Lancaster II LL.725 “C” RCAF Bomber lost 29-Jul-1944

Factual Questions
1

I’m interested in learning about a particular Avro Lancaster Mk. II (some sources say Mk. III). Serial number LL.725. It’s markings are listed as “EQ-C Originally Z-Zombie”.

Since the markings were originally EQ-Z, it got a nickname (Zombie) and some nice nose art.

My question is, when they changed the marking from EQ-Z to EQ-C, would that likely entail also changing the nickname and nose art?

I’m curious because this model kit appears to be the exact plane that my Uncle died in in 1944.

2

From 408 Sqn. Lancaster B.II EQ*Z "Zombie" (LL725) - Aircraft WWII - Britmodeller.com

3

Not aircrew, not RAF, but I would speculate that the aircraft’s nickname would persist independently of its tail code, even if the tail code was the inspiration for its nick.

Although I guess warplanes changed nicknames and nose art sometimes.

I have never heard that there was any codified or standardized practice in squadrons, and the firm association between nickname and airframe was very useful. Each plane had idiosyncrasies and the nickname was a good handle to identify which idiosyncratic aircraft was which. Whereas a tail code, a purely administrative identifier, could change, which would defeat the link between identification and specific aircraft.

4

There’s a pic they say is LL725 flying out late July 1944

5

Thanks for that. I’m actually skeptical of that one. The linked page refers to LL.725 but the name of the image is Lancaster.jpeg which makes me wonder if they just put in a generic picture. Can’t read the markings.

6

Thanks. That link is how I found out the model was my uncle’s plane.

7

Thanks, I found this image

which according to this page was LL.725 “C” and was taken at squadron 408 circa 1944. Don’t see any nose art.

8

The nose art was painted less than 4 months before the plane was lost. Guess that’s good enough for me. Thanks for all your help.