Seahawk Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Below is a well-known photo. Can anyone help with the name on the fuselage of aircraft B in the foreground please? Looks like 2 4-letter words both beginning with L. https://www.reddit.com/r/WWIIplanes/comments/39ia7q/martlets_and_tarpons_wildcats_and_avengers_on_a/ Apologies if the answer is already contained in the combined ouevres of Sturtivant and Ballance but I am still separated from them (9 weeks and counting!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 (edited) There is a larger version of the photo found at Flickr: Increasing the size and dialing up the contrast - I possibly see "Luce Lady"? regards, Jack Edited May 27, 2020 by JackG 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 (edited) Hi maybe after an actress ? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Luce cheers jerry Edited May 27, 2020 by brewerjerry 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 Well done, both: I think that between you you’ve nailed it. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 (edited) And "Luce" could have a double-meaning. Edited May 28, 2020 by gingerbob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 (edited) Possibly (and maybe a bit of a long-shot here) the aircraft of S/Lt. (A) T. D. Lucey [Thomas Donald Lucey?], F.A.A. of 846 Squadron? Simon Edited May 28, 2020 by Simon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 The pilot's name may be more plausible source than the actress. No idea how popular she was back then, but I've never heard of her till now. Her film credits too, bit of dry spell spanning from 1939 to 1947, along with her stage career. Just my opinion though .... regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 She WAS in England, though. Or maybe he had a thing for Clare Boothe Luce? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 A little more about T. D. Lucey here: http://thetartanterror.blogspot.com/2007/12/don-lucey.html Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Would not know if he had a 'thing' for the actress (or for that matter older women - in 1944 she was 41, while the pilot Luce was 22). Also to consider the double meaning of 'luce', would back then using that label be considered degrading or a compliment? regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Hi Well Mae West was in her 40's in WW2, so i personally wouldnt rule it out the actress but i know if the first word on my aircraft was my surname I wouldn't want 'lady' painted after it you would never live it down on the ship 😀😩 cheers jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 A good summary of HMS Tracker's life. And another shot obviously taken at the same time (but not showing your subject, alas). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Fair point Jerry! I just thought it was a co-incidence that there was a pilot called Lucey around at the time and a plane name with Luce in it. A bit more obscure, but perhaps to do with Luce Bay or Old Luce in Scotland...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonM Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Simon said: Fair point Jerry! I just thought it was a co-incidence that there was a pilot called Lucey around at the time and a plane name with Luce in it. A bit more obscure, but perhaps to do with Luce Bay or Old Luce in Scotland...? There’s also Glenluce in South West Scotland, near Luce Bay. Edited May 28, 2020 by GordonM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 Fascinating speculation. I look forward to seeing a photo and biography of the Evelyn after whom the Firefly Evelyn Tentions was named! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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