Avro Lancaster

Anything is possible, 'Hells angels' is really not that extreme i dont think . . .

Shall have to wait for the photo to appear just for confirmation ??

canberra;90766 wrote:

As for this being the name of a Lancaster Im still not convinced. Knowing the RAF Im sure someone will have vetoed such a name.

Not being deliberately argumentative here, but names like 'Phantom of the Ruhr' could also be construed as being in the same vein. We know that the more daring portrayals of the female form were frowned upon. But there is plenty of evidence of Disney characters appearing on RAF bombers. Lots more feature these Disney characters holding, or in the act, of dropping ordnance. Caricatures of Hitler subjected to all sorts of punishment happily adorned Wellingtons, Hampdens, Whitleys, Stirlings Halifaxes and Lancasters.
I cannot see why 'Hells angel' seems so ....out of the ordinary!

Thanks for the positive feedback guys, going with canberra's line of thought its surprising the RAF allowed the Herman Goering quote on the Lancaster...but thats another can of worms!

Just to prove old Billy hadn't got the 'plane he flew many missions in mixed up with another I have attached a photo I've just taken of the photo I have (scanners not playing!), I hope you can see the 'name' painted on the nose of what appears to be a wartime Lancaster!

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Hope I attached it correctly!

Yes, a wartime Lancaster it certainly is, and with the name of Hells Angel, although instead of a typical half nude 'Vega' girl laying seductively along the fuselage, we have a quite comical caricature holding a bomb, all very RAF indeed:)
I would still try the RAF commands forum with the chaps name and any other details. You cannot post images over there, but the expertise is spot on.

Not any help in this particular case but if anyone wants to see the large range of nose are that was carried by various Lancs this is an interesting site : www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc-noseart-main.htm

It also has a lot of other info on the Lancaster & Manchester

A nice link Shadow1...I love the old names and nose art!

Hellzapoppin, Hells Bells...and now a Hells Angel! The word 'Hell' obviously wasn't an issue and more than a few of those 'planes sound American-ish...perhaps the lads at the time watched American films and were influenced by American 'culture' as they are today...even Hitler was a fan of Clarke Gable!

Thank God political correctness didn't exist in the way it does today back then!

I noticed you didnt post this request over at RAF Commands, so I took the liberty of doing so myself. It may lead to information being posted over there.

Didnt political correctness exist 70 years ago? I think it did, ever seen the list of things that couldnt be mentioned on the BBC? As for today, at least the handicapped/disabled arent hidden away.

Thanks Denis, I've been meaning to but spare time has been scarce...appreciate you doing that!

The BBC's censorship and 'moral code' was more Victorian than politically correct. I'm just looking as to where I said political correctness didn't exist...please re-read and you'll see I actually said 'in the way it does today'. It has always existed to some degree or other, unfortunately these days (due to 'popular' media and spineless governments and government departments!) political correctness has crossed the line of ridiculous...a prime example being the renaming of Gibson's dog in the remake of The Dambusters!

Not sure why the comment regarding handicapped/ disabled people was even put into the reply as it has no bearing or relevance to anything in this thread!

Vespretta;90944 wrote:

'

it has no bearing or relevance to anything in this thread!

Don't worry, you'll get used to it!!

A lot of the RCAF crews christened their aircraft, could it be from one of those squadrons'?