

Lost over Cambrai 12 June

Lost over Berlin 29 December

1944. EQ-F

OS732

None

EQ-F

OS774

4

Crashed on training flight 7

1944. EQ-R

OS718

10

EQ-R

LL720

18

Lost over Leipzig 19 February

EQ-S

OS692

49

Caught fire and burnt out 24

EQ-T

OS726

34

EQ-T

OS772

3 with 426 Sqn

EQ-T

OS845

19

EQ-U

OS651

3 with 426 Sqn

September 1943. Lost over Dusseldorf 3 Novem-

1943.

ber 1944. EQ-F

OS791

19

EQ-F

LL634

20 with 426 Sqn

Lost over Augsburg 25 Febru-

1944.

ary 1944.

July 1944.

24 with 408 Sqn OS712

7

Crashed in England 26 Novem-

EQ-G

LL631

5

Lost over Berlin 2 January

ber 1943.

20 with 408 Sqn

1944. LL636

EQ-H

OS758

EQ-H

LL700

5with 432 Sqn

ary 1944.

Named 'Miss Kingsville.'

18 with 408

Crashed 16 August 1944.

8

Lost over Frankfurt 20 Oecem-

EQ-U

OS719

10

Lost over Essen 26 April 1944.

ber 1944.

EQ-U

OS778

6 with 432 Sqn

11 with 426 Sqn

5with 432 Sqn 22 with 408 Sqn

1with 408 Sqn

Lost near Leipzig 19 February

2

Lost 23 November 1943.

Also coded EQ-J, EQ-R and EQ-X.

LL723

Lost over Dortmund 22 May

1944. EQ-U

LL623

EQ-V

OS761

15

EQ-W

OS704

8

1944. EQ-I

OS838

20 with 426 Sqn

16 with 426 Sqn 31 with 408 Sqn

OS769

2

OS705

32

EQ-W

LL717

1944.

EQ-X

OS727

53

21 with 426 Sqn

Named 'BuZZ-King of Hogtown'

EQ-X

OS841

21 with 426 Sqn

18

Crashed in England 10 July EQ-X

OS844

Lost on first operation over

Crashed in England 23 July

1944, coded EQ-T. OS657

12 with 432 Sqn

Crashed 7 June 1944.

EQ-J

EQ-L

OS830

33

EQ-K

LL675

EQ-W Also coded EQ-A.

OS768

Schweinfurt 22 March 1944.

25 with 408 Sqn

5with 426 Sqn

Also coded EQ-O and EQ-K.

Also coded EQ-Q.

3wnh 432 Sqn 3 with 408 Sqn

34 with 408

Lost over Stuttgart 24 February 1944.

EQ-L

LL633

25

Lost over NUremburg 30 March 1944.

18 with 426 Sqn

EQ-M

OS797

13

Lost over Frankfurt 22 March

6 with 408 Sqn

1944.

96

Lost over Frankfurt 20 Oecember 1943.

30 wnh 408 Sqn EQ-J

EQ-K

Lost over Augsburg 25 Febru-

48 with 408 Sqn

43 with 408 Sqn

EQ-H

Lost near Cambrai 12 June 1944.

EQ-G

EQ-G

Lost over Stuttgart 15 March 1944.

tion of her record of most ops

EQ-E

Remarks

EQ-X

EQ-X

OS848

OS849

11 with 432 Sqn

2

Lost over Berlin 27 January

189: 6 August 1943 and S/ Ldr R.J Lane poses for the official camera in the cockpit ofAvro Lancaster B Mk X KB700, the very first Canadian-produced Lancaster. Named 'Ruhr Express', the red and yellow artwork was applied at the factory at Malton, Ontario, and carried on both sides of the nose. The aircraft was ferried across the Atlantic by Lane and his crew, arriving in the UK on 15.September 1943

190: Prior to KB700's departure to UK there was the inevitable inspection by various dignitaries. This picture clearly shows the nose artwork, which was retained in squadron service. First allocated to 405 Squadron as LQ-Q with whom she flew her first operation (against Berlin) on 22 November 1943, she flew only one other mission before on 24Apri1l944 she was transferred to 419 Squadron as VR-Z. There she completed another 47 operations until crashing on landing at Middleton St George on 213 January 1945. The crew were unhurt (PLl9683-98)

191: Avro Lancaster B Mk X KB999, coded VR-M, seen while in service with 419 Squadron and being readied for a daylight mission against German guns on Wangerooge island on 25 April 1945, the last mission by 6 Group in World War 11. Despite almost perfect weather conditions, six aircraft were lost in collisions, although none from 419 Squadron were involved. The name 'Malton Mike' and a flag device appear below the cockpit sill of KB999. The aircraft was transferred to 405 Squadron before its return to Canada in June 1945 (PL43704 Ottawa)

97

192 Above left: The First World War Canadian fighter aceAVM CM. 'Black Mike' McEwen, CB, MC, DFC* with his dog in front of the Lancaster B Mk X, KB999, named after him on the occasion of his visit to the Malton plant. McEwen was AOC 6 Group and despite his rank flew several times on operations (PL43701 Ottawa) 193 Above right: The emblem applied to KB999 consisted of an RA F blue flag with red, white, blue and black vertical stripes and a red/white roundel with black ~VM' within (Vince Elmer) 194 Centre left: 'The Lady Love', an unidentified Lancaster which apparently survived 50 missions with 405 Squadron (PMR97114 Ottawa) 195 Left: Another unidentif~ed Lancaster from 405 Squadron was 'Dumb Dora'. KB965 was coded LQ-D, so this may

98

196 Above: 405 Squadron also briefly had a single Lancaster Mk VI for pathfinder trials, shown in this previously unpublished picture, the only one known ofan operational Lancaster VI. This is JB713, coded LQ-P' during early 1944 while she was with 405. Only five of this mark of Lancaster entered RAF service and JB713 was the only one lost on actual operations: on 18 August 1944 while with 635 Squadron (Barry Ketley) 197 Centre right: Lancaster B Mk X KB951, EQ-A, of 408 Squadron. The aircraft was never used on operations and is probably seen just before or after its departure to Canada in June 1945 as it carries no nose guns (Bert Somerton)

198 Right: A closeup view of the artwork painted by Muff Mills on KB951. The subject is Li'l Abner from the Al Capp cartoon strip, probably on the run from his ever hopeful girlfriend, Daisy Mae, and Abner's nemesis, Marryin' Sam (Muff Mills)

99

199 Above: DS708, a Lancaster B Mk II, coded Q-Queen, probably while with 408 Squadron. A fitter is painting a small white bomb with extra large fins under the cockpit. The aircraft was transferred to Shorts Bros in February 1945 and subsequently to the RAE (PL22236) 200 Centre left: LAC Sidney Morris poses in Lancaster B Mk II DS737, EQ-C, aka 'Countess' of408 Squadron. The stylised pinup based on a Varga original and the very elaborate mission markers are worthy of note. The Countess crashed into high ground near Helmsley in Yorkshire in bad weather late on 16 December 1943 while returning from a raid on Berlin. Four of the crew were killed (PL28448) 201 Left: Lancaster B Mk II DS763, EQ-E, was well named. She carried out more operations than any other aircraft in 408 Squadron. Her final tally was 72 (35 with 426 Sqn) before she was written offin a crash with 1668 HCU on 10 October 1944

100

202 Above left: A rtwork on an unidentified Lancaster B Mk II (DS712?) of 408 Squadron (PL26028) 203 Above right: Skilful artwork on 'Titus' from 408 Squadron. It was common for aircraft to be named after their code letter. 408 Squadron, howevel; had at least three Lancaster Mk IIs which could qualify, all of which carried out more than the 14 missions indicated, so the aircraft still remains unidentified (PL26097) 204 Right: Groundcrew in front of Lancaster B Mk II LL636, EQ-G, of 408 Squadron in June 1944. On the left, top to bottom: LACs H. Truax, H. Arnold and Sgt 1. Godfrey. Right, top to bottom: LACs R. Ferry and K. Cinnamon, Sgt S. McCracken and LAC G. Palin. As well as the elaborate artwork, the aircraft also carries the name: 'G for Goose'. Having previously carried out five missions with 432 Squadron during that unit's brief equipment with Lancasters, LL636 went on to complete another 48 with 408. It is surprising to see the official unit emblem applied as this was strictly forbidden under wartime regulations (PLJ0770)

101

205 Above left: A close view of the rendering of the official 408 (Goose) Squadron badge carried on Lancaster II LL636, 'Miss Kingsville' 206 Above right: Grins all round from three natives of Saskatchewan in front of Lancaster B Mk II LL687, EQ-M, the 'Berlin Special' of 408 Squadron. The aircraft first served with 426 but was lost on its 13th mission with 408 to Hamburg on 29 July 1944. There was only one survivor PL30770) 207 Centre left: Despite the fine artwork on 'Our Beautiful Babe', the identity of the aircraft and the owners ofthis Lancaster are both unknown but are believed to be 408 Squadron 208 Left: There is no mistaking the owners of Lancaster B Mk X KB904, EQ-Q,as the beehive to which the 'queen bee' is heading is plainly marked '408 Sqdn'. Seen at Lintonon-Ouse in Yorkshire in spring 1945, the 'Queen Of Them All' never flew an operational mission but returned to Canada in preparation for Far Eastern operations in June, ultimately serving with 407 Squadron until 1954 (Mrs Henrietta Mitchell)

102

209: A well-drawn lion on Lancaster B Mk X KB979, EQ-L, of 408 Squadron roars out the unofficial Bomber Command motto. The picture was taken in spring 1945 at Linton-onOuse (Mrs Henrietta Mitchell)

210: Pilot FiLl Eldon Kearl D FC and his crew in front of their Lancaster B Mk II DS709, EQ-P, of 408 Squadron. The unnamed aircraft flew 13 operations with the squadron but was lost on the next, a mission to Berlin, on 27128 January 1944. Of the crew Kearl, PI o E.R. Proud, PIO J.PD. Parise, FlSgt A. Smith, PIO 1. Adamson, FlSgt J.A. MacLean and FISgt J.P. McManus were all killed but PIO A. C. Brown survived as a prisoner (Harold Kearl)

211: This rather worn Lancaster is supposed to be B MkX KB994, EQ-K, of 408 Squadron on her return to Canada on 15 June 1945. However, 'Ziggy' is clearly marked with six mission markers, yet none ofthe Mk X aircraft on strength with 408 were used on operations. This therefore leaves three options: this is not a Mk X but another aircraftfrom the squadron; KB994 was used operationally or the mission markers are spurious. The two operational aircraft coded 'K' in 408 were Mk lls and both crashed in July 1944. Both completed more than 30 missions (Author collection)

103

212 Above left: PIO CA. Reid in the cockpit of Lancaster B Mk II DS707, EQ-D, of408 Squadron on 6 July 1944 after the aircraft had completed 55 missions, 21 ofwhich had been with 426 Squadron. FI o G.D. Butler the navigator stands and grins after completing his tour. The artwork is a goose in impressionistic style (PL32009) 213 Above right: SIL G.B. Latimer in front of DS707, 'Our Mary 11'. She first flew with 426 Squadron between 20 October 1943-27 Apri11944 and then with 408 from 31 May-14 August1944. Originally coded 'C', she then became'D' (although the letter on the nose looks like an '0' here) and finally 'M'. She was SOC on 20 March 1945 (Glen Lloyd 408 Sqn) 214 Centre left: Lancaster B Mk I LL675, EQ-K, of408 Squadron, named 'BuZZ-King of Hogtown' by the crew. To non-Canadian readers 'Hogtown' is slang for Toronto. Fourteen operations are shown here. Early in the morning of II July 1944, LL675, by then coded EQ- T, caught fire in the air while on a training flight and crashed near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, the entire crew being killed (Edward A. Moore)

215 Left: This is KB972, now ex-EQ-C of 408 Squadron at No. 10 Repair Depot back in Calgary, Alberta after the end of the war. 'Cuddles' has now acquired a swimsuit but the paint has weathered from the nose. Note the post-war style ofroundel on the wing ofthe Lancaster on the left. KB972 was later converted to MR standard and served in this role until SOC on 30 June 1952 (P L52216 Ottawa)

104

216: This Lancaster B Mk X KB995, EQ-O, KB929 of 408 Squadron was pictured at Linton-on-Ouse in spring 1945 ready for a mission which never came. The 'Oomph Gal', (after the publicity title of the actress Ann Sheridan) not only has the usual well-executed large pin-up but three smaller ones as well (Mrs Henrietta Mitchell)

217: Despite the watermark on the original print, this view allows a clear look at the rhyme accompanying the rabbit emblem on Lancaster B Mk X KB995, EQ-B, of408 Squadron: "If it wasn't so corny, it would be tops, to say this bunny, is full ofhops". Needless to say the rabbit gazes longingly at a bottle of Canada beer. Guess what occupied the thoughts ofthe crew... 'Beer Bar Bunny' returned to Canada on 15 June 1945 in company with KB972, KB925, KB960, KB998, KB994, KB979, KB996, KB907, KB905, KB939, KB913 and KB947 (Bert Somerton Collection)

218: Lancaster B Mk X KB996 was coded EQ-P with 408 Squadron and wore artwork which was an unmistakeable Alberto Varga inspired 'Passionate Princess'. The princess flew to Canada on 15 June 1945 (Bert Somerton Collection)

105

219: The artist obviously had some difficulty with his signwriting on '7 JacksAND Jill', aka Lancaster B Mk X KB919, EQ-J, of408 Squadron. He seems to have had no such problem with the pin-up... (Mrs Henrietta Mitchell)

220: A rather more contrived pin-up decorated the nose ofLancaster B MK X KB913, EQ-X, of 408 Squadron. This aircraft was also one ofthe group which flew back to Canada on 15 June 1945 (Bert Somerton Collection)

221: Successor to a Halifax called Vicky (PN230), this is Lancaster B Mk X KB905, EQ- V of408 Squadron. As before, the artwork was painted by Bert Evans, the crew bomb-aimer, but unlike the earlier Vicky, this one saw no action as the aircraft was not received on the squadron until 17 May 1945. Expecting to join 'Tiger Force' for the anticipated assault on Japan, Ihe crews worked hard to ready their aircraft for operations but instead found themselves on their way to Canada on 15 June (Author Collection)

106

I

222: Rear gunner Sgt George Allen completing his artwork on Lancaster B Mk II LL725, EQ-Z, of408 Squadron. The aircraft arrived on the unit from 432 Squadron, with whom it had completed three missions, but without any nose art. 'Zombie' was lost without trace (as EQ-C) on the Hamburg raid of 28 July 1944 (PL29074) 223 Below left: The completed artwork on LL725 after 20 ops. This was one of the few Lancasters with a ventral gun position (BR) 224 Below right: Lancaster B Mk X KB877, EQ-S, after arrival back in Canada with 408 Squadron (Glen Lloyd)

225: Lancaster B Mk X KB963 certainly did 'Hurry Home' as she flew back to Canada with 408 Squadron as EQ-H on 16 June 1945 (Author Collection)

107

226: Lancaster II LL725, EQ- Z, was succeeded in 408 Squadron by another 'Zombie', this one being Mk X KB947 which wore a very different style of artwork. Like all the other Lancasters of this mark in the unit, it saw no active service but returned to Canada on 15 June 1945 for refitting for the expected transfer to the Far East, which in the event proved unecessary (Bert Somerton Collection)

227: Lancaster B Mk X KB722 was 'The Hecklin' Hare II' and served in 419 Squadron as VR-A. The Hare successfully completed 63 operations, each marked by a small farrbt before it was shot d01lvn In a mission to Hannover on 516 January 1945, ironically by gunfire from another Lancaster. All the crew survived the ensuing crash landing near St Quentin in France with only minor injuries. These were treated in a nearby USArmy hospital before they were flown home (Vince Elmer)

228: This is KB799, the 100th Canadian-built Lancaster B M k X at the Malton factory in Canada ready for the transatlantic delivery flight to England. There the aircraft was fitted with its nose turret and joined 419 (Moose) Squadron as VRW. With that unit she completed 29 operational missions before being shot down by flak during a raid on the Leuna synthetic fuel complex on 15 January 1945. Six of the crew baled out to become prisoners but FlO VR. Vatne, the pilot, failed to get clear and was killed in the crash (Vince Elmer)

108

229 Above: Another view of the nose artwork on KB799 while in service with 419 Squadron. Note that the moose emblem was painted in black and white on a golden yellow disc on both sides ofthe nose, facing forwards in both cases. The vari9us maintenance stencils relating to wireless bonding and paint finish are worthy ofnote (Vince Elmer)

230 Above: Lancaster B Mk X KB823 served as VR-U with 419 . Squadron as 'Lily Marlene', named after the German song made famous by the war in the Western Desert. Unusually, many of the aircraft in this unit bore names which had no direct connection with their code letters. 'Lily' survived the war to return to Canda on 5 June 1945 and was not struck off charge until 27 January 1948, at Medicine Hat (Vince Elmer)

231: Carrying what is arguably the most spectacular artwork ever carried by a Lancaster, this is B Mk X VR-R, KB772, 'Ropey', of 419 Squadron. This photo shows her being prepared for her trip back to Canada at the end ofthe war after a record 66 operationalflights. Although the sharkmouth designs are evident in this photograph, there is no name applied as it was not used while on operations and was only painted on for the trip to Canada. Surprisingly, the sharkmouths were carried in combat (Delbert Todd)

109

232: Lancaster Mk X KB772 at Pearce, Alberta, in September 1945. Considering its previous use, the aircraft had a relatively long service life, not being struck off charge until 13 May 1947.1n this picture the mission markers and the name 'Ropey' can be clearly seen (Ray Wise)

233: Lancaster B M k X KB839, VR-D, served 419 Squadron well, carrying an emblem of'Daisy the Dog' from the 'Blondie' cartoon strip by Chic Young. Note how the film used in this picture makes the yellow disc behind the dog appear dark. After at least 31 operational missions, each marked by a tiny rendition of Daisy, the aircraft flew to Greenwood, Nova Scotia in June 1945. Two crew names appear here: FlO Tulk and PIO Rickert.ln peacetime KB839 was used for aerial survey of the Canadian Arctic and is today preserved at Greenwood, painted as 'FMlO7' (Vince Elmer)

234: This is Lancaster B Mk X VR-C, 'Chopper', in use with 419 Squadron. The squadron had four aircraft with this code, all of which were lost on operations. Unfortunately it is not known which this might be. Note the yellow ventilator fairing (Vince Elmer)

110

Code

Serial

Operations Flown

EQ-X

LL700

43

EQ-Z

LL725

3 \\~th 432 Sqn 42 with 408 Sqn

Remarks

419 (Moose) Squadron

1944.

Lancaster B Mk X March 1944-September 1945

Lost over Hambur~8 July 1944.

.0'"

408 (Goose) Squadron:

101 Lancaster Mk X bombers were taken on the strength of 419 Sqn between March 1944 and September 1945. Of these, 29 were transferred to other RCAF squadrons within 6 Group, 22 crashed, 38 were lost on operational flights and two were damaged and sold as scrap in the UK. The following is a list of those aircraft of which records have survived,

Lancaster B Mk X

During the period May-September 1945, 408 Squadron had 24 Lancaster Mk Xs on strength. Of these, one crashed, two were transferred to 405 Sqn and 21 returned to Canada. None of the squadron's Mk X aircraft were used in action.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

VR-A

KB706

Failed to retum from operations over Aachen 24/25

VR-A

KB722

May 1944. 63 ops. Named 'The Hecklin' Hare' it crashed at St.Quenlin, France 5 January 1945 after being hit by gunfire from another Lancaster.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

VR-A

KB726

Missing near Cambrai 13 June 1944.

EQ-A

KB951

Named 'Hyar An Go' to Canada 17 June 1945.

VR-A

KB841

Named 'Bugs Bunny' 10 Canada 2 June 1945.

EQ-B

KB995

Named 'Beer Bar Bunny' to Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-B

KB701

Crashed 16 May 1944 at Wombleton, England.

EQ-C

KB972

Named 'Cuddles' to Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-B

KB779

Missing over OsnabrOck 7 December 1944.

EO-E

KB925

To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-B

KB807

To Canada 5 June 1945.

EQ-F

KB960

To Canada 15 J~ne 1945.

VR-C

KB711

Missing over St.Ghislain 2 May 1944.

EQ-G

KB998

To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-C

KB754

Missing over Bochum 10 October 1944.

EQ-H

KB963

Named 'Hurry Home' to Canada 16 June 1945.

VR-C

KB788

Shot down by flak 30 November 1944.

EQ-J

KB919

Named '7 Jacks AND Jill'. To Canada 17 June 1945.

VR-C

KB800

Lost over Duisburg 14 October 1944.

EQ-K

KB994

To Canada 15 June 1945 SOC 16 June 1953.

VR-C

KB881

To Canada 2 June 1945.

EQ-L

KB979

Named 'Linton Lion'. To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-D

KB716

Crashed at Middleton St. George 7 May 1944. Was

EQ-O

KB929

Named 'Oomph Gal'. To Canada 14 June 1945.

EQ-P

KB996

Named 'Passionate Princess' to Canada 15 June

VR-D

KB738

68 ops. Named 'Dorothy' shot down over Opladen 28

EQ-Q

KB904

Named 'Queen OfThemAIl'. To Canada June 1945.

VR-D

KB839

Named 'Daisy' to Greenwood, Nova Scotia 5June

EQ-?

KB906

To Canada 13 May 1945.

EQ-S

KB877

Named'Snowhite'.

VR-E

KB708

Crashed at Boscombe Down 26 August 1944.

EQ-U

KB907

To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-E

KB717

Lost near Dortmund 23 May 1944.

EQ-U

KB993

Crashed near Glossop 18 May 1945.

VR-E

KB721

EQ-V

KB905

Named 'Vicky - The Vicious Virgin'. To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-E

KB865

To Canada 2 June 1945.

EQ-V

KB948

To 425 Sqn 7 June 1945. To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-E

KB804

Lost over Dortmund 21 February 1945.

EQ-W

KB939

To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-F

KB734

Crashed near Zeist 17 June 1944.

EQ-X

KB913

Named 'Sexy - X' to Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-F

KB755

Lost near Caen 8August 1944.

EO-Z

KB947

Named 'Zombie' to Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-F

KB776

Missing 24 October 1944.

EO-?

KB956

With 405 Sqn also. To Canada 17 June 1945.

VR-G

KB733

690ps. Named 'Goofy' to Canada 5 June 1945.

EQ-?

KB961

With 405 Sqn also. To Canada 17 June 1945.

also coded VR-E at one time.

December 1944.

1945.

Many of the replica nose art paintings that appear in this book were painted by the author on original aluminium skin taken from Lancaster KB994 of 408 Squadron. She was struck off charge on 16 June 1953 and ended up in a scrap yard in Edmonton, Alberta. She was located and saved for future restoration by the present 408 Squadron, now a tactical helicopter unit, and placed in storage. During the mid-1980s, three Hercules aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision training for an Edmonton air show, the wreckage from one of these aircraft falling on the stored Lancaster and causing major damage. The bomb doors from KB994 were subsequently given to the Calgary Aerospace Museum for their Lancaster, FM136.

1945.

54 ops. Named 'Linden Rose' to Canada 2 June 1945. Also coded VR-B at one time.

VR-H

KB727

Lost near Villeneuve St.Georges 5 July 1944.

VR-H

KB761

Missing over Hamburg 31 March 1945.

VR-H

KB915

To Canada 29 June 1945.

VR-I

KB769

Missing over Merseburg 15 January 1945.

VR-I

KB878

To Canada 2 June 1945.

VR-J

KB718

Missing over Villeneuve St.Georges 5 July 1944.

VR-J

KB762

72 ops. Named 'J for Jiggs' undercarriage collapsed at Middleton St.George 23 April 1945. SOC 18 May 1945.

VR-K

KB724

Crashed at Middleton St.George 28 August 1944.

VR-K

KB870

Shot down, location unknown 16 March 1945.

VR-K

KB884

To Canada 2June 1945.

VR-K

KB796

To Canada 7 June 1945.

VR-K

KB797

Lost over Dessau 8 March 1945.

VR-L

KB712

51 ops. Named 'Smitty Love' missing over Cologne 28

VR-L

KB753

November 1944. Lost over Scholven 30 December 1944.

111

VR-L

KB845

Crashed at Drayton Parsloe 6 March 1945.

VR-?

KB815

To 431 Squadron. Lost 16 March 1945.

VR-L

KB860

Fate uncertain.

VR-?

KB817

To 431 Squadron. Missing 2 November 1944.

VR-M

KB736

Scrapped 7 May 1947.

VR-?

KB824

To 434 Squadron. To Canada 13 August 1945.

VR-M

KB787

Lost in mid-air collision over Bonn 4 February 1945.

VR-?

KB830

To 434 Squadron. To Canada 8 June 1945. To 431 Squadron. Lost in collision 25 April 1945.

VR-M

KB866

Missing over Kiel 4April 1945.

VR-?

KB831

VR-M

KB889

To Canada 6 June 1945.

VR-?

KB832

To 434 Sqn. Exploded on ground 22 March 1945.

VR-M

KB999

Named 'Malton Mike' to Canada 17 June 1945.

VR-?

KB833

To 434 Squadron. To Canada 8 June 1945.

VR-N

KB750

Lost over Soesterberg 3 February 1945.

VR-?

KB842

To 434 Squadron. Crashed 5/6 March 1945.

VR-N

KB814

11 ops. Named 'Nuts 2 U' lost over Hagen 16 March

VR-?

KB844

To 434 Squadron. To Canada 8 June 1945.

1945.

VR-?

KB850

To 434 Sqn. Missing over Zeitz 17 January 1945.

To Canada 5 June 1945.

VR-?

KB855

To 428 Squadron. Crashed-landed Middleion St

VR-N

KB857

VR-O

KB735

Crashed at East Moor 18 September 1944.

VR-O

KB748

590ps. Named 'Lady Oboe' to Canada 8 June 1945.

VR-?

KB871

To 4311420 Squadron. To Canada 28 June 1945.

VR-P

KB720

Named 'Piddlin' Peter' scrapped in England 7 May

VR-?

KB888

To 431 Squadron. To Canada 7 June 1945.

1947.

VR-?

KB896

To 420 Sqn. To Canada 28 June 1945.

VR-P

KB774

To Canada 5June 1945.

VR-?

KB909

21 ops. To Canada 28 June 1945.

VR-P

KB786

Crashed at Heide 21 March 1945.

George 20 February 1945.

VR-P

KB892

To Canada 5 June 1945.

'Moose in a Circle', KB799

VR-Q

KB765

Lost over Schloven 30 December 1944.

VR-Q

KB869

Missing over Hamburg 32 March 1945.

VR-Q

KB921

Named 'Queen 0' The Swamp' to Canada 2 June

VR-R

KB772

64 ops. Named 'Ropey' to Canada 5 June 1945.

VR-S

KB731

Missing near Cambrai 13 June 1944.

VR-S

KB746

680ps. Named 'Sierra Sue' to Canada 5June 1945.

Lancaster Mk X KB799 was the 100th Lancaster built at the Malton, Ontario plant. The workers there dedicated the aircraft to 419 (Moose) Squadron as they had flown the first 100 Canadian built Lancasters on operations over Germany. The nose art of a Canadian moose inside a circle was applied to each side of her nose before she left the plan t.

VR-S

KB752

1945.

51 ops. Abandoned by crew 8April 1945. Was also coded VR-V at one time.

VR-S

KB763

VR-T

KB715

Lost near Lehausen airfield 24 December 1944.

VR-T

KB719

Failed to return from operation over Stuttgart 25 July

VR-T

KB854

To Canada 2 June 1945.

VR-U

KB723

Missing near Villeneuve St.Georges 5 July 1944.

VR-U

KB767

Crashed at Manston 1 November 1944. Named 'Lily Marlene' to Canada 5 June 1945.

Crashed at Middleton St.George 28 January 1945.

1944.

She flew 29 operations with 419 Squadron between 25 September 1944 and 14 January 1945. On the night of 14/15 January while operating over Merseburg she was hit by flak and her fuel system was set on fire. Six of the crew baled out, but the pilot, 21 year old FlO Norman Vatne of Vancouver, B.C. who had held the stricken bomber steady to allow his crew to bale out safely went down with his aircraft. He is buried in the cemetery in Rheinberg, Germany. Of his crew, two became prisoners but the remaining four managed to evade capture.

VR-U

KB823

VR-V

KB728

Missing 17 June 1944.

VR-V

KB745

Crashed at Hope 4 October 1944.

VR-V

KB802

To 431 Squadron. To Canada 7 June 1945.

VR-W

KB707

Crashed at Middleton St.George 19 September 1944.

VR-W

KB710

Failed to return from operation over Louvain 13 May

VR-W

KB799

29 ops. Named 'Moosehead' lost over Merseberg 15

'Rabbit's Stew', KB909

January 1945.

Lancaster Mk X, KB909 first flew with 419 Squadron where she received her nose art and name and while with the squadron, completed 21 operational flights over Germany. In early April 1945 she was transferred to 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron where she received the codes, PT-R. She did not take part in any more operational flights and was returned to Canada on 13 June 1945. She was taken on charge by the RCAF on 28 June 1945 and spent most of her time flying from Camp Borden until 1951. In 1952, she was placed in long-term storage at Malton and finally struck off RCAF charge on 4 April 1956. Sold for scrap, she was given the Canadian civil registration CF-IMH.

In 1994, the author repainted this moose artwork on Lancaster FM136 for the Aerospace Museum of Calgary open house.

1944.

VR-W

KB851

Named 'The Captains Baby' to Canada 2 June 1945.

VR-X

KB713

Lost over Louvain 13 May 1944.

VR-X

KB732

84 ops. Named 'X-Temninator' to Canada 5 June 1945. Also held sqn record for most operations.

VR-Y

KB704

Crashed 11 May 1944.

VR-Y

KB714

Missing over Cambrai 13 June 1944.

VR-Y

KB775

Missing over Russelheim 26 August 1944.

VR-Y

KB785

Crashed at Bradbury Place 24 November 1944.

VR-Z

KB700

49 ops.Named 'Ruhr Express' it flew two missions with 405 Sqn and 49 with 419. It crashed on retuming from its 49th missionWhile with 405 Sqn it was coded LQ-Q.

VR-Z

KB875

To Canada 15 June 1945.

VR-?

KB783

Martin turret trials. Scrapped 26 November 1947.

'Goofy', KB733

VR-?

KB809

To 431 Squadron. Lost on 21 February 1945.

VR-?

KB811

To 431 Squadron. To Canada 7 June 1945.

Lancaster Mk X, KB733, coded VR-G, completed 69 "1$.. operational flights between :r-L May 1944 and 25 March

112

~j,

1945. She returned to Canada on 5 June 1945 and was taken on RCAF charge on 10 July where she remained until being struck off charge on 18 May 1948. She was sold and received the registration A450.

PT-C

KB916

To 425 Sqn.

PT-D

KB938

Named 'Donald's Delivery'. To Canada 13 June 1945.

PT-E

KB871

Named 'Take Yer Time I'm Easy'. To Canada 14 June

PT-E

KB917

To 425 Sqn. To Canada 14 June 1945.

1945.

'The Hecklin' Hare', KB722

PT-G

KB937

Lancaster KB722, coded VR-A completed 63 operational flights over Europe between 23 June 1944 and 5 January 1945. On her final mission she was hit by gunfire from another Lancaster and crashed near St.Quentin, France. Neither PIO Mallen or any of the crew were injured.

PT-H

KB886

Named 'Li'l Henry'. To Canada 13 June 1945.

PT-I

KB927

To Canada 14 June 1945.

PT-J

KB933

Named 'Jumpin' Jupiter' then to 408 Sqn.

PT-K

KB928

To Canada 13 June 1945.

PH

KB???

Named 'Lucky Lady'.

PT-M

KB942

Named 'Supermouse'. To Canada 14 June 1945.

PT-N

KB923

Named 'The Nightmare'. To Canada 21 June 1945.

'Dorothy', KB738

PT-O

KB896

Named 'Oozy Oscar'. To Canada 13 June 1945.

Lancaster KB738, coded VR-D completed 68 operational flights between 18 August 1944 and 28 December 1944. On this date she was shot down while on a mission against Opladen. FlO FW. Howe and his crew all perished in the crash.

PT-P

KB908

To Canada 14 June 1945.

PH

KB918

To 425 Sqn.

PT-Q

KB901

To Canada 14 June 1945.

PT-R

KB903

Possibly named 'Crazy Rabb~'. To Canada 14 June

PT-R

KB909

Named 'Rabb~'s Stew'. To Canada 13 June 1945.

PT-S

KB???

Art work of a super hero holding a bomb and a small

PT-U

KB941

Named 'Passion Wagon'. To Canada 14 June 1945.

'Smitty Love', KB712 Lancaster KB712, coded VRcL completed 51 operational flights between 27 April 1944 and 28 October 1944 before being shot down over Cologne on 28 November 1944. FlO A.N. Nelligan and his crew did not survive the crash.

1945.

black dog.

PT-V

KB910

Named 'Virgin Vickie'. To Canada 14 June 1945.

PT-W

KB898

Carried nose art of wolf head with bomb in mouth. To

PT-Y

KB885

Named 'Hell Diver'. To Canada 14 June 1945 and

Lancaster KB762, coded VR-J completed 72 operational flights between 15 July 1944 and 16 April 1945. On 23 April 1945 her undercarriage collapsed. She was struck off charge on 18 May 1945.

PT-Z

KB875

To Canada 14 June 1945.

PT-Z

KB946

To Canada 13 June 1945.

PT-?

KB???

Named 'Natural'.

PT-?

KB872

From 431 Sqn.

'Nuts 2 U', KB814

KB885, the service station bomber

Lancaster X, KB814, coded VR-N and named 'Nuts 2 U' completed 11 operational trips between 14 february 1945 and 15 March 1945. On 16 March 1945 on a mission against Hagen she was hit by flak and badly damaged. Three of the crew, Ginter, Bowman and Bristow were able to bale out and avoid capture. The pilot and three other crew members did not survive when the aircraft crashed near Fishlin, Germany. Pilot, PIO Charles William Parrish, 22, of Hamilton,Ontario; Navigator, FlO Hugh Richard Hennesey, 20, of Toronto, Ontario; Wireless Operator, PIO Clifford Howard Vickery, 20, of Makinak, Manitoba; Air Gunner, PIO Mark Webster Bredin, 30, of Peterborough, Ontario.

