Nose art on RAF Lancaster Mk I W4964 'Johnny Walker' of No. 9 Squadron, 1944

Painting cartoons and images on aircraft has long been a popular pastime for aircrew. In the Second World War it was a regular feature particularly for RAF Bomber Command crews.

Initially, aircraft were painted with identifying features and codes for practical reasons, to denote friendly forces. However, it soon evolved and escalated. This expressions of creativity reveal much about the mindsets of the crews that fought the bomber war, including their sense of humour. Nose art was a morale booster, and those in nightly combat needed that boost. But they also had a superstitious element attached. The painting of bombs to record successful missions - building up to the key number of 30 that would denote successfully completing and surviving a tour - was common, as was national symbols connected to the crew. You can see the kangaroo, representing Australia, for example. Nose art on bomber aircraft was not being officially approved, even if the regulations against it were not enforced. W4964 flew its first operation to Stettin in Germany (now Szczecin in Poland) on the night of 20 April 1943 – just eight days after leaving the Metropolitan Vickers factory at Old Trafford, Manchester. In total the aircraft completed 106 missions with No. 9 Squadron over Occupied Europe and then became an instructional airframe in December 1944.