Phantom of the Ruhr
I took this photo of the BBMF Lancaster PA474 at the Farnborough Airshow back in July 2010. I have produced a few versions of this which are used in mousemats and drinks coasters, but this is latest version, processed in black and white to bring out the details.
“PA474 presently wears the markings of the “Phantom of the Ruhr”, a Lancaster that flew 121 sorties (a so-called “ton-up” Lancaster). Originally assigned to 100 Squadron in June 1943, the original “Phantom” was transferred to 101 Squadron in November that year and finished the war as part of 550 Squadron at Ludford Magna. PA474 displays the markings of bombs for operations over Germany, ice-cream cones for operations over Italy and poppies when she releases poppies during exhibition flights.”
Source: Wikipedia
The Phantom of the Ruhr
“Lancaster Mk III EE139 was delivered fresh from the factory to 100 Sqn at Waltham on 31st May 1943. It was initially allocated the code letters ‘HW-A’, although it subsequently became ‘HW-R’.”
“The aircraft was allocated to a new 100 Sqn ‘sprog’ crew straight out of training: W.O Ron Clark (Pilot/Captain), Sgts Harold ‘Benny’ Bennett (Flt Eng), Jim Siddell (Nav), Doug Wheeler (Bomb Aimer), ‘Lish’ Easby (WOp), Les Simpson (Mid-upper Gunner) and Geoff Green (Rear Gunner).”
“The crew named the aircraft ‘Phantom of the Ruhr’. ‘Benny’ Bennett, the crew’s Flt Engineer, painted the ‘Reaper’ on the nose with its skeletal hands scattering bombs”
Source: BBMF raf.mod.uk
read more on the BBMF website