Built during the summer of 1944, Lancaster Mk X, KB885 was ferried to England and placed at a Maintenance Unit where she stayed until being issued to 434 (Bluenose) Sqn in December of that year where she received the code WL-Q. Recalled for further maintenance, she was later re-issued to 420 Sqn and re-coded PT-Y. She also received an American inspired nose art design called 'Hell Diver' and a small snowy owl design near the tail. Not being called upon to fly any operations before the end of the war in Europe, she returned to Canada with the squadron in June 1945. Arriving back in Canada, the squadron now prepared to move to the Pacific theatre where they would become a part of the 'Tiger Force' operating against the Japanese. In the event, the dropping of the atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki meant that this force was no longer needed and 420 was disbanded at Debert, Nova Scotia on 5 September 1945.

Canada 13 June 1945.

'J for Jiggs', KB762

bumt at Red Deer, Alberta in 1956.

420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron: Lancaster B Mk X

Between April and September 1945, 420 Squadron had thirty-six Lancaster Mk Xs on charge. None of these flew on any operational wartime missions. The squadron artist was LAC 'Skip' Rutledge from Nova Scotia. Code

Serial No

Remarks

PT-A

KB914

To Canada 14 June 1945.

PT-C

KB902

To Canada 14 June 1945.

On 8 September 1945, KB885 arrived at Pearce, Alberta along with 82 other Canadian-built Mk Xs. During the next two months the aircraft were flown away to different parts of Alberta where they would be placed in long-term storage, KB885 finding her way to a hangar at the former No.15 SFTS at Claresholm. On 22 January 1947, she was struck off of RCAF charge then, in April

113

1948 she was sold to a Mr C.A. Parker of Red Deer, Alberta, the owner of a filling station located just south of the city on the main Calgary-Edmonton highway. The bomber was hauled along back roads and across fields from Penhold airfield until it reached its final destination, the specially prepared footings at Parker's service station, one mile south of the city of Red Deer. For the next two years KB885 was a familiar sight for travellers between Edmonton and Calgary who, for a small fee, could sit in the cockpit. In 1950, the Found brothers of Malton, received word that the Canadian Government had plans to buy back the old Lancasters for conversion to Maritime Patrol aircraft. The bombers stored in Alberta were now a potential source of revenue and the farmers, on whose land many were stored, had no idea of their true value. During the autumn of 1950, the Found brothers went to Alberta and purchased 44 of the bombers and 20 Merlin engines from farmer Albert Hoving of High River. While in Alberta, the brothers also purchased six other Lancasters from farmers, among which was KB885 in Red Deer. Bud Found paid $Cdn600 for KB885, planning to sell her to the goverment for $Cdn10,000. Due to her location, it was neither feasible or possible to move her so she remained at the service station as an advertising sign.

KW-C

KB916

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-D

KB962

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-E

KB917

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-G

KB936

To Canada 11 July 1945.

KW-H

KB915

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-I

KB934

To Canada 14 June 1945.

KW-K

KB944

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-l

KB876

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-M

KB926

Named 'Miss-FW (painted on engine cowling). To Canada 13 June 1945.

KW-N

KB930

KW-O

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KB932

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-P

KB918

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-Q

KB912

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-R

KB903

To Canada 14 June 1945.

KW-S

KB931

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-T

KB924

To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-U

KB875

Named 'Spook'n Droop'. To Canada 15 June 1945.

KW-V

KB954

To Canada 14 June 1945.

KW-X

KB899

Named 'Spirit of Listowel'. To Canada 15 June 1945. The small town of Listowei, Ontario raised $Cdn374,000 to buy this bomber on 8 December 1944. She also served with 428 Sqn. To Canada 15 June 1945 SOC 27 January 1948.

426 (Thunderbird) Squadron: In 1954, Walter Mielke bought the service station under the impression that the aircraft was included in the price. However, one year later he had to re-purchase the aircraft from Bud Found for the original $Cdn600.00. In 1956, Mielke was approached by Troutdale Aeromotive Co. of Troutdale, Oregon and was offered $6,000.00 for the Lancaster. The US company wanted to convert her into a water-bomber, expected to carry 4,000 gallons of water to be dropped on forest fires. The transaction was completed and work on the bomber progressed rapidly over the next few weeks. Two former RCAF Lancaster mechanics were borrowed from Penhold and on Friday, 22 November 1956, KB885's Merlins roared into life. After a cost of $14,000.00 to get the aircraft airworthy the moment of her departure now approached. As the pilot-mechanic Mr E. Robinson taxied across the snow to a cleared section of land to be used as a runway, she developed hydraulic problems. Stopping the aircraft to rectify the problems, a fire broke out in the nose section, allowing it to be completely burned off before it was extinguished. The remains of KB885 were towed back to the service station and parked beside a P-40 fighter which had been acquired as a replacement display.

Lancaster B Mk II July 1943-May 1944

Based at Linton-on-Ouse, where the station CO was AVM 'Black Mike' McEwen, 426 flew its first operation on Lancasters on 17/18 August 1943, against the German rocket base at Peenemtinde. The raid on Berlin on 27-28 January 1944 was particularly costly for 426, four aircraft being lost. Otherwise, little information or pictures of the Squadron's aircraft seem to have survived. Details of some of those known to have been on strength follow: Code

Serial No

Remarks

OW-A

DS176

Shot down by nightfighter on leipzig operation 19/20

OW-B

DS711

To 38 MU December 1944. Scrapped May 1947.

OW-C

DS840

Shot down by nightfighter over Nuremburg 30/31

OW-D

DS686

Missing on Berlin raid 27 January 1944.

OW-D

DS757

Crashed into sea off Bridlington 5 March 1944.

OW-D

ll630

Missing on Frankfurt raid 20 December 1943.

February 1944.

March 1944.

OW-F

ll634

To 1668 HCU. SOC March 1945.

OW-G

ll629

Hit by ftak over Bertin. Crashed near Maldon, York-

OW-J

DS829

Abandoned after all engines failed on Stuttgart raid 15/

OW-J

DS838

To 1668 HCU. Crashed 26 February 1945.

425 (Alouette) Squadron:

OW-K

DS759

To 408 Sqn.

Lancaster B Mk X

OW-l

DS687

SOC October 1945.

During the period May to September 1945 the squadron had twenty Lancaster Mk Xs on strength:

OW-l

ll687

To 408 Sqn.

OW-M

DS760

Missing on Berlin raid 2/3 January 1944.

OW-N

DS621

Crashed near Pilmoor Junction 2 July 1944 with 408

OW-N

ll621

To 1668 HCU. Crashed 23 January 1945.

shire on return 24 November 1943.

16 March 1944.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

KW-A

KB894

To Canada 14 June 1945.

114

Sqn.

235 Right: Aircrew and a stuffed moose's head in front of Lancaster B Mk X KB748, VR-O, 'Lady Oboe' of 419 Squadron. The lady completed 59 operations before returning to Canada on 8 June 1945, being converted into an instructional airframe shortly thereafter (Vince Elmer) 236 Far right: A closer but unfortunately fuzzy view of what was clearly-some very fine artwork on KB748 (Vince Elmer)

237: This is 419 Squadron's Lancaster B Mk X, KB738, VR-D for 'Dorothy' with a peculiar octopus emblem. Despite this there is an impressive mission tally below the octopus. KB 738 completed over 68 missions before succumbing to enemy action during an operation to Opladen on 28 December 1944. The aircraft crashd near Leverkusen-Wiesdorf in Germany, the crew, consisting ofFlO F.W How, Sgt J. Atkinson, FlO R.K. Nickle, W02 J.A.S. MacGregor, PIO C.D.B. Hubley, PIO c.R. Tait and PIO N.R. Springstein all being killed (Vince Elmer)

238: LAC RJ Rutz from Alberta applying a new mission marker for the benefit ofthe camera on Lancaster B Mk X KB733 of 419 Squadron sometime inApril 1944. VR-G was not so goofy as she went on to complete another 69 operations with the squadron before returning to Canada on 5 June 1945. The picture is ofinterest as it shows the use of a stencilfor artwork. Post-war KB733 continued to give useful service in the RCAF as an instructional airframe (Vince Elmer)

115

239: And this is how KB733's scoreboard looked in June 1945. There are now 70 mission markers, presented in a very unusual fashion and an enemy aircraft claimed. Unfortunately for modellers the colours of the artwork are not known (Vince Elmer)

240: A bathing beauty in a swimsuit was the more conventional choice ofartwork on Lancaster Mk X KB769. Although VR-1 completed at least 14 missions, as seen here, she went missing on the operation against the synthetic fuel plant at Leuna on 15 January 1945. The aircraft was caught by a nightfighter after leaving the target and brought down, only one member of the crew escaping to become a POW (Vince Elmer)

241: A rose was a most unusual choice of emblem for Lancaster X KB72l. Coded VR-Eandlater,ashere, VRB, while with 419 Squadron she carried out 54 operational missions. Fifty are marked here in an uncommon position on the nose. After flying to Canada on 6 July 1945, 'Linden Rose', like many other well used Lancasters, was converted to an instructional airframe (A448) in August and served until SOC (Author's Collection)

116

242 Right: One for the album featuring Lancaster KB721 'Linden Rose' and her air and ground crew. She appears to carry no armament so the occasion may be shortly before her return to Canada in July 1945 (Author's Collection)

r

243 Below left: Lancaster X KB814 of 419 Squadron carried a popular saying of the time in the form of a witty visual pun. Coded VRN, 'Nuts-2-U' was lost over Hagen on 16 March 1945 after 11 ops. Three crew members evaded capture, the remainder were killed in the crash (Vince Elmer) 244 Below right: This is KB851, another Lancaster X with 419 Squadron. 'The Captain's Baby' featured a beautifully painted picture of a little girl by an anonymous artist. With the codes VR- W the baby flew back to Canada on 2 June 1945. There she was used for various experiments and not struck off charge until 22 August 1961. Note the coloured spinner tip (red?) (PL4432l)

117

245 Far Left: An unidentified artist adds another mission marker to the 16 already there on the fuselage of Lancaster B Mk X KB762, VR-J, of419 Squadron. The bomb-wielding character on the nose is the Irish hero Jiggs, ofthe longrunning comic strip 'Bringing up Father' by George McManus (Vince Elmer) 246 Left: In this view of KB762 the log has reached some 65 missions. The aircraft had to be scrapped shortly after mission 72 on 16 April 1945 when her undercarriage collapsed (Vince Elmer) 247: Post-war at Pearce, Alberta,Cpl Edge poses in the cockpit of Lancaster B MkX KB746. While in service with 419 Squadron, coded VR oS, she carried out 68 missions, all of which are faithfully recorded here. Like so many other Canadian-built Lancasters, she returned to Canada in July 1945 as part of the buildup of 'Tiger Force' but was eventually scrapped in January 1947. 'Sierra Sue' herself was obviously based on a Varga original. Note the light coloured air vent (Ray Wise)

248: 'Piddlin' Peter' does his thing into an upturned Nazi helmet on the nose of Lancaster B Mk X KB720, VRP Little is known of Peter's operational career with 419 Squadron but he survived to pass to 1664 H CU in August 1944, to 1666 HCU in November and finally to 20 MU before being scrapped in May 1947. The artwork was certainly drawn by a skilled hand (Vince Elmer)

118

r

249 Above left: Lancaster B MkX KB732, VR-X-Terminator of419 Squadron (and groundcrew) held the unit record with 84 missions accomplished and still survived to return to Canada, not being struck off charge until 15 April 1948 (Ray Wise) 250 Above right: Aircrew prepare for another flight in KB896, PT-O, 'Oozy Oscar'. Note the difference in propeller blades between this aircraft and KB732 (AI Davies) 251 Right: 'Oscar' was one of the lesser-known associates of Popeye the Sailor and appears here in closeup on KB896 of420 Squadron. Earlier the aircraft had been on the roll of419 Squadron. Oscar had no operational career but he flew to Canada on 13 June 1945 where he remained until scrapped on 16 January 1947 (Ottawa) 252 Below right: 'Jumpin' Jupiter', aka Lancaster B Mk X KB933 while with 420 Squadron as PT-J. Walt Disney's Goofy was surprisingly popular as a subject for artwork. Here he guides a bomb to its target. There appears to be aDFC ribbon as well as various nicknames painted on the aircraft, which went for disposal in January 1947(AI Davies)

119

253: Lancaster B Mk X KB909 flew 21 operations with 419 Squadron. There she received her noseart before being transferred to 420 Squadron in early April 1945, as seen here. Coded PT-R while with 420, her individualletter while with 419 Squadron is not known for certain. The artwork is done in an exceptionally lively style with the missions being marked as carrots, five of which are in white to denote day operations but the artist still remains unidentified. 'Rabbit's Stew' carried out no missions with 420 Squadron but returned to Canada on 13 June 1945 (AlDavies)

254: Unidentified crew members pose in front of KB909. Apart from the main noseart, there is also a rabbit-themed cartoon for each of several of the crew. Unfortunately the names attached are not legible. Postwar the aircraft survived in store for several years before being struck offcharge on 4 April 1956. Prior to scrapping she was allocated the Canadian civil registration CF-1MH (Al Davies)

120

255 Right: 'Li'l Henry' was one of several Lancaster B Mk Xs of 420 Squadron which carried artwork by LAC 'Skip' Rutledge. This is KB886, PT-H. Not one of the 36 aircraft of this mark taken on by 420 Squadron saw active service, the war ending before they could be used (AI Davies) 256 Below left: A lineup of 420 Squadron B Mk X Lancasters, KB886 in the foreground. Behind is PT-u, KB941. Note the yellow outline freely used on both code letters and artwork. Most of the aircraft appear to have white propeller spinners, probably as a Flight marking (AI Davies)

257 Above right: 'Lucky Lady' was another Lancaster B M k X, coded PT- L, of 420 Squadron. Regrettably the serial is not known, although the pin-up appears to be based on a still from the film 'The Outlaw' starring Jane Russell.Note the nickname ofthe pilot's wife or girlfriend under the cockpit (AI Davies) 258 Right: A well known phrase of the time adorns Lancaster B Mk X KB871 of420 Squadron, coded PTE. Note the form of the lettering which has a narrow shadow effect. KB871 had a long career, not being struck offcharge until 6 September 1960 (PL44846 Ottawa)

121

259: Although suffering from camera shake this picture still gives a good impression of Lancaster X KB938, aka PT-D of 420 Squadron. Carrying both the name 'Donald's Delivery' and the squadron title, the aircraft has been 'bulled up' with the addition of 49 mission markers, probably for the return to Canada on 13 June 1945. As nOne ofthe unit's Mk X Lancasters saw operations the bomb log presumably relates to the crew. KB938 survived in RCAF service until 13 June 1955

260: Very few aircraft car-

ried the Disney-designed emblem for 122 Squadron RCAP. Here is one: Lancaster B Mk X KB923, PT-N, of 420 Squadron. The machine saw no operational use and once in Canada was converted for instructional purposes in November 1946 (Ottawa)

261: Another PT-N of 420

squadron was this Lancaster Mk X seen at Greenwood, Nova Scotia, on 10 May 1945. Unfortunately the serial number has gone unrecorded but the aircraft in question could be KB872, which served in 420 Squadron but does not have a known squadron code letter (Bert Somerton)

122

262: LAC Ray Wise poses as the pilot of'No Drip Nan' which was another Lancaster Mk X of 420 Squadron to carry artwork based upon the famous Jane Russell pose. Pictured at Pearce, Alberta on 10 September 1945, 'Nan' carries more than the usual graffiti with what appears to be a small painting on the rectangular panel on the nose, various crew nicknames ('Nic', 'Moe' and 'Rich'), and something on the engine cowling as well as an individual aircraft letter shadow shaded in red (Ray Wise)

263: A gloomy closeup of MkX KB942, PT-M, of420 Squadron. Apart from the mouse artwork the nickname ofthe pilot, apparently Foss Mk 11 and an unusual engine name can be seen. Along with many others the aircraft went to Canada in June 1945 but went almost immediately into storage before being disposed ofon 22 January 1947 (AI Davies)

264: Allegedly PT-S from 420 Squadron, the serial number ofthis Lancaster B Mk X remains unidentified. The artwork appears to feature a super hero based upon Edgar Rice Burrough's character 'Tarzan'. What the significance ofthe small black dog may be is unknown (Ottawa)

123

265 Above left: Seen earlier in the background ofphoto 255, this is Lancaster B Mk X KB941 of420 Squadron, coded PT-U'and seen after her return to Canada in June 1945. Pilot and bomp airp.er nicknames have been added as well as an unusual angled aircraft letter on the nose. The artwork appears to consist ofa pair of{ips. PT-G in the background carries an interesting emblem of a mcirmaid hold. ing a bomb (AI Davies) . 266 Above right: Aircrew inspect 'Virgin Vickie', a B Mk X, KB910, of 420 Squadron. The artwork on PT-V is particularly witty as the emblem consists ofa cherry with a padlock attached, while the name also has the letter 'V' in morse code (three dots and a dash) after it. As the aircraft is still armed it appears that this picture may have been taken in England (AI Davies) 267 Left: The taxpayers get to inspect their property; in this case Lancaster B Mk X KB926, KW-M, of 425 Squadron. The aircraft name(?) has been applied to the engine cowling, with crew nicknames on the bomb doors. Note the angular dispenser for Window (chaff) under the nose (PL4;1459 Ottawa)

268: Lancaster B Mk X KB898 of 420 Squadron wears an emblem inspired by another unit, namely the Disney insigne created for 149 Squadron RCAFfeaturing a Seawolf PT-W has no name but the nicknames of the pilot and bomb aimer are clearly visible. The aircraft went to Canada on 28 June 1945 but like many others was disposed ofin January 1947 (Ottawa)

124

OW-O

DS763

To 1668 HCU August 1944.

ZL-K

ME498

SOC 22 May 1947.

OW-P

DS771

Missing on Stuttgart raid 15/16 March 1944.

ZL-N

RA536

Named 'Natch.' SOC 17 June 1947.

OW-P

DS852

Shot down by nightfighter on Nuremburg mission 301

ZL-O

RA539

SOC 26 May 1946.

31 March 1944.

ZL-P

RA537

Named 'Fightin' Pappy: SOC 7 May 1947.

Crashed near Wetherby returning from Berlin raid 16

ZL-Q

PA260

OW-Q

DS779

December 1943.

Named 'Get Up Them Stairs Queenie: SOC 3 June 1947.

OW-Q

DS841

To 1668 HCU October 1944. SOC March 1945.

ZL-R

NX555

Named 'Namely Repulsive: SOC 25 March 1948.

OW-R

LL688

Missing on Berlin raid 27 January 1944.

ZL-S

NX552

SOC 18 December 1946.

OW-S

DS689

Lost on Stuttgart raid 7/8 October 1943. Nose artwork.

ZL-T

ME501

Named 'Spook N' Droop." SOC 25 August 1947.

OW-T

DS741

Missing over Frankfurt 22 March 1944.

ZL-U

NX549

SOC 2 June 1947.

OW-U

DS716

Missing on Frankfurt raid 20 December 1943.

ZL-V

NX550

SOC 25 March 1948.

OW-U

DS829

Lost on Stuttgart operation 15 March 1944.

ZL-W

PA271

SOC 7 May 1948.

OW-U

LL721

Shot down by fighter on Berlin raid 27January 1944.

OW-V

DS762

Abandoned over Sweden after sustaining battle damge on Berlin raid 16 December 1943.

*The same nose art and name for 'Spook N' Droop' atso appeared on a Halifax Mk III, LV860, of 427 Squadron which it also carried white serving with 420, 425 and 429 Squadrons. This artwork was painted by the same man who served on 427 and who painted the artwork on Lancaster ZL-T.

OW-W

DS775

Shot down by nightfighter 27/28 January 1944.

OW-W

DS794

Crashed into Ijsselmeer, Holland on Berlin raid 15/16

OW-X

DS846

Shot down by nightfighter on Berlin raid 16 December

428 (Ghost) Squadron

1943.

Lancaster B Mk X During the period from June 1944 until September 1945 the squadron had 71 Lancaster Mk Xs on charge.

Febnuary 1944.

OW-X

LL700

To 1668 HCU August 1944. SOC March 1945.

OW-Y

LL628

Lost on Berlin operation 21 January 1944.

OW-?

DS770

Lost over Berlin 213 December 1943.

OW-?

DS837

Crashed near York returning from Berlin raid 16 De-

Code

Serial No

Remarks

cember 1943.

NA-A

KB749

Missing over Soesterberg 15 August 1944.

NA-B

KB764

Ditched off the Azores 4 June 1945.

NA-C

KB757

To Canada 8 June 1945 SOC 16 January 1947.

427 (Lion) Squadron:

NA-D

KB770

Lost over Stuttgart 29 January 1945.

Lancaster B Mk I Doug Mackie joined the RCAF in November 1942 and joined 427 Squadron on 18 February 1945 as a navigator_ After the squadron converted from the Halifax III to the Lancaster, Mackie and his crew wer.e assigned to Lancaster Mk I, ZL-Q, which carried nose art of a nude blonde in climbing pose and the words 'Get Up Them Stairs Queenie.' Mackie and crew completed eleven operational flights in 'Queenie'.

NA-D

KB843

To Canada 31 May 1945. Previously with 434 Sqn as

NA-E

KB768

Collided with Halifax from 426 Sqn and crashed 6 De-

NA-E

KB793

Crashed after fire over Darlington 13 January 1945.

NA-E

KB801

To Canada June 1945 SOC 8 March 1956.

NA-F

KB705

To 1666 C.U. SOC 30 May 1946 in UK.

NA-F

KB855

Crashed at Middleton St George 20 February 1945.

NA-F

KB891

Named 'Fearless Fox' to Canada 8 June 1945 SOC

NA-G

KB709

Lost over Stettin 30 August 1944.

NA-G

KB798

Listed missing on Opladen raid 28 December 1944.

NA-G

KB848

'Hollywood Caravan' To Canada 8 June 1945 SOC 3

NA-H

KB782

Lost over Dusseldorf 3 November 1944.

NA-I

KB743

Listed as missing 19 August 1944. Lost near Wiesbaden 3February 1945.

WL-Q. SOC 13 May 1947.

cember 1944.

16 January 1947.

After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, Mackie's crew undertook three flights in operation 'Exodus'; the flying home of Allied POWs to England.

April 1964.

At least seven Lancaster Mk Is of 427 Sqn carried nose art and were recorded by Doug Mackie in 1945. He recalls that all of the Canadian-crewed aircraft carried some form of nose art which was painted by the same artist who painted the Halifax art.

NA-I

KB792

NA-I

KB846

Shot down over Hagen by Ju88. Also coded NA-H.

NA-J

KB744

To Canada 8 June 1944 SOC 13 May 1947. Lost over Hamburg 29 July 1944.

NA-K

KB759

Code

Serial No

Remarks

NA-K

KB784

Lost 14 April 1945. FlO Payne and crew rescued.

ZL-A

RA534

SOC 7 May 1947.

NA-K

KB920

To Canada 8 June 1945 then to 434 Sqn SOC 2 June

ZL-B

RA538

SOC 7 May 1947.

ZL-C

ME426

SOC 31 May 1947.

NA-L

KB725

Crashed at Elton Hall 3 Febnuary 1945. To Canada 9 June 1945.

1960.

ZL-D

ME393

SOC 21 May 1947.

NA-L

KB867

ZL-E

PA263

SOC 12 March 1948.

NA-M

KB742

CrqshedMiddleton St George 4 November 1944.

ZL-F

NX554

Named 'Fannin' Fanny'. SOC 23 October 1946.

NA-M

KB820

To Canada 31 May 1945 SOC 6April 1950.

ZL-G

NX551

SOC 11 October 1946.

NA-M

KB879

Crashed 30 April 1945.

ZL-G

RE160

Mk III.

NA-N

KB771

To Canada 10 June 1945 SOC 13 May 1947.

ZL-H

NX553

Named 'Happy Pappy.' SOC 17 May 1947.

NA-O

KB766

Crashed in France 2 December 1944.

ZL-J

NX548

SOC 15 May 1947.

NA-O

KB838

To Canada 9 June 1945 SOC 21 January 1947.

125

NA-P

KB760

Named 'P for Panic' Canada 12 June 1945 SOC 16

'Madam X', KB747

January 1947.

Lancaster X, KB747, NA-X, named 'Madam X' owed her nose art to two different sources; the name was from the title of a film and the female subject was based on the well-known American pin-up cartoon figure known as 'Miss Lace'.

NA-Q

KB751

NA-Q

KB756

Missing 5 July 1944.

NA-Q

KB795

Crashed at.Middleton St George 7April 1945.

Missing over Stettin 17 August 1944.

NA-R

KB737

Lost over Essen 25 October 1944.

NA-R

KB882

Named 'R for Roger'. Previously with 434 Sqn. To

NA-S

KB864

Named 'Sugar's Blues'. SOC 16 January 1947.

NA-T

KB773

To Canada June 1945. SOC 8 March 1948.

NA-T

KB780

Lost over Duisburg 14 October 1944.

NA-T

KB876

To Canada 15 June 1945 and then to 425 Sqn.

NA-U

KB781

To Canada 8 June 1945.

NA-V

KB740

Destroyed in mid-air collision over France 25 July

Canada 10 June 1945.

1944. NA-V

KB777

NA-V

KB899

To Canada 15 June 1945 then to 425 Sqn.

NA-W

KB791

To Canada 10 June 1945 scrapped 3 May 1947. Also

NA-W

KB794

NA-X

KB747

Shot down by Ju88 over Hildesheim 22 March 1945.

coded NA-A.

In 428 Squadron, 'Madam X' was known by both ground and aircrew as the 'Wingco's bomber'_ Acting Wing Commander Allan Chester Hull flew her on eleven missions but shared her with Flight Commanders 'Gunner' Gonyou and FlO Mackie. WICdr Hull recalled that the nose art and name had to be twice repainted on the nose of the Lancaster, "On one of our trips we lost her; St Elmo's Fire stripped the paint from that part of the nose and 'Madam X' went tOO. NA-X did a couple of trips before she rode with us again".

To Canada 10 June 1945. SOC 6 January 1947. Named 'Madame X' to Canada 8June 1945. SOC 19 January 1948.

NA-Y

KB778

Crashed 5 March 1945.

NA-Z

KB739

Named 'Zoomin' Zombie' to Canada 9 June 1945.

NA-Z

KB758

Missing over Brunswick 13 August 1944.

NA-?

KB741

Missing over Chemnitz (434 Sqn) 15 February 1945.

NA-?

KB783

Previously with 419 Sqn it became an instructional

NA-?

KB789

To 434 Sqn as WL-V.

NA-?

KB803

Listed as missing while with 431 Sqn and coded SE-N

SOC 12 March 1948.

airframe on 7 November 1945.

26 January 1945. NA-?

KB806

Listed as missing while with 431 Sqn and coded SE-X

NA-?

KB808

Listed as missing while with 431 Sqn and coded SE-U

NA-?

KB813

Crashed while with 431 Sqn and coded SE-S 25 Octo-

NA-?

KB814

Listed as missing while with 434 Sqn and coded WL-S

NA-?

KB823

To 431 Sqn as SE-E.

NA-?

KB825

To 434 Sqn as WL-A and named HI Abner'.

NA-?

KB826

To 434 Sqn as WL-K.

NA-?

KB829

To 434 Sqn as WL-C.

NA-?

KB842

Crashed 6 March 1945 while with 434 Sqn as WL-L.

NA-?

KB851

T0419 Sqn as VR-W.

NA-?

KB888

To Canada 7 June 1946. Previously with 419 Sqn it

NA-?

KB889

15 January 1945.

22 March 1945.

ber 1944.

On 29 November 1944, acting WICdr Hull was awarded the DFC. He had led his squadron on 26 operations and his calm confidence and obvious ability had created a high standard of morale in his unit. On operations he had flown a total of 137.15 hours. When the award of his DFC was announced, the groundcrew immediately painted his medal ribbon on the nose of KB747. As one mechanic explained, "The Wingco wouldn't have felt okay if he had his gong and his old lady didn't." For the official photograph, WICdr Hull stands beneath the nose of 'X' which, thanks to the St Elmo's Fire, has no nose art. One of the groundcrew painted in 'Beautiful Take-Off' in place of the missing Miss Lace and name 'Madam X'. By December 1944, the name and nose art had been repainted in its original form and position. WI Cdr Hull went on to become Senior Operations Controller at RCAF Bomber Command HQ and 'Madam X' went on to complete 72 operational trips.

16 March 1945.

With the end of the war in Europe, the RCAF squadrons began to leave for home, there to prepare to join 'Tiger Force' in the Far East. KB747, flown by FlO E.T.Lewis, left England and arrived in Canada on 8 June 1945. She was struck off strength on 19 January 1948 and sold for scrap.

went to 431 Sqn as SE-O and was SOC 6April 1950.

NA-?

Named 'Fightin' Pappy'? To Canada 5 June 1946.

431 (Iroquois) Squadron

soc 21 April 1965.

Lancaster B Mk X Between October 1944 and September 1945, 431 Squadron had 48 Lancaster X aircraft on charge. Of these, one was shot down, nine were listed as missing and the remaining 31 returned to Canada.

KB895

To 434 Sqn as WL-O.

NA-?

KB898

To 420 Sqn as PT-W.

NA-?

KB899

To 425 Sqn as KW-X.

NA-?

KB900

To 431 Sqn as SE-C.

NA-?

KB908

To 420 Sqn as PT-P. SOC 15Apri11948.

NA-?

KB910

To 420 Sqn as PT-V. SOC 16 January 1947.

126

Code

Serial No.

Remarks

SE-A

KB773

To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-A

KB853

Shot down Essen with C/O and crew. 11 March 1945.

SE-B

KB807

To Canada 5 June 1945.

SE-C

KB788

Written off after flak damage 30 November 1944.

SE-C

KB874

Crashed 25 March 1945 after combat damage.

SE-C

KB900

To Canada 5 June 1945.

SE-D

KB774

To Canada 5June 1945.

SE-E

KB823

To Canada 5 June 1945.

SE-E

KB831

Lost in mid-air collision with KB822 25 April 1945.

SE-E

KB868

To Canada 5 June 1945.

SE-F

KB812

To Canada 5 June 1945.

SE-G

KB818

Crashed 7 Febnuary 1945.

SE-G

KB858

Listed as missing on Chemnitz raid 6 March 1945.

SE-H

KB810 To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-J

KB819

SE-K

KB815

Missing 16 March 1945 on Hagen operation.

SE-K '

KB856

To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-M

KB827

To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-N

KB803

Crashed 21 January 1945.

SE-N

KB872

Named 'No! Not Now' to Canada 7 June 1945 and

SE-P

KB773

Named 'Pete'. First ocded 'PI. Later 'Piddling Pete'.

SE-P

KB817

Crashed at Linne, Holland, 2 November 1944.

SE-P

KB821

Listed as missing 7 January 1945 on Hanau raid.

SE-Q

KB809

Missing over Dortmund 21 Febnuary 1945.

SE-Q

KB861

Named 'Our Squaw' to Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-R

KB796

To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-S

KB813

Named 'Simcoe Warrior' crashed 25 October 1944.

SE-S

KB801

Named 'Simcoe Warrior II' to Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-S

KB847

To Canada 7 June 1945.

scrapped at RCAF Penhold in 1953.

SE-T

KB811

Named 'She's Tnudy Terrific' to Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-U

KB808

Destroyed by flak over Hildesheim 22 March 1945.

SE-U

KB859

Listed as missing on Hamburg raid 31 March 1945.

SE-V

KB802

To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-W

KB822

Lost in mid-air ocllision with KB831 25 April 1945.

SE-X

KB806

Carried nose art of the .Devil thumbing his nose. Lost

SE-X

KB837

To Canada 7 June 1945.

SE-?

KB816

Crashed 14 April 1945 as NA-E with 428 Sqn. Also

seventeen cut-up Lancasters, one of which was KB872. Built at Malton, Ontario, KB872 was flown to England where she was taken on the strength of 431 (Iroquois) Squadron in November 1944. First flown by the squadron CO, WICdr Eric M. Mitchell, she received her baptism of fire on a mission to Stuttgart on 12 November 1944. On 9 February 1945, she was handed over to a new crew led by PIa J.S. Patterson of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. At this time KB872 had completed 43 operational trips and her gunners were credited with two victories over two German night-fighters, a Bf 110 and a Ju 88. Her nose art consisted of a painting of the the December 1944 Varga girl and the legend, 'No! Not Now'. On 31 March 1945, while part of the force attacking Hamburg, the tail gunner, FltlSgt Stuart Murphy reported four Mosquitos closing from astern. A second look at the approaching aircraft by Murphy recognised them for what they were-Me 262s; then he yelled over the intercom, "It's those new jets!" After the battle, Murphy and midupper gunner FlO Gordon Vennor each claimed an Me 262 shot down. These claims were later corroborated and between them, the two gunners were officially credited with the destruction of 1.5 Me 262s. KB872 and her crew flew on until 15 April 1945, her 20th operation, all of which were recorded by two rows of ten white bombs. With the end of the war in Europe, she returned to Canada and was removed from RCAF charge on 25 September 1945. By 1953, all that remained of her was her nose section with the nose art and mission tally still visible.

in ocllision wtti Bf 109 over Leuna 15 January 1945.

served with 434 Sqn as WL-G. SE-?

KB836

To Canada 8 June 1946 also with 434 Sqn.

SE-?

KB839

To Canada 5 June 1945.

SE-?

KB840

To Canada 8 June 1945.

SE-?

KB849

To Canada 8 June 1945.

SE-?

KB852

To Canada 11 June 1945.

432 (Leaside) Squadron Lancaster B Mk II The squadron converted from Wellingtons onto Lancaster B Mk lIs during October 1943 but used them only for a brief period until February 1944 before converting again onto Halifaxes. Some of the Lancasters known to have been on strength are listed below:

SE-?

KB871

To Canada 14 June 1945,

Code

Serial No

Remarks

SE-?

KB886

To Canada 13 June 1945,

QO-A

DS829

To 426 Squadron.

SE-?

KB888

To Canada 13 June 1945.

QO-B

LL636

Crashed 7 January 1945.

SE-?

KB908

To Canada 14 June 1945.

QO-C

DS852

To 426 Squadron.

SE-?

'KB915

To Canada 15 June 1945.

QO-D

DS851

Crashed at East Moor 3 December 1943.

SE-?

KB946

To Canada 13 June 1945.

QO-E

DS788

Shot down on Leipzig mission 19 Febnuary 1944 with 408 Squadron as EQ-C.

