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Canadian Military Collectors Forum

Comprehensive Forum of Canadian Armed Forces History & Militaria


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    RCAF Nose Art

    Battalion Colours
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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:01 am

    Many collectors throughout the world have an interest in WW II nose art photographs. I thought a thread on RCAF nose art should be posted on this forum. The Canadian War Museum has some very nice pieces of original RCAF nose art on display.


    Notorious Nan


    Halifax Mk. VII (serial NP747) was delivered to No. 408 Squadron on 10 August 1944 and became the "property" of a ground crew made up of Gale, Howley, Shearer, Jaxon, and Ledger. The aircraft was assigned code letters "EQ-N" and the ground crew decided to name her "Notorious Nan." LAC Jaxon painted the nose art that featured a pin-up lady with name "Notorious Nan." At a later date (possibly after an engine fire on 16 September 44) the nose art received a background that included a full (yellow) moon, a green palm tree and waves of water.

    The aircraft completed her first operation on 25/26 August 1944 flown by the squadron's c/o, W/C A.R. McLernon DFC, who piloted the aircraft a total of four times. From 25 August to 14 October 1944, "Nan" completed 19 operations flown by eleven different crews. NP747 was flown twice (9 and 12 October 44) by F/O Richard MacMillan Wallis from Toronto, Ontario. Sadly this crew was all killed in action on 29 January 1945, flying Halifax NP746.

    NP747's nineteenth and last operation was a daylight trip to Duisburg on 14 October 44. The bomber was damaged by flak and while attempted a three-engine landing, the pilot over-shot and the starboard undercarriage collapsed. The next morning LAC Shearer had his photo taken under the nose art for the last time. The ground crew recovered "Nan" and towed her back to the hangar. The bomber was repaired and ferried to the graveyard at Rawcliffe.




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    Notorious Nan in Canadian War Museum.
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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:05 am

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    Notorious Nan Ground Crew August 1944

    From the top:

    Gale
    Howley
    Shearer
    Jaxon (he painted the nose art)
    Ledger
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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:12 am

    These are the only books published on Canadian WW II nose art:

    R.A.F. & R.C.A.F. AIRCRAFT NOSE ART IN WORLD WAR II by Clarence Simonsen

    METAL CANVAS: CANADIANS AND WORLD WAR TWO AIRCRAFT NOSE ART by Stephen M. Fochuk
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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:18 am

    Fangs of Fire


    Halifax Mk. 3 (serial LV953) was delivered to No. 431 Squadron on 22 March 44. Before seeing any action it was transferred to No. 424 Squadron and then again transferred to No. 420 squadron on 25 March 1944. Between 20/21 April 1944 and 16/17 January 1945, LV953 completed 73 operations. Nineteen of these were flown by the crew of F/Sgt. R.W. Burton.

    The nose art was painted by Floyd "Skip" Rutledge. "Skip" got the idea from a Walt Disney ad that appeared in the November 1944 issue of Saturday Evening Post magazine.

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    Fangs of Fire in the Canadian War Museum.

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    The Walt Disney ad which inspired the artwork.
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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:25 am

    Jake Sent Me




    With a large red maple leaf for nose art and smaller leaves for bomb tally backgrounds, this Halifax Mk III (serial LK828) was truly "Canadian." It was delivered to No. 431 Squadron on 20 March 1944 and flew its first operation to Noisy-Le-Sec, France, on 18 April 1944 piloted by F/L J.M. Hill. During its next 39 operations, 20 different crews flew in "Jake Sent Me." On 12/13 June 44, WO2 F.M. Skeaff flew her to Arras. During this operation, the mid-upper gunner destroyed an enemy night-fighter, a symbol for which was painted as part of the nose art. The Skeaff crew flew LK828 on six operations, the most in the squadron, and surely gave her the nose art name. Her fortieth and last operation was to Sterkrade on 27 September 1944 piloted by F/O D.L. Hagar. On 29 September 44, the aircraft was transferred to No. 1659 HCU for training duties. On 27 November 44, while practicing three-engine landings, she overshot and ended up in a ditch.

    Patched-up, LK828 was then flown to Rawcliffe.

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    Jake Sent Me in the Canadian War Museum.


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    Jake Sent Me in 1945.
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    Post by mk1rceme Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:16 am

    Very interesting information and great pictures! I have always enjoyed nose art, but the vast majority seen out there is usually on US planes. Great to see info on Canadian art.


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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:55 am

    Willie Wolf






    Halifax Mk. VII (serial NP717) was assigned to No. 408 squadron on 13 July 1944. The aircraft received the code letters "EQ-W" and flew her first operation on 4 August 1944 to bomb Bois de Cassen, France. Nineteen different crews flew this aircraft, 13 completing only one operation in the aircraft. Two crews flew her the most. P/O T.V. Barber and crew completed 10 operations and S/L A. Rossenberry flew her on twelve, including her last on 18 May 1945 to Heligoland.

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    Willie Wolf in the Canadian War Museum.


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    Willie Wolf in 1945.
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    Post by Battalion Colours Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:59 am

    Ville De Quebec



    This nose art was carried by Halifax Mk. III (serial NP957) and was the first piece selected by Lindsay for return to Canada.

    NP957 was delivered to No. 427 squadron on 13 September and received the code "L." Her first operation was flown on 24 September 1944 to Calais. The 40th and last operation with the squadron was a sea-mining sortie on 25 February 1945. The aircraft was then transferred to No. 429 squadron and coded "U," completing three operations, 2 March (Cologne), 5/6 March (Chemnitz), and 13 March 1945 to Wuppertal.

    NP957 was then assigned to her last squadron, No. 425, where she received code "KW-Q" (Q for Quebec). The Halifax flew ten operations, seven by the crew of P/O Kolisnek, who are believed to have chosen the nose art. The aircraft completed a total of 53 operations.

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    Ville De Quebec in the Canadian War Museum.

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    Ville De Quebec in 1945.
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    Post by aden10 Tue Mar 04, 2014 10:44 am

    Hello

    I was given a copy of this photograph by the late Bemjamin Parker Jackson D.F.C of 431 Sqn RCAF, he was a British Skipper.  I have difficulty uploading this photo of a Halifax with possible ref to LL540 and Q too.

    Anyone assist please?  I can email.

    Regards

    Andy
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    Post by Tankermike Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:35 pm

    Bomber command museum in Nanton, Alberta has some nice ones on the wall, and some nice displays.
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    Post by aden10 Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:16 am

    Hello All

    I am have found the serial number of the Halifax it is LK840 and the possible identifier is EY-J. Unsure if this was known as Queenie as nose art was with 431 Squadron and then to 78 Sqn.

    Appreciate any help please.

    Andy
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    Post by aden10 Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:17 am

    I also have a photo of our wullie too
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    Post by aden10 Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:47 am

    Apologies after some research it was Halifax B.V, LK640, SE-Q, 431 Sqn (RCAF) not LK840, phonetic alphabet was nose art Queenie

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