Do you Recognise this Bomber Crew?

[saxonw.]

I've got an Allen who died somewhere in the war.I don't know his first name. He was a member of an air crew but always wanted to become a pilot.But the RAF wouldn't let him. If family myth is correct he got into a plane and just  flew off never to be seen again. Memoty says that this was in the Pacific but I was only little when I was told the story so  I may be wrong on that.

[grandarog]

Hello Again,

                     Jc26red   Sorted the Photo signatures and deciphered some on the Photo Restoration Board.
Many Thanks.



E C J  WOOD
 
NIP.  (the dog )

W T  Gray

Peter  Bingley

R  Simpson

S  Allen

The others still unclear.

                      Getting somewhere now,  Any of these on your lists Larry ?.
                                                                     
                                                                                    Regards Rog.

[Rabbit B]

What a super picture Rog!

I only wish that my Dad had taken some like that!  I have a collection of people no names and that's all from his RAF days.

Rabbit B 

[grandarog]

Research Update.

Deleted as incorrect info

[justmej]

Great Pic!

Could the name beneath R Simpson possibly be Norman James?

justmej

[grandarog]

Deleted as incorrect info.Rog

[Rabbit B]

Hi Rog,

Thank you for letting us know!  An interesting if sad story.

Rabbit B 

[stockman fred]

Hi, I was just looking in a book I had as a kid called "The Lancaster at War" and among the nose-art, there is a very similar donkey. It is painted rather more solidly than the one in this picture, but is standing in a very similar position on the Lancaster's nose, with his tail curled up in similar fashion.
If it's any help, the caption reads:"Often insignia had no apparent link with the aircraft.S/Ldr Peter Birch(here seen in the cockpit), a flight commander with 50 Sq at Skellingthorpe in the spring of 1943, constantly whistled and hummed the tune The Donkey Serenade, so his crew had a donkey painted on their Lanc BIII, ED282,VN-S."
It may be unconnected but I wondered if the signiture in the middle could be Peter Birch?
Fred

[grandarog]

Hello Fred,
             Thanks for your entry.
           Would it be possible for you to upload a scan of the picture in your book to here ,I'me sure the copyrighgt is out of date by now if i'me wrong i will accept censure from the moderator, but I think it is important as it could be a major Breakthrugh .
         The Signature could well be Birch not Bingley as we think .
        It is directly below the only Officer with full Wings who is the Pilot and Probably the Skipper as Well. (It didnt always follow the Pilot was the Captain.)
       I dont Know at the mo if Mk 3 Lancs still had the Pointy props on the Merlins as in my Pic altho I think it is a Mk 1 but have not had actual confirmation of which MK.
            !943 is good as P/O Wood in the pic was not lost until Jan 1944. So could actually be spot on target for a result.
                                   Regards Rog