Category Archives: Tom Walton

Remembering Tom Walton

Updated 22 January 2021 with this comment and images.

Tom Walton is my grandmother’s brother. I have a family crest that he painted hanging in entrance-way to my house. I’d be happy to share it if anyone would like to see it.

This is a research that was done by Clarence Simonsen. It was originally posted here on my blog Lest We Forget II. Why Lest We Forget II? Because I had a blog called Lest We Forget. Since I did not have anymore space to add more pictures, I had to create another blog.

When Clarence asked me to put his research on Lest We Forget II, I had this great idea…

Create his own blog for him called Preserving the Past.

This is what was originally posted on Lest We Forget II, but there is a little surprise at the end.

Research and story by Clarence Simonsen

The original “Hamilton Tigers” motto [Noli me Tangere] ‘Touch Me Not’ and Tiger Head badge represented the City of Hamilton and the very first squadron [No. 19] formed in this city. The badge never flew in the City of Hamilton.

No. 19 [Auxiliary] Squadron RCAF was formed in Hamilton, Ontario, on 15 May 1935, and began flying four Tiger Moth aircraft in May 1937. They were renumbered No. 119 Squadron on 15 November 1939, and called to full duty when war was declared [England] 3 September 1939. They left Hamilton [for Western Air Command] on 4 January 1940 and flew out of Jericho Bay, B.C. from 9 Jan. 1940 to 15 July 1940.

On 21 July 1940 the squadron returned to Eastern Air Command at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. On 23 August 1942, S/L H. Wigle took over command at Sydney, N.S., at which time approval was granted for an official crest. The Hamilton Tigers Football [rugby] club allowed the use of their tiger which was prepared by artist J.D. Heaton-Armstrong, then submitted to the Chester of Herald of the Royal College of Arms, in London, England.

This image was taken from the Hamilton Tigers [Rugby] Football team insignia and was not created until after 23 August 1942. It was officially approved October 1942 by King George VI. The unit was now based at Sydney, Nova Scotia, flying four aircraft [Lockheed Hudson Mk. III] on anti-submarine reconnaissance over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton Island. I can find no proof the official badge appeared on any aircraft from this date until disbanded on 15 March 1944.

Official No. 119 Squadron Canadian badge, which featured
the Hamilton Tigers Football [rugby] club image

The squadron title or nickname became “Hamilton Tigers” with motto – [Touch Me Not] approved by King George VII, October 1942. This first tiger insignia was used in Canada for only eighteen months or until the unit was disbanded at Sydney, Nova Scotia, 15 March 1944. Note- this Tiger face is not the same as the original British design and the B.R. for Bomber Reconnaissance is omitted.

The History of the Second Tiger Insignia [and the forgotten “Erk” who created the badge]

No. 424 Squadron began to form at Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England, 15 October 1942, under No. 4 Group RAF Bomber Command. They had no badge, motto, or connections to the City of Hamilton. Wing Commander H.M. Carscallen, DFC, a Canadian pilot who had been on operations since the beginning of the war, became the first Commanding Officer on 20 October 1942. The next two months marked a period of intensive training, and by the end of December the squadron had on charge one-hundred and twenty-two aircrew with two-hundred and eight-five ground crew. On 1 January 1943, they became part of the newly formed No. 6 [RCAF] Group of Bomber Command. In the next four months they took part in major bombing raids on targets as Cologne, Wilhelmshaven, Oldenburg, Essen, Hamburg, Duisburg, and mine laying [gardening] at the Frisian Islands, Heligoland, and Den Helder. On 3 April 1943, the British Air Minister asks the Canadian government for their approval to deploy three RCAF experienced Wellington squadrons for a two month tour of operations in support of the invasion of Sicily. No. 420, 424, and 425 squadrons were selected to serve under number 331 Wing, Mediterranean Air Command, part of 205 [RAF] Group. On 1 May 43, they were taken off bombing operations and informed they were part of a new formed Canadian Wing going to North Africa. The squadron aircrew departed England for North Africa, [Tunisia] on 16 May 1943, flying new tropicalized Vickers Wellington B. Mk. X bombers. The ground crew were issued tropical gear and departed by boat, arriving in Algiers on 26 May. A young artistic air engine mechanic from Calgary, Alberta, was part of the ground crew, LAC Matthew Cecil Ferguson.

LAC Mat Ferguson from Calgary, Alberta. [From his loving wife Levina 2001]

The main targets in the Sicilian campaign became the enemy airfields on Sicily and mainland Italy, preventing the Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautica from taking off and bombing the landing Allied troops. Canadian operations began on 26/27 June 1943. Beginning in mid-June 1943, Calgary artist Mat Ferguson painted at least nine squadron Wellington bombers with Canadian Nose Art

One contained the side profile of a tiger on a Maple Leaf with name “The “A” Train”. The name was in reference to a train that was leaving track “A” in a Canadian train station. [More trains would follow from Canada]

Replica of Ferguson’s nose art on Wellington aircraft North Africa by Clarence Simonsen

“Marie and Black Bull” painted by Ferguson at Kairouan, Tunisia, North Africa June 1943

This Wellington nose art was found in the Mat Ferguson photo album and it is based on the same nude image he painted for 424 bomber “Jersey Bounce”. The original art was created by Norman Pett for an RAF night fighter squadron in England, and the nude was the famous “Jane.” I believe this was in fact a Wellington Mk. X that served with No. 425 Alouette Squadron who shared the two dirt landing stripes with No. 424 and No. 420 squadrons in Tunisia.

Group Captain Clarence Rupert Larry Dunlap was in charge of the three RCAF squadrons that arrived in the Tunisia theatre of operations on 21 June 1943. They would operate under RAF No. 331 Wing, however the area was taken by three RAF squadrons and the Canadians were informed they would fly from a mountainous area further south-west on the region between Algerian and Tunisia. Thanks to some cash lost in poker games and a few bottles of rare Scotch whiskey, two new RCAF dirt landing strips were constructed in four days by a Major in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. RCAF G/Capt. Dunlap then informed the RAF Mediterranean Air Command Headquarters his three squadrons would be located beside the RAF in the Tunisian plains, and the British should find the means to supply his squadrons with fuel, ammunition, and food. The RAF reluctantly agreed and the RCAF went to war in a much safer landing zone, thirty miles from the Mediterranean coastal city of Sousse. The two dirt strips were only ten miles apart, and this would allow Mat Ferguson to paint nose art on other squadron aircraft.

The same nose art would appear on a No. 425 Halifax at Tholthorpe, Yorkshire, England in 1944.

The Capture of Sicily was not intended to be the pre-invasion of Italy, but that changed with a new campaign to capture Naples and southern Italy. Bombing support for this invasion meant an extension for the Canadians of 331 Wing, and the planned return to England was delayed from late July until 10 October 43. Throughout the month of September and the first week of October the Wellington bombers pounded the area around Naples and the airfields of Foggia. In early October the Germans were pushed north, the front line was stabilized and the Canadians of 331 Wing prepared to depart for return to cold and wet England. The RCAF Wellington bombers had flown 2,182 sorties and only lost eighteen aircraft in combat, a further eighteen written off in accidents. One of the Wellingtons lost in an accident carried the art work of tiger face with words – The “A” Train.

The old trusty RCAF Wellington aircraft were left for the British RAF as the three squadrons boarded troop ships at Algiers on 27 October 1943. The nose art of The “A” Train was cut from the crashed Wellington bomber by ground crew and taken to England. [This was confirmed by 424 pilot Jack Dundas, who saw it in the Officers Mess at Skipton]. On 6 November 1943, No. 424 Squadron returned to No. 63 RCAF base in England, Skipton-on-Swale, where they received new four engine Handley-Page Halifax Mk. III bombers.

The original aircrew of the North African flown Wellington [The “A” Train] request Mat Ferguson to repaint the same Tiger “A” Train nose art on their new Halifax Mk. III, serial LV951, code QB-A. On 12/13 August 1944, 36 RCAF Halifax bombers and 12 Lancaster bombers attack German ground troops at Draunschweig, in the Falaise Gap. Hamilton born pilot F/O Jack Dundas was hit by flak but returned to base in his Halifax painted by Mat Ferguson, “Bambi.” The crew of F/O G. Campbell are flying QB-A, “The A Train” and they are attacked by a German night fighter and six jump becoming prisoners of war. F/O G. Campbell, Sgt. E. Harvey, F/O W. Barrett, F/O W. Cram, Sgt. L. Maki, and Sgt. R. Austin. Sgt. W. Harris never leaves his burning bomber and is killed in the crash of LV951. “The A Train.” That should have been the end of the Tiger nose art, however it is only the beginning.