'No! Not Now', KB872

QO-F

LL618

The photo of the nose art 'No! Not Now' on Lancaster KB872 was taken by a Dr. J.w. Madill at RCAF Penhold, Alberta in 1953. At the time, Dr. Madill was a construction engineering officer in No.2 CMU, rehabilitating No.4 FTS at Penhold. Over 6,000 post-war students from the NATO alliance learned to fly at Penhold and other RCAF stations in the Harvard trainer. A 1953 aerial photo of the station clearly shows the new construction and in a field to the left can be seen at least

QO-F

LL686

Crashed near Ripon 2 February 1944.

QO-G

LL632

Lost on Leipzig raid 20 February 1944 as EQ-G 408

QO-H

DS844

To 408 Squadron.

QO-H

LL732

Lost on Chambly op with 514 Squadron 2 May 1944.

QO-J

LL617

Became instructional airframe 4957M.

QO-K

DS832

Crashed near Whitby 17 December 1943

QO-L

DS757

To 426 Squadron.

QQ-M

DS850

Lost on Bnunswick operation 14 January 1944.

Lost on Berlin raid 3 December 1943.

Squadron.

127

OO-M

LL638

Lost on Berlin operation 28 January 1944.

WL-?

KB890

To Canada 7 June 1945.

OO-N

OS831

Shot down by nightfighter on Berlin raid 16/17 Decem-

WL-?

KB893

To Canada 8 June 1945.

ber 1943.

WL-?

KB902

To Canada 14 June 1945.

OO-N

LL724

00-0

OS834

OO-R

OS848

Wrecked 26 March 1945.

OO-S

OS830

To 408 Squadron as EO-H. SOC March 1945. SOC January 1947.

Lost on Magdeburg operation 22 January 1944.

'Lady Orchid', KB895

OO-U

OS792

OO-V

OS789

To 426 Squadron.

OO-W

OS794

To 426 Squadron.

OO-Z

OS740

Lost on Brunswick operation 14 January 1944

434 (Bluenose) Squadron Lancaster B Mk I and B Mk X Between December 1944 and September 1945, 434 Squadron had a total of 33 Lancaster Mk Xs on strength. Of these, two were shot down, three crashed, five were listed as missing and 23 returned to Canada. During February and March 1945 the unit also had six British-built MkIs.

On 2 April 1945, FlO Ron Jenkins and his crew from 434 Sqn took charge of a new Lancaster Mk X, serialled KB895 and immediately set to carrying out the testing required before they would fly her on operations. At the conclusion of these tests when it was confirmed that this would' be 'their' aircraft, the crew set about deciding on a name and nose art for her. As the aircraft was coded WL0, a name with the letter '0' was needed and they finally settled on 'Wee Lady Orchid' and for nose art, chose a Lady Godiva figure riding a bomb and holding a western six-gun in each hand. The 'Wee' was dropped from the name and she became simply, 'Lady Orchid', The lettering was painted on by Ron Jenkins and was applied in white but with the 'L' and the '0' in red. Each of the crew (FlO Ron Jenkins, FlO Savage, FlO Hines, WIO McLean, FISgt Baird, FlO Behan and Sgt Foss) shared in the painting of the artwork for 'Lady Orchid' who at first was completely nude, although later two red maple leaves were added to her upper torso.

Code

Serial No

Remarks

WL-A

KB825

Named 'Li'l Abner'. To Canada

WL-C

KB829

To Canada 11 June 1945.

WL-O

KB830

To Canada 8 June 1945.

WL-E

KB824

Named 'The Hairy Chop' to Canada 8 June 1945.

WL-F

KB832

Exploded 22 March 1945.

WL-G

KB816

Crashed 14April1945.

WL-G

KB873

To Canada 7June 1945.

WL-G

KB973

To Canada 8 June 1945.

"Take-off 1922hrs, Bombs: 1x 4,000, 10 xi ,000 and 4 x 500. Fred Cash as

WL-H

KB836

To Canada 8 June 1945.

second Dickie (2nd pilot) 500 bombers, lost 5, we were in last wave. Heavy

WL-J

KB835

Shot down 16 March 1945.

flak in Kiel area. Sighted one jet fighter and one single engined fighter. Cloud

WL-K

KB826

To Canada 8 June 1945.

10/10 low stratus over target. Markers visible, excellent prang; diverted to

WL-L

KB842

Crashed 6 March 1945.

Orxley on return due to fog. Meals good but slept on floor."

WL-L

KB880

To Canada 8 June 1945.

WL-N

KB840

Named 'Nan'.

2nd operation 10 April 1945:

Leipzig marshalling yards.

WL-O

KB850

Listed as missing on Zeitz operation 17 January 1945.

3rd operation 13April.1945:

Kiel dock and naval vessels.

WL-O

KB895

Named 'Lady Orchid' to Canada 8 June 1945.

4th operation 16 April 1945:

WL-O

PA225

Mk I. SOC England 15 May 1947.

WL-P

KB846

Named 'Piccadilly Princess' shot down 16 March 1945

WL-P

NG497

Mk I. SOC England 25 March 1948.

WL-O

NG345

Mk I. Lost on Hamburg mission with 429 Sqn as AL-V

WL-O

KB885

To Canada 14 June 1945 displayed at a Red Deer service station.

"Take-off 1550hrs, A long attack H+69 our time H+50. Could not see aiming

WL-R

KB852

Named 'Rocket'. To Canada 11 June 1945.

point, brought bombs back, 6 x 1,000, 4 x 500, 4 x 250, 'jettisoned cookie (1 x

WL-S

KB814

Listed as missing on Hagen operation 16 March 1945.

4,000). Weather duff, icing high, cloud 9/10 over targe1, light flak. 800 aircraft

WL-S

KB883

Named 'Hello Sugar' to Canada 11 June 1945.

on raid, most of which did not bomb."

WL-T

KB849

Named 'Tamara'. To Canada 8 June 1945.

WL-U

KB843

To Canada 8 June 1945.

WL-U

NG343

Mk I. SOC in England 3 June 1947.

31 March 1945.

WL-U

KB911

Shot down by Me 262, 31 March 1945.

WL-V

KB789

To Canada 11 June 1945.

Her first operation took place on 8 April 1945 where she was part of the force sent to bomb the Hamburg docks and V-Boat pens. It was Ron Jenkins' eleventh operational flight and his log book records the following:

Schwandorf, Austria marshalling yards.

5th operation 22 April 1945:

Bremen, army precision target three miles ahead of troops.

Of this fifth operation Jenkins wrote:

This last raid was operation number 15 for Ron Jenkins and number five for 'Lady Orchid.'

WL-W

KB844

To Canada 8 June 1945.

Nose Art and 101 Squadron RAF

WL-Y

KB834

Shot down by flak over Essen 11 March 1945.

WL-Z

NG344

Mk I. SOC in England 22 October 1947.

WL-?

KB853

Missing 11 March 1945 as SE-Awith 431 Sqn.

WL-?

KB862

To Canada 11 June 1945.

101 Squadron was formed on 12 July 1917 as a night bombing squadron and disbanded in December 1919. It was re-formed again in March 1928 and was the first RAF unit to be equipped with an aircraft with a power-oper-

128

269: This Lancaster B Mk II is DS689, coded OW-S, of 426 Squadron. The aircraft carries a bulldog as nose artwork but no name. She failed to return from a raid on Stuttgart on 718 October 1943, crashing in northern France. FISgt M.B. Summers and five of his crew were killed but the two survivors, FlO II Beaton and Sgt C.J. Bettesworth, both evaded capture. The light coloured aircraft-letter and serial is of interest as by the time this picture was taken RAF regulations called for code letters to be painted in Dull Red

...-1,

.

,... ..... ....... ,..~,

-

':'~:J>

~-_ .....

.

_ --:-:, .----.. .. :-

,....

-

~ ",,~- ..;,.,:;'~

-~_ ......_-----~~--

270: A closeup but grainy view of DS689 shows the artwork in more detail. It appears to be a beefy Red Indian squaw carrying a bomb. Note the five mission markers

271: Lancaster B Mk III ME501 joined 427 Squadron as ZL- T in February 1945. With them the aircraft completed some nine operational missions, piloted by 'Ham' and crew and three relief missions, either food drops or returning POWs back to the UK. By February 1946 'Spook'n'Droop' had been sent to 5MU before being scrapped in August 1947. Other crew nicknames visible are 'I-Boy' (bomb-aimer), 'Tumbs' (flight engineer) and 'Casey' (navigator). Where are they now? (Doug Mackie)

129

272: This Lancaster B M k I, NX554 of 427 Squadron carried what is surely one of the most spectacular RCAF pieces ofnose art ever. Bearing the code ZL-F, 'Fannin' Fanny' was created by aflying control officer at Leeming, FlU J.L. Marshall, seen here on the left. The pilot of'Fanny', SILdr A.E. Mackay, looks on. 427 only converted from Halifaxes to the Lancaster in March 1945 but as seen here NX554 had already carried out seven missions. The aircraft was transferred to 424 Squadron in October 1945, then to 20 MU in November where she languished until scrapped in October 1946. Rightfully, the aircraft appears in the colour section ofthis book (PL43602)

273: 'Natch' was another brightly marked 427 Squadron Lancaster B Mk l. Built by Metropolitan Vickers, RA536 was coded ZL-N and arrived on the squadron in February 1945. As shown here the .aircraft has carried out eight combat missions and three relief operations. The artwork is apparently all yellow with red details. RA536 was scrapped in 1947 (Doug Mackie)

130

274: Lancaster B Mk I NX553 'Happy Pappy' preceded 'Fannin' Fanny' down the production line but entered service with 'C' Flight of 427 Squadron simultaneously in March 1945 when the aircraft received the code ZL-H.As seen here 'Pappy' had carried out thirteen missions. Note the unusual style ofthe letter 'H'. NX 553 was struck offcharge on 15 May 1947 (Doug Mackie)

275: Yet another Lancaster from 427 Squadron with interesting artwork. This is B Mk I RA537, ZL-P, which was known as 'Fightin' Pappy'. No nickname is apparent here but the odd devil's head emblem is visible, as are various mission markers; six bombs for combat missions, three red crosses for relief missions and four starbursts whose meaning is unknown. Note the coloured spinner tip. RA537 went into store in 1946 and was eventually scrapped in 1947 (Doug Mackie)

276: 'Namely Repulsive' was another of 427 Squadron's Lancaster Mk Is. This is NX555, ZL-R. No mission markers are visible but the pilot's nickname has been added. The aircraft was transferred to 433 Squadron in October, then into storage with 22 MU in November before being finally scrapped in March 1948 (Doug Mackie)

131

277: Six Lancaster B Mk Is in 'C' Flight of 427 Squadron carried nose art. Here is PA260, 2L-Q with a picture of a naked blonde female figure climbing stairs formed by the name 'Queenie' and the motto 'Get up them Stairs'. Wonder what was occupying the thoughts of the crew? When this photo was taken in May-June 1945, 'Queenie' had carried out ten bombing raids marked by a row of bomb silhouttes and two flights to return POWs to the UK. These were marked by the vertical letters 'POW' under the first two bomb markers. The aircraft was SOC on 3 June 1947 (Doug Mackie)

278: Navigator Doug Mackie took this picture of the bomb-aimer's position in . his aircraft PA260. Dominating the view in the nose blister are the two circular '2 Equipment' mountings used for IFF in aircraft fitted with 'Village Inn' (AG LT) radar-controlled rear gun turrets. Below them is the Mk XlV auto bombsight. By 1945 most RAF Lancasters were fitted with this equipment (Doug Mackie)

279: Cpl Edge nms up the engines on Lancaster B Mk X KB760onl0September 1945, Pearce, Alberta, Canada. Coded NA-P while with 428 Squadron, the aircraft was flown by FlO R.L. Boyle of Manitoba and his crew, atleast for the latest ofthe 72 operational missions. Informally known as 'P for Panic', the aircraft carries aportraitofthe hapless PIO Prune, the RAF's ham-fisted training aid and various crew nicknames as well as a poem on the bomb door: "P for Panic hit old Jerry, 112 every conceivable place, The war in Europe is over-gone, Let's get cracking on thatYELLOW race" (Ray Wise)

132

280 Above left: Starboard side view of KB760, 'P for Panic', 13 June 1945 (Jack Carter) 281 Above right: WIC Chester Hull in front ofLancaster B Mk X KB747, NA-}{, of 428 Squadron, temporarily carrying the name 'Beautiful Take-Off' instead of the 'Madam X' artwork. See page 126foramoredetailedexplanation (PL41661) 282 Right: KB747 carrying the second edition of 'Miss Lace' masquerading as 'Madam X' and her unusually angled final bomb tally of 72 completed missions (Chester Hull Collection)

283: Although known as NA-S, 'Sugar's Blues', after a contemporary song, Lancaster B Mk X KB864 also carried this ghostly marking on the starboard nose. This, and the very fine port nose artwork based on a Varga pin-up seen earlier in photo 33, was painted by Sgt Tom Walton. Along with many other aircraft from 428 Squadron KB864 had been returned to Canada in June 1945, flown by FiLl Bob Laturner and his crew, when this picture was taken. Note the glossy finish to the Smooth Night undersides. 'Sugar' was disposed of in January 1947 (Tom Walton)

133

284: This Lancaster called 'Fightin' Pappy' served with 428 Squadron and as can be seen here, carried out30 missions, each marked with a sunburst. The artwork is very similar to that on RA537 of 427 Squadron and obviously used the same source for inspiration. Unfortunately, neither the individual aircraft letter, or the serial of this machine is known for certain (Doug Biden)

285: Dated 31 May 1945, this picture shows the same aircraft as that seen above about to take off bound for Canada with Doug Biden at the controls. It appears that aircraft on the squadron were decorated with red sixpointed stars on the propeller spinner tips, which can just be made out here. Another aircraft so decorated was KB848, NA-G, named 'Hollywood Caravan'. If only the photographer had waited a little longer this aircraft's serial number would have been visible... (Doug Biden)

286: Photographed long after the end ofthe war, this is the wreck of Lancaster B Mk X KB739, once NA-Z of 428 Squadron, resting in a junkyard in Edmonton, Alberta. 'Zoomin' Zombie' survived. 56 operations but not the scrapman (George F. Marks)

134

287: ILlustrating how aircraft were frequently transferred from unit to unit within the RAFand particularly the RCAF 6 Group, this Lancaster B Mk X is KB882, once briefly on the strength of 434 Squadron. As seen here, however, 'Roger' was serving with 428 Squadron as NA-R. Infront are three Canadian aircrew. L-R: FlO J.J Leroux, FlO L. G. Hahn, both from Montreal and FlO Doug Rose a former hockey player from Winnipeg. KB882 went back to Canada in June 1945, was later converted to 10AR standard and then went to 408 Squadron (PL40448 Ottawa)

288:Although not positively identified, this may be Lancaster X KB812, coded SEF, of 431 Squadron and apparentlyknown as 'Fox'. The location is probably Pearce, Alberta, during the post-war dismantling of many of the Canadian Lancasters which had returned in summer of 1945. In any event, the fox had certainly proven fearless, with 39 missions to his credit (Ray Wise)

289: With artwork based on the very popular Varga pinup in the January 1945 issue of Esquire, Lancaster B Mk X KB872, flew as SE-N, of 431 Squadron. Post-war she flew with 2 Air Command, before being SOC on 22 January 1947 and finally scrapped at RCAF Station Penhold in 1953. As shown here she was heavily weathered after some time in the junkyard (J W Madill)

135

ated nose turret, the Boulton-Paul Overstrand. In 1939 it re-equipped with the Blenheim light bomber and in May 1941 again re-equipped, this time with the Vickers Wellington. In October 1942 it became a Lancaster squadron within 1 Group based at Ludford Magna, from where it joined in the bombing offensive against Germany. The squadron continued pure bomber operations until early October 1943, at which time it took on the additional role of radio counter-measures, a role in which it remained until its last sortie on 25 April 1945.

SR-Q

LM395'

SR-Q

ME558'

Shot down on Stuttgart operation 16 March 1944.

SR-S

DV245

Named 'The Saint'. Lost on 119th operation, 10 Bremen, 23 March 1945.

SR-T

J.R. Colborne was an RCAF member of 101 Sqn and flew 33 operations in Lancaster SR-T, 'Red Herring'. The name and nose art were selected for three reasons; the pilot was F/Lt Murray Herring, he had red hair and the squadron was used to decoy the German defences. The nose art was painted by the navigator, PIO Trevor Nichols. Some of the Lancaster aircraft used by 101 Squadron: Code

Serial No

SR-A

LL758'

Remarks Lost on Saarbrucken operation 5 October 1944.

SR-A

LM457'

Also coded SR-V2. SOC 2 January 1945.

SR-B

ME616'

Crashed in France on Vierzon operation 1July 1944.

SR-B

ND983'

Wrecked on return from Le Havre 6 September 1944. SOC January 1947.

SR-B

NG128

SR-C

ME857'

Lost on Russelheim operation 25 August 1944.

SR-D

ME592'

Lost on Stettin operation 30 August 1944.

SR-D

NF983

Flown by FILt. Haycraft. SOC January 1947.

SR-F

LM479*

Lost on Stettin operation 30 August 1944. Flew 121 operations.

SR-H

DV302

SR-K2

DV299

Shot down on Berlin operation 17 December 1943.

SR-M2

LM598*

Lost on Braunschweig operation 13 August 1944.

SR-M2

NG131'

Lost on Ulm operation (as SR-W) 17 December 1944.

SR-N

ME617'

Lost on Russelheim operation 13 August 1944.

SR-O

NN705'

Lost on Russelheim operation 25 August 1944.

SR-O

DV292*

Shot down on Braunschweig operation 13 August

SR-P

DV283

Abandoned on return from Berlin 17 December 1943.

SR-Q

LL756*

Wrecked on retum from Le Havre 6 September 1944.

1944.

136

Named 'The Red Herring' flew 33 operations.

SR-U

LL755

Lost on Bremen operation 23 March 1945.

SR-V

PB258'

Lost on Braunschweig operation 13 August 1944

SR-W

DV300

Shot down on Berlin operation 16 December 1943.

SR-W

LL757

Named 'Oor Wullie'. Lost on Stettin operation 30 Au gust 1944.

SR-Y

As an RCM unit it Was employed in the Airborne Cigar Qr A13C role, designed to jam German communications and the Benito navigation aid. However, only a few of the aircraft carried jamming equipment and those not so equipped remained in their basic bomber configuration. In addition to the jamming apparatus, each aircraft so equipped carried a German speaking crew member and a full bomb load and was recogniseable by the two tall antennae on the aircraft's spine. It carried out its first sortie on the night of7/8 October 1943. Between this date and its final mission in 1945, the squadron flew a total of 2,477 RCM sorties. The squadron provided jamming for every major RAF raid undertaken during this period which included Window operations and jamming cover for the paratroop transports on D-Day. Unlike the aerial jammers of 100 Group, the Lancasters of 101 Sqn flew as a part of the main bomber force and were never a part of the speciabsed 100 Group.

Lost on Dortmund operation 23 May 1944.

LM389

Crashed on return from Berlin 17 December 1943.

, Lost on ABC electronic warfare dulies

Lancasters with 100+ Operations At least 28 Lancaster bombers reached the magic 100 for number of operations completed. B Mk III, ND458 coded HW-A (known as Able Mabel) flew with 100 Sqn and completed her 131st operation on 25 April 1945. Her pilot for this historic milestone was F/Lt Jack Playford RCAF (R), and he had also been her pilot for her 100th mission (to Ludwigshafen) on 1 February 1945. Ahead of the name and mission markers she wore a mustard coloured gas detection panel. ND458 was transferred to the Bomber Command Instructor School before being scrapped in 1947. Vernon Wilkes joined the RAF with high hopes of becoming a pilot. After a short spell in England he embarked to sail to Canada and join No. 32 EFTS at Bowden, Alberta. He recalls, "I completed the pilots' course but did my night-flying solo at the expense of one Tiger Moth, two if you include the one that I hit!" He was then posted to Trenton, Ontario, the central collection point for those who had 'washed out' in their training and were there to be re-assigned. Next StOP was the Bombing and Gunnery School at No.5 B&GS, Dafoe, Saskatchewan and then on to air navigation at No. 31 ANS at Port Albert, Ontario. Returning to England, Vernon was posted to 550 Sqn at North Killingholme, Lincolnshire in February 1945. This was a squadron that boasted great nose art and had three Lancasters that had passed the 100 mission mark: EE139, BQ-B, named 'The Phantom of the Ruhr'; ED905, BQ-F, named 'Press On Regardless' and PA995, BQ-V, named 'The Vulture Strikes.' Vernon Wilkes and his crew decided to decorate their Lancaster with a large scraggy looking bird holding a bomb in its claws. The original design had been sent to Vernon by his cousin, Graham Cotton, a professional artist. It was painted on the nose of the aircraft by Wilkes and the flight engineer and the ground-crew then added the name, 'The Goonatic.' Unfortunately, while they were on leave, another crew flew the aircraft into the balloon barrage around Manchester and that was the end of her. On the squadron, Vernon and his crew shared their billet with an Australian crew who had painted their Lancaster with 'Jake' and named her 'We Dood It.' This crew

later failed to return from an operation but their nose art always remained in Wilkes' memory. In 1945 Vernon and his crew were posted to the newly re-formed 150 Sqn where they were assigned Lancaster IQ-B, serial NG264. It was on this aircraft that, in rememberance of the lost Australian crew, was painted 'We Dood It Too.' FlU Vernon Wilkes DFC finished the war after having flown 36 operations with 550 and 150 squadrons.

RAF Bomber Command Tail Markings Not long after D-Day, large formations of RAF bombers began to regularly undertake daylight missions over occupied Europe, operations that would soon involve the application a coloured tail markings. These fin markings were applied for two totally different reasons. On the Halifaxes of 4 Group there appeared a variety of geometric designs applied in either white, yellow or red which

would sometimes include a small version of the individual aircraft letter in red with a yellow outline. These markings were adopted as formation aids for the units within these formations. In the second instance, a similar variety of tail markings were applied to the Lancasters of 1, 3 and 5 Groups whose colourful variations identified the aircraft so marked as being equipped with the G-H blindbombing system. A couple of other less well-documented tail markings were carried by two squadrons of 6 Group. In early 1945, 420 Squadron began to convert to the Canadian-built Lancaster Mk X. At the unit some of these aircraft, in addition to nose art and the unit codes, received white spinners and a small bomb-dropping white owl applied on the outer faces of each tail fin. In May 1945, 425 Squadron also began conversion to the Lancaster' X and as the aircraft came to the squadron, each had a hovering lark applied to the outer fin surfaces with the squadron motto.

290 Right:Alberto Varga also inspired this pin-up on another Lancaster with 431 Squadron, namely this Mk)(, KB811, coded SE-T and named 'She's Trudy Terrific'. Trudy returned to Canada on 8 June 1945. She survived for longer than most, not being scrapped unti/1950 (Author's Collection)

291 Below: Lancaster X KB801, SE-S, 'Simcoe Warrior II' of431 Squadron, looking rather worn after arrival in Canada. 36 operations are marked as well as the Indian head emblem used by the unit. Converted to Mk IDS standard she served until scrapped on8 May I 956 (Author's Collection)

137

292: Probably KB861, this Lancaster MkXflewas SRQ, 'Our Squaw', with 431 (Iroquois Squadron). Just visible is a small Indian head emblem used by the squadron. This was based upon the Canadian McColl Frontenac Oil Co logo. 13 mission markers as well as what appears to be the cross marking adopted to indicate relief missions are also carried

293: Taken at Croft in Yorkshire, this picture shows Lancaster B Mk X KB773, SE-P, 'Pete' of 431 Squadron. Originally coded SE-A, KB177 became the third 'P for Peter' in the unit after the previous aircraft (KB-821) was lost on 2 November 1944.As the new code letter was added the previous bomb log was removed and KB773 became 'Piddling Pete'. The aircraft was then flown on 13 operations by FlO William E. Dowbiggin and his crew. Pete was sent to Canada in June 1945 where, like most others, the aircraft was scrapped, in March 1948 (WE. Dowbiggin)

294: 'Xotic Angel' was the name borne by Lancaster B Mk 1 PA226, WL-X, of434 Squadron. The squadron artist clearly had difficulty drawing hands and feet so cleverly managed to dispense with them altogetheJ: Taken on charge by 434 Squadron in January 1944, the aircraft was transferred to 429 Squadron (asAL-H) in April 1945, being ultimately scrapped in March 1947. In this picture taken while she was with 434, note how erosion has stripped the Smooth Night paint from the nose, a typical feature of many late-war Lancasters (Author's Collection)

138

295: With a nickname full of interesting interpretations, Lancaster B Mk X KB863 was pictured at Croft in 1945. Coded WL-E, the aircraft as seen here has carried out at least 26 combat operations, each marked by a peculiar axe marking. The aircraft itselfgot the chop from the scrapman back in Canada in January 1947. Fred BendtlS grins from the cockpit (Fred Bendus)

296: This lineup shows Lancaster Mk X aircraft of 434 Squadron at No.1 Maintenance Wing at Scoudouc, New Brunswick in June 1945. Modifications were then in full swing to prepare the aircraft for use as part of 'Tiger Force', intended for use against Japan. The atomic bombs made this unnecessary. Seen here, front to rear: 'The Hairy Chop', 'Lady Orchid', 'Pete' and 'Nan' (Harry Mosher)

297: This is 'Nan', a Vargainspired creation on the nose of Lancaster B Mk X KB 840, WL-N, of 434 Squadron. The artwork was derived from the December 1943 Esquire centrefold. This was yet another machine sent to Canada in June 1945, later to be scrapped in January 1947 (Author's Collection)

139

298: Fred Bendus peers out of the cockpit of 'Lady Orchid', Croft, Yorkshire, in May 1945. Details of the nose art on KB895 can be found on page 128, but this picture allows a good view ofthe cavernous bomb bay ofthe Lancaster and the angular box covering the 'Window' chute under the nose (Fred Bendus)

299: For 15 combat operations (although she wears 16 bomb silhouettes) 'Lady Orchid' went topless. Now decently covered with two red maple leaves on her top half she is almost ready for the trip to Canada; where she arrived at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on 17 June 1945. Sold to a farmer for scrap on 22 January 1947, Lady Orchid's flying career was far from over. Many years later the centre section of KB895 was used in the restoration of Lancaster FM213, the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster... (Ron Jenkins)

300: Yet another Lancaster with 434 Squadron to carry noseart was KB852, WL-R known as 'Rocket'. One of the relatively few aircraft to carry artwork based on one of the several caped comic superheroes of the time, the aircraft also carries a mission tally of22 yellow stars and two swastikas indicating enemy aircraft claimed. Rocket was sold at Vulcan, Alberta, on 8 March 1948 (Ray Wise)

140

301: KB849, WL- T, of 434 Squadron acts as a backdrop for some clowning about by some of her crew, who echo the pose of 'Tamara'. Entering service with the unit in December 1944, the Lancaster Mk X went to Canada in June1945 and was ultimately scrapped inApril1950 (Author's Collection)

302: The original caption to this pictures says that it is Lancaster 11 LL643, EQ-Q, of408 Squadron. However, the aircraft clearly has Merlin engines, so is not a Mk II. It may bea MkX inservice with 428 Squadron, possibly KB751, NA-Q, which survived 138 hours of operations before being lost attacking Stettin on 16 August 1944. What is certain is that she carries three different names: 'Q-up', 'Sarie Marais' and on the nose, 'Keeling's Krazy Kounts' (Muff Mills)

303: Apart from the aircraft identity letter 'L' and the highly appropriate name and artwork, there is nothing to positively identify this Lancaster. It has completed 18 missions, each marked by a chamberpot and the slogan 'Jerry for the Jerries' (Ray Wise)

141

304: This joker served with an Australian crew under the command ofS/Ldr E.K. Sinclair. No other information known (Bruce Robertson)

305: There can be no doubt about the nationality of the crew ofthis Lancaster which is adorned wth a kangaroo carrying the Australian flag. Missions completed are indicated by 34 foaming beer mugs, a topic close to the hearts of many aircrews, Australians included (Bruce Robertson)

306: Another Lancaster with an Australian crew, this one features artwo rk starring Walt Disney's Pluto who wears the Australian air force blue uniform jacket and side cap. The aircraft has fulfilled nine combat missions, each marked by a bone for Pluto, and claimed an enemy aircraft shot down (Bruce Robertson)

142

307: 'Uncle' was a wartime euphemism for the pawnbroker, consequently the signs of his trade, the three brass balls, were a source of inspiration for aircraft coded 'U for Uncle'. This particular machine has recently enjoyed a change in code letter ('U' to 'M') as a result of a crew change or possibly transfer to another unit. 'Jose' is a nickname, probably for the nose gunner's girlfriend. Forty missions and an enemy aircraft shot down are recorded (Bruce Robertson)

308: Even Popeye's scrawny girlfriend, Olive Oyl, got in on the act when it came to nose art. Here she is about to do serious mischiefto the rear end of Hitler on the nose of PIO D.l. Sullivan's aircraft (Bruce Robertson)

309: 'Cutty Sark II' was carried by a Lancaster from 9 Squadron,RAF, oneofseveral aircraft in the squadron which was decorated by an unknown hand, but all of which display the same high level of skill. The aircraft shown here is believed to be a Mk III, LM548, coded WS-C, which recorded 49 operations between 28 April-24 October 1944 when it was transferred to 463 Squadron. The same unknown artist also decorated the famous squadron Lancaster W4964, WS-J, 'Johnny Walker', which completed 106 missions (Tim Mason)

143

310: 'Lonesome Lola' was another Lancaster on the strength of9 Squadron. This time a Mk I, LL845, WSL, which went on to accomplish 97 operational missions before being retired to 15 MU in August 1945 and ultimate scrapping in January 1947. The same artistic style as that ofphoto 309 is immediately apparent (Tim Mason)

311: This time the anonymous 9 Squadron artist created 'Fanlight Fanny', believed to have featured on Lancaster I LL785, WS-F, which survived 46 combat missions between 15 February and 415 July 1944. On that night, however, she was shot down while attacking a flying bomb site at St Leu d'Esserent and crashed near ereil in northern France. PI o D. W Ryan and his entire crew were killed. Thirty fi ve missions are seen here, which presumably dates the picture to sometime in early June 1944 (Tim Mason)

312: Possibly the sexiest of the nose art beauties found on 9 Squadron Lancasters was this one here. The aircraft is almost certainly LM453, WS-E, which racked up a score of 45 operations between 15 February and 31 July 1944 before she failed to return from an evening raid on a railway tunnel which was being used to store V-Is at Rilly la Montage. The crew, led by FI o c.E.M. Worner, all died in the crash near Reims. Note the mission markers are apples (Tim Mason)

144

313: This Lancaster B Mk III from 9 Squadron is probably DV161, WS-N, otherwise known as 'Naughty Nan' who is fastening one ofher stockings. The occasion for the crew photo may be the completion ofher 25th mission during her time with the squadron (4 July-27August 1944). The aircraft may have been well named, however, for apart from 9 Squadron, she also served with.I2, 57 and 460 Squadrons and 1653 and 1667 HCUs. She was written off after a crash in January 1945 (Tim Mason)

314: Named 'Sky Floosie', this Lancaster B Mk Ill, LM625, served with 44 Squadron as KM-H. As seen hereshe has 35 missions to her credit. Her crew are, l-r:Sandy Henderson (navigator), Jack Beechey (gunner), Bill Shute (bomb-aimer), Bob Splade (pilot), Don Spankie (gunner), Jack Crammond (engineer), Fred Bishop (wireless operator). The blonde bathing beauty was painted on by the ground crew, based on the November 1943 Varga calendar pin-up. 'Floosie' wore a pale cream colouredswimsuit, hair ribbon and name. She went on to complete at least 78 sorties and was eventually scrapped in October 1945

315: This unidentified Lancaster from 61 Squadron known only as 'Hellzapoppin' (QR-H?, ME596?) is a veteran of71 sorties and is about to be loaded with a specially marked 4,0001b 'cookie', paid for by veterans from the Great War, members of the Salonika Reunion Association. No other details are known (Bruce Robertson)

145

316: The value ofthis rather blurred shot is that it shows that Lancaster B Mk III LM739, HW-Z2, 'Grog's the Shot', of100 Squadron also carried artwork on the starboard side of the nose as well as the port, which is shown in closeup in photo 188. The same anonymous squadron artist also painted the nose art of PAl 77, HW]2, known as 'Jug and Bottle' (Alastair McQuaid via David Howley)

317: 100 Squadron had a number of Lancaster B Mk IIIs which survived the odds to amass large numbers of operations. Here the pilot of ND458, Canadian Flhtfack Playford who had just flown HW-A on her 121st mission, congratulates the ground crew responsible for servicing 'A ble Mabel' since her arrival on the squadron. From left: Sgt W Hearne, Cpl R.T. Withey, LAC i.E. Robinson, Jack Playford and LACs J.Hale and i. Cowls. Playford also flew Able Mabel on her last operational mission (no. 131 against Berchtesgarden on 25 April 1945). The aircraft was finally retired in 1947 (R.L.Ward)

318: A closer view of Lancaster B Mk III ND458 with FiLl Jack Playford and some ofher crew, seen right at the end of 'Able Mabel's' operational career with 131 missions completed and two enemy aircraft claimed. Note the large red-outlined yellow ochre disc ofgas detection paint which was carried on both sides of the nose. Most ofthe aircraft in 1 Group seem to have carried this device late in the war, possibly in response to fears ofGerman reactions to imminent defeat (PL44395)

146

317: GICapt Ws. Sheen, OC Elsham Wolds, adds a bar to the DFC 'awarded' to Lancaster B III ED888, which with 140 completed operations was the most successful Lancaster ofall. Heroperational career started and ended with 103 Squadron as PM-NF, although 77 were in the markings of 576 Squadron as UM-M2. As only 132 missions are shown, this picture was taken while she was with 576, the last seven being again with 103. On her last mission (to Cologne) on Christmas Eve 1944 she was under the command of Canadian FlO F.L. Saxe. She was scrapped in January 1947 (R.L. Ward)

318: Rascally Captain A.R.P. Reilly-Ffoull and his catchphrase from the Daily Mirror was painted onto Lancaster B Mk I NG264, IQ-B of 150 Squadron, by bomb-aimer PIO Vernon Wilkes in autumn 1944 while based at Hemswell. The artwork was inspired by an Australian crew known to Wilkes. NG264 served with 150 Squadron until May 1946, then being sent for storage and ultimate scrapping in March 1947 (Vernon Wilkes)

319: A souvenir for the album featuring NG264 and crew of150 Squadron, seen after the aircraft had completed 25 missions (three by day) in late 1944. From left: Sgt Les Buckel (mid-upper gunner), Sgt Ken Brotherhood (engineer), PIO Bill Mann (navigator), PIO Gordon Markes (pilot), Sgt Dan Driscoll (tail gunner), PIO Vernon Wlikes (bombaimer) and WIO Frank Petch (wireless operator) (Vernon Wilkes)

