Looking at that photo carefully Ann I think that Zola is a Wellington bomber not a Lancaster. Most likely flown by S/L Clyde-Smith (WS-Z) when 9 squadron were at Honington in 1942.
Groundcrew clearly identified by wearing wellingtons essential gear for use on squadron 1st line servicing...... airfields in inclement weather.... wellingtons proved to be the most appropriate footware....worn with thick socks.
Thanks Harry- do you agree that this Zola is a Wellington Bomber (not the photo above Barbara/Mary but the Zola photo further up thread)? I am almost certain flown by Denis Clyde-Smith as he decorated his new Lancaster I (Zola W4133) the same was and similar bomb tally (see attached). Do you know about the Zola 3 in attached photo? The people with plane are (I think) all gunners- can you confirm from uniform? Any idea if Zola 3 was ED479 (flown by my great Uncle)? Delivered in January 1943 to Waddington 9 sqn (Lancaster 3). Thanks, James
I am certain this Zola posted by Ann Parry is in fact not a Lancaster but a Wellington bomber looking at the canopy etc. Also that this is the Wellington Zola piloted by S/L Denis Clyd-Smith in 1942 from Honington (9 sqn).
This small photo comes from a RAF pilot who flew Dakotas. Based on the scrapbook I believe the picture was taken at RAF DUM DUM
Without doubt a Wellington but what Mark? Wellingtons Mark 1,1A,1C,11 and 111,served with No 9 Squadron, converting to the Wellington 1 at Stradishall in January 1939 from the Heyford 111..an open cockpit with a design fixed on the Great War,reflecting the state of Bomber Command about 6 months prior to the war outbreak.The squadron moved to Honington in July 1939 and started the war with the Mark 1A but retained the Mark 1 until December 1939.It was resident at Honington with its variations of Wellingtons until Aug 1942 when its turn to convert to the Lancaster was effected at Waddington in September 1942. However if the photograph shown was taken in 1942,it could be a Wellington 1C (on strength again for a short period) but most probably a Wellington 111...on strength from July 1941 until August 1942. The Type C Hangar shown is typical of those found on the 1935 Expansion airfields.......Stradishall or Honington, one of the two in the photograph.
Thanks for confirming this Harry and the extra information. I have been unable to identify this Zola from IX Squadron Operation Records Books as (unlike Lancasters flown from Waddington) they don't seem to record the aircraft registrations. It would take a long time to work out from the bomb tally given that a good number of different Wellington bombers were used. There is mention of a brand new Wellington Z-Zola delivered to IX squadron at Honington around end of May 1942 in Gordon Thorburn's book (Bombers First and Last, p.85). This brand-new Wellington was apparently pranged (tipped on it's nose) during an overly steep landing after an air test by Sq/Ldr Bob Turner. Whether this aircraft was ever repaired and used on operations is unknown. If it was delivered new in 1942 I am not sure which mark Wellington it would be. It may well be the same aircraft as shown in photo as the Zola nose art appears to be closely associated with Sq/Ldr Denis Clyde-Smith who I recall flew with IX Squadron from Honington around this time. Similar Zola nose art was then continued on the WS/Z Lancaster I and Lancaster III flown by IX squadron from Waddington.
I don't think I've posted these before - these were with the Service book of an RCAF WOP/AG who saw action with 427 Squadron, no idea the story behind the first photo - the second is of Lil Abner which was his crews Lanc (not sure how many Ops for) the Navigator in his crew was Arthur Hiller another RCAF lad who later found fame as a film director
A little group I picked up with some other photos, no idea of the crew or squadron, but I think the small snapshot of bombs away is a cracker at that point in the raid I cant imagine many aircrew were looking out their cameras for happy snaps
I posted these before but hosting has messed those up so here they are again - from a Bomb Aimers group - first is QR-N (ED860) - second has QR-N again as well as VN-G (ED588) - after that is JO D Digger LL847 of 463 Squadron - last the crew who were lost on her after a raid on Munich (including the Bomb Aimer)
Today in Toronto. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=317464809290626 https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3030046923749237
I didn't know this was going to happen but when I was cycling home around 11:30am I heard a loud propellor noise and saw a 4-engined plane and quickly looked up what a Lancaster looks like, and yes, sure enough, that was her.
The same thing happened to me about ten years ago while walking in NJ except it was a B-17. I went online and looked but couldn't find any mention of why a B-17 was flying around northern NJ that day, which made the surprise even better for me.
I golfed with my son today at course which is on the flight line to the Mount Hope airport and a mere 1.5km from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. On a cloudless, 31C day we were treated to a 4hr. continuous flypast and landings of many of the vintage planes. The Lancaster, B-25, DH Chipmunk, Harvard, Stearman, Cornell and Tiger Moth were all overhead on multiple occasions. Spectacular. It's $3,600 Cdn to fly in the Lanc for a 60 minute tour and there is a long waiting list. People from around the world arrive there every day just to see it. Buy a Flight in a Vintage Aircraft - Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum