Hey guys!

Being a member of the RAAF IL2 squadron we are all put into different squadrons, me being within 453rd. I decided to check out my assigned code which for RAAF markings is TD-F and European TOW is FU-F depending on where you are fighting.
So looking at the codes and buying a book on the squadron i discovered that the pilot that flew my plane was John R Ratten. This first RAAF pilot to become the commanding officer of a squadron. He was also an ace and awarded the DFC.

The sereil number of the Spitfire which he flew was BL516 which was a Mk.VB.
Interestingly this plane had a nose art drawing on it. I have searched high and low for an image of this nose art on the internet but cannot find it any where, only in my book.
It is of a small running man as if drawn by chalk all in straight lines apart form a circular head and a halo above the head, with the words "Tikkie" written below.

Whilest watching discovery channel today and viewing the program "World War 2 in Colour + HD" the BoB episode a man appeared on screen, he was relaxing in a chair in the mess with his life jacket on, on the life jacket was the exact same running man but not the word "Tikkie".
I paused the tele and compared him to the picture of John in the book and it is not him.

I will attempt to get apicture of the page in the book and post it on this thread shortly.

So i am wondering, has anybody ever seen this running man with halo before? Does anybody know what "Tikkie" is? And after we have found out, could anybody do me a skin for this plane?

Thanks Alot.
_RAAF_Mini

hey mate,

Nice to see that you researched the aircarft and pilot.

Could it possibly be the saint that you are refering too?


cdn-www.airliners.net/...166435.jpg

Not sure about the words but if it is, The saint was a common thing on spitfires

Thats exactly it! Nice one mate!

What does the isignia mean? Was it like a protective thing?

BTW, it is amazing to see a pic of a 4 cannon armed spitfire in the real world, beautiful example of an epic fighter!!!!

Hey Mini,

If i'm honest i'm not exactly sure. Although i think it wont be too long before somebody chimes in with the correct answer here

Sakai, That spitfire is gorgeous, I saw it fly a few times before it went to the states and it really is nice to see something different.

Hi Mini

Thanks for reminding us about John Ratten. A great leader. Died suddently in Feb 1945 of pulmonary tuberculosis.

I haven't done a skin for his MkVb. I have of his MkIX but never unloaded. I have a break from work coming up and will upload then.




A good book on 453rd Sqn can be found though
www.raf-in-combat.com/

Thanks
eirinn

Excellent stuff eirinn! Looks like you dealt with the warping exceptionally well. Top stuff mate

Thanks mate! Plus what an awesome skin, can't wait to get behind the controls!
And that is the exact book i have mate! =D

The Saint was a fictional character in a book written by Lesley Charteris.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Templar