147

1 320: LAC E. Turner adds the 65th mission marker to 'Dante's Daughter'. This was a Lancaster B Mk III, ED731, originally delivered to 103 Squadron in March 1943 and coded AS-P, as shown here. The ice cream cones indicate raids on Italian targets. She was lost on Bomber Compmand's last major raid on Berlin, on 241 25 March 1944, while with 166 Squadron (as ES-Q). FI o lB. Auld of the RCAF was the only survivor and was taken prisoner. The aircraft had completed 576 hours of flying (Bruce Robertson)

321: Pilot FiLl William Mackie Constable and his Lancaster B Mk III PB595, TC-J, of 170 Squadron at Hemswell in late 1944-early 1945. 'Jane on the Job 'needs no interpretation. Delivered direct to the squadron in October 1944, 'Jane' was lost on a raid on Pforzheim on 24 February. Most of the crew on that occasion, including the pilot seen here, were Canadians. Four survived as POWs but sadly Constable did not (Author's Collection)

319: Another photo of

PB595 showing her mission tally of 33 operations and the large gas detection disc sported by a number of Lancasters within 1 Group. Just visible on the headrest of the pilot's seat is the yellow disc of paint which indicated that this was armoured (Author's Collection)

148

323: Pictured at Chedburgh in early May 1945, 'Edith', a Lancaster B Mk Ill, LM577, coded HA -Q of218 Squadron has her crew's oxygen replenished. Seen during the series of food drop missions to Dutch civilians, she was first delivered to 622 Squadron in January 1944 as GI-E, who named her, before she was passed on to 218 in April that year. By April 1945 she had completed· 84 operations and more flying time than any other aircraft in the unit. As shown here she then completed another 14 mercy missions. Service over, she was scrapped in May 1947 (Bruce Robertson)

324: An unidentified crew celebrate the 70th mission in Lancaster B M kIll, ED905, BQ-F, of 550 Squadron, based at North Killingholme in mid-1944. The aircraft had seen earlier service with both 103 and 166 Squadrons. The artwork encapsulates the off-duty interests of most aircrews of the time, while the slogan typifies the attitude of Bomber Command (Bruce Robertson)

325: FILl D.A. Shaw in the cockpit of Lancaster B MK III ED905 prior to taking off on the aircraft's 100th mission (against Diisseldorf) on 2 November 1944. It was his 35th operation and the 33rd in B Q-F. Apart from the additional bombs on the mission tally there is a subtle difference in the artwork to that shown above; the shield now bears a saltire cross in what appear to be the Scottish colours of blue and white, probably to reflect 'Jock' Shaw's ancestry. ED905 completed over 100 missions and over 628 hours of flying time before being lost in a crash on 20 August 1945 (R. L. Ward)

149

OTHER BOMBERS They also served:

Liberator~,

8-175 in the RAF and RCAF The RAF and RCAF were the only Commonwealth air forces to fly the Boeing B-17 in combat theatres during World War II. Following the formation of 100 (Special Duties) Group, RAF, in November 1943, the interest of the RAF in the American B-17 was re-awakened. As a result of this renewed interest in the type, the RAF, at the beginning of January 1944, formally requested the USAAF to supply fourteen B-17F bombers to the newly formed Group. Concurrent with this request, 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron was transferred from 3 Group to 100 group to conduct operations with the B-17. The squadron moved from Downham Market to Skulthorpe between the 17 and 20 January, receiving its first B-17 on the latter date. The serial number range allocated to these aircraft was SR376 to SR389. On 16 May 1944, 214 Squadron moved from Skulthorpe to Oulton that was to be its base for the remainder of the war. The second RAF squadron to convert to the B-17 was 223. This unit had previously operated B-24 Liberator aircraft but in March 1944 began conversion to the B-17, flying its first operation on the night of the 19-20 May. The third unit to receive the B-17 was 1699 Flight, also based at Oulton, and which took over the crew training for the two squadrons, this training previously having been handled by a detachment of the USAAF. 150

Wellingtons, Bostons and more Along with the initial supply of fourteen B-17Fs, the USAAF supplied a further 85 B-17Gs for use in the electronic countermeasures duties of 100 Group. These were delivered for use by three units in the group; 214 and 223 Squadrons and 1699 Flight. Initially supplied in their USAAF camouflage scheme of Olive Drab and Neutral Grey, the colours wer.e eventually changed to those of the contemporary night bomber force; namely Dark Earth and Dark Green upper surfaces and Night undersides. These aircraft received British serial numbers in the batches, HB761-HB820, KH998-KJ127 and KL830KL837. Squadron codes and serials were applied in Dull Red; although at least one of 1699 Flight's aircraft, 4Z-Z, SR383, is reported to have had them applied in yellow. The end of World War II in Europe did not result in the termination of use of the B-17 in RAF service. In August 1945, a new Radio Warfare Establishment Flying and Servicing Wing was established at Foulsham. By the middle of the month, the RWE were still flying eight B-17Gs, now coded U3-A to U3-H. At least two of these aircraft retained their wartime nose art, one being U3-E, KJ117, which carried a painting of a man (possibly Father Time) and a demon above the words 'Take it Easy', artwork which she had carried as 'E' of 214 Sqn. 326Above: Liberator OR VI KH331/0, known as 'The Winnie Mae' in service with 8 Squadron (ex-200 Squadron), seen at Minneriya, Ceylon, in August 1945. She wears standard Temperate Sea Scheme camouflage and 48in diameter SEAC roundels (Barry Ketley)

Known 100 Group 8-17s used by 214 and 223 Squadrons and by 1699 Flight:

BU-H

HB818

44-8085

GIIII

BU-U

HB819

44-8086

Gilil

214 Sqn. Passed to 1699 FIt. 214 Sqn. Named 'Give it to Uncle' the nose art consisted

Code

Serial No

USNo

Type

Remarks

of Donald Duck carryin9 the

4Z-

SR376

42-3177

Fill

1699 FIt.

pawnbroker's sign being foll-

BU-M

SR377

42-300147

Fill

214 Sqn.

owed by a duckling carrying

BU-D

SR378

42-30241

Fill

214 Sqn.

BU-O

SR379

42-303287

Fill

214 Sqn. Passed to 1699 FIt.

BU-M

KH999

44-8241

GIIII

214 Sqn.

BU-S

SR380

42-306397

Fill

214 Sqn. Passed to 1699 FIt.

BU-H

KJ101

44-8243

G/lil

214 Sqn.

BU-B

SR382

42-308127

Fill

214 Sqn.

BU-M

KJ103

44-8336

G/III

214 Sqn.

BU-F

SR383

42-310277

Fill

214 Sqn. Also flown by 223

BU·D

KJ104

44-8337

G/III

214 Sqn. Passed to 1699 FIt.

as 6G-X and by 1699 as 4Z-

BU·G

KJ106

44-8339

GIIII

two small red objects.

BU-N

BU-H

214 Sqn. Shot down over Harburg 7 March 1945, FlO

XorZ SR385

42-30986

Fill

214 Sqn.

SR386

42-310317

Fill

214 Sqn. Also flown by 1699

BU-N

KJ107

44-8340

G/III

214 Sqn.

as 4Z-Y

6G-F

KJ109

44-8342

G/III

223 Sqn. Also flown by 214

SR387

Fill

1699 FIt.

SR388

Fill

214 Sqn. Also flown by 1699

Stewart.

as BU-V and by 1699 FIt. as 4Z-C.

as4Z-Z

BU-B

KJ110

44-8343

GIIII

214 Sqn.

Fill

214 Sqn.

BU-C

KJ111

44-8534

GIIiI

214 Sqn.

BU-P

KJ112

44-8535

Gilil

214 Sqn. Shot down

BU-P

SR389

BU-T

HB763

42-97100

GIIII

214 Sqn.

BU-B

HB765

42-97102

G/lil

214 Sqn. Also coded BU-R

near Hamburg 21

BU-A

HB767

42-97104

G/III

214 Sqn.

March 1945, FIUU

HB772

42-97109

GIIII

214 Sqn.

BU-G

HB774

42-97111

Gil II

214 Sqn.

BU-L

HB779

42-97116

GIIII

214 Sqn. Also coded BU-P

BU-C

HB780

42-97117

GIIII

214 Sqn. Also coded BU-A,

HB785

42-102436

G/III

KJ117

44-8620

G/IiI

214 Sqn. Carried the nose art 'Take it Easy'.

6G-H

KJ118

44-8621

G/III

Bohlen 20 March 1945

BU-O

KJ119

44-8622

GIIII

FlU.Kingdom.

6G-B'

KJ121

44-8624

G/lil

223 Sqn.

214 Sqn.

6G-Z

KL836

44-8969

Gil II

223 Sqn.

later passed to 1699 FIt. BU-A

Allies. BU-E

214 Sqn. Shot down over

223 Sqn. Also used by 214 as BU-H. 214 Sqn.

HB788

42-102439

BU-Q

HB789

42-102940

GIIII

214 Sqn.

6G-Q

HB793

42-98023

Gilil

223 Sqn. Also flown by 1699 as4Z-B

168 (Mail) Squadron

BU-S

HB795

42-98025

GIIII

214 Sqn. 'Joie des Anges'.

BU-G

HB796

42-98026

Gil II

214 Sqn.

BU-K

HB799

42-98029

GIIII

FlU John Harding DFC, was born in London, Ontario in 1919. He joined the RCAF in 1941 and served in RAF Bomber Command as a navigator. He rose from the rank of Sergeant to FlU and completed two full tours in Lancasters on both 103 and 550 Squadrons. In these tours he completed thirty operational trips on his first tour, and twenty on his second.

BU-B

GIIII

214 Sqn. Damaged in fighter attack 14 March 1945, FlU. Wynne. Also coded BU-I..

BU-V

HB800

42-98030

G/III

214 Sqn. 214 Sqn. Also with 1699FIt.

BU-T

HB801

42-98031

GIIII

BU-O

HB802

42-98032

GIIII

214 sqn. Shot down over Lutzkendorf 14 March 1945, FlU Rix.

BU-L

HB803

42-98033

GIIII

214 Sqn. Shot down over Misburg 15 March 1945, FlO Anderson.

BU-C

HB805

42-98035

Gilil

214 Sqn. Shot down 'Window Spoof 24 February 1945, FI

o Shottle. BU-A

HB813

BU-J

HB815

Gil II 44-8082

G/III

214 Sqn. 214 Sqn. Shot down over Oulton by a Ju 88 night-

While with 103 Squadron he became the nose artist for the Lancaster of pilot Sid Burton on which he painted a little red devil beneath the cockpit. He cannot recall seeing any other nose art used by 103. In August 1944, he returned to Canada and was attached to 168 Squadron based at Rockcliffe, Ontario. This had been formed as a Heavy Transport Squadron on 18 October 1943 and flew variants of the B-17 and B-24 on mail runs to Canadian servicemen in Europe. 168 was the only RCAF unit to fly the B-17, of which it had six, three each of the B17E and -F variants.

fighter flown by U.Donng of 10.lNJG3 on 3 March 1945,

FlO Bennett. BU-F

HB816

44-8083

GIIII

214 Sqn.

BU-G

HB817

44-8084

GIIII

214 Sqn.

Arriving at Rockcliffe in standard USAAF Olive DrablNeutral Grey camouflage and US national markings, it was decided that the camouflage would remain but that RAF roundels and RCAF serials would replace 151

the US ones. For each trip, a small mailbag was painted on the nose on the starboard side, as seen in the photo taken at Gibraltar of B-17 9202. The Canadian government had paid their US counterparts between $300 and $400,000 each for the aircraft; a somewhat steep price for the condition in which they came to the RCAP. At the time, a new B-17F cost $310,816 for a Boeing-built example, $337,025 for one from Vega and $346,693 for a Douglas-built example. A new Boeing-built B-17E cost $302,772. Type RCAF No

USAAF No Builder Remarks

B·17F

9202

42-3160

Douglas

B-17F

9203

42-6101

Vega

Crashed at Munster, Ger many 4 November 1945. Crashed into sea 15 Decem ber 1945.

B-17F

9204

42-3369

Douglas

Withdrawn from use 9 September 1944 after being damaged beyond repair at Rockclifle.

B-17E

9205

41-9142

Boeing

B-17E

9206

41-2438

Boeing

Sold to Argentina 1948.

B-17E

9207

41-2581

Boeing

Crashed 4April 1944 at

Sold to Argentina 1948.

Prestwick, Scotland.

All of the B-17s were employed on daily mail runs' between Canada and England and then on to the Mediterranean and North Africa, the initial service being inaugerated by B-17 9204 on 15 December 1943. By December 1945, four had been lost in operational accidents and only 9205 and 9206 survived into the post-war period. Both were sold to Argentina on 12 April 1948 where they remained until being scrapped in 1964. Had the records of these two surviving Canadian B-17s been checked before being sold, a very interesting and historic aircraft could have been saved. B-17E-BO, 41-2438 (RCAF 9206) was built at the Boeing plant in Seattle, Washington and flown out, ready for service, to Salt Lake City, Utah on 2 December 1941. On 26 December 1941, it was flown to Hickam Field, Hawaii from where it flew defence air patrols for the USAAF 7th Air Force. On 13 November 1942, it was returned to the US mainland where it served at Hamilton Field, San Francisco. On 14 December 1943, it was struck off USAAF strength and ferried to Rockcliffe, Ontario to begin a new service life in the RCAP. In 1948 it was sold to Argentina and was finally scrapped in 1964. The second B-17E-BO 41-9142 (RCAF9205) was another Boeing-built model. This too was sold to Argentina in 1948 and scrapped in 1964. Early in 1945, 9202, 9205 and 9206 were stripped of their camouflage, leaving only a small segment as an antiglare panel on the nose, but retained their roundels and RCAF serial numbers. 168 Squadron had no official insignia during World War II but the squadron artist, LAC

152

Freemantle created a squadron insignia which was applied to only one of the B-17s, 9205. The insignia consisted of an American Bald Eagle in flight clutching a Canadian mailbag in each claw; this was clearly an adaptation of an earlier USAAF design called 'Gremlin on a Double Eagle' which had also appeared on two RCAP Halifax bombers as nose art. This design was also carried on at least three of 168's Liberators, but differed by having black tails. B-17 9205 was the only one to receive the eagle-mailbag insignia but the eagle sported a white tail instead of the black seen on the B-24s. 168 Sqn flew 636 trans-Atlantic mail flights during World War II. 64 by Dakota (C-47), 332 by B-24 and 240 by B-17. Between them they carried 8,977,600lbs of mail outbound and 2,245,269lbs back to Canada. They lost five aircraft and eighteen crewmen. Many were the difficulties faced by the men of 168 Sqn. The old B-I7's had already had a hard and useful life and much work and maintenance was needed to keep them in serviceable condition. A great deal of pressure was applied to get the first flight of Christmas mail off to Canadian servicemen overseas as soon as possible. On 14 December 1943, the day scheduled for this 'first flight', both B-17s loaded for the run developed engine trouble so it was not until the next day that Fortress 9204 left Rockcliffe. This flight was called 'Mailcan' and departed from Rockcliffe at 1422hrs 14 December 1943. The pilot for this trip was FI Lt.B.G. Smith and his co-pilot was PIO Eli Rosenbaum, generally known as Eli Ross. Their flight ended in near tragedy when, halfway across the Atlantic, they found that the outer wing fuel tanks had been disconnected. In the rush to get everything ready for the flight, no longrange test flights had been made so nobody was aware of the disconnected outer tanks. Fortunately for the crew, they discovered that they had a 60 knot tailwind on the flight and this undoubtedly helped to prevent a disaster. When they finally made landfall over Ireland and put down at an airfield at St.Angelo, they found that they had les than twenty minutes worth of useable fuel in the main tanks. On 23 January 1944, PIO Eli Rosenbaum was co-pilot in B-17 9205 on the first flight by the squadron from Prestwick - Gibraltar - Italy. Due to the risk of interception by German long-range fighters, the flight was made at night. Eli recalled, "We had been briefed on the weather. We were given at height of 5,000ft, just below the freezing level. As we found out later, only two of our aircraft were in the air that night, one going and one coming. About ninety miles south of Brest, this sudden tremendous shock, it had to be a glancing blow and for a moment I thought we had been shot. The nose was twisted and the Fortress shuddered violently. It took all of the pilot's strength and mine to right the aircraft. We went down to 1200ft in a slow turn; not a spin but more of a slide. Numbers 3 and 4 engines were absolutely out, the supercharger only operating on number 1. We actually had one and a half engines I would say."

327Above left: Liberator575, 'QK', of 168 Squadron with the eagle embLem. That on Fortress 9205 was identicaL except that the bird had a white taiL (Harding) 328Above right: F/LtJohnny Wynne in the cockpit of his Fortress Mk Ill, Kill7, BVE, of214 Squadron. Wynne flew this aircraft May-September 1945 on RCM operations before the squadron was disbanded, the number transferring to a Liberator squadron in ItaLy. He then flew the same aircraft as part of the newLyformed No 192 Radio Warfare EstabLishment. Four Fortresses from the oLd 214 Squadron (A, C, E and H), with their crew.;; were sent to the new unit. There Wynne flew his aircraft untiL 1946. The other three aircraft were aLL Laterscrapped in England, but 'Easy' was returned to the American authorities under the terms ofLend-Lease. This picture shows the artwork created personally by the pilot. Featuring OLd Father Time and the devil pLaying dice, the artist used onLy the four standard aircraft insignia paints of the time: red, bLue, yellow and white (1 Wynne)

-- '----=-

329 Centre right: Fortress 9204 sets off on the first 'maiLcan'flight.15 December 1943 (CaLgary Aero Space) 330 Lower right: Damage sustained by Fortress 9205 in a mid-air collision (E. Rosenbaum)

153

By an amazing coincidence, Fortress 9205 had collided with a Wellington bomber of RAF Coastal Command. The Wellington and crew were lost but 9205 was nursed back to England for a safe landing at Predannack airfield in Cornwall. For two hours, the two pilots had fought the vibrating controls, flying on only one good engine. For this feat FlO H.B. Hillcoat, PIO E.M. Rosenbaum, FlO EB. Labrish and FlO c.A. Dickson were awarded the Air Force Cross and Cpl A. DeMarco was awarded the Air Force Medal. On 15 December 1944, FlU Hillcoat, F/Lt Labrish and FlO Dickson were lost when Fortress 9203 crashed into the sea and Cpl DeMarco has since passed away. Now 83 years old and living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Eli Rosenbaum is the only surviving member of the collision over the Bay of Biscay.

184 Wing RAF comprising 355 Squadron at Salbani, India with 16 Liberator Mk VI and 356 Squadron, also at Salbani and also with 16 Liberator Mk VI. 185 Wing RAF comprising 159 Squadron at Digri, India with 16 Liberator Mk VI and 215 Squadron, also at Digri with 16 Liberator Mk VI. Possibly due to the large Canadian content, many of the Liberators of these squadrons carried a variety of nose art that was equal to any other seen during World War II. In addition to the application of nose art, by the beginning of 1945 the squadrons were starting to carry identity markings painted on the tails of their aircraft. 99 had a white disc on a black fin, 215 had black rudders with two horizontal white stripes, 335 had white rudders with three vertical black stripes and 356, black rudders carrying a white cross.

168 squadron was disbanded on 21 April 1946.

99 Squadron Liberators: the RCAF/RAF in South-East Asia Throughout World War II, Canada's contribution throughout RAF squadrons was quite significant. In the summer of 1944, almost 60% of RCAF aircrew were serving in RAF squadrons. What effect this had on the application of nose art is impossible to determine. However, in South-East Asia Canadian influence was evident in that applied to B-24 Liberator aircraft. While the majority of RAF aircrews were a mix of Commonwealth personnel with a fair number of Americans, the most numerous in South-East Asia based Liberator squadrons were Canadians. In fact, the use of the Liberator by Commonwealth forces in that theatre had its origins in Western Canada. In early 1942, the RAF was considering the establishment of a long-range bomber force for attacking Japanese shipping and strategic targets from airfields in India. As there were no Halifax or Lancaster aircraft to be spared from the European theatre, the RAF chose the American B-24 to fill this role. For the training of the crews for these aircraft, a site was chosen on Canada's Pacific coast near Vancouver in British Columbia and was established on 1 April 1944 as No.5 OTU, Boundary Bay. The airfield at nearby Abbotsford was brought into service as a satellite training field and later became the main Liberator training base. Between 15 August 1944 and 1 October 1945, No.5 OTU trained and graduated 192 aircrew for South-East Asia Command. The newly graduated crews were then posted to No.6 Ferry Unit RAF at Dorval, Quebec, and from here they flew new Liberators to South-East Asia. On arriving in India, the new Liberator units were placed under the control of RAF Air Command, South-East Asia at Kandy, Ceylon, as a part of 231 Group RAF, Calcutta. They were: 175 Wing RAF comprising 99 Squadron at Dhubalia, India with 16 Liberator Mk VI aircraft. 154

The first unit to be equipped with Wellingtons, the squadron moved to India in early 1942, By November they were attacking enemy airfields and supply dumps. By early March 1944 the squadron had racked up over 1,000 operational sorties in World War II. In late 1944 they converted to Liberators, attacking many different types of targets but especially the Burma-Siam railway. In November 1945 they disbanded. Some of the Liberators known to have been on the strength of the unit and to carry artwork are listed below: Code Letter D D?

Serial No

Mark

Remarks

KG974

VIII

Named 'Dinah Might'

EW271

VI

Named 'Donald Duck'

G

KH360

VI

Named 'The Goon'

J

KH120

VIII

Named 'Jane'

K

EW171

VI

Named 'Ze Knave' with an outline of the head of Cap tain A.R.P. Reilly-Ffoull on the port side nose and a pin-up called 'Oh Kay' on the starboard side.

K

EW269

VI

Named 'King Kong'

M

EW255

VI

Named 'Glamour Girl'

EV982

VI

Named 'No No Nanette'

N

R

159 Squadron The squadron was formed at Molesworth, Huntingdonshire on 2 January 1942, and began operations against the Japanese in Burma during November 1942. At first equipped with the Liberator Mks II and III, by March 1944 they were flying the Mk VI and later, the Mk VIII. Many of the squadron's aircraft featured good quality nose art applied by groundcrew artist Cpl Alan Day who had also been called upon to paint art on the walls of the squadron mess hall.

.

I

Code Letter

Serial No

Mark

Remarks

B

FL986

V

A

BZ983

VI

Named 'Algie'

C

BZ900

VI

B

EV867

VI

Named 'BaWin' Bitch'

C

EV858

VI

B

KH376

VIII

D

BZ888

V

C

BZ900

III

D

FL940

III

D

BZ962

VI

D

FL969

V

Also coded V

D

EV981

VI

G

KL520

VIII

Also coded K

D

KH114

VI

H

EV889

VI

Named 'Canadian Cutie'.

D

KL668

VIII

H

FL945

III

F

BZ847

III

J

EV824

III

F

BZ955

III

K

FL991

V

F

KH321

VI

N

BZ752

V

H

KG893

VI

0

EV893

VI

H

KH162

VI

P

BZ828

VI

H

KH357

VI

P

BZ867

V

H

KN760

VIII

S

FL935

III

K

BZ833

III

T

EV823

VI

K

EW118

VI

V

FL936

Iii

P

KP136

VIII

W

BZ824

V

P

BZ845

III

X

BZ868

V

Q

KH251

VI

X

EW314

VI

Q

KH257

VI

Y

BZ899

V

VIII

Named 'Flak Happy'.

Also coded V

R

KH376

S

BZ922

III

S

KH252

Vi

T

KG921

VI

T

KL688

VI

T

EW237

VI

U

KH296

VI

U

KN759

VIII

V

KH396

VI

V

KL622

VI

V

KN762

VIII

V

BZ960

VI

Code Letter

Serial No

Mark

W

EW256

VI

A

BZ996

VI

X

EV960

VI

A

EV846

VI

X

KH170

VI

A

KH201

VI

X

KH247

VI

C

EW223

VI

X

KH408

VI

Named 'Lady X'.

C

KH119

VI

Y

KG868

VIII

Named 'Yvonne Yippee'.

D

EV921

VI

Named 'Dauntless Donald'?

Z

KH212

VI

D

EW187

VI

Named 'Dauntless Donald'?

Z

KL678

VIII

D

BZ848

III

355 Squadron Formed at Salbani, India on 18 August 1943 and initially equipped with Liberator Mk Ills, they later began to receive the Mk VI and Mk VIII. It is also worth noting that, for a period of time during 1944, some of 355 Squadron's Liberators were recorded as carrying full squadron codes. Two such examples seen in September 1944 were Mk VIs, EV902 coded EG-S and EV910 coded EG-F.

Z

EV938

VI

D

EW245

V

?

EV966

VI

D

KP134

VIIi

?

KN812

VIII

E

EW962

VI

F

BZ955

III

Remarks

Named 'The Commando Kid'.

Named 'Dauntless Donald'?

Named 'Earthquake McGoon'.

F

BZ977

VI

Named 'Fanged Fury'?

160 Squadron

F

EV940

VI

Named 'Fanged Fury'?

Re-formed in Ceylon in February 1943 after an earlier existence in the Middle East, the squadron became a general reconnaissance unit flying Liberators. For the remainder of the war it operated in the anti-submarine, PR, minelaying and special operations role. So little is known of the squadron or its aircraft that the following list of aircraft on strength is induded, even though it is unknown if any of the Liberators carried nose art:

F

KH168

Vi

Code Letter

Serial No

Mark

A

EV837

III

Remarks

F

KH186

GRVIII

F

KL683

VI

F

KN764

GRVIII

H

KH250

Vi

H

BZ923

III

H

KH234

Vi

H

EV876

VI

Named 'Hawkeye'?

H

EV989

VI

Named 'Hawkeye'?

K

BZ909

III

K

KG877

VI

Named 'Hawkeye'?

Named 'Ice Cold Katie'.

155

K

KH271

VI

L

KH280

VI

0

KN774

BVIII

R

KH210

VI

W

EW267

VI

Y

KH159

Z

BZ990

T

Named 'Lucifer'.

EW175

VI

V

KH161

VI

V

EW258

VI

Named 'Clarence'. Pilot named Dick

Named 'Twitter-ring Terror'

W

EW116

VI

Named 'Wandering Witch'

W

EW107

VI

VI

W

KL611

VI

VI

X

EV853

VI

X

EW175

VI

X

KH118

VI

356 Squadron Formed at Salbani, India on 15 January 1944, they were the first of these squadrons to be equipped with the Liberator Mk VI. Code Letter

V

X

KH120

VI

y

EW177

VI

Y

EW260

VI

Z

EV860

VI

Z

EW157

VI

Named 'Madame X'.

Named 'Yogi'.

Serial No

Mark

Remarks

A

EV982

VI

A

EW155

VI

405 (Vancouver) Squadron RCAF:

A

EW175

VI

A

KH217

VI

B

EV865

VI

Vickers Wellington 405 (Vancouver) Squadron RCAF was formed at Driffield, Yorkshire, on 23 April 1941 and was the first Canadian bomber squadron to be formed outside Canada. During World War Two, a total of fifteen RCAF bomber squadrons flew with RAF Bomber Command. Of these, only 405 Squadron flew the Merlin-powered Wellington Mk II; from May 1941 to April 1942 and on these aircraft was painted the first Canadian bomber nose art.

Pilot named Bradley

Pilot named Hyers

B

KH270

VI

C

KH120

VI

C

KG831

VI

D

BZ997

VI

D

KH272

VI

D

EW125

VI

D

EW187

VI

E

EW153

VI

Serial No

Code

Remarks

E

KG976

VI

W5638

LO-K

Six operations, 26 January 1942.

F

BZ977

VI

W5421

LQ-T

F

EV909

VI

W5443

LQ-J

Four operations. Missing 2August 1941.

F

KH111

VI

W5476

LQ-H

Twenty-six operations. Missing 30 Novem

F

KH354

VI

F

KN752

VI

W5484

LQ-G

Twenty-three operations, 30 November 1941.

G

KN746

VI

W5487

LQ-?

Burnt 4 June 1941.

G

EV911

VI

W5488

LQ-B

Missing. 28 August 1941.

G

EV983

VI

W5489

LQ-A

Nine operations. Burnt 24 October 1941.

G

KG971

VI

W5491

LQ-N

Eighteen operations. Missing 10 March 1942.

H

EW153

VI

W5492

LQ-K

Fourteen operations. Crashed 18 September 1941. Twenty-two operations. 1April 1941.

ber 1941.

Pilot named Hunt

H

KH121

VI

W5495

LQ-W

J

EW116

VI

W5496

LQ-M

Eighteen operations. Crashed 22 December 1941.

K

KH218

VI

W5497

LQ-M

Thirty-one operations. 17 April 1942.

W5515

LQ-R

Named 'Berlin or Busf, thirty-four operations 17 April

Pilot named Veitch

K

KH284

VI

N

KH254

VI

P

EW283

VI

W5516

LQ-Q

Thirty operations. 10 April 1942. Sixteen operations. 17 April 1942.

1942. (Also coded LO-Y)

P

KH115

VI

W5518

LQ-S

R

EV979

VI

W5521

LQ-P

Eight operations. Missing 7 September 1941.

R

EW287

VI

W5522

LQ-O

One operation. Lost 16 June 1941.

R

EW112

VI

W5527

LQ-F

Seven operations. Lost 2August 1941.

R

KL654

VI

W5530

LQ-L

Seven operations. Crashed 24 July 1941.

S

EW114

VI

W5534

LQ-N

Five operations. Lost 14 July 1941.

S

EW187

VI

W5535

LQ-E

Eleven operations. Crashed 1 September 1941.

S

KH113

VI

W5537

LQ-O

Four operations. Lost 24 July 1941.

S

KH121

VI

W5551

LQ-U

Three operations. Lost 24 July 1941.

S

KH357

VI

W5553

LQ-D

Fourteen operations. Lost 7 November 1941.

T

EW117

VI

W5564

LQ-O

T

KG921

VI

T

KL556

VI

156

Named 'Sadie the Gun Moll'.

Pilot named Payne

Pilot named Evans

W5565

LQ-P

Sixteen operations. 17 April 1942. (Also coded LQ-O)

W5581

LQ-X

Twenty-five operations. Lost 14 April 1942.

332 Above: Some of the crew of Liberator GR VI KH33IIG, 'The Winnie Mae' in service with 8 Squadron at Minneriya, Ceylon, in August 1945. From left: F/Sgt Deeley, FILt Davidson and FlO Charlton, whose name appears below the cockpit (Barry Ketley)

333 Above: There is some uncertainty over which squadron this leggy pin-up appeared in. Possibly on a 358 Squadron Liberator at Jessore, India, art with this name appeared on on the starboard side of EWI7I, 'K' of99 Squadron. As it is definitely not on the port side, unlike all other known art in 358, it is probably EWI7I (Barry Ketley)

334 Right: W01 Al Neno, a Canadian, on the left and Sgt Stan Wil50n from Connecticut in front oftheir Liberator B Mk VI B2983, 'A', of 159 Squadron in India in 1945. 'Algy' is an ex-US B-24J-2-CF, serial 42-64079, and was delivered direct to India, complete with American camouflage and maintenance markings, but the artwork was added at squadron level (PL27424)

157

335 Left: This stylish nude· was painted on the port side ofa Liberator of 159 Squadron seen at Digri in India in 1945. The aircraft's exact serial is

not known but the Modification Center number, 30-477, which it carried under the fire extinguishersign, is. Unforamately, the list ofUSAAFserials and equivalent Modification Centernumbers in the 30-xx.xseriesseems not to have survived (Paddy Porter 159 Squadron) 336 Above right: Liberator Mk VI EV867 (42-64224) 'Battlin' Bitch', with three missions to her credit, alsoservd with 159 Squadron. Standing in front is her navigator, FILl John Waton from Ontario, who was preparing for his twelfth mission in Burma on 31 May 1944 (PL27422) 337Lift: This is the starboard

side of the same aircraft shown in photo 335. The very three-dimensional pin-up is worthy of note. Regrettably nothing is known of the aircraft except the Modification Center number, 30-477, (here concealed by the crewman on the ladder) and the fact that she served with 159 Squadron (PL6038l)

158

338 Above lift: 'Canadian Cutie' was a Liberator Mk III, BZ9OO, of159 Squadron. Ex-USAAF42-63941 was pictured onl0July 1945 when she had completed 38 missions, each marked by a maple leaf FlO S.A. McBeath from British Columbia admires the artwork (PL60813) 339 Right: This slightly fuzzy picture shows Liberator GR Mk VIII KG868, 'Y' of159 Squadron. Ex-USAAF 44-10373, 'Y'vonne Yippee!' also carried the Modification Center number30-496. Unfortunately, these numbers did not run in any sequence related to serial numbers so on their own are little help in identifying specific aircraft. Digri, India, 1945 (Paddy Porter 159 Squadron) . 340 Right: Yet another Liberator from 159 Squadron with a mostly Canadian crew was this BMkVl,'X',KH408, e.x-44-44279. Known as 'Lady X' to her crew, she was pictured on 6 March 1945 after completing 18 missions. All the crewmembersshown here were Canadians. From left:PI o E. McDermott, wirelessoperatoI'; PIO R. Payne, bomb aimer; Sgt D. Schindler, PIO W O'Neiland FlSgt M. Kotyk, all air gunners. A clue to the identity ofthe artist responsible for the very finely drawn portrait can be just made out on the originalprint as underneath the word 'Lady' is the legend Tell.-Eng. 77036'. The name and number of one of megroundc~w?(PL6038~

159

341 Left: 'Flak Happy' was yet another 159 Squadron Liberator. This is Mk III BZ955, ex 42-64032, which was delivered in August 1943 342 Below left: FlO W Drew of 159 Squadron got soaked for the official photographer after completing a tour ofoperations with 159 Squadron. Unfortunately, apartfrom the Pegasus motitthere is no clue as to the identity of the Liberator behind him (PL60823)

343 Above right: FiLl P. G. W Walker, the pilot ofLiberator GR Mk Vlll EW283, 'Peace Persuader', of159 Squadron, admiring his mission taLLy. Seen on 10 July 1945, the aircraft (ex B-24J-155 44-10286) has 22 missions and three railway locomotives to its credit (UK22583 Ottawa) 344 Left: 'Goofy' was a Liberator VI in service with 159 Squadron. A USAAF serial, possibly 42-64126, can just be made out on the originalprint, so this may be EV822, which has apparently flown 8 missions. The pilot, FiLl John West, stands on the left, his navigator FlO Dave Kenora, on the right. (PL2742l)

160

Liberator GR Mk ViI, EW258, V, 'Clarence' of 356 Sqn RAF

Liberator GR Mk Iv, 3742, of iO (BR) Sqn RCAF

Liberator B Mk Vi, EW177, Y for Yogi, 356 Sqn RAF

.