Nose artist Mat Ferguson [far right] sits on the Halifax Mk. III serial LV951 in spring of 1944. The other two ground crew are unknown but I’m sure they were assigned to the bomber which Mat has just painted with nose art of “The A Train.” This is the second nose art to feature the Tiger face profile.

Mat Ferguson continues to paint nose art such as “Hellzapoppin”

This image came from the private photo album of Mat Ferguson.

Mat Ferguson painted nose art from the pages of Esquire magazine such as March 1944.

Hamilton born pilot Jack Dundas wanted Bambi for his Halifax serial MZ813, nose art and that is what Mat Ferguson painted.

1995 replica painted on original Halifax skin from NA337, Bomber Command Museum Nanton, Alberta
On 10 March 1944, the City of Hamilton was advised that No. 119 [Hamilton Tigers”] Squadron was being disbanded by the RCAF on 15 March. No. 119 Squadron died that day, but the City of Hamilton Tiger had nine lives.

In May 1944, the City of Hamilton decided to officially adopt No. 424 Squadron and a special committee of prominent citizens was set up. The new fund was called the “Hamilton Tiger Squadron Fund”. Each month supplies of cigarettes, lifesavers, gum, and chocolate bars were sent to the squadron through the Canadian Red Cross.

The Squadron was officially adopted by the City of Hamilton in September 1944 and received the nickname “Tiger” Squadron. In October, Mat Ferguson painted the new squadron badge which was the same art as the nose painting on the “A” Train. This nose art was loved by all squadron members and voted to become the new squadron badge. The Ferguson painting was submitted to the Chester Herald of the Royal College of Arms and for some unknown reason the British rejected the Ferguson badge and created a new badge which is today the official 424 badge. This badge was approved by King George VI in June 1945.

This is the original Mat Ferguson drawing [from his photo album] submitted to the British Chester Herald

Pilot Jack Dundas [born in Hamilton] recalled when the British design appeared the Canadian 424 squadron members refused to wear it and called it the “Fucking British Dog”. This caused a small munity and the C.O. [W.C. G.A. Roy] had to step in and inform his squadron this was their official badge and that was it.

This is the official No. 424 Squadron badge [British dog] worn in Trenton by the squadron today.
The upset squadron members ask Mat Ferguson to create a new cloth badge using the original “A” train image. This drawing was mailed to Mrs. Ferguson in Calgary, with instructions to have 100 cloth badges made by Crest Craft in Saskatoon. Mrs. Ferguson divided the new cloth crests into three packages of 33 and mailed them off to her husband [Mat] in England. She kept the 100th badge which is pictured below. This 100th Tiger badge was donated to Bomber Command Museum of Canada, Nanton, on 12 May 2003 by Mrs. Ferguson.

The most amazing part is the fact the Mat Ferguson rejected badge from the “A” Train nose art, is still worn [unofficially] today by 424 squadron members. As you can see it is by far the most impressive “Tiger Squadron” insignia. Mat Ferguson was murdered in his backyard in Calgary in 1982, so he never knew the lasting power of his little nose art; he created for a RCAF Wellington bomber in far off North African 1943. I was very lucky to meet Mrs. Levina Ferguson just two years [2001] before she passed away from cancer. Thanks to this brave lady, the true story of the 424 Tiger squadron Badge was saved. God Bless her.

Clarence Simonsen and Mrs. Levina Ferguson – Nanton 12 May 2003

Mat Ferguson is the only RCAF artist I have located who painted “Canadian” WWII jacket art, just like the Americans. This is very rare and again the unofficial No. 424 Tiger has appeared on the jacket of an unknown RCAF member [far left]. Artist Mat [right] wears another of his creations which possibly flew in Tiger Squadron. I believe this Grim Reaper with yellow bomb also appeared as nose art in No. 424, but photo evidence has never been found.

It was common for RCAF artists to copy WWII nose art and insignia from the United States. Mat Ferguson was “Canada’s Greatest Nose Artist of WWII” and his talent was always in high demand. The skeleton in black cloak, wearing black aviator’s helmet, and holding a yellow aerial bomb was the official emblem of the United States 308th Bombardment Group, 375th Bomb Squadron, flying B-24 bombers from Chengkung, and Hsinching, China, 1942-45. It was officially approved on 11 January 1943, and copied by Mat for use in 424 Squadron in 1944. Replica art painted on original skin from Halifax NA337, in private collection of Mr. Robert Curtin, Calgary, Alberta, 2009.

During the last three months of WW2 the squadron converted to the British built Mk. B. I and B. III bomber aircraft which were also decorated by nose artist Mat Ferguson. In total 31 British Lancaster aircraft were flown by Tiger Squadron and the 2,000 sortie was flown by QB-V, serial RF128, with nose art by Mat. He also painted the special bomb Tiger “Easter Egg” which was dropped by the Lancaster “V” Victorious Virgin. Struck Off Charge by R.A.F. on 25 March 1948.

British built Lancaster aircraft used by No. 424 [Tiger] Squadron

QB-A PB899 Missing 15 February 1945.

QB-A RF148 Struck off charge RAF 15 May 1947.

QB-B PB897 Struck off charge RAF 16 January 1947.

QB-B RA504 Swung on take-off hit dispersal pen, 27 November 1945.

QB-C NG457 Missing Dessau, 8 March 1945.

QB-D NG456 Struck off charge RAF 24 January 1947.

QB-E NG451 Struck off charge RAF 10 September 1946.

QB-F NN777 Ran out of fuel, crash landed Dishforth, 15 March 1945.

QB-G NG277 Struck off charge RAF 16 October 1946.

QB-H NG457 Used code letter “C” lost 8 March 1945.

QB-H PA286 Struck off charge RAF 9 January 1947.

QB-J NG446 Went to 427 Sqn. Struck off charge RAF 7 April 1949.

QB-K ME456 Missing Dortmund 21 February 1945.

QB-K NG459 Struck off charge RAF 29 January 1947.

QB-K PA324 Struck off charge RAF 12 December 1946.

QB-L NG441 Struck off charge RAF 16 July 1946.

QB-L NG484 Struck off charge RAF 20 January 1947. Painted by Mat Ferguson.

QB-M RA504 Used code “B” crashed 27 November 1945.

QB-N NG346 Missing Dessau 8 March 1945.

QB-N NX587 Struck of charge RAF 7 May 1947.

QB-O NG279 Struck off charge RAF 25 March 1948.

QB-P NG347 Struck off charge RAF 15 May 1947.

QB-Q NG348 Struck off charge RAF 9 December 1946.

QB-R NG400 Struck off charge RAF 15 May 1947.

QB-S RA507 Struck off charge RAF 13 February 1947.

QB-T ME458 Struck off charge RAF 14 November 1946.

QB-U NG280 Struck off charge RAF 15 May 1947.

QB-V RF128 Struck off charge RAF 25 March 1948. Painted by Mat, dropped “Easter Egg’

QB-W PA326 Struck off charge RAF 24 March 1947.

QB-W RF150 Flew into hill High Wycombe, 5 April 1945.

QB-X NG281 Struck off charge RAF 24 March 1947.

QB-Y NN780 Struck off charge RAF 3 September 1947.

This is the most famous Tiger Squadron nose art created by Mat for British Lancaster code “L”.

The squadron had two Lancaster aircraft coded “L” and I believe this is serial NG484 which was struck off charge by RAF on 20 January 1946. The other RCAF Lancaster first served with No. 433 [Porcupine] Squadron as BM-L and then transferred to No. 424 as serial NG441. This photo was found in the Ferguson photo album with no serial number recorded.

Author painting in Nanton, Alberta

Hank Porter [right] and Roy Williams who created over 1,200 Walt Disney insignia during WWII.

In 1941, Walt Disney put together a team of five experienced artists to just create insignia designs for WWII units. The team was headed by Hank Porter [left with glasses] and six-foot four inch, 250 lb. Roy Williams. Roy created the very first “Flying Tiger” insignia which was used by General Chennault in China. On 4 July 1942, the original American Volunteer Group, [Flying Tigers] became the new 23rd Fighter Group of the 14th Air Force. This new 23rd F.G. insignia of a tiger with wings on a lightning bolt was created by Roy Williams. This Williams Tiger image was copied by Mat Ferguson and used on Lancaster NG484, QB-L, “The “ELL CAT.”

No. 424 [Tiger] Squadron remained in England after the end of war in Europe, transferred to No. 1 Group R.A.F. on 30 August 1945. Based at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire, they transported 884 British and Canadian troops from Italy back to United Kingdom, making 39 trips. They were disbanded on 15 October 1945 and returned to Canada.

The unofficial 424 badge created by Mat Ferguson is still in use by 424 Helicopter Squadron today.

The sad fact remains that the true history of the Mat Ferguson creation is still not recorded in the RCAF history books and this proud LAC is still forgotten by the very members that still fly Helicopters and use his unofficial WWII “Tiger” badge. This error must be changed.

Mat Ferguson became the first “Erk” who created No. 424 Squadron nose art history and the first to be forgotten by the passage of time.

A second WW II Sgt. wireless/air gunner was the man who created the postwar Tiger image on five of the P-51 Mustang aircraft fuselages, and again Tom Walton has been forgotten by his squadron and the City of Hamilton where he was born.

Postwar artist Thomas Walton from Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton born Sgt. Thomas Walton served as a wireless/air gunner on a No. 428 [Ghost] squadron Lancaster KB864. In 1945 he was promoted to the RCAF rank of Pilot Officer. Tom was the nose artist who decorated both sides of his bomber with impressive paintings completed on request of his American pilot Latumer and his favorite 1931 Jazz song “Sugar Blues.” Pilot Officer Latumer was known as Capt. “Overshoot” after he had crash landed two Canadian Lancaster bombers, KB766 [3 December 1944] and KB795 [7 April 1945].

Tom Walton Images

Photo image P/O Tom Walton, England 1945. This image of KB864 was taken after 8 May 1945 and during the preparation for the return to Canada of No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron on 31 May 1945. The Squadron would arrive at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on 8 June 1945.

The impressive “Vargas” Redhead in the January 1945 issue of Esquire magazine.

Sgt. Tom Walton painting the nose art of “Sugar’s Blues”

Tom Walton images

No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron arrive at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, 8 June 1945, and the RCAF members crowd around looking at a veteran WWII Lancaster Mk. X. The impressive starboard nose art of a Ghost dropping a bomb was painted by Sgt. Tom Walton. [photo credits Tom Walton]

Ray Wish image – September 1945

10 September 1945, Pearce, Alberta, and Canada’s veteran WWII bombers arrive for long-term storage. The five man RCAF crew stationed at Pearce must start the four engines on each of 83 Lancaster aircraft once every day. Three pose to have their photo taken in KB864, Sugar’s Blues. LAC Cook in the cockpit, LAC Wyers on left and LAC Raymond Wise in white coveralls and hand on prop. [Photo credit – Ray Wise]

A number of WWII veteran Lancaster aircraft will forever remain at Pearce, Alberta, including Sugar’s Blues, KB864. This is the last known photo taken in summer of 1955. The once proud bomber is now home to the pigeons of southern Alberta. I had the pleasure to meet the lady in the photo at Nanton, Alberta, 2003.

Tom Walton returned to the postwar world of art, becoming an art director in the City of Hamilton. On 15 April 1946, No. 424 [City of Hamilton] Squadron was formed as an RCAF Auxiliary squadron. From November 1950 until September 1956, the squadron flew the North American Mustang Mk. IV. On each side of the fighter fuselage a large yellow tiger was painted posed on a rock searching for prey. The artist who created this fuselage art is still unknown. North American Mustang Mk. IV [US serial 44-74582] RCAF 9253, taken on strength 6 December 1950, code BA-S, flew until 10 August 1959.

In 1997, Clarence Simonsen freehand painted the nose art of KB864 on the movie prop Lancaster nose section in the Nanton [Bomber Command Museum of Canada]. In 1998, the original nose artist Tom Walton came to visit Nanton and I enjoyed the afternoon with Tom and his wife Millie. I insisted Tom repaint his original “Sugar’s Blues” but being the perfect gentleman he is, he just said, “Leave her as is, just change the shoes and skirt to the correct color Green.”

Millie and Tom Walton at Nanton in 1998

Tom and I would became close friends and he shared his full RCAF history with me. When I ask about his postwar career, he surprised me by stating he rejoined the RCAF Auxiliary in Hamilton and he was the artist who painted the Tiger insignia on five of the squadron Mustang aircraft.

Tom Walton was very kind to autograph this 424 Squadron Mustang print in 1998, however he then surprised me stating – “This was not my work, but the art of another earlier unknown squadron artist.”

This P-51 was flown by Warplane Heritage as CF-BAU, RCAF #9567. which was destroyed by fire after a forced landing in 1984. This fuselage art had been based on the early Tiger badge which contained cat stripes that were painted in solid lines like rings. This art appeared on both sides of the Mustang fuselage and appeared on at least six of the aircraft in July 1951.

In the summer of 1953, Tom was ask by a squadron pilot [F/O Murray E. Linkert] to paint the same style insignia on five of the remaining P-51 Mustang fighters. Tom first created a scale stencil of the first Tiger insignia and using the pin pricked outline applied blue powder to the fuselage of the Mustang. He then free handed the new tiger image with black paint and completed the painting in three to four hours. Tom painted outside in the summer evenings, and his insignia only appeared on the port [left] side of the five fighters. Tom lived twelve miles from the Mount Hope airport and painted two nights each week, receiving $10 per aircraft, cost of paint. While the original July 1951 striped Tiger art featured a downed fighter plane under the paw of the tiger, a P-51 fighter circled near the face of the tiger. Tom changed these two aircraft to a WWII German Messerschmitt Bf109.

While Tom took no images of his Tiger insignia, he did have copies of his art work from an old newspaper article, which also pointed out his painting of two WW II German fighters aircraft.

The style of the original P-51 Tiger insignia by unknown artist in July 1951.

It is still not confirmed if the early art was painted on both sides of the fuselage.

This is the Tom Walton 424 Tiger insignia painted on Mustang serial 92577, PV577, for friend and pilot F/O Murray E. Linkert.

The writing is by Tom Walton showing he painted the German Bf109 fighter twice, for his WWII wireless/air gunner Lancaster operations.

Mustang serial 9577 was taken on strength 7 June 1947, ex-U.S. serial 44-74311A. This Tiger insignia was painted by Tom in August 1953, and the aircraft flew until taken off charge by RCAF on 27 December 1957. This was the P-51 of C.O. and flight Instructor F/O M. E. Linkert, he was not the pilot who crashed.

Three newspaper clippings from artist Tom Walton

Unpublished painting by Clarence Simonsen

These colors have been confirmed by original artist Thomas Walton. Rock – Dark Blue, German aircraft are both Bf109’s and both are dark green in overall color. Luftwaffe cross was painted on both aircraft. Tiger was yellow, orange and white with blood coming from mouth.

Tom Walton also painted the Tiger on Mustang serial 9252, PV252.
Taken on charge 6 December 1947, U.S. serial 44-74543. Flew until 17 December 1959.

In 1965, Tom Walton was transferred to a new studio opened in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he became Mid-West Art Director. Photo from Tom taken at Saskatoon in 1977. At age 93 years, he remains a close friend and the only living WWII RCAF nose artist.

Not original Tom Walton replica but close [author collection Calgary, Alberta, 1996]

North American Mustang Mk. IV flown by 424 [Tiger] Squadron

9247 6 December 1950 to 27 December 1957 U.S. 44-73849 Code BA-R

9252 6 December 1947 to 17 December 1959 U.S. 44-74543 BA-252
Painted by Tom Walton

9253 6 December 1950 to 10 August 1959 U.S. 44-74582 Code “T” & “S”
Stripe tiger art

9254 6 December 1950 to 17 September 1957 U.S. 44-74325 BA-254

9255 6 December 1950 to 1 November 1960 U.S. 44-74603 BA-U & “N”
Stripe tiger art

9259 10 January 1951 to 17 September 1957 U.S. 44-74878

9264 10 January 1950 to 17 September 1957 U.S. 44-74860 BA-264 & PV-264

9275 11 January 1951 to 17 September 1957 U.S 44-74009 BA-275

9276 11 January 1951 to 27 December 1957 U.S. 44-74404

9277 11 January 1951 to 17 September 1957 U.S. 44-74472

9557 7 June 1947 to 20 September 1960 U.S. 44-63843 BA-Z

9567 7 June 1947 to 20 September 1960 U.S. 44-73140 BA-U

9577 7 June 1947 to 27 December 1957 U.S. 44-74311 PV-577
Painted by Tom Walton

9583 12 October 1950 to 17 September 1957 U.S. 44-74327

9584 13 October 1950 to 12 November 1952 U.S. 44-74341
Stripe tiger art

9585 12 October 1950 to 17 September 1957 U.S. 44-74360 BA-585

9587 8 November 1950 to 6 April 1953 U.S. 44-74421
Crashed “A”

9588 8 November 1950 to 14 May 1959 U.S. 44-74430

9589 8 November 1950 to 14 July 1952 U.S. 44-74438 BA-W
Crashed June 52 – killing pilot F/O D.K. Russell Stripe tiger art.

9590 8 November 1950 to 1 November 1960 U.S. 44-74451

This is dedicated to WWII nose artists Mathew Ferguson and Thomas Walton. Today Warplane Heritage at Hamilton, Ontario, are repainting the nose art of WWII and I hope these two men will be remembered.

Now the surprise…

And a message Tom Walton’s son sent to Clarence…

Hi Clarence,

About 12 crew members arrived in the C 130 Hercules, an awesome sight for a 4500′ runway.
Everyone came out to meet Dad.
They were all young and very gracious. They took some photos of Dad in front of the nose…..below it actually, with his Tiger in the nose of the plane.
They then took in in the Herc to show him around.
Did an interview to be put on the internet in the near future.
He had a ball. The two young ladies in the crew treated him awesome and I know he enjoyed their attention.
Thanks for helping out Clarence, that was great of you.
I have attached some photos, use them as you like.

Thanks again,

Brent

Flying Officer Jack Carter and his Lancaster KB760, NA-P for “Panic.”

1 Reply

The First Vintage Flying Wings of Canada at Calgary, Alberta
Research by Clarence Simonsen
Part Two
Flying Officer Jack Carter and his Lancaster KB760, NA-P for “Panic.”

Arthur John Edward “Jack” Carter was born in Wadena, Saskatchewan, on 16 April 1922. He graduated from High School in 1939, and enlisted in the RCAF at Saskatoon, Sask., on 8 May 1941. He spent four weeks at a manning depot where he was interviewed, tested, and lectured, plus long hours of drill where he learned to salute and march for the salary of $1.30 per day. After recruit training, he moved a step higher when he was selected for pilot training, which took him to three different training schools.

Jack was first posted to No. 4 Initial Training School, Edmonton, Alberta, graduated 5 August 1941, and arrived at No. 5 E.F.T.S. at Lethbridge, Alberta, where he graduated on 25 September 1941.

His final posting was to No. 7 Service Flying Training School at Fort Macleod, Alberta, where he graduated and received his wings on 19 December 1941. The entire pilot course was designed for twenty-seven weeks of training, however in 1941 the RCAF urgently needed pilots and the course was shortened to twenty-two weeks. The pilot failure rate at elementary training schools was 22.5 per cent, and that did not include students who could not complete the course due to sickness, injury and death.

Jack not only passed, he finished in the “above average” and was posted as a flight instructor to Central Flying School at Trenton for flying training and ground school. He became a flying Instructor at No. 6 E.F.T.S. at Prince Alberta, Sask., where he trained pupils until 8 June 1943, then returned for a refresher course.

Next he was posted to No. 2 Flying Instructors School at Pearce, Alberta, where he remained until 7 June 1944.

While Jack was busy training new pilots for duty in Canada and overseas, the number ninth RCAF Bomber Squadron was formed at Dalton, Yorkshire, England, on 7 November 1942. They took the official badge of a ‘ghost’, a designation earned through the hours of night bombing operations over Europe and Germany, bringing death and destruction to the Nazi enemy. The badge featured a death head in a shroud, with the motto “Usque ad finem” [to the very end].

No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron flew the Vickers Wellington B. Mk. III & Mk. X, Handley Page Halifax B Mk. V & Mk. II, and the Canadian built Avro Lancaster B. Mk. X on strategic and tactical bombing operations over Europe. On 26 November 1942, total squadron strength was – Aircrew RCAF 15, RAF 25, officers RCAF 47, RAF 66. Ground crew – 2 RCAF officers and 2 RAF officers, 24 RCAF other ranks and 203 RAF other ranks. Percentage of Canadian personnel was – Aircrew 68.13%, ground crew 12.68%.

No. 428 Squadron flew the RCAF’s first Canadian built Lancaster Mk. X operation on 14 June 1944. Percentage of Canadian RCAF aircrew was 73.20% and ground crew was 91.91%.
When the RCAF entered WWII they had on strength a very small number of flying-instructors, however these members had a sound tradition for pilot training, and in June 1942, three separate schools for flying instructors were created. No. 1 located a Trenton, Ontario, trained instructors on twin engine aircraft, No. 2 was first formed at Vulcan, Alberta, and later moved to ex-RAF school at Pearce, Alberta, training students in the powerful Harvard aircraft. The third school was located at Arnprior, Ontario, and they turned out instructors for elementary flying schools.

This cartoon appeared in the opening day program for No. 2 Flying Instructors School, Vulcan, Alberta, 30 October 1942. It’s humour clearly shows the duties of an RCAF flying instructor.

Many young RCAF pilots who had recently won their wings, objected to being posted as a flying instructor in Canada. More education was required to convince them they were needed even more in Canada as flying instructors. The wastage rate for training of flying instructors was twenty-one percent, and many of these were deliberate failures. This problem of discontent continued until March 1944, when some flying schools were closed, and experienced pilots were finally posted overseas. The RCAF command gave priority to flying instructors, and over five hundred were released for posting overseas, including F/O Jack Carter.

Jack had thoroughly mastered the art of flying during his two tours of instructional duty in Canada, and now he would take this experience into combat over Europe.

On 7 June 1944, he was posted to No. 17 SFTS at Souris, Manitoba, where he completed a refresher course, in preparation for overseas operational combat.

No. 17 SFTS published a weekly newsletter titled – “Out of the Scramble, hot off the tarmac.” It contained all the local news with many cartoons, and a first class pin-up lady in the Petty – Vargas style.

At 18:45 hrs. 26 June 44, the Coca Cola Victory Parade entertained the airmen and visitors with a forty-five-minute program, followed by a live CBC nationwide broadcast at 19:00 hrs. Mart Kenney and his band then supplied the music for a dance in the drill hall attended by 1,400 RCAF members. This was the last entertainment for P/O Carter, in twenty-one days Jack would be in England, and seventeen days later flying a Canadian built Lancaster bomber over Germany.
No. 428 Squadron moved from Dalton, Yorkshire, to No. 64 [RCAF] Base at Middleton St. George, Yorkshire, on 4 June 1943. One year later, 17 July 1944, F/O Jack Carter [he was promoted from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer] and his crew arrived at Middleton St. George.

F/O Carter flew his first operation as “Second Dickey” to F/O Nicholl-Carne J27904, in Lancaster Mk. X, code “L”, serial KB725, on 3 July 1944.

Second Dickey – was the RAF slang given to a new pilot who flew his first operation with a fully operational-seasoned crew, which gave the new Captain experience before he took his own crew on their first operation. On this first sortie as Captain of the Lancaster KB725, Flying Officer Jack Carter had an engine burst into flame shortly after leaving his base at Middle St. George. The Lancaster lost height but F/O Carter proceeded to the target at Bois de Cassan, France, and executed his successful bombing attack. He returned safely to base and his determination and devotion to duty was recorded in the 428 Operation Record book.
Jack was not the normal pilot flying his first operation, as he had completed two flying training instructional tours in Canada. In May 1942, the minimum instructional tour was twelve months and this was gradually extended to eighteen months. In 1943, the RCAF found it impossible to find competent instructors, in both the number required and pilot devoted to their training duty. Commanding officers at service flying training schools were directed to point out that selection as a flying instructor was a tribute to their own ability to fly and also teach new pupils. Jack Carter became a senior flying instructor who was mild mannered with pupils, unassuming, and devoted to his duty of training new young men to fly. While some RCAF flying instructors were frustrated and a small number were inclined to take it out on their pupils, the majority performed their task with conscientiously. Hundreds of these ex-flying instructors would prove themselves in combat with an outstanding record and a very low casualty rate. F/O Jack Carter was one such pilot and now we can follow his operational record with No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron and his Lancaster aircraft NA-P for Peter, which soon became P for “Panic.”

