Jump to content

D-Day Wildcat V: help with name please


Seahawk

Recommended Posts

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

There is a larger version of the photo found at Flickr:

 

28207691662_9bb2d2ce6f_k.jpg

 

Increasing the size and dialing up the contrast - I possibly see  "Luce Lady"?

 

87jv63U.jpg

 

 

regards,

Jack

Edited by JackG
  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by Simon
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

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

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

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

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 by GordonM
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...