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Beaufort Mk I, L9939, AW-W, of42 Sqn RAF

Wellington B Mk Ie, X9684, Y, of37 SqnRAF

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Halifax B Mk III, LL575, 6U-N, 'Archie the Archer' of 415 Sqn RCAF

-----------------------

Spitfire F Mk VllI, MD280, DG-R, of 155 Sqn RAF

Spitfire LF Mk Vb, W3834, YO-Q, 'Corps of Imperial Frontiersmen' of 401 Sqn RAF

Spitfire F Mk Vb, AB276, RY-K, of313 (Czechoslovak) Sqn

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Hurricane F Mk I, P2961, LE-A, of242 Sqn RAF

Hurricane Trop Mk lIe, HL608, H, 'Sir Roderic', of237 or 94 Sqn RAF

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Halifax B Mk V, LK947, of 1669 HCU

Halifax B Mk V, DK186, ZL-L, 'London's Revenge' of 427 Sqn RCAF

Halifax B Mk I1J LK765, DH- Y, 'Block Buzzter' of 432/415 Sqn RCAF

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Halifax B Mk VII, 'Moonlight Mermaid', QO-M, NP689 of 432 Sqn RCAF

HaLifax B Mk VlJ, 'Avenging AngeL', NP755, QOA of432 Sqn RCAF

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Halifax B Mk VIl, 'The Babi', NP736, QO-B of 432 Sqn RCAF

Halifax B Mk Ill, 'Zombie', MZ582, QO-Z of 432 Sqn RCAF

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Halifax B Mk Vll, NP714, EQ-A of 408 Sqn RCAF /'

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Halifax B Mk VIl, 'Willie the Wolf', NPl07, QO-W of432 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk I, 'Fightin' Pappy', RA537, ZL-P of 427 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk X, KB772, VR-R of 419 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk I, 'Fannin' Fanny', NX554, ZL-F of 427 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk X, 'The Nightmare', KB923, PT-N of 420 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk II, 'Zombie', LL725, EQ-Z of408 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk X, 'Hyar ah Go!', KB951, EQ-A, 408 Sqn RCAF

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Lancaster B Mk I, 'We Dood It Too', NG 264, IQ-B 750 Sqn RAF

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Lancaster B Mk X, 'Lady Orchid', KB 895, WL-O of 434 Sqn RCAF

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Wellington Mk XII, 'Sleepy Boy', beheved to be MP618, l-S of 407 Sqn RCAF

Fortess Mk III, 'Take it Easy', KJI17, BU-E, 214 Sqn RAF

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AusterAO? 1II, 'Grasshopper 1', MZ133, 652 Sqn

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Norseman Iv, 'Muskeg Mazie', 693 of No.8 B&G School RCAF

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BLenheim Mk 1, Ll388, W-VA, 84Sqn RAF

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Mosquito FB Mk VI, 'Black Rufe', NS850, TH-M of 418 Sqn RCAF

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Thunderbolt Mk I, FL792, ZT-D of 258 Sqn RAF

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Mosquito Mk XIII, 'Lonesome Polecat/Hi Tootsf',HK425, KP-R of 409 Sqn RCAF

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Mustang lA, 'Pistol Packin' Momma', AM25l, 0 of 414 Sqn RCAF

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345: The resident artist with 159 Squadron was Corporal Alan Day, who did not restrict his creativity to just the unit's aircraft. He was also responsible for this large scale mural on the mess hall wall which featured very accurate copies of the Seven Dwarves from the Walt Disney cartoon Snow White, which at the time was one ofthe most advanced cartoon films ever made. As seen here 'Dopey' is conspicuous by his absence (R Porter)

346Above left: 'Lucifer' was the artwork carried by Liberator B Mk V1, KH280, 'L', of 355 Squadron and was painted by the former Squadron pilot, Ray Wardell, in 1990. 'Lucifer' was the aircraft in which he flew 11 of his wartime operational flights. Another of his aircraft was EW223 which he named 'Commando Kid' (Ray Wardell)

347Above right: And this is a replica ofthe artwork on EW223, recreated by pilot Ray Wardell. It was inspired by wartime advertising by Procter and Gamble for Oxydol washing powder. Before leaving India, he made sketches of both pieces of nose art which he later used while recreating these two paintings (Ray Wardell)

348: This natural metal finish Liberator is probably Mk VIII (note nose window) KN783 (44-50037) as indicated by the visible portion of the Modification Center number, 46-37. It is alleged to be in service with 356 Squadron in India but as far as is known that unit only received Mk VI aircraft and KN783 was delivered direct to the Mediterranean theatre. The crew members are unidentified but it may be relevant to note that the man on the right wears a temperate climate battle dress jacket as opposed to tropical uniform (Carl Vincent)

177

349 Lift: An Indian armourer talking to FlO Wally Fraser from Ontario in front ofLiberator B Mk VI EW284, 'Q', of 215 Squadron. Finished in weather-worn USAAF camouflage the original serial number, 44-10287, can still be made out. The aircraft completed 28 operational missions before the end of the war, not being SOC until 11 April 1946, but when seen here was probably engaged in ferrying bombs from Kolar Junction during May-June 1944. The tail was marked with the distinctive black and white rudder markings of215 Squadron (PL60052) 350 Below: A good view of Liberator GR Mk V1n EW258, 'V', of 356 Squadron, probably at Salbani in India in late 1944. 'Clarence' has some 37 missions indicated on the bomb log and the artwork was obviously inspired by the Disneydesigned emblem of the US 79th Composite Squadron, although the wildcat now rides a bomb instead ofa barracuda fish (Carl Vincent)

351 Left: Some of the Canadian crew of 'Earthquake McGoon', Liberator B Mk VI EV962, 'E', (42-100386) of355 Squadron checking out the damage caused to their aircraft by a Japanese fighter after repairs had been carried out. The emblem features one of the characters from the Al Capp strip Li'] Abner, which was painted personally by the navigator, Bill Cosway, after he and his crew were assigned the elderly aircraft on their arrival on the squadron in November 1944. The picture was copied directly from an article in Life magazine and for every mission accomplished a miniature of the bomb held by Earthquake was added. With pilot 'Zeke' Hughes in command, the aircraft and crew flew their first operational mission on 21 December 1944, racking up 19 more by 9Apri11945, when the crew were posted to 159 Squadron

178

W5589

LQ-F

Six operations. Crashed 5 January 1942.

Z8329

LQ-L

Eighteen operations. Lost 17 January 1942.

Z8344

LQ-F

Seven operations. Lost 19 September 1941.

Z8358

LQ-B

Thirteen operations. Lost 8April 1942.

Z8412

LO-P

Twenty-three operations. 17 April 1942.

Z8414

LQ-U

Z8418

LQ-U

Ten operations. Crashed 12Apri11942.

Z8419

LQ-V

Thirteen operations. 25 March 1942.

Z8421

LQ-T

Z8428

LQ-N

Seven operations. Lost 14 April 1942.

Z8431

LQ-J

Eleven operations. 17 April 1942.

nose art. On 2 June 1945, 407 was ordered disbanded, and all personnel had left by 20 June.

408 (Goose) Squadron Handley-Page Hampden 408 (Goose) Squadron RCAF was formed at Lindholme, England, on 24 June 1941 and was the second bomber squadron to be formed outside Canada. The squadron flew the Handley-Page Hampden bomber from July 1941 to September 1942 for a total of 1,217 sorties, the last operation on this type being against Wilhelmshaven on the 14/15 September 1942.

407 (Demon) Squadron 407 Sqn ReAF was formed, on paper, at Thomey Island, Hampshire, on 8 May 1941. It became the RCAF's fourth Coastal Command squadron and the second to be formed outside of Canada during World War II. Personnel began to arrive on 22 May 1941, and the squadron had an aircraft establishment of 20 Blenheim Mk IVs, all of which were replaced in June with Hudson Mk Vs. The squadron undertook two distinct phases of operations. The first, carried out from early 1941 until January 1943, was strikes against enemy surface shipping. The second, from January 1943 until disbandment in June 1945, involved strikes against U-Boats and coastal patrol duties.

Serial No

Code

L4042

EQ-?

P1165

EQ·B

P1166

EQ·K

P1244

EQ·Y

P2073

EQ-?

P5334

EQ·Q

P5392

EQ-W

X3051

EQ-?

AD754

EQ-Y

AD829

EQ-E

AD870

EQ-?

Remarks

AD980

EQ·Y

On 16 August 1942, the squadron crest was unveiled including the motto 'To Hold on High' which had been taken from the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John McRae. The squadron was 'adopted' by No.9 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mont Joli, Quebec, some of whose Anson trainers carried nose art of a dem
AE133

EQ·X

AE143

EQ-X

AE148

EQ-B

AE196

EQ-M

AE197

EQ-N

AE219

EQ-R

AE227

EQ-D

In early April 1943, F/Sgt Tiberio recorded the nose art and the artist in front of Wellington Mk XII, RR-S, MP618 'Sleepy Boy'. Little is known of the artist other than his rank and name; LAC Norman Hughes, a member of 407 Squadron. The aircraft's eleven missions are recorded as miniature copies of the main 'Sleepy Boy'

425 (Alouette) Squadron RCAF

AE244

EQ-P

AE245

EQ-C

AE289

EQ-W

AE393

EQ-G

AE432

EQ-S

AE433

EQ-D

AT113

EQ-A

AT139

EQ·A

AT154

EQ·B

AT180

EQ·B

AT189

EQ-G

AT191

EQ-A

AT220

EQ-G

AT224

EQ-A

AT227

EQ-L

AT228

EQ-T

AT437

EQ-U

'B for Bar'

On 22 June 1942, an organisation order was issued authorising the formation of Canada's fifth heavy bomber squadron in England. 425 Squadron came into existence three days later at Dishforth, Yorkshire, and came under the control of 4 Group of RAP Bomber Command. What 179

made this squadron unique in RCAF history is the fact that it was formed as a French-Canadian unit, and its air and ground personnel were all French-Canadian. Their motto became "Je te plumerai" (I shall pluck you), their nickname became 'Alouette' and the squadron crest depicted a hovering skylark. This was not to be the first time that a skylark was used as a militaristic emblem. Centuries before, their French ancestors, the Gauls, had used this same lark image as an official tribal emblem, engraving it on their helmets in time of war. 425 Squadron began training on the Vickers Wellington Mk III bomber in August 1942, with eight crews flying the first mission to Aachen on 5 October 1942. By April 1943, the 'Alouettes' had successfully bombed Bochum, Cologne, Duisburg, Essen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Mannheim and Stuttgart. However, the squadron was next to operate in a new theatre of war-North Africa. Operation 'HUSKY', the invasion of Sicily, was about to begin. 425 would now fly the tropicalised Wellington Mk X in support of the invasion. By the middle of June 1943, the majority of aircraft and personnel had reached their new base at Kairouan/Zina in Tunisia and became part of 205 Group, 331 Wing of the Mediterranean Air Command.

AFrench-Canadian Turtle With Wings 425's offensive foray in this new theatre began on 26 June 1943 when they attacked the town of Sciacca, continuing on with raids against other Sardinian ports and Sicilian airfields. One aircraft, HE978, X for X-Ray, immediately acquired a reputation for being slow, usually the last aircraft back, but always coming back. Night after night, KW-X flew different crews to their targets, always the last to return, but never acting in a temperamental fashion like other aircraft in the squadron. The aircrews began to feel a kind of condescending confidence in the slow 'Wimpey'. She was dependable, and she got you home alive. Now the ground crew began to lavish extra hours of work and attention on X-Ray. After each operation, the ground crew would paint a small orange bomb on her nose and talked with quiet pride about 'their' bomber. If the aircraft got shot-up, the ground crew would work continually to have her ready for the next operation. At the close of the Sicilian campaign, she had not missed a single operation, a squadron record of 32 about which the ground crew were justly proud. X-Ray's ground crew were Cpl Andre Lupien from Lac a La Tortue, Quebec; LAC Yvon Monette from Montreal, Quebec; LAC Eric Merry from Vancouver, B.C; LAC. C. Schierer from Ponoka, Alberta. Pilot Officer Armitage from Miniota, Manitoba, was a bomb-aimer who flew in X-Ray and coined the name 'Turtle - Slow but Sure'. The ground crew were delighted with the name which became her nose art. On the port nose they painted a winged turtle holding a large bomb in his claws. She was now flying daylight missions, and

180

these were recorded with white bombs, but the 'Turtle' was no longer looking her best and her life could now be measured in hours. A big surprise for everyone was that her performance now improved, and in her last four operations, she was always in the first group of aircraft to return. In mid-September 1943, she completed her fortysixth consecutive operation to Italy, but when she returned, many of her bearings were worn out. She was now taken off of operations and ordered to a salvage unit. While looking over the aircraft in her final hours, one of the crew said that she deserved a DFC. The ground crew readily agreed to this and painted a DFC ribbon beneath her bomb 'mission tally' of 46 consecutive French-Canadian bomber missions. Slow she may have been, but she was no Aesop's fable to the men of 425.

MacRobert's Reply Lady Rachel MacRobert was born in the USA, the daughter of a famous New England physician, mountaineer and explorer. As the wife of Sir Alexander MacRobert of Douneside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, she gave birth to three sons. In 1938, FlO Sir Alasdair MacRobert was killed in a training accident. F/Lt Sir Roderic Alan MacRobert, a Hurricane pilot with 237 Sqn. in the Western Desert, failed to return from an intruder mission over the Kirkuk oilfields on 20 May 1941. Then, on 29 June 1941, Lady MacRobert's third son, PIO Sir Ian MacRobert, a pilot of a Wellington bomber in RAF Coastal Command, was lost with his crew over the North Sea. In 1940, Lady MacRobert was made the wartime President of the British Spitfire Memorial Fund. In 1941, in memory of her three sons, she donated the full cost of three Hurricane fighters and one Short Stirling bomber for the RAF The Stirling served with 15 Sqn. 15 Squadron reformed as an RAF bomber squadron in March 1924 where it operated as a test and development squadron. In 1934, it was again reformed, this time as a day bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Hart and Hind aircraft which it kept until 1936 when they reequipped with Fairey Battles. On 2 September 1939, the squadron moved to France, remaining there until returning to England in November to re-equip with the Vickers Wellington twin-engined bomber. In April 1941, 15 Squadron became the second RAF unit to receive the new, four-engined Stirling bomber, flying them operationally for the first time against Berlin on 30 April. On 3 July 1941, Lady MacRobert mailed a cheque for £25,000 to the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair. This gift was to pay for one bomber which would bear the family name and so carryon the fight in memory of her three late sons. In October 1941, a brand-new Mk I Stirling bomber, N6086, became LS-F of 15 Squadron. On the lower nose was painted the family crest and badge while below these, in white letters, was painted the legend, 'MacRobert's Reply'. The aircraft flew the first of

twelve missions on 12 October 1941. On 2 November 1941, a special presentation was made where a message from Lady MacRobert was read to the crew. The last operational flight ofN6086 took place on 29 January 1942, when it was amongst a group of bombers sent to bomb the Tipitz in Trondheim, Norway. While landing at Peterhead, Scotland after the raid, the aircraft ran off the runway and was damaged. Ken Stofer of Victoria, B.C. recalls: "I was serving in the RAF as a Wireless Directional Finding Operator, stationed at a mobile unit at Peterhead, Scotland in February 1942. I was walking

across the 'drome one day when my curiosity led me to a Stirling bomber that had pranged a few days previously. The bomber was sitting tail up, nosed into a snow bank on the edge of the runway. I cannot recall the actual nose art, but do vividly recall the name 'MacRobert's Reply'. I must acknowledge that, at that time, the name meant nothing to me". N6086 was eventually repaired and sent to 101 Conversion Flight, and later to 1651 Conversion Unit where it was lost in a fire during the spring of 1943.

352 Right: 'Yogi', Liberator B MkV1 EW177 (42-99863) serving with 356 Squadron at Salbani, Bengal, India in 1944. The battle-scarred fakir has 28 mission markers and the Modification Center number 30-30 353 Be/olY left: 'KariocaJoe' (sic), the parrot, was one of the Three Caballeros in the Disney film of that name. The aircraft (KH271?) had a Canadian crew, carried out at least 28 supply missions, and probably belonged to 358 Squadron (R.L. Ward) 354 BelolY right: Liberator 'D', possibly KH353, of358 (Special Duties) Squadron, Jessore 1945 (R.L. Ward)

181

\

. ---

~

355: 'The Woodcutter' adorned the nose ofLiberator B Mk VI KHI60, 'W' of 358 Squadron, seen at Jessore, India, in 1945. This is confirmed by the US serial number 44-10725 which is just visible on the original print. During one ofthe special duties supply drops which were the unit's allotted tasks, FlO Kearns and his crew had a narrow escape in the aircraft on 28 July 1945 when they returned safely to base after hitting trees in bad weather, removing four feet of the starboard wing in the process. This may well be the origin ofthe name and artwork seen here (R.L. Ward)

..---

--....... 356 Above: This highly decorated Liberator VIII, FH-Y of 53 Squadron, was making one of the last trooping flights from India before disbandment in June 1946. Liberally covered with graffiti, the serial is not known for certain but ends in -43 (Bruce Robertson) 357 Left: Blenheim Mk IV 'Joy' belonging to an unidentifiedsqu.adron (454?) in the Middle East, festooned with typical DesertAir Force aircrew 'types' and decorated with obviously Australian artwork. Note the dust filter under the engine cowling (Bruce Robertson)

182

357: This Blenheim Mk 1, Ll388, VA-tv, of84 Squadron was abandoned at Athens in the face of the German advance in Greece in 1941 and officially struck off charge on 10 June that year. Very few Blenheim Is carried nose art so this picture is particularly rare. Just visible on the solid white panel applied to the nose glazing is a picture ofa cartoon fish or whale, possibly relating to the individual·code letter. The artwork is shown in greater detail in the colour section of this book

358: Sharkmouths on medium bombers are uncommon, particularly when as striking as that on this Blenheim Mk IV; 29585, when used by 89 Squadron, a Beaufighter-equipped nightfighter unit, as a squadron 'hack' in the Mediterranean. Here it is sometime between June and late October 1942. Probably acquired unofficially, the aircraft wears a question mark instead of a code letter and survived until 27 October 1942 when it was struck off charge (Bruce Robertson)

359: 342 (Lorraine) Squadron was one of the Free French units to operate Boston Mk [IIAs from April 1943, when this picture was taken. This one wears the Cross of Lorraine as a unit emblem and 35 operation markers indicating both day and night missions. Note the interesting nose access door! ladder for the bomb-aimer and the opening hatch for the pilot to enter the aircraft. Neither could reach the other in flight (Bruce Robertson)

183

360: Unidentified aircrew,

among them two Canadians, of 418 Squadron, the sale intruder squadron of the RCAF Behind the'J:n is weathered Boston Mk Ill, possibly W8356, carrying a minute name, 'Canadian Woodchopper' and a very small rendering of Donald Duck. There is a barely legible red letter 'D' in front of the propeller warning stripe and 35 mission markers (PL2860l)

361: Another Boston Mk 111

of 418 Squadron, this one being TH-'T for Toronto'. Regrettably the serial number is unknown (PL7302)

362: TH-V, W8317, was an-

other Boston Mk 111 of418 Squadron and carried this elaborate maple leaf and a kill emblem. Although not visible here the aircraft was named 'Turner Valley', after the Alberta oil boomtown. It survived operations to be struck offcharge on 19 September 1944 (PL15889)

184

363: This Hampden Mk I, AD852, coded UB-N of455 Squadron carries a rather strange piece ofnoseart featuring Hitler carrying what appears to be a very large candle. This was the first Australian bomber squadron to form in Britain. The style ofthe fuselage roundel dates this picture to about July-August 1942, while the squadron was based at Wigsley as a part of Coastal Command in the torpedo bombing role. Shortly thereafter' a detachment went, with their aircraft, to Russia (R.L. Ward) 364: Syerston, 30 September I94I. SIL WI Burnett DFC of 408 Squadron seated in his Hampden Mk I which carries three mission markers in the form of tomahawks. Unfortunately, although the squadron code letters, EQ, are known, that ofthe individual aircraft and its serial number are not, although another picture taken at Syerston on the same day shows AE288. It was not uncommon for a single aircraft to be used in a series ofposed offical publicity shots, so it is quite possible that this is AE288 (PL4701)

365: One for the ground crew's albums. In the background is Hampden Mk I AE238, EA-'P for Popeye' of 49 Squadron. Scampton, 1941 (RL Ward)

185

366: This tired Lockheed Ventura GR MkY,2247, 'R' (ex-BuAer No. 34807) served with the RCAFfrom 16 October 1943 until 11 August 1950. Seen here at the end ofthe war, still in US Navy three-tone camouflage and carrying Donald Duck painted on the fuselage (Wi. Balogh Snr via D. Menard)

367: A closer view ofthe rear fuselage of Ventura 2247 showing Disney's irascible duck falling over and saying "Pull what string?" (WJ. Balogh Snr via D. Menard)

368: This RCAF Ventura (possibly 2144) was seen at the end of the war at Argentia, Newfoundland. If it is 2144, then the date must be before 3 June 1945 when she was lost at sea (Bill Horton)

186 )

369: Another extensively decorated Ventura recorded at Argentia, unfortunately with no indication of the aircraft's identity (Bill Horton)

370: Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig were to be disappointed as the war was long over before any RCAF aircraft reached Tokyo. Another of the Venturas at Argentia with artwork applied on the production line at Burbank by artists from the nearby Disney studio (Bill Horton)

371: Something ofa mystery ship, this Ventura is alleged to have been in service with the RCAF at the end of the war atA rgentia, Newfoundland. The serial is not RCAF (6432 belonged to anAvro Anson) but neither is it the manufacturer's construction number as that would make it ex-BuAer 49616, which was never delivered to the RCAP. It is in fact in South African service. 22 Squadron SAAF Venturas operated out of Gibralter from June 1944 in the GR role, but whether any went as far afield as Newfoundland seems unlikely. Mickey Mouse would know the answer (Bill Horton)

,

187

372: An inflight shot of Ventura M k IIAE854 of464 Squadron, seen earlier in closeup in photo 51. The tiny sharkmouth is just visible on the framing to the lower portion ofthe nose cone. Coded SB- 'J for Joybelle' the aircraft completed 18 operational missions, including Operation 'Oyster', the famous attack on the Philips' radio works in Eindhoven in Holland on 6 December 1942. After service with 464 Squadron, the aircraft went to 299 and then to the Empire Central Flying School before finally being struck offcharge on 3 August 1945 (Barry Ketley)

373: Seen in an unfamiliar environment for a Ventura, this is Mk V FP612,yel!ow 'F', of 459 Squadron at Gambut in the Western Desert. Sporting what appears to be fieldapplied camouflage, thepainters took care to leave the fuselage artwork ofDonald Duck, falling flat on his face on a patch ofthe original US Navy colouring, who had been applied at the factory by an artistfrom the nearby Disney studios. FP612 eventually went to the Iraq Communications Flight, with whom it eventually crashed on 25 April 1946 (Barry Ketley) 374: Seen in a totally different climate to the aircraft above, this Ventura GR Mk V, 2195, is shown as it appeared while serving with 149 (RCAF) Squadron on Annette Island in Alaska in 1943. Ex-BuAer No. 33315 served from 14 June 1943 untillOMarch1951 when it was struck off charge. Here Mickey Mouse seems to be holding a cane and appears on the original US Navy camouflage

188

375: Yet another rendition of Donald Duck on a Ventura can be seen on the fuselage of Mk V FN957/G, which was undergoing trials with A&AEE at Boscombe Down in May 1943. The trials centred around the Martin CE250 CE7 turret which was found to offer low drag and a poor view. The aircraft retained its US Navy threetone camouflage and the studio-applied Donald Duck who ties· a knot in a Hitler-headed snake with the statement "We start with the simple knots Adolph". The aircraft later went to 22 Squadron SAAF (Barry Ketley)

376: Despite the dreadful setbacks which befell the RAFin the Far East in 1942, some aircraft still carried nose art. This Hudson Mk 111, AE486, 'N' of the GR Flight of 221 Group is pictured at Magwe in Burma on 27 February 1942. Probably once in service with 139 or 62 Squadron, the aircraft's nose is decorated with what appears to be a kangaroo holding a Japanese soldier by his leg, indicative of some kind of Australian connection. In the background is a Tiger Moth, Z04, of the Burma Volunteer Air Force (D. W Warne via Geoff Thomas)

377: Seen in a hangar at No. 8 Repair Depot, Winnipeg, Manitoba, this Hudson1IIA carries nose art featuring a donkey, the symbolism of which remains obscure. The number on the nose, 6317, is the constructor's number which makes this an A-29LO, US serial 41-23500, which in turn translates into RAF serial BW638, the last three digits of which can be made out under the wing. The date is probably sometime in summer 1943 as the machine joined the RCAF on 24 February 1942 and was written offafter a crash at Rockcliffe on 9 December 1943 (Lloyd Carbert)

189

378: An unidentified Cana-

dian crew serving with Coastal Command in front of their Hudson which carries an emblem of Walt Disney's Pluto and the motto 'Pluto's Patent Picku-Up. Day and Night Service'. Unfortunately no other details are known (PL33818)

379: This Hudson Mk III,

T9465, was a bonus for the RAP. As the artwork suggests it was a gift from the employees ofLockheed. It is seen here on the Icelandic coast in late 1941 after being ferried ashore on a lighter where it subsequently served with 269 Squadron based at Kaldadharnes on anti-submarine patrols (Bruce Robertson)

380: The ugly cowling ofthe

ill-fated Rolls-Royce Vulture engine dominates this picture of Manchester L7474 during service with 97 Squadron. It did not enjoy a long career, lasting only from 9 August 1941 unti112 March 1942 when it was abandoned after icing up on a training flight with 106 Squadron. It had completed only two operational missions, one ofwhich was with 61 Squadron. As shown here it carries the name 'Sri Penglina',acquired soon after the squadron was named 'Straits Settlements' of Malaya. Most aircraft received a name in Malay based on the local fauna (PL 7079)

190

381: Another Manchester Mk IA from 97 Squadron was L7522, OF- V, named 'Sri Garuda' (Eagle). FISgt George E.A. Pendrill is shown seated at the controls soon after he and his crew had returned from a raid against Cologne on 7 November /941. During the mission L7522 was attacked by Oblt Heinrich Griese in a Messerschmitt Bf 1I OC-4, WNr 3597, of3.1NJG 1. Unfortunately for Griese and his radio operator, Helmut Schehke, Sgt Jones, L7522's rear gunner, was the quicker in an exchange offire which killed Schenke and seriously wounded Griese. The Bf110 crashed near Obaix in Belgium. Six weeks later Pendrill and his crew were all lost in another aircraft

382: FlSgt R.H. Loveitt (2nd left) and his crew; Downing, Morris and Wallace-Pannell pose in front of their Beaufort L9939, A W- 'W for Wreck' of 42 Squadron after they had successfully torpedoed and seriaL/sly damaged the German heavy cruiser Lutzow off Norway on 11 June 1941,putting her out ofaction for six months. The silhouette of the German vessel is shown on the nose as well as a Heinkel He 115 claimed by the crew. L9939 went missing on a 'Rover' anti-shipping patrol on 16 October 1941

383: In tribute to the memory ofherthree sons, two ofwhom were killed with the RAp, Lady MacRobert of Aberdeenshire paid £25,000 towards the cost ofthis Stirling Mk I, N6086, LS-F It is seen here soon after hand over to FlO PiS Boggis and his crew of 15 Squadron on 10 October 1941. 'MacRobert's Reply' carried thefamily coat ofarms on its first mission, against Nuremburg, two days later. After a take-off accident in snow on 29 January 1942, it went to 101 H CU and then to 1651 HCU where it was lost in a fire early in 1943

191

384: A carefullyposed official picture of some unidentified Canadian aircrew who manage to hide any clue on the Stirling aircraft behind them which might identify the unit. All that can be seen is the nose art on the nearest aircraft which carries a heartfelt plea to 'Let's allgrow old together" (PL45310)

385: Another unidentified Stirling which had Canadian connections. It carries a surprising piece of nose art featuring a dinosaur. Apartfrom the date, 1941, no other details are known

386: FlO Cowan posing in front ofWellington B Mk III X3794, WS- V, of9 Squadron, seen at Waddington in Lincolnshire, sometime between July 1941 andAugust1942.At that time the squadron began conversion to the Lancaster. Named 'Barbara-Mary'in the simple style then prevalent in Bomber Command, she completed 14 operations with 9 Squadron, and was still with the unitattheendofJuly 1942. Transferred to 75 Squadron, she was subsequently lost in the North Sea, with the entire crew, during a raid against Emden on 4 September (Lewis Brown viaRL Ward)

192

387 Right: Wellington B Mk Ie Rl593, OJ-N, of149 Squadron. The drunken firefly represented the crew: wings-the pilot, antenna-the WOp, stingthe tail gunner, the eyes- those of a half-blind navigator, the whole symbolising a crew which flew by night and was drunk by day. The aircraft survived combat to be SOCfrom 21 OTU on 6 July 1945 (RL Ward) 388 Below left: Another outline style emblem is seen on this 99 Squadron Wellington soon after arrival at Digri, India in November 1942. The inscriptions read: "lllegitimo Carborundum. Up Your Pipe"and"Let's S?it onJerry" (Geoff Thomas)

389 Above right: This veteran Wellington carrying a joker emblem belonged to 36 Squadron, probably during the unit's time in the Middle Eastin 1943. The script reads "The more we are the merrier" 39 missions are marked (Bntce Robertson) 390 Right: Ground crew in front ofFlO D. Clyde-Smith's WellingtonMkIeRlOO8,HAA, of 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron at Marham on 5 July 1941. Named 'Mampong', after a place in the African colony(?), there are 31 barely visible mission markers aft ofPinnochio and some illegible chalk writing near the bomb-aimer's window (D. Clyde-Smith via R. L. Ward)

193

391: "So What The Hell" is

the slogan on this Wellington Ie, HX392, 'K' of 40 Squadron in the Middle East, which carries the emblem of Leslie Charteris's 'Saint' and a tally of 64 bombing missions and a supply drop. The aircraft is shown as it appeared in about October 1942 when it was flown by S/L 1. E.S. Morton. Despite the obviOLLv intensity of the operations flown by the Wellington squadrons in the theatre, little seems to have been recorded about their efforts (Bruce Robertson)

392: Proud groundcrew in

front of their charge, Wellington Mk Ie WS-'Z for Zola' of9 Squadron in 1941. This is almost certainly R1341 which carried out 35 operations with the squadron between 22 February and 12 A ugustl 941, when it failed to return from a raid against Hannover. As seen here Zola had 16 ops to her credit, a very finely painted rendering of the Daily Mirror cartoon hero Buck Ryan's girlfriend and some graffiti, probably inspired by slight flak damage just below the painting. On the original print it is possible to see the name 'Zola' written in tiny capital letters in the bottom left hand corner of the pin-up (Tim Mason)

194

393: Captain A.R.P ReillyFfoull from the Daily Mirror cartoon strip appeared on the nose of this Wellington Ie, IN- 'A for Apple', of 150 Squadron. Major-General Jimmy Doolittle, commanding officer of the US 8th Air Force allegedly flew an operation as co-pilot in an aircraft with this code on 17/18 May 1943, but the serial number is not known for certain. Note the bomb log and the lucky horseshoe (Bruce Robertson)

394: The last Wellington Xs in service with 99 Squadron were replaced by Liberators in mid-1944. This one carries nose art showing a tiger shredding a Japanese rising sun flag and an illegible motto in what appears to be Hindi. Just visible in the background is 'E' or 'F' of the same squadron. Note the groundcrew sheltering from the sun (Geoff Thomas)

395: A more familiar motif was to be found on this Wellington which bears the famous logo of the Younger's Brewery Company and a tally of14 ops, each marked by a pint of Younger's best. Note that the apertures in the turret for the guns have been sealed (Bruce Robertson)

195

~;11"

:), ~ .. ~

396: The artist and his art. This is LAC Norman Hughes who painted the 'Sleepy Boy' emblem and maple leafonto this Wellington GR MkXII or MkXIV of 407 Squadron. Eleven missions are shown by miniature versions of 'Sleepy', one of the Seven Dwarves from the Walt Disney version of Snow White. White Coastal Command camouflage made a good background for nose art... (Leo Tiberio)

397: 'The Fiery Queen' makes her first appearance on a Wellington Mk X of 425 RCAF Squadron, sometime between May and October 1943 when the unit was based in North Africa. The serial is not known for certain but apossible candidate would be HZ514, which is known to have been aircraft 'Q'. The Queen has already amassed 11 missions, each marked by a star. Very similar artwork later appeared on a Halifax III of the squadron, shown in photo 123 (Pat Dancose)

398: Another 425 squadron desert Wellington carried an interesting piece ofartwork, unfortunately truncated in this picture, which shows a seated bull cradling a bomb while riding on a magic carpet. Named 'Barney's Bull', there is also a motto, (in Welsh) which reads "Ar Hyd Y Nos" translating as "All Through the Night". No other details are known (PL27549)

196

399: 425 Squadron had some exceptional aircraft. This is Wellington Mk X HE978, KW-X, and is shown at the end ofher operational career when she had amassed 46 operations, 14 by day, and been awarded a DFC by her crew for her reliability. Notably slow, and appropriately marked with a winged turtle riding a bomb, she never failed to bring her crew home. A fuller account of her career can be found on page 179 (Pat Dancose)

400: S/L Joseph McCarthy DFC from Toronto in front ofhis Wellington B Mk X of 424 Squadron. 'The Terror of Axis Night Life' is believed to have been HE687, coded QB-T, although another candidate may be HE515. Both aircraft served with the squadron in Tunisia during late September 1943 when this picture was taken. Each wineglass represents a completed operation (PL18385)

401: This 425 Squadron Wellington was named 'Chat-An- Ooga- ChooChoo' after the Glen Miller hit. Here the extensive artwork is being admired by Canadian F/Sgts Art Jackson, B.H. Tremblay and Joe Ross. Another truck was added for each mission. The most likely aircraft to have carried the name is B Mk X HF477, which was coded 'C'. The picture was taken at Kairouan, Tunisia, on 12August 1943 (PL18242)

197

" .... 'z'.·....'~J'!. . .

