One of the photographs that we got from a veteran has this interesting artwork painted on a Spitfire VIII . From the photo (which will be pubished soon on our website) , the serial looks like MT841 and the unit is definitely 2 Squadron IAF, at Kohat 1946.
I also have a second photograph of a Spitfire with the same artwork and same unit, location, and period but with a different spinner.
Any ideas as to ‘who is she?’ and the origin of this pinup ?
By: DazDaMan - 15th December 2004 at 20:34
Having given it a bit more thought, and had another look at the photo, I think it may read Pauline Ma Wee Smasher. This would be a reference to what was either a wife or sweetheart and the fact that she was very good looking! The use of a Vargas girl would be more common than using a true likeness in such circumstances, I think.
Neds aren’t entirely new then? 😉
By: RadarArchive - 15th December 2004 at 20:07
Having given it a bit more thought, and had another look at the photo, I think it may read Pauline Ma Wee Smasher. This would be a reference to what was either a wife or sweetheart and the fact that she was very good looking! The use of a Vargas girl would be more common than using a true likeness in such circumstances, I think.
By: Dan Johnson - 15th December 2004 at 19:53
What’s interesting is how doing the profiles has made me pay more attention to the nose art and where it came from.
Always a bit strange to run the latest profile with nose art past the Mrs. and ask her how it looks 🙂
Dan
By: DazDaMan - 15th December 2004 at 19:23
Here’s your gal.
Vargas Girl. Looks like the artist for the Spit took a few liberties 🙂
http://www.thepinupfiles.com/vargas1.html
Dan
Yes please, Dan! 😀
By: Jagan - 15th December 2004 at 18:55
Dan, should I say….smashing…
Pinpup girl art is very rare on Indian Air Force aircraft. The best one would come across are birds and girl friend names. I guess its a culture thing. I would have assumed this was the work of a British RAF officer but for the fact Kohat was an all Indian Air base from 45 onwards…
By: Dan Johnson - 15th December 2004 at 18:31
Here’s your gal.
Vargas Girl. Looks like the artist for the Spit took a few liberties 🙂
http://www.thepinupfiles.com/vargas1.html
Dan
By: VoyTech - 15th December 2004 at 18:24
Yeah, Pauline Mc Wee or Mee Wee and Smashing/Smashe.. at the end.
Google search for Pauline McWee turns up naught.. hence the query
One of our Scottish friends might correct me if I’m wrong, but “Me Wee” seems to mean “My Little” in this northern language, IIRC.
By: Swiss Mustangs - 15th December 2004 at 14:17
Sure looks like an Alberto Vargas or Gil Elvgreen inspired nose-art.
Martin
By: Jagan - 15th December 2004 at 14:05
Yeah, Pauline Mc Wee or Mee Wee and Smashing/Smashe.. at the end.
Google search for Pauline McWee turns up naught.. hence the query
By: RadarArchive - 15th December 2004 at 13:54
What do the words say? I can’t make it out. Is it Hindi or something?
I don’t think so! It appears to read Pauline Me Wee Smasher. More like Scots than Hindi. :rolleyes:
By: Dave Homewood - 15th December 2004 at 13:35
What do the words say? I can’t make it out. Is it Hindi or something?
Actually, funny you posted this as I’d just read this great wartime poem in the Feb 1945 RNZAF Contact magazine. You too might enjoy it:
My Pin-Up Girl
by “The Communique”
My pin-up girl is beautiful
Upon my locker wall
But the satisfaction that she gives
Is really none at all
She has dimpled cheeks and eyes of blue
And hair of golden brown
Her smiling is so enchanting
And I’ve never seen her frown
But she can’t dine, or dance with me
Or pass the time of day
All she does is hang around
And help me save my pay
She’s a moral uplift, I’ll admit
And I can never escape her –
But how can I get any love
From a blasted piece of paper?
By: Moggy C - 15th December 2004 at 13:16
She looks a little like my mother 😮
Well, same number of legs, anyway 😉
Moggy
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December 15, 2004 at 12:30 pm