North Africa – Landing Ground #33
The majority of combat operations flown in North Africa during the Second World War did not involve permanent Royal Air Force aerodromes. Most operations were conducted from temporary facilities, with natural landing surfaces [sand and stone], few, if any buildings, and usually lacking any name. The British called them “Landing Grounds” and identified each with a number. North Africa had over 200 of these selected locations, which were quickly reclaimed by the desert as the fighting moved on.
On 30 September 1943, No. 420 [Snowy Owl] Squadron, No. 424 [Tiger] Sqn. and No. 425 [Alouette] Sqn. of the RCAF moved to LG33, a landing ground located East of the village of Hani, Tunisia.
 |
L.A.C. Mat Ferguson was an airframe mechanic with artistic talents, who later became Canada’s greatest aviation aircraft nose art painter. At LG33, Ferguson painted nose art on Wellington Mk. X aircraft in both his squadron, [No. 424] and No. 425 Squadron. The Ferguson photo album records seven “Wimpy” paintings he completed in No. 424 {Tiger] Squadron, among them: “The Big Apple”, “Black Bull” [beer], “Dipsy Doodle”, “Frenesi”, “La Congo” |
 |
 |
| “Marie” possibly serial HF582, with the red Maple Leaf background, which later became a Ferguson trademark. |
The “Jersey Bounce” was an impressive nude with fairy wings who weaves a magic wand. The serial was possibly MS477, which has completed thirty operations. |
 |
No. 425 [Alouette] Squadron
A Wellington crew in No. 425 Squadron were so impressed with the art they requested the same for their aircraft. Ferguson painted the same style nose art and gave the Alouette bomber the name “The Fiery Queen”. The aircraft recorded ten day operations [white star] and one night [1/4 moon]. |
 |
 |
| No. 425 returned to England on 6 November 1943 and received a new Handley page Halifax B. Mk. III aircraft. A new artist painted the same nose art on the new Halifax aircraft. | Reproduction of the Halifax Fiery Queen painted by Mr. Nose Art. This panel was donated to the Trenton museum in 1998. |