Identity of Polish 315Sqn badge

[Tony Kearns]

Could anyone please identify the attached badge as seen on Spitfire V BL959 PK-T 315 Sqn RAF.
Apologies for the poor quality, really a longshot but perhaps our Polish friends might know.
TIA
Tony K

[VoyTech]

No idea what it is, I have never seen it in any photos. The only photo of BL959 PK-T I know in service with 315 Squadron (not "Squadron RAF", it was a Polish Air Force unit) shows starboard side of the aeroplane and was taken from behind. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if it was no emblem, but chipping paint. There are photos of other 315 Sqn Spitfires at about the time where the finish in cockpit area was in very bad condition.
It is good to know, though, that the legendary photo(s) of BL959 in Ireland do exist as I have been looking for these for a long time, in vain so far.

[Tony Kearns]

Thank you VT, my impression is that it was a Disney type cartoon character. Certainly not the units badge.

Thanks also for the clarification on the Polish 315 Squadron.
Tony K

[SteveB]

I think I agree that it looks as if it is a cartoon/noseart. I am suddenly alarmed that I cannot find my copy of "Zumbach's Donalds" is there a possibility, VoyTech, that BL959 is linked to Zumbach?

Steve

[VoyTech]

Originally Posted by Tony Kearns

my impression is that it was a Disney type cartoon character.

There were Spitfires in 315 Squadron with Disney dwarfs (dwarves?), so this could be another one.

Originally Posted by SteveB

is there a possibility, VoyTech, that BL959 is linked to Zumbach?

No.
But he was not the only one to have Donald Duck on his aeroplane.

[Tony Kearns]

Thanks VoyTech and Steve B for your input any further information that may arise, gratefully received.
Tony K

[KrisJG3]

Originally Posted by SteveB

I think I agree that it looks as if it is a cartoon/noseart. I am suddenly alarmed that I cannot find my copy of "Zumbach's Donalds" is there a possibility, VoyTech, that BL959 is linked to Zumbach?

Steve

- here is Polish pilot: Jan Eugeniusz Ludwig Zumbach :

http://reibert.info/attachments/jan-zumbach-jpg.476591/

http://img.archive.is/t5giS/34bb0bd0...049e99de6f.jpg

http://reibert.info/attachments/zumbach3-jpg.476592/

http://reibert.info/attachments/2bw-jpg.476593/

Film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTnUKkIum2g#t=18

More about his military careere:

http://en.ww2awards.com/person/41848
http://archive.is/t5giS


PZL P.11c, RWD-8, M.B.152, M.S.406, Hurricane Mk.I (V7242; P2685; P3577; V6684,RF-J), Spitfire Mk.II (R6977; P7962; P8385), Spitfire Mk.Vb (EN951,RF-D; AB976; BM144,RF-D; EP594,RF-H), Spitfire Mk.IX, North American Mustang Mk.III (HB868,JZ)

Northolt, September 1942
http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/a...pitfire/14.jpg

315 Squadron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._315...ghter_Squadron
http://www.robbiereid.co.uk/images/diary/plane1.jpg
http://www.polishsquadronsremembered...5/44/set3.html


303 Polish Fighter Squadron ("Kościuszko")

Emblem:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._303...ghter_Squadron

http://www.strijdbewijs.nl/birds/spitfire/NO8.jpg

http://www.polishforums.com/archives...-emblem-22039/


Kris

Best wishes from Poland

[Revi16]

If it's a Disney character, it could be Jiminy Cricket.

http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__...inyCricket.jpg

[Brian]

Hi Tony

My instant reaction when I saw the image that it was the cartoon version of the Desert Rats Icon!

Could it been the personal badge of one of the Polish pilots who had flown in the Desert with Skalski's unit?

Or possibly its an after affect of too much booze over Christmas!!

Cheers
Brian

[Tony Kearns]

Hello Kris, Revi16 and Brian many thanks for your input.
We believe that the pilot Boleslaw Sawiak was known in the squadron as “Happy” . One of the dwarfs or should I be more PC and say “one of the vertically challenged mining engineers” in the Disney Cartoon “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was known as Happy. We have based the profile of the aircraft as such and believe it is correct. I found a reference to a “comical mascot painted on the forward fuselage above the Polish Flag in the aircraft salvage report.
Brian, too much booze over the Christmas ?, NEVER! I hope that all is well in Suffolk after the bad storms.
Best wishes to all for 2014.
Tony K