9 August 1944, the first time the crew of Jack Carter were assigned to fly Lancaster KB760, with call sign “P for Peter.”

On 18/19 August 1944, 100 bombers were despatched on operations to Bremen, Germany. Five aircraft aborted the operation and 94 struck the primary target, with one shot down. This became the 2000th sortie flown by No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron and Lancaster KB760 would carry a special decorated bomb [cookie] which would be dropped on Bremen for this event. Just before take off a photo was taken of five ground crew and two flight crew. The two aircrew officers in the center were [left] bomb aimer F/O W.C. Chester from Lethbridge, Alberta, and on his right was his pilot F/O A. J. Carter from Regina, Saskatchewan.

The Ghost Squadron Operational Record Book records the special bombing of Bremen, Germany, 18/19 August 1944, and the selected crew.

This is a copy of the newspaper clipping Jack Carter had in 1986, and it shows a badge on the nose of KB760, which appears to be some type of nose art. It is in fact the official badge of the “Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire.”

In 1899, a young Canadian lady was in England and she became swept up in the British wave of patriotic support for the soldiers of the British Empire. Her name was Margaret Polsen Murray, and when she returned to Canada to began to organise a women’s support group of colonial patriotism. On 15 January 1900, the founding meeting of the first Canadian chapter was held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. On 13 February 1900, a meeting was held in Montreal, Quebec, and a national organization was formed called the “Federation of the Daughters of the Empire” who designed the above official badge.
Forty-three years later, the Toronto Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, adopted No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron at Dalton, Yorkshire, England. For the official photo of the 2,000th sortie flown by 428 squadron, the badge of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire was painted on the bomber nose, and flew the operation to bomb Bremen, Germany, pilot Jack Carter. This was not nose art created by the crew, and was only used to show their adopted “Daughters of the Empire” in the public relations photo, which the squadron understood would appear nationwide in Canadian newspapers. After the operation to bomb Bremen, Germany, the new Commanding Officer of 428 Squadron, W/C Chester Hull, DFC, informed P/O Jack Carter, Lancaster KB760, P for Peter would now be his own bomber.

On the 1 September 1944, P/O Jack Carter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The award took effect on 3 October 1944, and was presented to Jack on 22 February 1947.

On 6 September 1944, the P/O Carter crew begin operations in ‘their’ Lancaster, KB760, NA-P.

The crew first changed their call sign to “P for Panic” and named their Lancaster Panic Inn, directed at P/O Carter, who they nicknamed Pilot/Officer Prune.

This famous cartoon character was created for the WWII RAF training magazine called Tee Emm, founded on 1 April 1940, by Anthony Armstrong Willis. Anthony Willis was born in Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada, on 2 January 1897, but spent the majority of his adult life in England. He became a famous British author of crime novels, historical books, humorous short stories, plays, radio and film scripts., under the name Anthony Armstrong.
In 1940, he founded the RAF training manual or magazine TEE EMM, and served as its editor until its demise in 1946. The drawings of the famous P/O Percy Prune, and his humorous adventures in the RAF in fact saved hundreds of lives during WWII. The famous P/O Prune was created by an RAF General Duties clerk who had a growing reputation for his aviation cartoons, his name was Aircraftsmen W. J. Hooper RAFVR. If you find original copies of TEE EMM they are a gem, and the book “Pilot Officer Prune” published in 1991, by Tim Hamilton is also a keeper. You can also obtain the complete collection in CD format, which can be purchased online from England.

Author collection

This is the introduction to the book by Anthony Armstrong, titled “Prune’s Progress” February 1943.

P/O Jack Carter’s crew understood their Captain was one of the best qualified pilots in the RCAF and in naming him P/O Prune, well, it was in fact a humorous compliment. They decided to record each and every operation flown by Lancaster KB760, with a white bomb, and out of a tour of 30 operations, Jack and his crew flew 17 in ‘their’ bomber, NA-P for Panic. Op. #12, #17, #20, #21, #22, #23, #24. #25, # 26, #27, #28, #33, #34, #36, #37, #41 and # 42.

P/O Jack Carter became the “Canadian” P/O Prune flying his “Panic Inn.”

In September 1944, the crew painted the Starboard side, [right side] with their new call sign “P for Panic” in bright red, and beside the large white “P” the outline in white of a ghost and words Ghost Sqdn.

The rear door to the Lancaster received the sign “Panic Inn” red letters. [Jack Carter collection, England, September 1944]

Rear gunner art – “The Ghost Speaks.”

On 21/22 November 1944, 230 RCAF bombers struck Castrop-Rauxel and six returned early, four were shot down. No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron sent 20 Lancaster bombers, and this became the last [31] operation for P/O Jack Carter. His crew were on their 30th operation, the seventeenth flown in their bomber, NA-P for Panic, KB760.

P/O Carter and crew were screened and returned to Canada, while their Lancaster KB760 would fly 30 more operations with 20 different RCAF crews.

On 31 March 1945, the crew of F/O Boyle were assigned to fly KB760 to bomb Hamburg, Germany, the fifth operation for the new crew, the sixth for their Captain. They were forced to turn back to base when they lost an engine. On 4/5 April 45, the Boyle crew flew their only operation in “P for Panic” when they attacked Merseburg, Germany. On 25 April 45, F/L Googe and crew flew KB760 to Wangerooge, Germany, as the Canadian Group sent 192 bombers as part of 482 that attacked the coastal batteries at the eastern end of the Frisian Island chain. The last Canadian bomber from No. 6 [RCAF] Group to return to base was NA-D [D for Dolly] KB843, F/L D.R. Walsh from No. 428 Squadron. When F/L Walsh touched down at 20:36 hrs. the long Canadian Bomber Group’s war had come to an end.

” P for Panic” was now coming home to Canada carrying all her original P/O Carter aircraft markings.

In September 1944, the Canadian Cabinet War Committee began to prepare for a new fight, joining the Americans in the invasion of the Japanese home islands. The formation of the 6th Canadian Army Division, with 30,000 combat ready troops who had fought in Europe, were being rushed home to Canada, given thirty days leave, and then shipped to Okinawa in the Pacific. The advanced air element of RAF “Tiger Force” would consist of one RAF Mosquito and nine Lancaster squadrons, five would be RAF, two from Canada, and one from Australia. RCAF Overseas Headquarters wanted No. 419 and No. 428 squadrons to be ready for bombing operations against Japan on 1 January 1946, and ordered they be returned to Canada as soon as possible. No. 428 became the first squadron selected for return to Canada, leaving Middleton St. George on 31 May 1945. This is their official order of arrival back home.

On 2 June 1945, personnel of No. 6 [RCAF] Group Advance Headquarters arrived at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, to discuss the establishment of a Lancaster bomber “Wing” , which would proceed to the Pacific Threatre of operations, after a period of training at this station. In the afternoon, a conference was held in the office of the Commanding Offcier, at which time plans were formed for the reception of personnel scheduled to arrive aboard the Lancaster aircraft from Overseas.
Daily Diary – At 19:00 hrs., 8 June 1945, nine four-engine Lancaster bombers appeared out of the north sky, and slowly one after another began to let down and land at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The serial numbers were – KB757, KB843, KB891, KB848, KB744, KB920, KB864, KB781 and KB747.

F/O David Walsh and crew [KB843] touch down at Yarmouth, N.S. 8 June 1945. [D. Walsh collection via Lisa Sharp]

This is the Lancaster which flew No. 6 [RCAF] Group’s last offensive operation on 25 April 1945, crew F/O David Walsh, Sgt. Ted Taylor, F/Sgt. Norm Pratt, P/O Ken Daley, F/O Jim Hope, F/O Jim Harris and F/O Arnold Lindsay. Passenger to Canada was F/O D. J. Lindsay from Brantford, Ontario. [30 days leave – 9 June 45]. F/L S.V. Eliosoff lands KB891 [below].

Pilot F/L A. L. Googe taxies KB920, Yarmount, N.S. 8 June 45. Crew – WO2 A.J. Myers, F/O K.G. Poole, WO2 C.F. Parr, F/O W.K. Todd, WO2 R.N. Thompson, F/O W.C. Hinkle, F/O R. B. Fereaux, passengers – F/L N. Nagon, and Cpl. V.A. R. Nalnquist.

The first Ghost Squadron bomber to arrive KB920, pilot Googe shuts off his engines. [D. Walsh via L. Sharp] Flown to Pearce, Alberta, departed Yarmouth, 7 Sept. 45, by ferry crew F/L Brown.

