Guy Gibson flew this Lancaster B Mk I (W4118) when he was commanding officer of No 106 Squadron. After leaving the squadron he became the CO of newly-created 617 Squadron, an elite unit that became famous for destroying dams in the Ruhr valley. Gibson led the attack and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions and leadership.
Nice work on the art. I am researching my uncles Lancaster which was shot down over Schwienfurt in 44. He was with the 106 sqdn as well. His plane numbers were ND853/ZN-J, trying to find any info on them is difficult at best of times. I am doing a model of his plane and the DO217-N1 which shot down my uncles place and which my uncle also shot down at the same time. Both were lost in the crashes.
Any info you may come across would be great.
Thanks
Thanks for the kind words on my work. I’ll try to see if I can come up with anything but I’m not sure I will, unfortunately. I imagine you’ve already tried contacting the RAF museum?
My father was a Sergeant Pilot on 106 in 1943, stationed at Metheringham, I believe. His name was Gordon Richard Price, RCAF. We have a copy of the photo showing the Squadron in front of Admiral Prune with Gibson, Searby and the dog in the foreground. He completed his tour with 106 and later served with 617 at Woodhall Spa.
We owe your father and his brothers in arms a great debt for their service and all too often for their sacrifice!
8 years later, I have stumbled onto this site and post. Your father flew as second dickey with David Shannon on November 6, 1942 in Lancaster W4256. My father was rear gunner on Shannon’s crew. I have written a chronicle on my fathers war ” In the Slipstream of Greatness. An Ordinary WW2 Gunner among Extraordinary men). In it, I mention your father. The chronicle can be read in https://slipstreamofgreatness.wordpress.com/
The iconic photo “Wings over Hamburg” was taken on the Jan 30/31, 1943 mission to Hamburg. The plane from which that photo was taken, was W4118, ZN-Y, Admiral Prune, piloted by David Shannon