Recently donated by the Sanders family to The Sywell Aviation Museum was this very rare piece of Wellington Bomber nose art – the museum is looking for help to identify the machine it came from.
All is known is that the Wellington was sent to Brooklands Aviation at Sywell in 1941 (so presumably an early mark) during which time David Sanders (then 17) was working in the repair shop. The aircraft had been badly shot up and it was SOC – beforehand David removed this nose art for safe keeping and after hanging on his garage wall for 60 years it was donated by his family in his memory – and ‘returned’ to Sywell! The artwork depicts ‘Eugene the Jeep’ a mythical creature from the Popeye cartoons – indeed the Wellington was nicknamed the Wimpey after J Wellington Wimpey another Popeye character – so it was very appropriate!
Any help and information gratefully received [email]sywellaviationmuseum@gmail.com[/email]
By: philip turland - 1st December 2008 at 14:59
several of the 75 squadron wellingtons had Popeye characters on them……….might be one of them?
anyone got any pics of 75 sqn aircraft they could check for us please.
philip
By: DazDaMan - 11th November 2008 at 13:08
it is excellent
wonder if the 5 spots were always on the character or maybe something to do with the squadron or summit.
I would say they were always on the character (Eugene the Jeep).
Good luck in finding out more info. I should imagine, with the knowledge on this forum, the plane’s ID will be nailed quite soon!
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 11th November 2008 at 12:56
Thanks Tim, we are v chuffed with it – especially because of the Sywell link…
ATB
Ben
By: philip turland - 11th November 2008 at 09:02
it is excellent
wonder if the 5 spots were always on the character or maybe something to do with the squadron or summit.
By: Consul - 10th November 2008 at 23:30
Ben,
What a fantastic item – it will make a super exhibit at your already fascinating museum. I expect you’re already aware, but the character depicted in this nose art has the origin explained by the following link. Hope this helps.
Tim
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 10th November 2008 at 22:15
Thought you’d like it Andy – in fact its the second piece of Nose Art we have – both ex Sywell – they are both being conserved and put under glass, at the mo, but when they’re both done I’ll post a pic of the other bit (we know the history of that one!)
ATB
TT
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th November 2008 at 20:17
What a lovely item!
Tim Elkington of 1 Squadron had an almost identical piece of artwork on his Hurricane in 1940.
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November 10, 2008 at 7:41 pm