The Yarmouth Daily Diary records the “over-shoot” by P/O E.T. Lewis, “Madam X”, KB747, 8 June 45. On 4 Sept. 45, she will be flown to Debert, N. S. by ferry crew of S/L MacDonell, then to Pearce, Alberta.

Flown to Pearce, Alberta, departed Yarmouth, 7 Sept. 45, ferry crew F/L H. E. Batty.

KB846 “S for Sugar” arrived with the first nine aircraft on 8 June 45. She spent eight hours at Gander getting a tire changed, and carried a crew of ten with three passengers, the most of all the aircraft. Her famous nose art was painted by my friend P/O Thomas Walton.

I first met Tom Walton in Nanton, July 1997 and we have remained friends to the present day. At age 94 years, Tom lives in Northern Ontario, where he spends may hours fishing, and enjoying the freedom of Canada, which he fought to save for all of us. I believe Thomas Walton is the only living RCAF No. 6 [Group] Nose Artist, and one of the finest Canadian veterans I have ever met.

The bomb record was a British ‘Jerry [PEE] pot’, which rained on Germany eighteen times.
On Sunday 10 June 1945, twenty more Lancaster aircraft landed at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. This included the first bombers of No. 419 [Moose] Squadron and three more from 428 [Ghost] Squadron. One of these was KB867, piloted by F/L A. S. Webb, “L for Lanky.”

Lanky was flown to Ottawa on 12 June 45, winterized and remained with No. 2 Air Command, Winnipeg, until struck off charge by RCAF 15 April 1948, and sold for scrap.

The only accident of thirty-eight Lancaster bombers which landed at Yarmouth, N. S., was No. 419 “F” KB783. It had rained for two days and when KB783 did an over-shoot, the soft ground caused her to nose – over. Scrapped 26 November 1947.

The famous KB772 “Ropey” who arrived a Yarmouth on 10 June 45, then to Greenwood, N. S. on 4 Sept. and finally to Pearce, Alberta, 14 September 45. One of only two Lancaster Mk. X’s which carried shark teeth on her four Merlin engines.

This is KB772, No. 419 [Moose] Squadron at Middleton St. George in late May 1945. After flying 64 operations she was scrapped on 13 May 1947, and a valuable part of RCAF history just slipped away. Today, this lost history is being reborn by the “Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum” in Hamilton, Ontario. In the past three years, they began repainting their Mynarski Lancaster in our lost WWII nose art colors. I can’t say enough about their decision to fly and save history, just look at the images and you will understand. This special two-day event occurs each year on “Father’s Day”, honouring No. 6 [RCAF] Group World War Two.

A special thanks to Lisa Sharp [ex-ground crew member] for the images, and for keeping our Canadian Lancaster safely flying for so many years, now preserving RCAF nose art history. Lisa was also one of the original members who suggested they preserve our Lancaster nose art heritage. Her grandfather flew KB721, “Linden Rose” in No. 419 Squadron during WWII.

On 10 June 1945, F/O W. J. Smith landed VR-B, “Linden Rose” KB721, at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, as part of Tiger Force. [photo from Lisa Sharpe – in her grandfather’s collection] Thanks to the efforts of Peter Whitfield, a replica nose art on original WWII Lancaster skin was presented to Lisa for her grandmother.

The crew of “P for Panic” KB760, arrived late 12 June 1945, due to bad weather, and their photo appeared in the Daily Diary for that date. Note the Panic Inn painted by Jack Carter crew.

On arrival at Yarmouth, N. S. each member of F/O Boyle crew posed beside the tail art, including their Captain. On leaving Middleton St. George, 31 May 45, Boyle and crew headed for St. Mawgan, Cornwall, England, the departure point for the Lancaster’s making the Atlantic crossing to Canada. They remained at St. Mawgan for six days until the weather cleared, then flew to Lajes in the Azores on 7 June 45. Adverse weather forced them to turn back and they left for Gander, Newfoundland, on 8 June, a seven and one half hour flight, fuel at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and after a weather delay, final destination Yarmouth on 12 June 1945. Under a special arrangement between the RCAF and Victory Aircraft, Toronto, they flew KB760 to the plant where she was built, one year earlier.

On 13 June 1945, Boyle and his crew flew KB760 to Victory Aircraft Ltd. at Malton, Ontario.

On arrival at RCAF Station Yarmouth, N. S. on 8 June 45, their Daily Diary recorded the words on the bomb bay door of P for Panic.
P for Panic hit old Jerry, in every conceivable place. The war in Europe is over and gone. Let’s get cracking on that YELLOW race.
This message was read by thousands at Malton, who understood this very Lancaster they built was now going to war to bomb Japan.
“P for Panic” code NA-P, serial KB760, remained at Malton for the next four days, and her crew received a tremendous welcome from the employees who built the Canadian Lancaster and the citizens of Toronto. Hundreds of photos were taken of this veteran WWII bomber and her crew. On 18 June 45, KB760 was returned to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and the Boyle crew departed for 31 days’ leave at different parts of Canada. In late July 45, the RCAF bomber crews returned for training in the strategic air bombing of Japan.
Today historians know the Japanese fierce determination to fight against the Allied invasion of their home islands would cost millions of lives, as they were committed to mass suicide. The vast area bombing of Japan by the American Air Force had already taken millions of lives, and now it has been estimated another 10,000,000 would be killed by the Allied bombers including the Lancaster aircraft in “Tiger Force.” The true number will never be known, only because of two American atomic bombs, which at a huge cost, [in lives and money] brought peace to our world.
To today’s political correct generation and Government controlled War Museum’s, the strategic bombing of WWII appears a cruel way to win a world war. The simple fact is, in 1945, there was no other way to win the war other than invasion by ground troops, supported by air power. Then on 6 August 1945, the first atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima, followed by a second dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August 45. The Japanese were forced [Yes, I said Forced] to accept the Allied forces terms of surrender on 15 August, with the official signing on 2 September 1945. [It took the leaders of Japan five days to realize they would suffer the same fate as their people, if they continued to fight].
The figures don’t really matter, the fact remains tens of millions of Japanese lives were saved, along with millions of American, British, and Canadian lives. No. 6 [RCAF] Group as part of “Tiger Force” were prepared to again do the dangerous, and dirty job of bombing the enemy. Many were troubled by the morality of bombing cities and killing civilians, yet they had no choice to save, protect, and defend our civilization. Japan surrendered, No. 6 [RCAF] Group was disbanded before they could commence training, and World War Two was over.

Today the mass carpet bombing of WWII cities has gone forever, we have smart bombs, but war is still a cruel force, that kills innocent civilians. Only the leaders of countries can prevent war, the direct result of greed, land, power, and today more than ever religion.
Most of the veterans from No. 6 [RCAF] Group have now passed away and the survivors are in the 93 to 95 year of age range. Our politicians are slowly drifting away from these old men who contributed so much to the air wars over Europe and our museums are not painting ‘their’ aircraft correctly, including “P for Panic.” Canada will never again have an Air Force or Bomber Group like World War Two, the best force of young men and women this country ever raised, the finest volunteer generation. They will always have a special place in Canadian history and today we must also attempt to protect our Canadian built Lancaster, that gave such an outstanding service to our airmen during World War Two.

The Lancaster Mk. X also demonstrated to the world that Canada could manufacture a large, modern, four-engine war machine, even if the Merlin engines had to be produced in the United States.
In June and July 1945, 288 Lancaster Mk. X aircraft returned to Canada, most were veteran survivors, while others had never been assigned to an RCAF unit in England.

With the end of WWII, these bomber veterans became worthless aircraft, and many would be cut up and destroyed. They were now flown west to Pearce, Alberta, for long-term storage, and scrapping in 1947.

On 7 September 1945, the first fifteen Lancaster bombers departed Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, for No. 102 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Satellite, Pearce, Alberta. They were a mixture on No. 419 and No. 428 bombers, with KB878 lifting off at 14:25 hrs.
The Lancaster Ferry Crews were made up of four members – Pilot, Navigator, Flight engineer, and Wireless air gunner. Thirty crews were selected and each given a number, two crews were held as spare aircrew. F/O R. L. Boyle was pilot of crew number 22, assigned to fly Lancaster KB760, “P for Panic.”
Beginning at 14:25 hours each Lancaster departed Yarmouth, N. S. at one-minute intervals for the three-hour plus flight to St. Hubert Airport, Montreal, Quebec. The take-off order was as follows –KB878, KB923, KB794, KB889, KB744, KB920, KB915, KB 917, KB781 KB848, KB860, KB746, KB854, KB945, and KB884.
All fifteen Lancaster aircraft arrived safely at Montreal, the last touch-down at 17:46 hours. These became the first aircraft to arrive at Pearce, Alberta, on 8 September 45. While these aircraft were landing in Alberta, the last group of fifteen bombers departed Yarmouth, N. S. at 13:38 hours, for Montreal. The take-off order is recorded as – KB857, KB891, KB927, KB839, KB865, KB838, KB760 [P for Panic] KB882, KB864, KB732, KB843, KB968, KB 841, KB881, and KB851, which was flown by P/O Connelly to Debert, N. S. [Reason unknown] The last fourteen Lancaster bombers arrived at Pearce, Alberta, on 9 September 1945.

The bombers remained over night at St. Hubert, Quebec, the next stop RCAF Station Gimli, Manitoba, for fuel [above] and then on to Pearce, Alberta. It is possible the bombers stopped at Calgary for fuel and then proceeded to Pearce. [that has not been confirmed] This would become the last stop for many of these veteran WWII proud No. 6 [RCAF] Group bombers.
Pearce, Alberta, had been constructed as No. 36 Elementary Flying Training School for the Royal Air Force and opened on 30 March 1942. The southern Alberta high wind conditions became a daily problem for the British students and the school was closed on 14 August 1942. On 3 May 1943, Pearce opened as RCAF No. 2 Flying Instructor’s School, which moved from Vulcan, Alberta. The base closed 20 January 1945, reopened 1 September, as temporary No. 102 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Satellite.

Pearce, Alberta, dust storm in August 1943, below No. 102 R.E.M.S 1945.

Beginning on 8 September 1945, fifteen veteran Lancaster Mk. X bombers were flown to Pearce, Alberta, in preparation for long-term storage at other selected RCAF Stations in the Province. On 9 September, fifteen more bombers arrived. By 15 September, they formed three long rows and most contained ‘nose art’ from No. 6 [RCAF] Group. These were the cream of the crop that flew the war torn skies over Europe. [Ray Wise images taken after 15 September 45]
The Daily Diary of No. 1 R.E.M.U. [Reserve Equipment Maintenance Unit] at Lethbridge, Alberta reported thirty more Lancaster aircraft arrived on 13 September, followed by sixteen more on the morning of 14 September, with fifteen more expected to arrive that same evening. That brings the total to 91 Lancaster bombers, eight more than the 83 total Ray Wise gave me during my interview.

This is KB918, “Owl Be Seeing Ya” which was assigned to No. 420 [Snowy Owl] Squadron in early April 1945. In mid-May the bomber was transferred to No. 425 [Alouette] Squadron and became KW-P, flown back to Debert, Nova Scotia, with the Snowy Owl original nose art.

This photo was taken at Pearce, Alberta, by Ray Wise, after 15 September 45.

Along with their nose art, many were scrapped and forgotten by RCAF history. This was painted at Linton-on-Ouse in England, No. 408 Squadron KB979, EQ-L. Photo taken at Medicine Hat, Alberta, where she is being placed into long-term storage spring 1946. Scrapped 27 January 1948.

A staff of four were sent to Pearce, and each day they had to start all of the four Merlin engines on 83 to 91 Lancaster bombers. The NCO in charge was Cpl. Edge, LAC Cook [in cockpit], LAC Wyers, [left] and LAC Ray Wise, hand on prop. [the man who supplied his collection for preserving RCAF history]

LAC Wyers, Cpl. Edge, and LAC Cook stand in front of the most famous Canadian built Lancaster Mk. X which completed a record 84 operations and shot down two confirmed German fighters. The date is 10 September 1945, photo taken by LAC Ray Wise. Placed into long-term storage at RCAF Station Calgary, it was removed, struck off charge by RCAF and unceremoniously scrapped 15 May 1948.

On 8 September 45, F/O Boyle flew “P for Panic” to Pearce and parked her. Two days later Cpl. Edge is running up her engines, possibly the last image ever taken. Scrapped 16 January 1947.
It was a Sunday afternoon, mid 1990’s, and I was painting Willie McKnight’s Hurricane on a wall in the Aero Space Museum of Calgary. A 93-year-old visitor from British Columbia stopped and we began to chat, his name was Ray Wise. He told me how he recorded most of the nose art on the Lancaster bombers at Pearce, Alberta, in September 1945, and he would send me the box of images, some were water stained. Without any due thought by Canadian RCAF and Government authorities, our Lancaster history was allowed to slip away and no photos were taken. Thanks to Ray Wise, at least his photo images have helped preserved a good part of our Canadian built Lancaster nose art heritage.

Lancaster KB746, VR-S No. 419 Squadron, Sierra Sue was a photo winner.

I keep an artist fact sheet on nose art and this is KB746. She flew with 419 [Moose] Squadron, a true WWII veteran the Germans could not shoot down, she never left Alberta, scrapped 16 January 1947.
In 1947, Jack Carter had joined his brother-in-law at Gallant Motors in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and he had no idea his old bomber KB760 was soon to be scrapped. Ten years later, Jack became sole owner of the dealership and the name changed to Century Motors. In 1962, Jack sold his business and moved to Calgary, Alberta, where he built and established “Jack Carter Chev Olds”, located at Glenmore Trail and Macleod Trail.
In 1967, the Air Museum of Canada [Calgary] was defunct and the aircraft are being sold to interested parties, with the understanding they keep their mouth shut. In Ottawa, plans for a new national RCAF aviation museum have been taking place since 1961, then in 1964 the idea was dropped for another government museum. In 1965, the National Aeronautical collection was established in the old RCAF hangars at Rockcliffe, and they begin looking for important Canadian aircraft. A Canadian built Lancaster Mk. X aircraft was located and flown to Rockcliffe, Ontario, her serial number is KB944.

Image obtained in Ottawa in 1977

This is what KB944 looked like at Rockcliffe, Ontario, in 1967, wearing her postwar markings with 404 [M.P.] Squadron based at Greenwood, Nova Scotia. In WWII this Lancaster was flown to England on 8 March 1945, and in May, [after end of war] became one of twenty new Canadian built Lancaster aircraft assigned to No. 425 [Alouette] Squadron, the only French-Canadian Squadron in No. 6 [RCAF] Group, RAF Bomber Command.

No. 425 Squadron flew the British built Vickers Wellington and Handley Page Halifax bombers during WWII, the last operation on 25 April 45, when eighteen Halifax Mk. III bombers struck the German gun positions at the Island of Wangerooge. These Halifax bombers were decorated with French-Canadian nose art and few original panels survive. No. 420 Snowy Owl and No. 425 Alouette squadrons were still flying the old Halifax Mk. III bomber when the war came to an end 8 May 1945. When you read the battle orders, you will find as other RCAF squadrons received British built or new Canadian built Lancaster Mk. X bombers, they passed their old Halifax veterans on to No. 425 Alouette to fly. The French-Canadian Alouette Squadron never flew the Canadian Lancaster Mk. X bomber on operations during WWII, and that would later become a political problem in Ottawa early 2002.

Halifax Mk. III, serial NP-957 was received new by No. 427 Squadron on 9 September 1944, and went on to fly 40 operations, the last on 25 February 1945. In March, 427 received new British built Lancaster bombers. NP-957 was then transferred to No. 429 Squadron and flew three operations until 13 March 1945. In mid-March, 429 received new British built Lancaster bombers. On 16 March 45, the old Halifax was transferred to No. 425 Alouette and would fly ten more operations as KW-Q, the last in WWII on 25 April 1945, pilot F/O Nezan to bomb Wangerooge.

A most talented tail gunner in 425 squadron, Raymond St-Onge, decided to decorate the veteran Halifax bomber and completed an amazing painting “Ville de Quebec.” [photo Pierre Lagacé]

F/Sgt. Raymond St-Onge was the rear gunner on the crew of F/L J. R. Laporte #J6958.

Collection Jacques Pacifique Lamontagne courtesy Laurent Lamontagne

They were posted to No. 425 Squadron on 23 December 1944, flying their first operation in Halifax NA527 “A” on 2 January 1945. On 15/16 March 45, they were shot down flying Halifax PN172, “G”, parachuted into Allied lines and returned to base. F/Engineer Sgt. J. R. Arcand did not leave the plane and was killed in the crash.