,

", --....

. . . .~ ~

-

f

402 Left: Another view of 'Chat-An- 00 ga- ChooChoo' reveals a train of trucks of which the Canadian Pacific Railroad would be proud. Tunisia, AugustSeptember 1943 (Pat Dancose) 403 Below: A more official form ofnose art was found on this brand new Mosquito B Mk 20, KB329, the third Canadian-built example to be sent to the UK. Pictured in December 1943, this is one ofa number ofaircraft which were marked as presentation machines, in this case 'Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada', in recognition ofthe city's contribution to the Victory War Loan fund (Bruce Robertson)

404 Left: Late in their careers, some Mosquitos adopted tail markings. This is an FB Mk VI, PZ471, YRF, of 21 Squadron, pictured as part of the occupying forces in Germany in 194546. The official squadron crest of a hand holding a dumb bell has been applied on a pre-war style grenade background as allocated to bomber squadrons and is shown in more detail in the colour section ofthis book. Unusually the Sky code letters have been outlined in Night or Roundel Blue for better contrast against the Medium Sea Grey and Dark Green camouflage (Bruce Robertson)

198

MOSQUITOS The hillbillies 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron

Mosquito nose art and AI Capp

418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron was formed at Debden, Essex, on 15 November 1941 and was the first RCAF Intruder unit to be formed outside Canada, flying the Douglas Boston and deHavilland Mosquito on day and night intruder missions. They became one of the topscoring squadrons in the RCAF and were credited with the destruction of 178 enemy aircraft and 83 V-1 flying bombs. Of the latter, 76 were destroyed over the English Channel and seven over England itself. The official record, however, stands at 79 112. A V-1 destroyed over England counted as a half 'kill' while those shot down over the Channel were counted as a full 'kill.' In March 1943, the squadron moved to the airfield at Ford on the south coast of England and began to exchange its Bostons for the Mosquito. It was with the appearance of the Mosquito that the Capp nose art, painted by artist FlO D. Roberts, began to appear on the aircraft.

In 1933 Al Capp was an assistant on the Joe Palooka cartoon strip. In 1934, at the age of 24, he had a new idea and launched a comic strip called 'Li'l Abner' featuring hillbilly dialect and social satire in similar fashion to that of Mark Twain. His extraordinary collection of characters such as 'Moonbeam McSwine', 'Stupefyin' Jones' and 'Appasionate von Climax' became instant hits as nose art subjects along with others of his creations such as 'Kickapoo Joy Juice', 'Skonk Works' and the famous 'Dogpatch' institution of 'Sadie Hawkins Day.' As a result, many of Capps creations were used to decorate the aircraft of 418 Squadron.

TH-S

HR148

VI

405 Above: Crowds gathered around the well-worn Canadian-built Mosquito B Mk IX, LR503, of105 Squadron during the briefstopover at Calgary on 9 May 1945. With 213 operational missions to his credit, 'F for Freddie' held the record for combat operations carried out by an RAFaircraft-and quite possibly any other air force. Note the Soviet-marked C47 in the right background (Calgary Herald collection from Glenbow Archive)

TH-C

TA374

VI

Mosquito aircraft of 418 Squadron 1943-1945: Code

Serial Mark

TH-A

Remarks

VI

TH-D

VI

TH-E

PZ219

VI

TH-F

RS561

VI

TH-G

RS560

VI

TH-H

HJ764

VI

Named 'Pappy Yokum'.

199

TH-H

NT137

VI

TH-J

NT115

VI

TH-K

HR358

VI

TH-K

HX811

VI

TH-L

NS857

VI

TH-M

PZ235

VI

TH-M

HR241

VI

TH-N

HR324

VI

TH-N

MM428

VI

TH-P

PZ414

VI

TH-R

HR149

VI

TH-T

SZ965

VI

TH-U

SZ962

VI

TH-V

NS930

VI

TH-V

RS569

VI

TH·V

SZ467

VI

TH-V

HJ763

VI

TH·W

HJ821

VI

TH-X

NX953

VI

TH-X

SZ964

VI

TH-Y

NT153

VI

TH-Y

NT162

VI

TH-Z

HR184

VI

TH-Z

HR147

VI

Carried an unofficial City of Edmonton crest.

Named 'Black Rufe'.

Named 'Hairless Joe'.

418 squadron was disbanded at Volkel, Holland on 7 September 1945. On 15 April 1946, the squadron was reformed as an auxilliary squadron and was equipped with the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. In 1950, the squadron wrote to Al Capp requesting permission to paint individual squadron aircraft with characters from the 'Li'l Abner' strip just as they had done on their wartime Mosquitos. Permission was granted and Al Capp was duly made an honourary member of the squadron and sent a photo al.bum of the nose art which had been painted onto the aircraft by LAC Bill Bredin.

The story of Mosquito 'F for Freddie' During the spring of 1945, an RCAF-crewed RAF Mosquito bomber was scheduled to visit Canada on a Victory Bond tour with her crew, pilot F/Lt J. Maurice W. Briggs DSO, DFC, DFM and navigator, FlO John C. Baker DFC and Bar. In April of that year, Briggs and

Baker had left England for the flight to Canada in their own Mosquito, 'D-Dog' but were forced to turn back due to mechanical problems. On their return they were given a replacement aircraft for their tour, a well-known Mosquito B Mk IX coded GB-F, serial LR503, known as 'F for Freddie' which carried nose art of a mosquito dropping a bomb on Hitler. 'F' had flown with 109 and 105 squadrons in the RAF, setting a record 213 operational flights. On 6 May 1945 'Freddie' touched down at Downsview, Ontario, home of de Havilland Aircraft of Canada and the factory at which Canadian-built Mosquitos were produced. The first was rolled out from the factory on 29 September 1942 and now, as part of the celebration for the roll out of the 750th Canadian-built Mosquito, Briggs and Baker gave an exciting display of low-level and high-speed flying. It was also at Downsview that Captain Edward Jack of Ferry Command became the third crew-member for 'Freddie', to accompany Briggs and Baker as flight engineer on their tour. Completing their assignment at Downsview, the three man crew and aircraft now departed to tour Western Canada where they again thrilled crowds with their low-level and high-speed demonstrations.

On 9 May 1945, the day following the end of the war in Europe, 'Freddie' and crew arrived for a two day stay at Calgary, Alberta. That afternoon, thousands of spectators gathered at the Calgary airport to watch the displayas the Mosquito zoomed over rooftops with only feet to spare. Briggs, Baker and Jack, took their display literally through the streets of downtown Calgary, flying below the rooftop heights of the Palliser Hotel and Hudson's Bay Company. The next afternoon, on 10 May, another demonstration flight was scheduled before they departed for the Lethbridge and Red Deer stops in their tour. Scheduled to begin at 3.00p.m., the flight was delayed to allow Edward Jack to make some adjustments to the engines then, shortly after 1600, as the crew made ready to leave, Jack was suddenly taken ill. On Briggs' advice, Jack decided to sit out the trip and left to watch the display from the control tower. The Mosquito took off to the north into a strong wind and then turned back towards the airport to perform highspeed, low-level passes over the small crowd of spectators that had gathered. On the third pass, and with a strong tail-wind, the aircraft sped over the airport at over 400mph. As they approached the control tower, Briggs swooped upwards but the port wing struck two metal poles on the hangar roof. The impact sheared off the port wing and the Mosquito tumbled end over end, out of control, smashing into the ground one mile south of the control tower. Both crew members were thrown clear of the wreckage but were killed instantly. 406 Left: 'Ffor Freddie' dies. Seconds after the impact with the hangar roof and moments before the inevitable crash, a fast-moving photographer took this picture at 16.25 on 10 May 1945. A horrified spectator watches helplessly (Calgary Herald)

200

407: LR503, GB-'F for Freddie' receives the 203rd mission marker while with 105 Squadron, watched by the crew responsible, FIL T.P Lawrenson and FIL D. WAllen DFC. One of them (on right) is a New Zealander. Although a B Mk IX bomber, the clear perspex nose cone has been overpainted, the bombaimer's window being completely black

408: When LR503 arrived in Canada after completing 213 missions, the mission markers had been changed from white to black and the perspex nose had been reinstated. It is also apparent that the insect and Hitler emblems had been repainted. Compare the difference in the tails ofthe insects shown in this picture and 407 above, and also the different colours ofthe uniform worn by the figure (Bert Sharpe)

409: The last picture of the ill-fated crew of LR503, taken some 30 minutes before the fatal crash at No 37 SFTS, Calgary, Alberta. On the left is the navigator FlO John Baker DFC and Bar. On the right is the pilot, FIL Maurice Briggs DSO, D FC, DFM (Bert Sharpe)

201

410: Mosquito B MK XX KB162 was the first of its kind to cross the Atlantic (in August 1943). Another of the Canadian-built machines to carry the presentation name of a Canadian town, in this case 'New Glasgow, Nova Scotia', KB162 went to 139 Squadron (as XD-J) in December 1943 where it remained until written off at Warboys after the port engine lost power on take-offon 14 October 1944. The bomb load exploded on impact, FIL N Taylor and FI o W W Jackson both being killed (Bruce Robertson)

411: Canadians PIO E.A. Oswald (on left) and FlSgt K.B. Hicks of406 Squadron joke for the official camera about the name on their Mosquito. This is probably a Mk XXX, possibly NT283, seen on 17 November 1944 (PL 33638)

412: Another 406 Squadron

Mosquito XXX, named 'Jeannie' and fitted with a highly unusual gun camera fairing. The Canadian crew were FlL B. Boake (in the hatchway) and FIL P.E. Fienne (PL41151)

202

413: Virgins seem to have been popular in 406 Squadron. This one was a Mosquito FB Mk XXx, pictured on 17 November 1944, at the time the unit changed its role to that ofnight intruders. The pilot of 'The Impatient Virgin', FlO DJ McConnell from Ontario lounges on the wing, while his navigator, FI o M.l Kazakofffrom Saskatchewan, leans against the radiator intake (PL3365l)

414: 409 Squadron were more ambitious with their choice of artwork. Here FI o Joe Carpenter finishes off his version ofDonald Duck on Mosquito NF Mk XIII MM523 (KP-D?). The picture was taken on 1 August 1944, probably at Carpiquet in France, as the unit was the first nightfighter squadron to move to the European mainland after the invasion in June 1944. FIL Bill Marr watches (PL31843)

203

415 Above: FIQ S.N M~y and his navigator, PIO S. Rich, of 418 Squadron in front oftheir Mosquito FB Mk VI, TH-L, (serial probably NS587) decorated with the red stockings of Flame McGoon,. from the 'Li'l Abner' cartoon strip (PL31279)

416 Above: FlO D. Roberts ~f 418 Squadron puts the finishing touches to 'Available Jones', another ofthe eccentric characters to be found in the township of Dogpatch created by Al Capp (PL28738)

417 Below: The voluptuous Flame McGoon, here mislabelled as 'Daisy Mae' (who was a brunette) of'Li'IAbner' fame, catches the eye of LACWH. Lowe. 418 Squadron had some very fine artworks on their Mosquito FB Mk VIs, but failed to consider future historians when they omitted to identify the aircraft on which they were carried... (PL28489)

418 Below: This is one ofthe few 418 Squadron Mosquito Mk VIs that can be positively identified. It is NT137, TH-H, with her crew of FlO Bernard Job RAp, the navigator (on the left) and pilot FIL John Phillips D FC ofOntario. 'Lady Luck' was not one ofthe ladies from Dogpatch, but was based on the Alberto Varga calendar pin-up for May 1944 (PL4114l)

204

419: Yet another ofthe ladies from Dogpatch on a Mosquito FE Mk VI of 418 Squadron was 'Moonbeam McSwine', seen here on THo, S2962. In front of the aircraft are two ofthe top crews on the unit. L-r: SIL Howie Cleveland and his navigator Sgt Day and 1st Lt James F. Luma (USAAF) and his navigator, FlO C Finlayson. It is not known which crew flew the aircraft in the background, which carries 8 solid swastikas for confirmed day kills and a similar number broken to indicate those by night on the Night undersides. There is a typically Canadian maple leafon a disc decal on the crew door (Pl28467)

420: Another view of Mosquito Mk VI 'TH-L' of418 Squadron, this time showing the air and ground crews. Again, there is a Canadian maple leaf decal on the access door and an illegible name (PL31294)

421: This 418 Squadron Mosquito Mk VI, 'Cousin Jake', flown by John T Caine among others, was obviously a successful intruder as the aircraft carries 18/12 confirmed day kill markings, 13 by night and two V-Is shot down. It seems that many ofthe 'Li'IAbner' characters to be found on the unit's aircraft were the work ofFlO D. Roberts. See also photo 422. Of interest is the fact that 418 was the RCAF's highest scoring nightfighter unit of the war, with all but six of its kills made in aircraft not fitted withAl radar (PL33519)

205

422: Air and ground crew gathered in front of'Cousin Jake', a 418 Squadron night intruder Mosquito FB Mk VI. Front row, I-I': LACs L.B. Kilgour, Stan Wardill and E.H. Stevenson. Standing, II': Cpl F.J. Moore, FlO John T Caine (pilot) and LAC G.K. Palmer. It seems that this aircraft and that shown in photo 421 may not be the same aircraft as there are subtle differences in the artwork (PL28481)

423 Far left: FlO D. Roberts finishing offhis artwork on 'Hairless Joe', a Mosquito FB VI of 418 Squadron. Roberts was apparently responsible for much ofthe art featuring characters from the 'Li'IAbner' cartoon strip (PL28489) 424 Left: The crew of this Mosquito Mk VI of 418 Squadron had a Varga-inspired pin-up on the door of their machine (taken from another aircraft) and a Red Indian on the port side. Both sides of 'Lonesome Polecat-Hi- Toots' are illustrated in the colour section (PL33516)

425: Mosquito FB VI NS850, TH-M, of 418 Squadron was flown by FI L Robert Kipp DSO, DFC. Marked with yet another of the hillbilly characters from Dogpatch, 'Black Rufe' scored the lOOth kill for the squadron and as pictured here still retained standard RAF nightfighter camouflage of Medium Sea Grey and Dark Green. Kipp survived the war with ten kills to his credit but was killed in a postwar flying accident in Canada in 1949 (PL33524)

206

426: FlL Tom Mathew (on left) and FlO Syd Seid admire the unoffical 'City of Edmonton' crest on the door of this intruder Mosquito FB Mk VI, TH-J, (serial probably NT1I5) of418 Squadron. Seid was a Jewish-American in the RCAF with a deep hatred of Germans. The results show in 25 swastikas on the nose. Seid's dog, Mastich, is unmoved. 18 March 1944 (PL40800)

427: Air and groundcrew from 418 Squadron use a Mosquito Mk VI decorated with 'Hamfat Hommhan', another grotesque Dogpatch character, as a backdrop. The men are, l-r: FlO Bert Ford, LAC Roy Clack, FlO John Clark, Cpl v: Granthum and LAC W. Jackson (PL28487)

428: 'Lj'l Abner' himself graces the nose of SIL Howard Cleveland's Mosquito Mk VI intruder. Cleveand was the last CO of 418 Squadron,from 24 May 1945 until 7 September, the day when the unit disbanded at Volkel in Holland. By that time, at least eight swastika kill markings had been added below the name (PL28485)

207

429: Unidentified Canadian aircrew admire a painting of Li'l Abner's pipe-smoking mother, Mammy Yokum, who holds a plate carrying Hitler's head. The subject matter and style of the artwork suggest that this is a 418 Squadron machine (TH-E, PZ219?) but is not confirmed (PL40814)

430: Another rendering of Li'IAbner on a 418 Squadron Mosquito, this one still in standard nightfighter finish. The wear and tear on the paintwork of all the squadron's aircraft is noteworthy. While muscular, Abner was not noted for his intelligence. In one episode creator Al Capp hadAbner proving he had the lowest lQ in America by getting him to wear a ridiculous zoot suit with huge shoulders and bat-like lapels (PL29159)

431: S/L Heath DFC and Bar (right) and his navigator of605 Squadron in front of their intruder Mosquito FB Mk VI, UP-C, seen at Castle Camps in June 1943. Named 'Wolf', the aircraft had some unusually placed kill markings

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432 Above: Groundcrew from 27 Squadron admire the artwork on F/ L J Torrance's Mosquito FB Mk VI (probably HJ811) decorated with Popeye dispensing his form ofjustice to a Japanese-headed snake. The squadron was the first to receive Mosquitos in the Far East (in April 1943) but replaced them by Beaufighters in March 1944. Torrance and his navigator, F/Sgt Shortis carried out the IQngest distance raid by the unit over Burma (1200 miles) on 13 january 1944 (GeoffThomas)

433 Below left: Texan S/L Vic Cherry of 418 Squadron in front of his Mosquito Mk VI which is decorated with Walt Disney's rooster, 'Panchito', one of the 'Three Caballeros'. 29 May 1945 (PL44242) 434 Below: Mosquito tail art on FB Mk VI TA379 showing 4 Squadron's sun and lightning emblem in the immediate post-war months while the unit was part ofthe occupation forces in Germany (Bruce Robertson)

209

FIGHTERS Spits, Hurris, Jags and other vessels 1 (Ram) Squadron RCAF: Hurricanes

No.1 (RCAF) Squadron was formed as a fighter squadron at Trenton, Ontario, on 21 September 1937, with five Siskin Mk III aircraft. In November, when they were nearing operational status they were ordered to their new base in Calgary, Alberta. The long-obsolete Siskins were loaded onto railway cars for this move, which was completed during the summer of 1938. With the gathering of war clouds over Europe, the Canadian government decided that it was high time that Canada purchased some modern front-line fighter aircraft. Twenty-four Hawker Hurricane Mk I fighters were ordered from the UK, with twenty arriving before the outbreak of hostilities. These aircraft were taken from an order for the RAF and bore the serials L1759-L1763, L1878-L1890 and 2021-2023 and were shipped by sea to Vancouver, B.C. The first seven to arrive were re-assembled and testflown and given the RCAF serials 311, 315, 316, 324, 327, 328 and 329. On 17 February 1939, a detachment from No.1 (RCAF) Squadron arrived at Sea Island, B.C., to take delivery of the first of these new aircraft. During the visit to Canada of the King and Queen during May of that year, the squadron provided a three aircraft escort for their Majesties during their visit to Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Their escort duties completed, the aircraft were now prepared for their flight to the squadron's

210

new base in Calgary. Hurricane 316 (ex-L1879), piloted by S/Ldr E.G. Fullerton was the first to fly the Rocky Mountain route, landing at Calgary on 1 June 1939. On 30 August 1939, the squadron was ordered to prepare for an immediate move to St. Hubert, Quebec, for training as they were Canada's sole modern fighter unit. S/Ldr Fullerton and Sgt C.E. Briese ferried two aircraft to Ottawa, where they arrived on 2 September. By 10 September, the unit had completed its move to St. Hubert where they acquired new personnel and aircraft. On 4 November, under their new CO, S/Ldr E.A McNab, seven Hurricanes flew from Montreal to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, their allotted training station. Following a six-month training period, the squadron, with their aircraft, embarked on the 'Duchess of Athol' for the trip across the Atlantic to England. On arrival in England, the squadron was assigned to operate under the control of 11 Group, RAF Fighter Command, joining other fighter squadrons responsible for the defence of south-east England. 435 Above: FIL E.C.R. Likeness in the cockpit ofhis 412 Squadron Spitfire Mk IX, MJ959, VZ- W, on 3 April 1944 at Biggin Hill. Nicknamed 'Lucky', Likeness, in another aircraft, had just shot down an FW190 off Normandy on 5 May when he was brought down by a newly-arrived light flak battery as their first 'customer'. MJ959 ended its career with the French GC III (PL28543)

During its stay in Calgary, the squadron had adopted the Canadian Rocky Mountain sheep as its emblem and took the nickname, 'Ram Squadron'. An unknown artist had also designed the insignia of a winged Rocky Mountain sheep and it is believed that the idea came from the flight over the Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary. The original artwork bears some similarities to that of Walt Disney, but no records of this artwork are to be found in the Disney archives. Unfortunately, to date no photographic or written proof can be found that this design was applied to any on the squadron's aircraft. If it was ever applied, then it was most likely lost when the Hurricanes were replaced. On 25 June 1940, Air Chief Marshal Dowding visited the squadron where he noted that the aircraft were still fitted with the two-bladed, fixedpitch Watts propeller. Within a matter of four days new Hurricanes began to arrive and the older aircraft were returned to the RAE If any of these older Hurricanes ever carried any artwork, squadron or personal, it was now lost. Only one RCAF-serialled aircraft took part in combat in the Battle of Britain when 323 (ex-L8816) which had sustained damage in an accident in Canada on 14 March 1940, arrived by sea after the other Canadian aircraft had been replaced by more modern machines. For some reason it was pressed into service and coded 'YOD' it was flown on 5 October by Flt/Lt P.B. Pitcher from Montreal when he destroyed a Bf 109 and damaged a BfllO. No.1 Squadron can lay claim to many firsts for Canada during World War Two: first to engage the enemy, first to score victories, first casualty as a r~sult of combat operations and the first awards. In August 1940, RAF Fighter Command authorised five squadrons to paint national emblems on their aircraft. They were: 302 (Polish) Squadron, 303 (Polish) Squadron, 310 (Czech) Squadron, 312 (Czech)Squadron and 1 (RCAF) Squadron.

5405

TOG RGAF 20 July 1942. Gat.G accident 4 Feb 1943, SOG 135

5408

TOG RGAF 20 July 1942. Gat.G accident 10 May 1943, SOG 135

5410

TOG RGAF 20 July 1942. Missing on patrol 26 April 1943, SOG

5411

TOG RGAF 23July 1942. 459.3 hrs, SOG 135 Sqn 13 July 1946.

5412

TOG RGAF 23 July 1942. 423.4 hrs, SOG 30 June 1946.

5413

TOG RGAF 23 July 1942. Gat.G accident 21 Sept 1942,

5414

TOG RGAF 5Aug 1942. Flew on Victory Loan Drive 11 April

5415

TOG RGAF 5Aug 1942. Gat.A accident Pat Say 10 Nov 1942,

5416

TOC RGAF 5Aug 1942. Grashed into sea 20 March 1943,

5417

TOC RGAF 5Aug 1942. Gat.S accident 4 Sept 1942, SOC 135

Sqn 30 June 1947.

Sqn 10 July 1947.

135 Sqn 20 May 1943.

Mossbank., SOG 135 Sqn 17 April 1947.

1945, SOG 135 Sqn 20 Aug 1946.

SOC 135 Sqn 11 Nov 1942.

SOC 135 Sqn 31 March 1943.

Sqn 30 June 1947. 5418

TOG RGAF 5Aug 1942. Gat.G accident 25 Oct 1944, SOG 135 Sqn 20 Aug 1946.

5419

TOC RGAF 5Aug 1942. Gat.S accident8Aug 1942, SOG 135

5420

TOG RGAF 5Aug 1942. Mid-air collision with Hurricane 5417, 22

5421

TOG RGAF 12 Aug 1942. 463.50 hrs, SOG 135 Sqn 30 June

5422

TOG RGAF 12Aug 1942. Gat.C accident Pat Bay 3Aug 1942,

5423

TOG RGAF 12Aug 1942. Lost at sea 8 Feb 1944, SOG 135 Sqn

Sqn 6 July 1943.

March 1943, SOG 135 Sqn 30 March 1943.

1947.

SOG 135 Sqn 13 July 1946.

4 April 1944. 5424

TOG RGAF 18Aug 1942. Gat.C accident 27 May 1943, SOG 135

5425

TOG RCAF 18Aug 1942. Gat.C accident 29 Nov 1942, SOG 135

Sqn 15Aug 1946.

Sqn 26 June 1947. 5503

TOG RGAF 16 Oct 1942. SOG 3 July 1947.

5579

TOG RGAF 6 Nov 1942. Gat.G accident 9 Sept 1943, SOC 135 Sqn 16 Oct 1946.

242 (Canadian) Squadron RAF: The order was for national emblems only, 'Positioned on fuselage sides close to pilot's position and conditioned not to exceed 100 square inches in total area'. This early artwork did follow the official guidelines, but soon pilots and ground crew alike began to paint artwork on various parts of the forward fuselage of their aircraft.

135 (Bulldog) Squadron RCAF: Hurricane XII

Aircraft on charge with the squadron between 20 July 1942 until May 1944 were as follows: Serial No

Remarks

5377

TOG RGAF 16 June 1942. Flown by 133 Sqn. Gat. Baccident 20

5404

TOG RGAF 20 July 1942. Gat.A accident 21 Dec 1943, SOG 135

Feb 1943, to 135 Sqn. SOG 13 July 1946.

Sqn 8 Jan 1944.

While it is impossible to determine exactly when Canadian nose art first appeared on fighter aircraft in World War Two, it is very likely that it was first applied to the Hurricanes of 242 Squadron. No. 242 Squadron RAF was first formed in August 1918 where it saw a short and uneventful life as a coastal reconnaissance unit, being disbanded on 15 May 1919. It was reformed on 30 October 1939 at Church Fenton, Yorkshire. The entire aircrew section was made up of a random selection of Canadian pilots, from five of the nine Canadian Provinces, all of whom had joined the RAF before the outbreak of war. The squadron crest reflected this Canadian content by containing a Moose's head above the French motto 'Toujours prete' ('Always ready'). Initially, all of the ground personnel were British but later, the majority were replaced by Canadians. Up to 1 November 1939 it remained a 'paper' formation until Squadron Leader Fowler Morgan Gorbeil arrived

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to take command. The real flow of pilots to the squadron began on 5 November 1939 with the Calgary-raised William Lidstone McKnight arriving on the 6th. Squadron training began in mid-November and was carried out using a Harvard, a Fairey Battle and three Miles Magisters. The squadron received its first operational aircraft, a mix of Fairey Battles and Bristol Blenheim Mk Is in December 1939. By 12 February 1940, the squadron had converted to the Hawker Hurricane, receiving twelve Mk Is before becoming fully operational on 23 March 1940. Photos of the squadron's aircraft taken at this time show a few of the Hurricanes with a small emblem or artwork painted beneath the cockpit. One of these, LE-X, N2381, is known to have been operational in France. The squadron moved to Biggin Hill in mid-May and on 16th of that month, was ordered to France, but it did not arrive as a complete unit, four pilots arriving with 607 and 615 squadrons and six flying there as 'A' Flight of 242 Squadron. By 20 May 1940, most of the RAF squadrons had returned to England. Once in England the squadron pilot strengths were partially restored and again, 242 returned to France, finding itself at Chateaudun on 8 June to reinforce Nos 1, 73 and 501 squadrons. Ten days later, the surviving airworthy Hurricanes of 242 returned to England. The end of the fighting in France also signalled a change in command for the squadron; SILdr Gobeil relinquishing command and returning Canada to take up instructional duties with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. On 24 June 1940, SlLdr D.R.S. Bader took command of the squadron at Coltishall. This change in command also unfortunately coincided with the start of the de-Canadianisation of 242, although at the same time Bader allowed the squadron's well-known (Hitler getting the boot) nose art and other individual artwork, to adorn many of 242's Hurricanes. The original nose art was painted onto the aircraft by RAF groundcrewman, LAC Tom Elgey. Many years later, on 30 July 1982, Mrs. Connie Elgey presented Sir Douglas Bader with an original watercolour painting of her husband's famous Hitler nose art. Flying Officer William Lidstone McKnight RAF, DFC & Bar William Lidstone McKnight was born in Edmonton, Alberta on 18 November 1918. One year later the family moved to Calgary where he was raised at 115 Garden Crescent, close to the Elbow River. He attended Stanley Jones and Crescent Heights High School, graduating from the latter in 1937. In 1938 he had begun studying for a career in medicine at the University of Alberta, but his desires were not satisfied. He knew that the Royal Air Force was accepting applications from Canadians to become pilots so he submitted his and on 6 January 1939, left for pilot training in England.

At the beginning of World War Two, the governments of Canada and Britain agreed to form an RAF squadron

212

comprised of Canadians. This was to be 242 Squadron and it was be the squadron to which McKnight was posted. He achieved his first 'kill' on 19 May 1940 and was awarded the DFC on 14 June 1940 and a bar on 8 October 1940. The citation for this award reads, "P/O William Lidstone McKnight has destroyed six enemy aircraft during his last thirteen weeks. He has proven himself to be a most efficient section leader, and has consistently given proof he is a courageous and tenacious fighter". On 12 January 1941, PIO Brown and FlO McKnight left England on a 'Mosquito' raid, attacking a German 'E' boat in the Channel and strafing German troops along the occupied coastline. During this strafing, a German Bf 109 fighter appeared and the two Hurricanes split up. This was the last time that anything was ever seen or heard of the 23-year old McKnight. Willie McKnight was the most outstanding of all Canadian fighter pilots during the first two years of World War Two and was one of the first Canadian fighter pilots to paint personalised art on his aircraft. This took the form of a skeleton brandishing a small scythe and was painted on each side of the fuselage beneath the cockpit canopy, first appearing, it is believed, in December 1940. It is also believed that if was McKnight himself who applied these markings, the starboard design being somewhat different to that on the port side. His personal aircraft, which also carried the 242 nose motif, was a Hurricane Mk I coded LE-A with the serial P2961. Corporal Noel Barlow RAF The original aircrew in 242 (Canadian)Sqn. were all Canadian and the ground crew entirely British. As early as December 1939 the British Air Ministry had attempted to find and post Canadian tradesmen to this squadron. By the spring of 1940, some sixty had arrived, one of whom arriving in March 1940 was the Welsh-born Noel Barlow. After his father was killed in France during the Great War, his mother re-married in 1923. Subsequently Noel was adopted by his new father and became a Barlow.

The following year, the family emigrated to Canada, settling in a farm at Cessford in southern Alberta, moving again in 1932 to a new farm near Carsland. It was here that Noel experienced his first yearnings to fly after watching two biplanes fly over the farm. He immediately began to save so that he could obtain his Private Pilots Licence. He joined the Calgary Flying Club in 1936, where he began his lessons under instructor Howard Sangathe and qualified for both his private and commerciallicences in 1937. Now, fresh out of flying school, Noel sailed for the

u.K. at his own expense, full of hopes of becoming a pilot in the RAP. When he arrived in England in December 1937, he learnt that he had not been fully informed about the training age limits in the RAP. After a trip of over six thousand miles, Noel received a severe shock,

436: A group of242 Squadron pilots at the time of the Battle of Britain and their famous commander, the then Squadron Leader Douglas R. S. Bader, who sits in the centre ofthe group. Canadian ace (17 + 2 shared kills) FlO Willie McKnight is believed to be seated on the extreme left (Author'S Collection)

437 Right: FlO William L. McKnight DFC in front of his Hurricane P2961, LE-A, shortly before he was shot down and killed during a 'Rhubarb' on 12 January 1941, possibly by Fw Helmut Briigelman of8.1JG26, who was himselfkilled three days later (lWM) 438 Far right: The port side of Hurricane P2961 shows that the personal artwork was, unusually, painted on both sides ofthe aircraft by McKnight himself There were slight differences between the two skeletons, which are illustrated in the colour section of this book (lWM)

439: Douglas Bader and Willie McKnight admire the unofficial 242 Squadron badge applied to the nose of the Hurricanes flown by both Bader and McKnight. What is not commonly known is that the emblem, of Hitler getting the 242 boot and which was painted by LAC Thompson, was applied on both sides of the nose, a fact confirmed in a letter from Bader himself dated 4 September 1975. He also notes that he flew a Hurricane marked LE-D (Noel Barlow)

213

440: Cpls L.R. Graham (standing) and TRyland from 402 Squadron attend to one of their Hurricanes which wears the unofficial 'Butch the Falcon' emblem. Appropriately, this was FI Sgt Butch Handly's Mk liB, BE489, AE-Q. Digby, late 1941 (PL7117)

441: A monochrome copy ofan original 401 Squadron decal of the unofficial squadron emblem featuring a flying Rocky Mountain ram. Shown actual size, colours are a red-brown sheep with yellow horns and hooves, cream breath and wings, all on a cream-outlined grey-green disc (Rick LeBlanc)

442: On 1 March 1941, the Prime Minister of Canada, WL. Mackenzie King, visited the newly formed Canadian 401 Squadron at Digby. Here he shakes hands with the pilot of Hurricane Mk 1 V6605,YO-N, Al Harley, who flew several aircraft, each named 'Do' after his wife, Dorothy (PL4602)

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443: FlO Arthur 'Taffy' Clowes D FM, a veteran of the campaign in France, about to climb into the cockpit of his Hurricane Mk I, P3395, of 1 Squadron, RAF Pictured here in its dispersal pen at Wittering in October 1940, the worn aircraft carries Clowes's personal wasp insigne. Each stripe on the insect's tail represented an enemy aircraft shot down. Here there are seven but by the end-of the month he had 911lconfirmed victories. Clowes survived the war but died in 1949 (R.L. Ward)

444 Right: Artwork on the Hurricane of SIL R.L. Mannix, CO of 33 Squadron (Eagle) who was killed on 18 November 1942. The panel appears to have been cut from the engine cowling 445 Far right: 'Roy' du Vivie1; a Belgian pilot giving a cheerful salute from the cockpit of his Hurricane at the time he was CO of 43 Squadron. in early 1942. The artwork (on a panel which has been riveted in place) shows the Belgian and RAF ensigns with the black and white checks of 43 Squadron. Du Vivier survived the war with JIll confirmed kills and a probable (RL Ward)

446: Canadian PIO J Muff in 'The IsobelleA', a Hurricane Mk IIC of 28 Squadron with whom he was flying in Burma on tactical reconnaissance missions from January 1943 (R.L. Ward)

215

447: Despite the loss ofthree sons, the indomitable Lady Rachel MacRobert donated money for four Hurricanes and a Stirling. Contradicting previously published information, the original print of this photo clearly shows'Sir Roderic'to be Trop Mk lie, HL608, H, apparently in brand new condition. Note the night-flying exhaust shield. Only two cannons are fitted. 'Sir Roderic' saw service with 237 Squadron in Iran, which could mean that the three named machines known to have been with 94 Squadron may have included the fourth aircraft, named 'The Lady' after Lady MacRobert herself (Martin PeggY

448: This Hurricane Trop Mk IIC bomber is LB792, C, serving with I J3 Squadron, probably at Yelahanka in India in late 1943. It wears India Command markings of the time with what appears to be a small figure balancing a squadron leader's pennant on its head. The CO's aircraft? (Geoff Thomas)

449: Cheelful Canadian pilots of258 Squadron admiring the nose art on FISgt W Thompson's Hurricane in Ceylon in late 1942. From left: PIO N.M. Scott, Thompson and PIO L. Miller (PLl8354)

216

450: Elephants were, naturally enough, a popular motiffor artwork out in the Far East. This one is believed to be on the rudderofa Hurricane Mk 1I of 135 Squadron, probably at St. Thomas Mount, near Madras, in India in late 1943 with S/L C.A.C. 'Bunny' Stone, the CO, in front. The original caption to the photo simply identifies it as 'the Back End' (Geoff Thomas)

451: The style of the jovial elephant on this Hurricane strongly suggests that it was by the same hand, and therefore on the same squadron as that in photo 450 above. Probably 135 Squadron, India late 1943 (GeoffThomas)

452: This Hurricane Mk llB is BM995 (S?) in service with 258 Squadron, based at the Racecourse, Colombo, Ceylon, probably in mid1942. Close study ofthe artwork on the nose reveals it to be a· small figure of a Japanese soldier, with the inevitable buck teeth and glasses, being kicked smartly up the rear by a winged flying boot. Note that the aircraft is notfitted with a tropical air intake to the engine (Geoff Thomas)

217

453: This Hurricane Mk II is in service with 17 Squadron during the traumatic events in Burma of MarchApril 1942. The man on the left appears to be PlO Neville Brooks of No 17 who force-landed at Magwe on 21 March after being attacked by Japanese Ki 27 fighters. Whether this is his aircraft is not known. The tiger head emblem bears a strong resemblance to that ofthe IstArmoured Brigade (Geoff Thomas)

454: This variant ofthe Eagle Squadron insigne was carried by the Hurricane of American F/L Lance Wade while he was serving with 33 Squadron in the Western Desert. The author's reproduction ofthis can be found on page 175 (Rex Probert)

455: Czech Sgt Karel Pavlik painting his personal good luck emblem on his Spitfire Mk VbAB276, RY-K, of313 Squadron. The slogan means 'Good Luck' but sadly failed to bring much to Pavlik who was shot down and killed (in another machine) at 15.40 during a 'Circus' mission over France on 5 May 1942. He was the 70th victim of the famous German ace, 'Pips' Priller and crashed to his death some 11 km southwest ofYpres, Pavlik's Spitfire V being no match for the German's Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (Jaromir Kohout)

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he was turned down for pilot training; he had just turned 24, the RAF age cut-off limit. Disappointed, he was diverted to groundcrew training and became an engine fitter at No.6 S.F.T.S. Shortly after the outbreak of war, he heard that Canadian groundcrew were needed for 242 (F) Sqn. He volunteered his name for the list and six weeks later joined the squadron at RAF Church Fenton. Thus, 610348 Cpl.Noel Barlow began an association with the squadron that would last until September 1941. During this time he became the only aircraft mechanic to work on Hurricane LE-D, serial no. V7467, the personal mount of the e.O., S/Ldr. Douglas Bader, beginning a friendship between Noel and his e.O. that would last a life time. Noel recalled that the famous 242 nose art was first adopted by the squadron when S/Ldr.Bader took command in June 1940, and that all squadron aircraft originally carried this artwork. For his work during the Battle of Britain, Noel Barlow was mentioned in dispatches by Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, C in C Fighter Command. A very rare distinction for any RAF corporal. Later in his career, Noel was accepted for pilot training at No.3 British Flying Training School at Miami, Oklahoma. While undergoing training there he penned a story on his former e.O. Douglas Bader entitled "My Ideal". At the end of his course he became involved in a minor altercation in the Officer's Mess. The RAF commanding officer. W/Cdr. Roxborough received a mild slap on the back and the Noel presented him with half a bottle of whisky. On the morning of the. Wings parade, Cadet Barlow was informed that he would not be falling in with his classmates. For the second time, the Royal Air Force had, in time of need, rejected a trained pilot. In 1945, Noel Barlow finally received his Wings and Commission at No.15 S.F.T.S. at Claresholm, Alberta and ended the war flying Liberator bombers on No.355 Sqn . RAF in India and Burma. After nine months of operational flying in the Far East, FlO Noel Barlow ended his RAF career and returned to farming in southern Alberta. During the early 1960's, Mr. And Mrs. Noel Barlow were the special guests at a party held in honour of Sir Douglas Bader, hosted by Calgary Alderman, Clarence Mack. During the party Bader asked Alderman Mack why Calgary streets were only named for dead people and not the living. Ubarn Guishon overheard this remark and asked why not name a street after Noel Barlow? On 23 December 1966, the Calgary Planning Commission proposed the naming of ten major thoroughfares, No.4 being "Barlow Trail." On 3 January 1967, clause E37 was adopted by the council, with Major Leslie in the chair. In 1987, Calgary City Council recommended that Barlow Trail be re-named "Olympic Way" to commemorate the city hosting the February 1988 XV Olympic Winter Games. Due to cost considerations the proposed re-

naming was defeated, and to date, Barlow Trail remains named for Noel Barlow.

