One of the thirteen - “Indian Head"

The Indian Nose Art appeared on one Handley Page Hampden Mk. I bomber flown in No. 420 [Snowy Owl] Squadron, RCAF, Waddington.

In April 1942, [A.E.M.] Floyd Rutledge was posted from No. 3 S.F.T.S., Calgary, Alberta, to No. 420 [Snowy Owl] Squadron, RCAF, No. 5 Group, Waddington, Lincs., England.

The squadron flew the Handley Page Hampden Mk. I aircraft until 6 August 1942, and Floyd painted one with his first Nose Art, based on the Indian Head sketch.
Original sketch by Nose Artist Floyd Rutledge made in England 1942.

 

This nose art panel was saved as part of the original collection and is in Ottawa today.

Halifax Mk. III, MZ655, code RV-T, had no name, just the No. 431 [Iroquois] Head Dress. The Halifax completed 39 operations from 24/25 May 1944 until 16 September 1944 when it was damaged in a minor accident. The Halifax was repaired and sent to No. 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit, then at the end of the war sent for disposal 2 June 1945.

The Halifax arrived at Rawcliffe on 8 June 1945, and soon after F/L Lindsay and Robert Goodwin parked their small English truck under the huge bomber. Then each man took the others photo standing under the Iroquois Nose Art of MZ655.