The crew had completed nineteen operations when the war ended. They flew in nine different Halifax bombers but were never assigned NP957, KW-Q for “Ville de Quebec.” I believe this was painted between 25 March to 4 April 1945, when Halifax Mk. III, NP957 flew no operations.

As soon as the war came to an end on 8 May 1945, the British Government created large aircraft storage maintenance units in England. One of the largest became the ex-Halifax aircraft repair unit located at Croft, Yorkshire, named No. 43 Group, Rawcliffe. Beginning in early May 45, 1,376 Halifax surplus bombers were flown to the airfield and scrapping began at once. RCAF French-Canadian pilots delivered their old 425 squadron Halifax bombers to Croft and returned to base, knowing their WWII nose art was gone forever. The RAF records show 811 Mk. II, MK. III, and MK. V, Halifax bombers were scrapped at Croft, including 533 Halifax Mk. III aircraft, and all of the Alouette veteran aircraft. A huge pile of cut up aircraft metal reached 80 feet in height and could be seen from the nearby village of Rawcliffe. These chopped-up metal sections also contained the best of our RCAF World War Two Halifax nose art paintings.

Halifax NP957 flew her last operation on 25 April, ready for disposal on 6 May, and was flown to No. 43 Group at Rawcliffe, Yorkshire, on 14 May 1945. This photo was captured by RCAF Officer Harold Lindsay a few days later, and you can see the wings and engines from the WWII bombers have been chopped off. This RCAF officer photographed all the Canadian Halifax nose art and selected fourteen for return to Canada, where they arrived in July 1946. We can all thank F/L Lindsay for his efforts in selecting and preserving our past, including this impressive painting created in England by nose artist Raymond St-Onge. This panel remained in storage in Hull, Quebec, for the next 42 years, then in September 1988, seventy-year old veteran Raymond St-Onge was informed his nose art survived and was going on display at the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa. [In 1982, the National Aeronautical Museum was renamed the National Aviation Museum] This original Halifax Mk. III nose art panel was moved in 2004, and hangs today in our Canadian War Museum, sadly with little WWII history to educate our youth or world aviation historians.

Source Pierre Lagacé

I have been researching the fourteen nose art panels since 1977 and from time to time saw one or two originals. In 2005, I visited the War Museum and observed the complete collection at once, they are mix of styles, by many different forgotten RCAF artists from WWII, but Ville de Quebec is a pure work of French-Canadian art.
No. 420 Snowy Owl Squadron shared the base at Tholthorpe, Yorkshire, with No. 425 Alouette Squadron, both flying Halifax Mk. III bombers. On 1 April 1945, No. 420 squadron began to receive their first Canadian built Lancaster Mk. X aircraft, with ground crew training beginning on 10 April, followed the next day when six crews began flight training. By 30 April, Snowy Owl squadron had received 24 bombers and a number of these were receiving new nose art images. No. 420 received nineteen new bombers, and five old veteran bombers, four of these were now transferred to her sister squadron, No. 425. [KB902, KW-C, KB917, KW-E, KB918, KW-P, and KB903 KW-R] The first Canadian Lancaster arrived at No. 425 Squadron on 1 May 45, and by the end of the month, Alouette Squadron had received on charge, twenty Canadian built Lancaster bombers. The crews began training flights for the trans-Atlantic flight to Canada.
On 1 May 45, No. 425 Alouette Squadron received their first Canadian built Lancaster, possibly PT-A, KB894. Flight/Sgt. Raymond St-Onge, the squadron nose artist, began to decorate the new Lancaster bombers with French-Canadian nose paintings. This is a full story on its own, so I will only give a few samples.

Lancaster KB894 was a new aircraft which received the code KW-A for Alouette. This is the nose art created by F/Sgt. St-Onge. [Photo Richard Koval collection]

KB903 was first assigned to No. 420 as PT-P then came to Alouette and became KW-R Rabbit’s Stew. Painted by F/Sgt. St-Onge. [Photo – Richard Koval collection]

New Lancaster KB924 “T for Tarzan” KW-T, was most impressive work by F/Sgt. St-Onge.

He followed this with KB931, KW-S for Samson, and his little dog.

All twenty of the 425 Squadron Lancaster bombers received some form of art on the nose, while KB915 KW-H sported just the name “Happy Hoolican”. Artist is unknown.

Lancaster KB944, KW-K was the only nose art to have both English and French, and in May 1945, just an innocent painting done by an unknown French-Canadian artist. When the war ended, KB944 was flown to Pearce, Alberta, placed into long-term storage at McLeod and forgotten. In 1952, K for King was flown to Fairey Aviation in Halifax, her old painted was removed along with the nose art, and she was restored to a Mk.10MR/MP Maritime Reconnaissance/Patrol, flying with 404 Squadron at Greenwood, Nova Scotia, until 1956.

In March 1955, the old Lancaster Mk. X bombers were being replaced by the American Lockheed Neptune patrol aircraft and #944 was placed into reserve storage at Dunnville, Ontario, in 1957. In 1966, the new Canadian National Aeronautical collection discovered her and she was transferred to RCAF Station Rockcliffe, where #944 was officially handed over to the museum. [above photo at Rockcliffe] In 1967, the powers to be in Ottawa decided to paint KB944 in Second World War colours of a famous No. 6 [RCAF] Group bomber, and they decided on KB760 from No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron, “P for Panic.” [below 1967] The Lancaster was never painted correctly.

In 1963, I was stationed at Kingston, Ontario, as a member of the “Canadian Provost Corps” Army Military Police. In May of that year, I was sent to Ottawa as part of the Quebec F.L.Q. crisis, my first visit to our nation’s capital city, and Quebec. By 1975, I was a ten-year veteran of the Metro Toronto Police Force, making my first visit to the old Canadian War Museum and the Canadian National Aeronautical collection in the WWII hangars at Rockcliffe, Ottawa, Ontario. I saw our Canadian Lancaster but had very limited knowledge of nose art or No. 6 [RCAF] Group at that time. It was during this trip, I learned I could pay to have someone do WWII research for me or I could travel to Ottawa, stay in a motel, do my research, pay for photocopies and photos, etc. That’s what I decided to do, and two years later, I made my return research trip to Ottawa. In the Canadian War Museum, I was lucky enough to meet the Deputy Curator of Collections and Research, Mr. Hugh A. Halliday. He invited me into his office and for the next 30 minutes explained where to go and what I would fine on nose art and RCAF records, a huge boost to my early research from an expert himself. In the next few years, I began to record and interview veterans from the RCAF and learned to my surprise, the Lancaster in our National Collection was in fact painted incorrectly. It soon became clear that some bureaucrat in charge of the Rockcliffe collection had objected to the World War Two art bestowed on the original KB760, and only painted one-third of the bomber nose, in the wrong color yellow and not even close to WWII replica. In 1977, the Canadian National Aeronautical Collection was in fact our equal to the American Smithsonian, well to Canadian thinking, and I was positive this error would be corrected in time. In the next nine years, I became totally involved in nose art research and publishing two books on this subject, I just forgot about the improper painting of KB944 as KB760 in Ottawa.

The Calgary Lancaster FM136, painted as “P for Panic” in 1991

Then in 1986, with the re-painting of the Calgary Lancaster FM136 as KB760 “P for Panic” and learning the history from the original pilot Jack Carter, I decided something must be done to correct the error in Ottawa. We had two Lancaster aircraft in Canada, both painted as “P for Panic” and both were painted incorrectly. To make matters even worse, neither museum [Ottawa or Calgary] displayed any history beside the WWII bombers. November 1986, I sent a letter to Mr. Hugh Halliday at the Canadian War Museum. The reply is attached.

A follow-up letter [with images] was sent to Mr. Bob Bradford but no reply was ever received. It soon became clear, I needed help from some organization, or V.I.P., as it was just impossible to find anyone interested. In November 2005, I donated a replica WWII Halifax bomber nose art panel to be auctioned off at an Ottawa charity event called “Cocktails for Cancer.” At the end of the evening, my nose art sold for $4,400.00.

At this same charity event, I learned for the first time, that 425 “Alouette” Squadron Association, headed by Honorary Colonel Paul Bourdages, were attempting to have Lancaster KB944 painted in the original WWII colors of No. 425 Squadron, with the nose art “King of the Air.”

Next time…
The real story behind the Lancaster
in the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum…KW-K “King of the Air.”

The True History of the No. 424 Squadron [Tiger] Badge and Nose Art