[303rd-Talk] Aircraft Names

[bill runnels]

Keith & Gary,
  That squadron was the 360th of the 303rdBG under the command of Bill Heller. He would allow art on the aircraft for the photo shoot but it had to be removed before to the next mission.
   
  Bill

Gary Moncur <glm at 303rdBG.com> wrote:
  > 
> Can any of you enlighten me on the naming of a/c in the 303rd? 
> Specifically the 427th's 42-102432 "Tiny Angel" which was gained Apr
> 44 and lost 15 Aug 44.
> 
> Who got to name a specific a/c and why are some named and others not? 

Keith,
Early in the war most of the planes had names. Later in the war, 
most didn't. Some were named by the crew chiefs, some by the first 
pilot or crew. Many were renamed two or three times. Most crews 
flew a bunch of different planes rather than just one, especially 
later in the war. Very few planes were assigned on one crew.

One squadron let the men name a plane after their girl back home -- 
for as long as it took to take a photo. Then the paint was washed 
off and a new name was painted on. 

Gary


-- Gary Moncur
Webmaster & Director of Internet Operations
303rd Bomb Group (H) Association
http://www.303rdBG.com 



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