Czechoslovakia On 15 March 1939, Germany invaded and occupied Czechoslovakia without a single shot being fired. The Czech Air Force at this time possessed over 500 frontline fighter aircraft which immediately fell under Luftwaffe control. Many outraged Czech pilots managed to escape to France from where they flew against the German Wehrmacht. As the Blitzkrieg in the West continued and France fell, hundreds of these Czech airmen made their way to England to continue their fight. On 10 July 1940, the first all-Czech squadron, 310, was formed at Duxford with Hurricane fighters. This was followed by a second squadron, 312, also with Hurricanes, which became operational at Duxford on 29 August 1940. Many of these Czech pilots had experienced some extraordinary adventures in their journey to England. Like the Poles, their aggression against their foe was fierce and, like their Allied contemporaries, they too began to add artwork to their aircraft. On 10 May 1941, a third Czech squadron was formed at Catterick, No. 313 with Spitfire Mk lIs. By October of that year, both 310 and 312 had converted to the Spitfire Mk II and all three squadrons then flew as a Czech Wing in the RAF. The Czech pilots served gallantly until the end of the war, earning undying fame in the annals of the RAF. Sergeant Pilot Karel Pavlik, nose artist Karel Pavlik was born in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia (Doubravka) on 18 November 1918. Upon completing elementary schooling to took up a career as a sign-writer. Before the outbreak of World War Two he joined the Czech Air Force, completing his elementary training as Germany invaded. On 15 July 1939, he began his long journey to England with stops in Poland and France. With the fall of France, he made his way to England where he completed his pilot training with the RAF in August 1941. On 14 September of that year he was posted to 313 Sqn. at Catterick where he became the aircraft artwork artist.

On 5 May 1942, while flying his Spitfire Vb, serial No. BM261 as part of an escort for Boston bombers attacking targets at Lille, France, his squadron was attacked by Fw 190 fighters from III./JG26. In the ensuing dogfight Sgt.Pavlik fell victim to the guns of Luftwaffe ace 'Pips' Priller, to become Priller's 70th victim. His Spitfire crashed at Dranouter village, 10 kilometers SW of Ypres at 1545hrs. In the spring of 1945, British soldiers recovered the remains of Sgt.Pavlik from the wreckage of his aircraft at a depth of some 18 feet. Sgt.Karel Pavlik was laid to rest in grave 4-A-41 at Ypres cemetery.

The Spitfire and Presentation Artwork The prototype Spitfire first flew in March 1936, but it did not reach full production status until February of 1939.

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By the winter of 1939-40, a Mk.I (Ll090) was made available for Canadian evaluation. In the spring of 1940, Canada's most famous air ace. Air Marshal W.A.Bishop VC, DSO, MC, DFC was photographed beside the aircraft. This aircraft was returned to England in August 1940, when the need for fighters was at its highest. The Hurricane had entered service before the Spitfire and officially, had been allowed to carry the first fuselage art. However, during the Battle of Britain it was the Spitfire which had caught everyone's attention, becoming the most popular fighter aircraft and leading the field in presentation artwork. In the summer of 1940, numerous 'Spitfire Funds' were established by public bodies and clubs to raise the funds for more fighters. Any donor of £5,000 or more was entitled to name an aircraft, and as long as it remained in service, would bear the donor's name. The actual marking was arranged by the Ministry of Aircraft Production and applied at the factory. The standard specified four inch yellow capital letters, but many received special artwork, motifs, coats of arms and plates mounted on the aircraft fuselage. Naming ceremonies were not normally allowed, but some special events were open to the press and reported around the world. The "Colonial Air Armada for the Defence of England" also collected donations from all around the British Common-' wealth, and by 2 August 1940, £1,745,662 had been sent to England for aircraft. This contribution would pay for forty bomber aircraft and 160 fighters.

4 December 1941:

a Macchi 200.

January 1942:

a Sf 109.

14 February 1942:

a Macchi 200.

He was awarded the DFC in early March 1942 and had completed 220 hours of operational flying in 161 sorties. Posted to the Fighter School at El Ballah as an instructor and in November 1942 re-joined 92 Sqn at Sidi Barrani. 9

8 January 1943:

a Macchi 200.

10

1 January 1943:

a Macchi 200.

11

11 January 1943:

a Macchi 200.

12

21 January 1943:

a Junkers Ju 87.

13

1 March 1943:

a Macchi 200.

14

1 March 1943:

a Macchi 200.

15

3 March 1943:

a Sf 109.

16

4 March 1943:

a Sf 109.

17

4 March 1943:

a Sf 109.

18

5 March 1943:

a Sf 109.

19

5 March 1943:

a Sf 109

On 20 September 1945, SILdr Duke completed his third tour of operations, completing 496 sorties and had a final score of 28 enemy aircraft destroyed, six probables and ten damaged. He returned to England where he was posted to the Hawker Aircraft Company as a test pilot. In June 1948 he resigned from the RAF to become a permanent test pilot for Hawker's, becoming chief test pilot in 1953. On 7 September of that year he set a new World Speed Record by flying the new Hawker Hunter jetfighter to a speed of 727 m.p.h.

Presentation Spitfire Artwork During World War Two, four RAF squadrons received the title 'East India' following the presentation of Spitfire aircraft to the units; these being 65, 92, 123 and 149 squadrons. The photo on page 212 clearly shows the presentation inscription beneath the cockpit of F/Lt Neville Duke's aircraft. Neville Frederick Duke, OBE, DSO, DFC and two bars and AFC, was born on 11 January 1922 at Tonbridge, Kent, and became interested in flying while watching aircraft at the nearby RAF station at Biggin Hill. He took his first flight at the age of ten years. Leaving school in the summer of 1939, he joined the RAF in June 1940. After months of intensive training he was commissioned as Pilot Officer and posted to 92 (East India) Squadron At Biggin Hill. He was credited with nineteen kills up to the date of this photograph, taken on 6 March 1943. They were: 25 June 1941:

a Sf 109 over Dunkirk.

9August 1941:

a Sf 109 over northern France.

On 12 November 1941, he was posted to 112 Sqn in North Africa. 3.

November 1941:

a CR.42.

4.

November 1941:

a Sf 109.

5.

November 1941:

a Fiat G.50.

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The Canadian Policeman presentation fighter In early 1942, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, together with other police forces across Canada, had collected sufficient funds to purchase one Spitfire for the RCAF in England. The fighter, a Spitfire Mk.Vb, serial No. BL900, was allocated to No.5 Maintenance Unit on 17 February where the chosen name 'The Canadian Policeman' was applied in yellow letters. A special plaque, mounted on the fuselage read,

"This Spitfire was purchased under the sponsorship of the Police Association of Ontario, with donations from police in all parts of the United States. A complete list is on file with Sir Phillip Game, Commissioner of Scotland Yard, London, England." The naming of the fighter was normal for presentation aircraft but, for the very first time, a non-military organisation (Police Association) was allowed to name the pilot for it. The pilot chosen to fly this presentation aircraft was ex-RCMP constable, Gordon Francis Joseph Hoben, now PIO Hoben of the RCAF Gord Hoben was born in Totonto, Ontario on 8 March 1913, moving later to Ottawa. Known as 'Gord' he left

high school and worked as a store clerk and other jobs until joining the R.C.M.P and serving at various detachments for the next five years. On 20 June 1940, he left the RCMP and enlisted in the RCAF He took his training at No.2 I.TS. in Regina, Saskatchewan, No.12 E.F.TS. at Goderich, Ontario and won his wings at No.4 S.F.TS in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on 21 February 1941. On his return leave in Totonto, the newly commissioned PIO Hoben married his girlfriend, Hilda Duffy, embarking shortly after for the trip to England. Arriving there on 12 August 1941, he was posted to 102 (Ceylon) Sqn. RAF at Topcliffe, Yorkshire where he piloted an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.III bomber. He completed fifteen missions before being selected for conversion to a fighter pilot. On completion of his conversion training, Gord Hoben was posted to 403 (City of Calgary) Sqn. based at North Weald in Essex. (403 Sqn, was the first RCAF fighter squadron to be formed outside of Canada on 1 March 1941). Three days later the formation ceremony took place and was reported on in the July 1942 edition of the RCMP Quarterly Magazine. (Printed with permission of Sgt.PTHughes,Editor, RCMP Quarterly Magazine). The same issue of this magazine also reported the death of ex-constable Hoben, killed in action, 11 July 1942, "...gravely wounded, the plucky young flier managed to get his aircraft back to English soil before he died." However, fifty years later, the official records tell a different story. The original presentation Spitfire, BL900, was written off in a ground accident on 4 May 1942 (there is no record of the pilot's name). A new aircraft, AR345, was now repainted with the name "The Canadian Policeman" and was flown by Hoben. The official records now tell what really happened on that day. "On 11 July 1942, 115077, PIO Hoben of 403 Sqn, RCAF based at RAF Catterick, was authorised to fly Spitfire AR345 on a non-operational flight, transporting spare recoil springs for .303 cal. Browning aircraft machine guns. 403's Operational Record Book recorded the weather as clear, warm, bright sun as the aircraft took off from Catterick at 1530hrs, enroute for Hoben's former base at Topcliffe." This was his first return to his former base and nbw he thought he would give his old bomber friends a real fighter pilot show. "At 1545hrs, PIO Hoben arrived over Topcliffe in the second 'Canadian Policeman' and was seen to fly low from West to East while attempting a high speed roll. The aircraft was inverted as it reached the eastern boundary but soon rapidly lost height, it continued to roll until the port wing struck the ground. The aircraft immediately exploded on impact and PIO Hoben was killed instantly". Gord Hoben is buried at Catterick Village Cemetery in grave number 7, row DD.

146 (City of Oshawa) Squadron: Spitfires

No 416 Squdron was known the 'Lynx' squadron until it was 'adopted' by the city of Oshawa, Ontario in Octbober 1942. The unit flew Spitfires on air operations over North-West Europe. Many of the aircraft carried nose art featuring the leaping lynx in front of a gold maple leaf.

The Eagle Squadrons; the all-Americans In 1986, a poem entitled 'High Flight' received worldwide attention when U.S.President, Ronald Reagan quoted it in his eulogy to the crew of the space shuttle 'Challenger'. This poem had been written by a 19 year old American pilot serving in the RCAF, John Gillespie Magee JI. John Gillespie Magee was born in China to missionary parents, an American father and a British mother. He was educated at Rugby School in England where he received a poetry prize before he and his parents moved to the United States where he completed his schooling. Magee had planned to attend Yale University when the outbreak of war in Europe prompted him to join the RCAF Following completion of his training in Canada, John Magee was posted to 412 (Falcon) Sqn RCAF and arrived in England during the spring of 1941. 412 was the seventh Canadian fighter squadron to be formed outside of Canada and was equipped with the Spitfire Mk II, taking part in the early offensive sweeps over occupied Europe. While undergoing training on the Spitfire and making his first ever high-altitude flight, he made his feelings about this the subject of his poem. In a later letter home to his parents, he wrote the poem on the back of one of the pages. Throughout the autumn and winter of 1941, John Magee took park in cross-channel offensive operations but was killed in a mid-air collision on a return flight to his base at Wellingore, Lincolnshire on 11 December 1941. Following his son's death, his father, Reverend Magee, had the poem published in the Washington D.C. church magazine and later, published in a Washington newspaper. This poem became forever linked with the pilots of World War Two. Just like John Magee, hundreds of Americans made their way to Canada or England to fly with the R.C.A.F or RAF The first American ace of World War Two was FlO Cyril D.Palmer from Cleveland, Ohio who flew with 1 Sqn. RAF during September 1939. He was killed in action in 1940. As more and more Americans arrived in England, it was decided that it was time to form an allAmerican fighter squadron within the RAF. The first of these was 71 (Eagle) Sqn. which, equipped with Hurricanes and thirty-four pilots, was formed at Church Fenton on 19 September 1940. A new insignia was created for these American flyers, an American eagle holding an 01-

221

ive branch in one claw and arrows in the other above which appeared the letters E.S. This same emblem also appeared on the Spitfires which replaced the squadron's Hurricane in August 1941. However, the most popular artwork used came from Mr Walt Disney. When Disney heard about the Eagle Squadron, he drew the emblem but added a cartoon effect to the eagle, posing it in a fighting stance and wearing a pair of boxing gloves. It became an instant hit and possibly the most important piece of American nose art during the war. On 14 May 1941, a second Eagle squadron was formed at Kirton-in-Lindsey, 121 Sqn with Hurricane Mk Is and was followed shortly after by a third squadron, 133 with Hurricane IIBs at Coltishall on 29 July 1941. In August 1941 Disney designed a flying baby elephant, 'Dumbo' for 121 Sqn. but nothing could replace the fighting eagle, which was painted onto the aircraft of all three squadrons. One well-known 8th Air Force pilot used this eagle art on all of his aircraft during World War II. Don S. Gentile was born in Piqua, Ohio on 12 June 1920, joined the RAF, trained in Canada and joined 133 Sqn in June 1942. He scored two victories in Spitfire V, BL255, which carried the Disney cartoon and the name 'Buckeye Don'. On 12 September 1942, the three Eagle squadrons were disbanded and absorbed into the 4th Fighter Group of the newly arrived USAAF 8th Air Force, and the onlyAmerican unit activated in an active theatre of war. 133 Sqn became the 336th Fighter Squadron in which Gentile flew another Spitfire which carried the same Disney cartoon. In March 1943, the 336th switched to the P-47 Thunderbolt of which Don Gentile flew two variants, a C and a D. Both carried the Disney art and both were named 'Donnie Boy'. From late February 1944 to 13 April 1944, Don Gentile flew a much photographed PSIB, serial No. 43-6913 coded VF-T and named 'ShangriLa' and it was this aircraft which he crashed at Debden during a photo shoot on 13 April that year. Don Gentile survived the war only to be later killed in a flying accident.

US entered the war, proudly displaying their American eagle on their British fighters. American Robert S. Davidson went to Canada, joined the RCAF and flew in 32 Sqn RAP. On his Hurricane he painted a white outline of the Disney eagle. W/Cdr Lance C. Wade, DSO, DFC and two bars, became the top US ace in the Royal Air Force with twenty-five victories. While a FlU with 33 Sqn in North Africa, he painted the Disney eagle above a 'Stars and Stripes' emblem on the nose of his Hurricane. He was killed in a flying accident on 1 December 1944.

Rockcliffe Photographic Flight In December 1942 the British Air Ministry requested the RCAF to form a special unit to carry out photographic research in Canada. Consequently, on 14 January 1943 a special Photographic Flight was formed at Rockcliffe, Ontario, but the unit had no organisation order or squadron number. They flew six fighter aircraft fitted with cameras for high altitude aerial photography, three Spitfires: R7143, X4492 and X4555 and three Hurricanes, of which the serial of only one, 5625, is known. This aircraft, a Hurricane Mk XII, was built in 1942 by the Canada Car and Foundry Corporation in Montreal with a Merlin 29 engine. It was one of-the fifth production batch of Hurricanes builtin Canada. Taken on charge by the RCAF on 26 January 1943, it was struck off on 26 October 1946 with a total flight time of 417.40 hours. This aircraft and Spitfire PR Mk VI X4492 both carried an insignia of a cartoon eagle in full flight with a camera around its neck on a white disc background. On 15 May 1944, in accordance with Secret Order 194, the squadron became a component of? Photo Wing, designated No. 13 (Photo ).Squadron. From May 1944 until 31 May 1947 they also flew two North American Mitchell Mk II aircraft on tri-camera high altitude photographic sorties. The two Mitchells had similar nose art to the Hurricane but the 13 Squadron eagle had his beak open showing his tongue.

The early American members of the RAF and RCAF left their mark in the hearts of the British and in the skies over Europe. Many remained in the RAF, even after the 456: Spitfire X4492 was originally an F Mk I and first arrived at Rockcliffe on 26 January 1943 for high altitude trials before being converted into a Type PR VI, for use by the un-named photographic unit based there. It wears the bird with a camera around its neck emblem first used in February 1943. SOC 2 September 1947

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457 Above left: Alan Nickleson ofthe Canadian Press Bureau tries out the cockpit of this 417 Squadron Spitfire, 30 December 1943. 'Emshi'is Canadian slang for 'scram!' (PLl8742) 458 Above right: American ace Don Gentile in front of his Spitfire Mk V BL255, which carries the Disneydesigned pugilistic eagle emblem used by the RAF 'Eagle' Squadrons. Gentile scored two kills in 'Buckeye Don' while with 133 Squadron (John Campbell) 459 Centre right: PIO Gordon Hoben, the exMountie, in the cockpit of the first presentation Spitfire to carry the name 'The Canadian Policeman '. This was F Mk V BL900 of 403 Squadron. See story on page 220 ((PL7382) 460: Another presentation Spitfire,this time from 92 'East India' Squadron, with ace SIL Neville Duke DSO, OBE, DFC**, AFC, whose aircraft is marked with 9 Luftwaffe kills and 10 Italian. The aircraft is probably his usual machine of the time (early 1943) ER220, QJ-R. Duke survived the war with 28 kills, making him the highest scoring Allied pilot in the Mediterranean. Post-war he became a famous test pilot. Note the crowbar in the entry hatch ofthe aircraft (Rex Probert)

223

461: Warner Bros Studios donated this Spitfire Mk Vb to 403 Squadron. Named 'President Roosevelt' in yellow, BL590, KH-?, was officially presented to the squadron at North Weald on 12 February 1942, the day this picture was taken. FISgt J.B. Rainville sits in {he cockpit. The aircraft's combat career was brief; it was shot down on 17 April by Fw 190s of JG 26 near Cherbourg. FlSgt Messum baled our safely and was rescued (PL7219)

462: One of many presentation Spitfires, this is P8397, a Mk II inscribed 'Cheshun{ and Waltham', which went first to 616 Squadron (as seen here) on 6 July 1941. It later went to 310 and 416 and 58 OTU before being scrapped in 1944 (RL Ward) 463 Below: SIL D.D. Finlay DFC, CO of41 Squadron in front of his Spitfire Mk lla, P7666, EB-Z. Presenred by the Royal Observer Corps, it carries {heir badge on the cowling and two swastikas under the cockpit. Hornchurch, December 1940. It was shot down on 22 April 1941 while with 54 Squadron, PIO Stokoe baled our safely (Bruce Robertson)

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464: 'Olga' was a Spitfire Mk Vb, BM590, of 121 (Eagle) Squadron and is seen in September 1942 when she was the subject of a series ofphotos intended to assist newly-arrived USAAF crews with some badly needed aircraft recognition. Shortly afterwards the unit transferred to the USAAF as the 335th FS (R.L. Ward)

465: This is SIL Thomas Smart of 229 Squadron, seated in his Spitfire at Hal Far, Malta, where he arrived in October 1942. He was killed on 12April1943 when his parachute failed to open after he bailed outfollowing combat damage. He had gained 7/12 victories to his credit (R.L. Ward)

466: The richest of the Indian princes, the Nizam of Hyderabad, was a great benefactor to the RAP. He supplied funds for two fighter squadrons (152 and 253) as well as a bomber squadron (11 0). This unidentified Spitfire Mk IX was given by H.E.H. Nizam's State Railway (No.2) and was on the strength of one of the five Polish squadrons in the RAF (Geoff Thomas)

225

467 Above left: 'Weald of Kent' was Spitfire Mk Vb NX-Z of 131 Squadron, flown by Roy Briggs (RL Ward) 468 Above: PIO R. Hardy was forced to land near Cherbourg in this Spitfire Mk la, N3277,AZ-H, of234 Squadron on 15 August 1940 after receiving combat damage. Hardy became a prisoner, while the aircraft was almost undamaged and was later fitted with a Daimler-Benz engine as an experiment by the Germans. This is his personal emblem, consisting of a red hand on a yellow disc with a black swastika (RL Ward) 469 Centre: Roy Briggs also flew this Spitfire Mk Vb, AB137, with 131 Squadron, also NX-Z but named 'Karmie'. Merston 1941 (R.L. Ward) 470 Left: A close view of Roy Briggs and 'Karmie', which is written in the officially approved 4in high yellow block capitals (R.L.Ward)

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471: Groundcrew manoeuvre Spitfire II PK-h of 315 (Polish) Squadron into position ready for takeoff, sometime before June 1942. Close study of the original print reveals a minute serial on the base of the fin and a name beginning with 'H' and continuing in very small letters towards the fuselage roundel. The Polish checkerboard marking on the nose is rather larger than usual (R.L.Ward)

472: Spitfire Mk V EE739, MN-E, was the mount ofPI a Van der Poel of350 (Belgian) Squadron. Seen here at Fairlop on 26 February 1943, the aircraft wears a Belgian roundel on the nose and an unusual Sky or white disc under the nose with the individual aircraft letter. A month later the aircraft had been transferred to 610 Squadron (R.L. Ward)

473: Seen on 16 June 1943 at Kenley, this is FlL Harry Dean MacDonald DFC from Toronto in his Spitfire Mk IX which was on the strength of 403 Squadron. As five victories are marked, this is probably BS534. The emblem is that of his old school. On 30 November, while flying MIl15 on a 'Ramrod' mission over the Channel, MacDonald's engine began to give trouble. He was preparing to ditch when the aircraft suddenly plunged into the sea before he could escape. On that date he had 7'12 victories to his credit (PL19227)

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474: 22-year old F/L Andrew Boyd Major Ketterson of 412 Squadron poses for the official camera on 1 March 1944. His aircraft is Spitfire LF Mk IX MJ306, VZ-K. On 4 March, while escorting American bombers in this aircraft, he encountered difficulty with his engine and was killed in the ensuing crash some 15 miles east ofYpres (PL28277)

475: Sgt fR. 'Bob' Harmer seen in the Western Desert on 21 February 1943 while flying with 417 Squadron, the only Canadian squadron in the DesertAir Force. His Spitfire Mk V appears to be coded 'U' (PL15596)

476: Possibly one of the most attractive pieces ofartwork on any Spitfire was the badge of the Corps of Imperial Frontiersmen carried by this Spitfire LF Mk Vb, W3834. Coded YO-Q, it served with 401 Squadron and is shown here at Redhill on 9 July 1943 at about the time it was presented to the unit. In the cockpit is TK. 'lbby' Ibbotson from Saskatchewan. The aircraft is illustrated in the colour sectionofthis book (PL19311)

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477: A full view of Spitfire LF Mk Vb W3834 shows some interesting details, including the clipped wing tips and the individual letter on a white disc under the nose. Note the stencil style lettering to the serial number and the Tiger Moth in the background. Redhill, 9 July 1943 (PLl9315)

478: Typifying the majority of fighter pilots is this unidentified Canadian and his Spitfire Mk IX. Taken on 22 April 1944, place and unit are both unknown, but the aircraft is called 'Virgin' (PL28911)

479: A slightly gloomy closeup view of FIL WF Mason of 416 Squadron and his Spitfire which bears the unit's lynx badge (PL30230)

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I

480: Surrounded by fuel cans, groundcrew from 421 Squadron settle in on the advanced landing ground at Melsbroek (Base 58) in Belgium, 25 October 1944. The front line was clearly not so far away. The Spifire IX in the background carries the unofficial unit emblem which was the Red Indian head trademark of the McColl-Frontenac Oil Co of Canada, taken up by the squadron when they were 'adopted' by the oil company (PL33955)

481: Pin-ups were relatively rare on RAF fighters but here is one on a 451 Squadron Spitfire Mk V, seen at Idku in North Africa. Latin scholars may freely translate the motto (R.L. Ward)

482: Groundcrew clowning for the camera in front of Spitfire Mk VbAB198, UDR, of 452 Squadron. The pilot was probably Sgt Mann. Location is Jurby in the first halfof1942 (R.L.Ward)

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483: Sgt Mann, a pilot with 452 Squadron seated on the wing his Spitfire Mk Vb AB198, UD-R, at Jurby in early 1942. This closeup of the nose art shows a popular subject, a little dog named 'Snifter'. In this case the dog overlooks a signpost which reads 'Berlin'. Note how the type of film used has made the yellow outer ring to the fusealge roundel appear dark (Frank Smith via RL Ward)

484: This unidentifiedAustralian pilot is clearly a highly capable pilot, believed to befrom 453 Squadron (aircraft code FU-), based in the UK. The only pilot known to have served with that unit and to have claimed anywhere near 12 kills is W/C Donald Smith, who scored his last four with 453 during the Normandy invasion. If this picture is of Smith then the aircraft is most likely a Spitfire Mk IX, (PL186?). Note the bullet hole in the windscreen framing (R.L.Ward)

485: FlUlA. Gibsonfrom New Zealand in the cockpit ofaSpitfire MkVb, BL351, BP-H, of 457 Squadron, based at Jurby on the Isle of Man in December 1941. Gibson, however, claimed all ofhis kills in Europe flying Hurricanes with 501 Squadron, so Donald Duck and the markings seen here more probably relate to another pilot (Frank Smith via RLWard)

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486: This more distant view of the Spitfire Mk V shown earlier in photo 485 reveals it to be in service with 457 Squadron at Jurby in late 1941. The unit served to feed through pilots into 452, both squadrons being made up of Australian pilots. This aircraft later went to 452 Squadron as UD-H. Thepilot seated on the wing appears to be Sergeant Mann, seen also in photo 483 (RLWard)

487: This lineup of Spitfire Mk Vbs of 91 Squadron which was 'adopted' by Nigeria. The nearest machine, AB216, DL-Z, was that of S/L R. W Oxspring, the Co. It carries both a squadron leader's pennant below the windscreen and an inscription identifying it as a 'gift' aircraft from a province of Nigeria. Hawkinge, May 1942 (RLWard)

488: Another parade, but in the Far East, this shot shows Spitfire FR Mk XIVes ofII Squadron in December 1945 immediately prior to their departure from Kuala Lumpur in Malaya for occupation duties in Japan. The nearest aircraft is named 'Love-Child' and was flown by a pilot known as 'Little Benny'. Behind is MV363, 'Mary'. Note the wide variety ofdress and the jungle green uniforms worn by the ground crewmen on the right. The man in shorts is General J Northcott, the DC of British forces in Japan (Geoff Thomas)

232

489 Above: A superb shot of Spitfire FR Mk XIVe MV363, N, of II Squadron over the Malayan coastline in late 1945. 'Mary' still retains her Sky fuselage band and original Temperate camouflage but with India Command roundels and markings (Geoff Thomas) 490 Right: 'Ginger' Lacey's Spitfire F Mk XlVe, RN135, while he was OC 17 Squadron in Burma and Malaya 1944-45. The aircraft carries 28 kill markings, a squadron leader's pennant and the unit's mailed gauntlet badge on the cowling. Note the outlined code letters (R. L. Ward)

491: A close view of S/L Lacey's kill tally, showing a single Japanese aircraft claimed. This was a reflection ofthe lack ofaerial opposition by the time Lacey reached the Far East. Note the squadron leader's pennant and the black-outlined code letters (GeoffThomas)

233

492: Spitfire F Mk XIVes from 17 Squadron at Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. This one is RM872, YB-O, and carries a small yellow script name forward of the windscreen, 'Miss Ursula', as well as the unit gauntlet. She also has a small outline pin-up of a standing female nude with a little spotted dog below the windscreen. The original serial has been overpainted and is now in 4in high digits on the fin in accordance with instructions issued in March -April 1945. YB-W, RN152, was very similar in appearance but was named 'Miss Freda'. All code letters were outlined in black (Geoff Thomas)

493: A grainy shot ofa Spitfire F Mk VII1 carrying the code letters, 'FL', allocated to 81 Squadron and their ace of spades emblem but also retaining the dramatic outline leaping panther of the previous owners, 152 Squadron. Probably in Burma, late 1944 (Geoff Thomas)

494: This Spitfire F M k XIv, coded FF-Q, belonged to 132 Squadron. Probably RM986, it is seen at Kai Tak, Hong Kong, in late 1945. Artwork consists of the squadron emblem ofa rampant leopard on the nose and the name under the cockpit 'Killer'. The pilot is not recorded (R.L. Ward)

.""

~"".,~~:g . - )..;*' r.f

234

~,;,;.." ~h,';;",

495: A closer view of Spitfire F Mk XIV RM986, FFQ, the 'Killer' of132 Squadron at Kai Tak in 1946, with Sgt R.S. Capewell leaning against his charge (Geoff Thomas)

....

~

496: FlO A. 'Will' Willeridge DFC and his Spitfire F Mk V111 LV678, DG-C, of 155 Squadron at Palel, India in 1944. Wiueridge removed the outboard machine guns, ballast, rear view mirror and other 'unnecessary' weight to improve performance. The badge on the cowling was painted by Sgt Roderick. A similar squadron aircraft is illustrated in the colour section (Geoff Thomas)

497: 'The Flying Scotsman', aka Spitfire PR Mk IV BP880, 'S', of681 Squadron, seen on the perimeter track at Chandina, near Comilla in India, in 1943. The aircraft isoveraliPRU Blue with the letter on the fuselage and serial in Sky, the name in white. It carries 16in diameter India Command roundels and a 24in x 16in fin flash (Geoff Thomas)

235

498: Pilots of high enough rank were permitted to use their initials as their aircraft codes. On the PRU units, howevel; it was customary to only use a single aircraft letter. Here WIC FD. Procter, the CO of681 Squadron has marked his Spitfire PR XI, MB776, 'y', with his initials under the nose in an ornate monogram style. This was 'Freddie' Procter's regular aircraft in India and Burma between January 1944 and May 1945 (Geoff Thomas)

499: War weary aircraft were frequently allocated to training units to see out their days. Here, this Spitfire F Mk V, ES279 was with 73 OTU at Fayid in Egypt in 1944. Chosen by the CO for his personal use it is finished overall gloss black with a light coloured (yellow?) spinner and tiny serial just in front of the fin. The artwork consists ofa vivd white lightning flash the length of the fuselage (Geoff Thomas)

500: Westland Whirlwind P7116, HE-F, shown here in January 1942, was almost the last to be produced and is shown in the markings of263 Squadron. It was later marked HE-J before being wrecked early in 1943. Just visible under the cockpitis the miniscule presentation inscription 'Bellows Argentina No.2'. This appeared on both sides ofthe fuselage, while the port side also had a green shamrock carrying an Irish harp as well as a squadron leader's pennant under the cockpit. This and the red (?) and white checks on the fin bullet identify it as the aircraft ofthe CO, SIL T.P Pugh (Barry Ketley)

236

501: 'Pulverizer IV' was well named. A Typhoon lb, RB389, I8-P, was on the strength of 440 Squadron and is seen taxying out for take-offfrom B.I00 at Goch, Germany, in April 1945, loaded with two 1,0001b bombs. The name was carried on both sides ofthe aircraft (M.D. Howley viaR.L. Ward)

502: This is another Typhoon of 143 (Canadian) Wing in Germany in 1945. Apart from the names 'Ronnie, Bel and Wayne' (the pilot's family?) on the engine cowling it also carries two 900lb cluster bombs for use against enemy troops. Note the yellow-outlined underwing roundel introduced in the closing stages ofthe war (M.D. Howley via R.L. Ward)

503: Another example of RAFtail art was to be found on the fin of this Tempest Mk V belonging to the DC 3 Squadron, S/L Bruce Cole at the end of the war. Although this aircraft carries the squadron emblem of a cockatrice, the serial number is not known for certain as at least three aircraft on the squadron had serial numbers ending in -49; 1N749, £1549 and NV749 (RL Ward)

237

504 Left: Aircraft at training units were not usually decorated-at least not with sharkmouths-but here is one on a Tomahawk in use with 1686 Bomber Defence Training Flight, seen at Prestwick on 17 March 1944 (Bruce Robertson) 505 Below left: A genuine 112 Squadron Tomahawk IIb seen from the point of view which gives effect to the sharkmouth, everyone of which differed. This one is more elaborate than most and was pictured in September 1941, probably at Sidi Haneish (Bruce Robertson)

506 Above right: Several of the men surrounding 'Rita Hayworth', a Kittyhawk M k IV, are South African. 5 Squadron SAAF used these as fighter-bombers over Italy and the Aegean in 1944 (Author's Collection) 507 Left: 'P' was another sharkmouth Kittyhawk, but in a very different arena. A carefully staged 'briefing' for pilots of 14 Squadron, RCAp, based at Umnak, Alaska, on 12 June 1943. Lr,front:FILA. Grimmins, PI o A. Fanning, FlO W MacLean, PIO K. Barrie, PIO R. Cox, FlO G.Stiles. L-r rear: FlO FGalbraith, FISgt H. Hobbie and FISgt R. Bell

238

508: The crew of a 410 Squadron Defiant night fighter during an official press visit to Drem in late 1941. 'Peggy' is presumably RA-P, but like all the other Defiants on the unit scored no victories. Despite many patrols victories did not come until the squadron reequipped with Beaufighters in early 1942 (Author's Collection)

509: Nose art is particularly rare on Defiants, and Defiant 'aces' rarer still but here is an example. This is Mk 1 N180I, PS-Y, of264 Squadron. The crew of FlO Fred Hughes and his gunner, Sgt Fred Gash, scored three victories by night (red swastikas) and two by day. 'Coimbatore II' wears the Red Hand emblem to indicate Hughes' Ulster background. He later went on to score another 13 victories while flying Beaufighters and Mosquitos, ending the war as a Wing Commander. NI80I ended its days as an instructional airframe (Bruce Robertson?)

510: WID Rene Provost of Winnipeg on 3 April 1944 in the cockpit of his Beaufighter, 'Dona Drake', according to the official caption "following a successful torpedo attack on a large merchant vessel in the Aegean Islands". The most likely unit would be 252 Squadron which was heavily engaged in anti-shipping strikes in the theatre at the time. These, however, mostly used guns and rockets. UKbased units from the Banff Wing certainly used torpedoes, so the aircraft could actually be from 404 Squadron The pin-up appears to be a photo pasted onto the fusealge (PL27I56)

239

511: FlO Sesto Sinibaldi from Ontario seated on his 177 Squadron Beaufighter, 'Stinkey', decorated with the emblem ofa toy 'sorry bird' given to him by his mother before he left Canada. Picture taken on 20 August 1944 in Burma (PL60983)

512: Thunderbolt Mk / HD176, 36, of 73 OTU at Fayid in Egypt in June /945 carries a spectacular 'Ace of Spades' emblem on its cowling. Finish appears to be the American equivalent to the RAF temperate Fighter Command scheme, complete with Sky fuselage band. The wing of the aircraft in the foreground appears to be that of a Royal Navy Grumman Wildcat (Geoff Thomas)

513: Another 73 OTU Thunderbolt which appears to have received a repaint over its original US-applied finish but retains the standard USAAF data stencil under the cockpit (Geoff Thomas)

240

514: This version ofan 'Ace of Spades' insigne was found on a natural metal finish Thunderbolt Mk II (P-47D-30) of81 Squadron (code letters FL-) at Kamajoran, Batavia, in the Dutch East Indies, early in 1946. The unofficial squadron badge was only applied on the port side (Geoff Thomas)

515: Mk II Thunderbolts of 79 Squadron at Meiktila Main in June or July 1945, all with individual emblems painted on the engine cowlings. The P-47D-28-RE on the right was KJ295, NV-N (ex-USAAF 44-20305) and was in service with the squadron from March until the last operation on 20 July 1945. The emblem seems to consist of a small dancing figure and the name 'Nan' in yellow letters below the white background panel (Geoff Thomas)

516: 'Honeysuckle Rose' was a Thunderbolt Mk II, HD269 (P-47D-25-RE) once with 30 Squadron but seen here in service with 615 Squadron in June 1945. Coded KW- R, the aircraft and groundcrew were at Vizagapatam on the east coast of India. The small emblem ofthe bulldog wearing a winged helmet appears to have been based on that of the US 512th Fighter Squadron. It was painted on a small plate riveted to the cowling gill and was the personal badge ofthe pilot, Sgt R. Capewell (Geoff Thomas)

241

517: This Thunderbolt Mk 1,FL848,NA-C, was used by 146 Squadron in some ofthe first RAF Thunderbolt operations over northern Burma in September-October 1944. The emblem consists ofa shield with the letters 'NZ' in opposite corners and afernleaf Obviously the regular pilot came from New Zealand (146 SqnATC via Geoff Thomas)

518: This Yorkshire rose

emblem appeared on the engine cowling ofone of258 Squadron's Thunderbolts late in 1944. It is very similar to that of609 Squadron, 'Yorkshire's own', which suggests that the pilot was once a member of that unit (Geoff Thomas)

#'1' •

," .

242

519: Groundcrew hold the port side engine cowling of Thunderbolt Mk I FL792, ZT-D of 258 Squadron which features a 'Desperate Dan' character. Seen at Arkonam in November 1944, red and white checks were inspired by those ofthe US 7th FG in Europe. The CO, SIL Cameron, was ordered to paint them out by higher authority when the unit began operations. (Geoff Thomas)

520 Above: Another view of Thunderbolt FL792, ZT-D, of 258 Squadron. The aircraft is illustrated in the colour section ofthis book (Geoff Thomas)

521 Above: 'William 111' (HD236?) is believed to have also been in service with 258 Squadron, possibly as ZT- W The elaborate artwork was worthy ofbetter recording (Geoff Thomas)

522: One ofthe unsung heroes ofthe Burma campaign was the little Stinson L-5. This one is KJ377, the 'Burma Belle' and herpilotsomewhere in Burma in 1944-45. The aircraft is also illustrated on page 252 but unfortunately the unit is not identified (RL Ward)

243

TRANSPORT AND RECONAISSANCE Little and large 122 (The Flying Nightmares) Squadron: On 10 January 1942, an RCAF unit was formed at Patricia Bay, British Columbia through the amalgamation of a coastal artillery co-operation flight and a communications flight. Named 122 Squadron it soon picked up the nickname of 'The Flying Joe Boys'. Not very impressed with this, the unit contacted the Disney insignia team and requested that they design a crest for the squadron. When the emblem arrived it showed a bug-eyed horse-headed aircraft roaring out of a dark sky, carrying a knight in armour with a lance of lightning with the legend 'The Flying Nightmares'. The design request had been misunderstood by the Disney team who thought that 122 Sqn was a night-fighter unit. However, the team could never realise how apt this design would become for the unit. 122 Sqn flew an odd collection of aircraft consisting of Blackburn Shark biplanes, Westland Lysanders, Bristol Bolingbrokes and Avro Ansons. Whenever the Canadian Army needed to improve their anti-aircraft gunnery, it was 122 Sqn who would be there, towing target drogues around the sky. Eventually, with the sometimes exciting and hair-raising duties of target-towing, the squadron began to enjoy its newly designed crest, espe-

244

cially as some of their missions had been of a particularly hair-raising nature. One particular incident occurred when a towing cable snapped and 4,000ft of steel cable fell onto the city of Victoria. Fortunately no-one was injured in the incident but it did create a two-hour traffic jam and power failure for the city. Later, during a mockattack onArmy ground forces, F/L John Luke, a native of Victoria, B.C., succeeded in hitting three generals with flour bombs. They were not overly impressed by this, but had to concede that they were a legitimate target, and John Luke became something of a squadron hero. It is not known for certain if the crest was ever applied to any of the squadron's aircraft although a framed copy did hang in the flight room. The 'Flying Nightmares' did much to help the troops on Canada's west coast prepare against invasion with rehearsals for repelling beach landings, laying smoke screens and air-sea rescue work. The unit was disbanded on 15 September 1945. 523: Carrying what must be spme ofthe most spectacularly irreverent piecesofRAFnose art ofthe time, this is Warwick GR Mk V LM837, Y, which served with 621 Squadron in Palestine during April-September 1946, the time they were converting to the Lancaster for ASR duties. On 1 September it became 18 Squadron (Bruce Robertson)

One Canadian bomber did, however, use the 122 Sqn crest. A copy of the crest was painted on Lancaster Mk X, PT-N, KB923 of 420 Squadron which was given the name 'The Nightmare.'

KN511

Z

KN563 KN665

E

KP226

P

164 (Transport) Squadron:

436 (Elephant) Squadron:

Douglas C-47 Dakota

Douglas C-47 Dakota

The squadron was formed at Moncton, New Brunswick on 23 January 1943 and from this date until July 1946, flew the Douglas Dakota twin-engined transport aircraft. It became the primary training squadron for Dakota crews and provided aircrew to 165(T) Squadron, 168 (HT) Squadron, and to 435 and 436 (T) Squadrons based in India. On the strength of the squadron during this time were Dakotas Mk I and III serialled 650 to 658 and 660 to 662.

Known Dakota III and IV serials and aircraft letters used while the unit was in India from October 1944September 1945 are as follows. No squadron code was used: Serial No

Code Letter

KF845

v

KG755

Q

KG790

P

KG794

N

KG855

K

168 (Heavy Transport) Squadron

KJ763

L

Douglas C-47 Dakota

KJ821

U

KJ841

F

168 Squadron was formed. as a mail delivery squadron to deliver mail to Canadian servicemen in England and Europe. Between February 1944 and April 1946 they flew 64 mail flights to the UK. The squadron was equipped with Dakota Mks I, III and IV Known serials of Dakotas on squadron strength were 653, 971, 973 and 988.

435 (Chinthe) Squadron:

KJ858

H

KJ887

J

KJ956

G

KK113

B

KK126

o

KK107

M

Dakota Mk III and IV aircraft used in England from June 1945-September 1946 carried the unit code 'ODM':

Douglas C-47 Dakota

435 and 436 Squadrons flew in.RAF South-East Asia Command until August 1945, when they transferred to England and joined 437 (Husky) Squadron to form 120(T) Wing RCAF as part of RAF Transport Command. Known Dakota serials and codes are:

Serial No

Code Letter

FD946

y

FZ665

x

FZ678

K

KG320

C

KG403

M

Serial No

Code Letter

KG448

F

FD915

o

KG455

B

FZ658

Q

KG580

J

KG317

A

KG635

P

KG337

B

KG659

Q

KG414

G

KG416

K

KG486

K

437 (Husky) Squadron:

KG557

U

Douglas C-47 Dakota

KG559

o

KG563

N

KG580

o

KG632

B

This was the first RCAF transport squadron formed overseas and flew Douglas Dakota Mk Ills and IVs from Blakenhill Farm, Wiltshire, England until the end of hostilities. On 17 September 1944 437 Squadron's aircraft pulled twelve Horsa gliders containing 146 men of the British 1st Airborne Division to Arnhem, Holland, on Operation 'MARKET GARDE '. During this Dakota Mk III, KG425, carried the marking 'Royal Canadian Air Force' in large white letters on her fuselage, a forecast of things to come.

KG668

S

KG713

Y

KG891

B

KG821

J

KG883

N

KK143

A

KK105

A

KN413

F

The unit painted each aircraft with squadron nose

245

markings and each machine received a name beginning with the word 'Fort'. Unit code Z2 until 1945. From 19451946 the unit code became 'ODO' and the squadron provided air transport service to Canadian units on continent until disbanded at Odiham on 15 June 1946. Known Dakota serials and codes are:

12944 received the markings of 437 Squadron RCAP. These last nine aircraft were: Name

CAF serial No US Bureau Number

Miss Piggy

12907

4349926

Old Faithful

12933

42-93468

Serial No

Code Letter

Southern Comfort

12937

42-23553

FZ694

P

Dolly's Folly

12938

42-2390

FZ669

Q

Time

12944

42-92454

FZ692

R

Gimli Goose

12950

42-92712

FZ695

A

Millenium Falcon

12957

43-48741

KG312

G

Pinocchio

12959

43-49380

KG330

E

Manitoba Flyer

12963

42-92419

KG345

V

KG354

H

KG368

D

Noorduyn Norseman

KG389

B

KG394

a

KG395

y

KG425

M

KG600

C

KG634

T

The best-known and most widely used Canadian aircraft, the orseman was built in substantial numbers, 923 ultimately being produced. Most of these went to the USAAF, although token orders had been placed on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1938. These aircraft were given the military serials 678-681. In May 1940 the effects of war were being felt and the RCAF placed two further orders for an additional 47 Mk IV aircraft for use as navigational trainers as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. By 1945 a total of 100 Norseman aircraft had been delivered in various batches as follows:

KG808

M

KN262

V

KN278

W

KN281

N

The Douglas DC-3/C-47/Dakota remained in service with the RCAF/Canadian Armed Forces until 1 April 1989. On this date, the last nine Dakotas on the Candian Armed Forces inventory were retired. Although these aircraft already bore post-war names, for the close-out ceremony, two of the aircraft were repainted in RCAF World War II markings. 12963 was painted in the markings of 435 Squadron RCAF with the serial number FZ658, and named 'Canucks Unlimited' and Dakota

Norseman Mk II

2

Norseman Mk IV

47

Norseman Mk IVW

27

Wireless training

Norseman Mk IVA

3

Transferred to US Navy

Norseman Mk VI

21

Ex-American C-64As

524: Catalina Mk Ib FP288, G, of 262 Squadron, and is seen at Langebaan in East Africa on 25 March 1944. The heraldic lion has a faintly Nordic style (R. Hayward via R.L. Ward)

246

-r - -

, 116 Squadron (RCAF): The unit was first formed as a Coast Artillery Co-operation Squadron on 1 April 1938, then redesignated as a fighter unit on 1 May 1939. Owing to incomplete organisation the squadron was then disbanded on 2 November.

Consolidated Canso A: August 1943·June 1945 Serial Code

Serial

Code

9748

9828

C

9829

0

9757

Reformed again as a Bomber Reconnaissance unit at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on 28 June 1941, the squadron received Catalina and Canso A aircraft on east coast and Gulf of St. Lawrence anti-submarine patrols. During these the unit recorded three U-boat attacks and eight sightings but no victories: Consolidated Canso A: September 1941·August 1943 Serial Code

'Athlone'

9751

C

9758

9830

P

9831

G

9772

Z

9832

H

9777

R

9836

0

9778

R

9839

G

9798

K

9844

N

9806

P

11034

A

9808

J

11057

E

9819

F

11061

M

9823

A

11064

L

9825

B

9741 9702 9703

120 Squadron (RCAF)

9704

Formed on 1 June 1935 as 0.20 Bomber Squadron, the unit was re-numbered as 120 Squadron on 15 November 1937. Called to active duty in September 1939, they were re-designated as a bomberlreconnaissance unit on 31 October. The unit flew Northrop Delta, Lockheed Hudson, Supermarine Stranraer, Catalina and Canso aircraft until disbandment on 1 May 1944.

9705 9706 9707

Consolidated Canso A: January 1942·February 1942 Serial Code

In July 1942 the unit received a sketch by FlO Art Halpen showing Pluto on a diving bomb. This was the birth of the unit emblem, which was painted under the pilot's position on Stranraer aircraft which were in use from November 1941 until October 1943.1n December 1942 the unit surprised FlO Halpen when they applied for an original Walt Disney design based on his idea. At the Christmas party Halpen received a signed Disney original of the new emblem.

9741 9742 9745 9746 9748 9749 9750 9781

M

525: Consolidated Canso A, 9751, of 116 Squadron, Eastern Air Command, RCAp, which was taken on strength on 15 October 1942. Interestingly, the national markings it is wearing here should have been superseded in June that year. Seen in flight over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the aircraft was named 'Athlone' and was not struck offcharge until 27 June 1947 (PL14173)

-

247

526: Douglas Dakota Mk IV, 'Box Car' was on the strength of 435 Sqn which was formed at Gujarat, India on 1 November 1944. The squadron insignia was the Chinthe, a legendary monster which guards Burmese temples. Each aircraft in the squadron had a white maple leaf applied containing the aircraft code letter. In this photograph, taken on 19 August 1945, can be seen the nose art for 'Box Car' and two first cousins who met for the first time while in India; (I) FlO Ted Gordon of Vancouver, B. C. and WIO H.A. Johnston of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (DND Photo PL60994)

527: Two of the crew of in some kind ofpresentation in frontofDakotaKG368,22D, (ex-USAAF42-92563) of 437 Squadron. The squadron was formed only three days before Operation 'Market Garden', the Arnhem airlift, which then became their first ever operational mission. Note the maple leaf on the fin (Harold Kearl)

528: Two Dakota Mk Ills from 437 Squadron. Nearest is KG389, 22-B, which was used in the first Arnhem airliftof17 September 1944. In the background is KG312, 22-G. Both aircraft carry the 'Royal Canadian Air Force' titles and the maple leaf emblem on the fin (Harold Kearl)

248

529: Pilot Harold Kearl (right) and two fellow crew members in front of the open cargo doors of a Dakota of 437 Squadron in Blegium, 1945 (Harold Kearl)

530: For some reason the name on this 437 (Husky) Squadron Dakota (possibly FZ692) has been modified to read 'Fort Ross' instead of 'Fort Rose'. The meaning of the code in the diamond is unknown. Croydon, 30 June 1946 (PL46929)

249

531: The Supreme Allied Commander in South-East Asia, Vice-Admiral Louis Mountbatten, used this Dakota Mk IV, 'Mercury', marked with the phoenix emblem of his Command and HQ staff. It represents the new Allied forces in the theatre arising out of the ashes of the old. There is a long list ofthe personnel responsible for flying and maintaining the aircraft on the crew access door. Unfortunately, the serial number ofthe aircraft does not seem to have been recorded (Geoff Thomas)

532: I've been everywhere man. This close view of the fuselage of Vice-Admiral Mountbatten's natural metal finish Dakota, 'Mercury', has a list ofjust about every large and small town and city between America and China and all points between, including Miami, London, Paris, Naples, Benghazi, Aden, Foona, Karachi, Chittagong and YeU Note the India Command style dark blue and white roundel introduced in 1943 (Geoff Thomas)

533: A Beech Expediter Mk II ofthe Burma Command Flight at Mingaladon, Burma, in mid-1945. In natural metal finish and wearing South EastAsia Command roundels, the serial number begins with either KJ or KN On the nose is the emblem ofthe 12th Army which was responsible for the final operations against the Japanese in Burma. The badge consists of a horizontally divided red-black-red rectangle with a Burmese lion, known as a chinthe, superimposed. This name is also carried below the badge (W Wright via Geoff Thomas)

250

534: Combat aircraft were not the only types to be selected as presentation aircraft. This Anson, probably a Mk I whose serial ends in 668, was a gift from the South African 'Silver Thimble Fund', a patriotic women's fund (Bruce Robertson)

535: Ansons were not commonly decorated with nose art. This one is Mk I EG389, H, of No.1 Ferry Pilot Pool of the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) based at White Waltham in June 1944. The emblem is 'Ferdinand the Bull', adapted from Walt Disney in response to the radio call sign, 'Ferdinand', allocated to ATA aircraft travelling on supply missions to the newly-liberated forward airfields on the Continent (Barry Ketley)

536: 'Arakan Sue' was an Auster of 656 Squadron, seen shortly after landing at Ru-ywa in Burma, 16 February 1945. The artwork is an excellent copy ofAlberto Varga's famous calendar pin-up called 'Sack-Time'. Unfortunately, the photographer was so interested in the artwork he forgot to record the rest ofthe aircraft (Geoff Thomas)

251

537: Captain Wi. Butterworth ofthe RoyalArtillery beside his TaylorcraftAuster AOP MkIlI,MZ133,of652 Squadron, somewhere in Sicily or Italy in summer 1944. Appropriately named 'Grasshopper 1', the nimble (and unarmed) little aircraft's artwork features a circus cannon with a grasshopper holding a telescope peering out of it. The aircraft is illustrated in the colour section of this book (Bruce Robertson)

538: Another view of Stinson L-5 KJ377 seen earlier on page 243. It is finished in standard USAAFcamouflage of Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Grey but has received RAF ACSEA markings. As the serial is repeated in white characters on the fin, it seems likely that the photo was taken later than March-April 1945, when this requirement was first introduced (R.L. Ward)

539 Left: The Lysander found ready use as a Special Duties spy dropping aircraft, not only in Europe. This is V9289, C; of357 (SD) Squadron at Mingaladon in February 1945. The personal emblem is a spider in a rectangle (Geoff Thomas) 542 Right: The tail end of Warwick GR Mk V LM837 of 621 Squadron, seen also on page 244. Shown in late summer 1946, it is not hard to guess that the squadron was in the process of disbanding, renumbering and re-equipping with ASR Lancasters. The groundcrew were certainly making their feelings known (Bruce Robertson)

252

540 Right: The Royal Indian Air Force did stalwart work using their Lysanders as light bombers during the retreat through Burma. This oneisfromI SquadronIAF (Bruce Robertson) 541 Below: Mickey Mouse appeared as the sorcerer's apprentice on this Warwick ASR Mk VI AG208, Y, of 280 Squadron. Seen here complete with its air droppable lifeboat, the aircraft is illustrated in the colour section of this book (Bruce Robertson)

253

543: The Noorduyn Norseman is one of the heroes of Canadian aviation, and was used extensively by the RCAP. This one is Mk IV 693, (eln 19) which was taken on charge on 1 April 1940. It went to No.8 Bombing & Gunnery School in 1941, with whom it is probably seen here and named 'Muskeg Mazie II' (after the Canadian tundra swamp) By 15 June 1944 it was with 12 (Comm) Squadron. On 14 February 1946 it was allocated the Canadian civil registration CF-QAA. It is shown in colour on page I 72 (PL25682)

544: A natural metal finish Liberator transport, KL658, B, of 426 Transport Squadron, RCAp, based at Tempsford in the UK in summer 1945. Part of the Modification Center serial, 43-132, is just visible, which reveals that it was originally a B Mk VI, ex-USAAF serial 4449901. Most of the aircraft in this unit seem to have carried an 8in diameter maple leaf emblem and the name of a Canadian city, here 'Ottawa'. In front are the crew. From left: FlO G. More, FlO H.A. Norton, FI L G.N Goodman, FlO H.A. Rawlinson and WOl 1. V. Boyczuk (Author's Collection)

545: Tail enders. This unidentified Canadian Halifax rear gunner was obviously a fan of cowboy films (PL30368)

254

546 Above left: This tail gunner's artwork was on a 428 (Ghost) Squadron Lancaster (PL44322) 547 Above right: Late in the war 420 Squadron started using their snowy owl emblem on the tails of their Lancaster B Mk Xs. This is KB942, PT-M, named 'Supermouse' and seen on arrival in Canada in June 1945. See also photo 262 (PL44844) 548 Right: By war's end 425 Squadron also made use of their emblem, a lark ascending, as on this Lancaster Mk X KB876, KW-L. Note the yellow-outlined code letters (AI Davies)

"1 I

549 Right And finally, this Gladiator Mk I, K8013, of 33 Squadron retained the unit's pre-war emblem of a hart's head in the official arrowhead frame, despite the application of camouflage in the field. The badge is a reminder that the unit was the first to fly the Hawker Hart bomber but by March 1938 it had reformed as a fighter squadron at 1smailia in Egypt, equipped with Gladiators. This picture was probably taken in late 1939. By chance, the first enemy aircraft to be shot down in Africa was claimed by FlO V. C Woodward, a Canadian pilot with this squadron (BarryKetley)

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CAPTIONS TO COLOUR ARTWORK: PAGE 161: 1 Liberator GR Mk IV, 3742, 'N, of 10 (BR) Sqn RCAF, based at Torbay, Newfoundland, in summer 1945. Finish is standard RAF Coastal Command of Dark Slate Grey/Extra Dark Sea Grey and White. 2 Liberator GR Mk VII, EW258, 'V', 'Clarence' of 356 Sqn RAF, Salbani, India in late 1944. USAAF Dark Olive Drab 41 and Neutral Gray 43. 3 Liberator B Mk VI, EWI77, 'Y for Yogi', 356 Sqn RAF, India in 1944. USAAF Dark Olive Drab 41 and Neutral Gray 43. PAGE 162: 4 Warwick ASR Mk VI, HG208, 'ME-Y' of 280 Sqn, probably at Beccles in late 1944. Dark Slate GreylExtra Dark Sea Grey and Sky. 5 Wellington B Mk Ie, X9684, 'Y', of 37 Sqn in the Western Desert, January 1942. Finish is standard Bomber Command of the period, Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. Code letter and serial in Medium Sea Grey. 6 Beaufort Mk I, L9939, AW-W, 'Wreck' of 42 Sqn at Wick in June 1941. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Sky. 7 Halifax B Mk III, LL575, 6U-N, 'Archie the Archer' of 415 Sqn RCAF, East Moor, July 1944. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. PAGE 163: 8 Spitfire LF Mk Vb, W3834, 'YO-Q', 'Corps of Imperial Frontiersmen'. Flown by T.K. Ibbotson of 401 Sqn, Redhill, July 1943. Dark Green/ Ocean Grey and Medium Sea Grey. Sky codes, spinner and fuselage band. Note stencil style serial and aircraft letter in ight on a White disc under the nose. 9 Spitfire F Mk IX, MJ959, VZ-W, 'Pistol Packin' Momma' of 412 Sqn, flown by FIL E.c.R. Likeness. Biggin Hill, April 1944. Dark Green/ Ocean Grey and Medium Sea Grey. Sky codes, spinner and fuselage band. 10 Spitfire F Mk Vb, AB276, RY-K, of 313 (Czechoslovak) Sqn, Hornchurch, early 1942. Flown by Karel Pavlik. Dark Green/Ocean Grey and Medium Sea Grey. Sky codes, spinner and fuselage band. 11 Spitfire F Mk VII1, MD 280, DG-R, of 155 Sqn, Palel, India 1944. Flown by F/L Paul Ostrander. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Medium Sea Grey with SEAC markings. White theatre markings and codes. Yellow bapd around nose. . PAGE 164: 12 Hurricane Trop Mk IIC, HL608, H, 'Sir Roderic', of 237 or 94 Sqn. Dark Earth/Mid-Stone and Azure Blue. Note only two cannons and fIxed underwing fuel tanks. Refer to photo 447. 13 Hurricane F Mk XII, 5405, '0' of 1355 Sqn RCAF. Dark Green/ Dark Earth and Sky. Canada 1942. 14 Hurricane F Mk I, P2961, 'LE-A' of 242 Sqn, Duxford, late 1940, flown by Willie McKnight. Note that the 242 emblem appeared on both sides of the nose. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Sky. Port wing underside is Night with a yellow outlined roundel. Medium Sea Grey codes. PAGE 165: 15 Halifax B Mk V, DK186, 'ZL-I.:, 'London's Revenge' of 4 2 7 Sqn. Leeming, May 1943. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. 16 Halifax B Mk V, LK947, 'Dragon' of 1669 HCU, early 1945. See photo 130. Dark GreenlDark Earth and ight. 17 Halifax B Mk III LK765, 'DH- y', 'Block Buzzter' of 432/415 Sqn, East Moor, summer 1944. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. PAGE 166: 18 Halifax B Mk VII, 'Moonlight Mermaid', 'QO-M', NP689 of 432 Sqn, East Moor, summer 1944. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. 19 Halifax B Mk VII, 'Avenging Angel', NP755, 'QO-N of432 Sqn, East Moor, 1945.Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. 20 Halifax B Mk VII, The Babi', NP736, 'QO-B' of 432 Sqn, East Moor, summer 1945. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. PAGE 167: 21 Halifax B Mk VII, NP714, 'EQ-N of 408 Sqn, Linton-on-Ouse, 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and ight. 22 Halifax B Mk VII, 'Willie the Wolf', NP707, 'QO-W' of 432 Sqn, East Moor, May 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. 23 Halifax B Mk III, 'Zombie', MZ582, 'QO-Z' of 432 Sqn, East Moor, May 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. PAGE 168: 24 Lancaster B Mk X, 'Ropey/Sharkmouth', KB772, 'VR-R' of 419 Sqn, Canada June 1945. Note that the name was applied post-war for the return to Canada. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. 25 Lancaster B Mk I, 'Fightin' Pappy', RA537, 'ZL-P' of 427 Sqn. Leeming, May 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. 26 Lancaster B Mk I, 'Fannin' Fanny', NX554, 'ZL-F' of 427 Sqn.

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Leeming, May 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. PAGE 169: 27 Lancaster B Mk II, 'Zombie', LL725, 'EQ-Z' of 408 Sqn, Leeming 1943. Note the FN 64 ventral turret. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. 28 Lancaster B Mk X, 'The Nightmare', KB923, PT-N of 420 Sqn, Tholthorpe, April 1945. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. 29 Lancaster B Mk X, 'Hyar ah Go!', KB951, EQ-A, 408 Sqn, Leeming 1945. Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. PAGE 170: 30 Lancaster B Mk X, 'Lady Orchid', KB 895, WL-O of 434 Sqn, Croft, May 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. 31 Lancaster B Mk I, 'We Dood It Too', NG 264, IQ-B 150 Sqn, Hemswell, early 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. 32 Lancaster B Mk X, 'Daisy the dog', KB839, VR-D of 419 Sqn, Middleton St. George, early 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. PAGE 171: 33 Wellington Mk Xll, 'Sleepy Boy', believed to be MP618, I-S of 407 Sqn, St. Eval, 1944. Dark Slate Grey/Extra Dark Sea Grey and White. 34 Fortess Mk III, Take it Easy', KJ117, BU-E, 214 Sqn, Sculthorpe, May 1945. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Night. PAGE 172: 35 Auster AOP 111, 'Grasshopper 1', MZ133, 652 Sqn, Italy 1944. Dark Green and Dark Earth overall. 36 Blenheim Mk I, L1388, W-VA, 84Sqn, Greece, 1941. Dark Green/ Dark Earth and Sky. 37 orseman IV, 'Muskeg Mazie', 693 of No.8 B&G School. Canada 1942. Overall Yellow. PAGE 173: 38 Thunderbolt Mk I, FL792, ZT-D of 258 Sqn, Burma, November 1944. Dark GreenlDark Earth and Medium Sea Grey. Codes light grey, the unofficial red/white checks wer~ later removed by order of higher authority. . 39 Mosquito Mk XIII, 'Lonesome Polecat/Hi Toots!',HK425, KP-R of 409 Sqn, France, late 1944. Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey and Night. 40 Mosquito FB Mk VI, 'Black Rufe', NS850, TH-M of 418 Sqn, mid-1944. Dark GreenlMedium Sea Grey. PAGE 174: 41 Mustang lA, 'Pistol Packin' Momma', AM251, 00f414Sqn, 1943. Dark Green/Ocean Grey and Medium Sea Grey. 42 BeaufighterTFX,NE355, EE-H of404 Sqn, Davidstnw Moor, early 1944. Dark Green/Ocean Grey and Sky. 43 Mosquito FB Mk VI, PZ471, FY-Hof21 Sqn. Germany, mid-1945. Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey. 44 Whitley B Mk V, Z6580, GE-A, 58 Sqn at Linton-on-Ouse, March 1942. Finish is standard Bomber Command of the period, Dark Green/Dark Earth and Night. Code letters and serial in Medium Sea Grey. PAGE 175: Replica nose art by Clarence Simonsen. Clockwise, from top left: 45 Avro Anson No.5 SFTS, Brantford, Ontario, 1940-44. 46 The eagle emblem of 164 (Mail) Sqn RCAF, carried only by Fortress 9205. 47 The scoreboard of Mosquito B Mk IX LR503, GB-F, of 105 Sqn, the aircraft with more operational sorties to its credit than any other. See pagesI99-201. 48 The later 'Sea Wolf' emblem of 149 Sqn RCAF. 49 Unidentified genuine Canadian WW II nose art. 50 Nose art carried by American Lance Wade's Hurricane while he was with 33 Sqn in North Africa. His derived from that of the 'Eagle' squadrons of the RAF. See photo 454. PAGE 176: Replica nose art by Clarence Simonsen. Clockwise, from top left: 51 'Butch the Falcon' emblem of 402 Sqn in one version of the colours used. 52 ose art created on Mosquito B.35 VP189 of the Alberta Aviation Museum. It represents that used on an FB Mk VI, HR147, TH-Zof418 Sqn flown by SIL Russ Bannock DSO, DFC* and Robert Bruce DFC. 53 Halifax B Mk II JB859, VR-H, Thundering Heard' of 419 Sqn. See photo 92. 54 Painted on skin from Halifax NA337,this represents the art on Halifax B Mk III MZ802, QB-G, 'Gallopin' Gerty' of 424 Sqn. See photo 102. 55 Artwork on Halifax B Mk III LV951, QB-A of 424 Sqn. See photo 113. 56 Tail art used on Lancasters of 420 Sqn late in the war. See photo 547.

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