# Lancaster II LL.725 “C” RCAF Bomber lost 29-Jul-1944 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883 "2023-07-31T19:12:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/1 "2023-07-31T19:12:11Z")
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](https://d63oxfkn1m8sf.cloudfront.net/1060x340/9616/4328/4909/A08001_SCH_A.png). 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](https://uk.airfix.com/products/avro-lancaster-bii-a08001) appears to be the [exact plane that my Uncle died in in 1944](http://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=LL725). ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/2 "2023-08-01T13:24:57Z")
[![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639251915_b22c6164ac_b.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51639251915_b22c6164ac_b.jpg) From [408 Sqn. Lancaster B.II EQ\*Z "Zombie" (LL725) - Aircraft WWII - Britmodeller.com](https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235100969-408-sqn-lancaster-bii-eqz-zombie-ll725/) ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/3 "2023-08-01T13:46:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/4 "2023-08-01T14:09:11Z")
There’s a pic they say is LL725 flying out late July 1944 > **[Avro Lancaster II (LL725 EQ-C) on a mission to Hamburg on 1944-07-29](https://www.backtonormandy.org/the-history/air-force-operations/airplanes-allies-and-axis-lost/lancaster/19590-LL7251944-07-29.html)** > > Missions by Allied aircraft to France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy and Germany ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/5 "2023-08-01T16:08:42Z")
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](https://www.backtonormandy.org/media/com_mtree/images/listings/m/lancaster.jpeg) which makes me wonder if they just put in a generic picture. Can’t read the markings. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/6 "2023-08-01T16:09:37Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > From [408 Sqn. Lancaster B.II EQ\*Z “Zombie” (LL725) - Aircraft WWII - Britmodeller.com](https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235100969-408-sqn-lancaster-bii-eqz-zombie-ll725/) Thanks. That link is how I found out the model was my uncle’s plane. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/7 "2023-08-01T16:17:49Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > 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. Thanks, I found this image [![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/60f971777a8dcd8a8e923522_Avro-Lancaster-B-Mark-II--LL725--EQ-C--of-No--408-Squadron-RCAF--on-the-ground-at-Linton-on-Ouse--Yorkshire-.jpeg) ](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/60f971777a8dcd8a8e923522_Avro-Lancaster-B-Mark-II--LL725--EQ-C--of-No--408-Squadron-RCAF--on-the-ground-at-Linton-on-Ouse--Yorkshire-.jpeg) which according to [this page](https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-warplanes-3-avro-lancaster-rcaf-1942-1945) was LL.725 “C” and was taken at squadron 408 circa 1944. Don’t see any nose art. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lancaster-ii-ll-725-c-rcaf-bomber-lost-29-jul-1944/987883/8 "2023-08-02T21:46:56Z")
> **[George Oliver – Nose Artist – Bomber Command Museum of Canada](https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/art/george-oliver-nose-artist/)** > [@www.bombercommandmuseum.ca](#): > > Rear-gunner George Oliver flew with No. 408 Squadron in Lancaster Mk II aircraft. Rather than having the standard Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, these Lancs were fitted with Hercules radial engines. George recalls the reason for the Nose Art painting on Lancaster Mk. II LL725, “For some reason the call sign at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, was changed from Z-Zebra, to Z-Zombie [the living dead]. On our 8th operation to Essen, Germany on 24 March 1944, we lost an engine and had the option to dump our bomb load and return to base. The crew decided to carry on but arrived over the target late and all alone. After the release of our bomb load, ‘All Hell Broke Loose’ and we were lucky to escape the intense ack-ack. On our return to base we found out that we were posted as lost in action. After this experience we all agreed “Zombie” [return of the living dead] should become the nose art, and it was.” > > George painted the [“Zombie” nose art](https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/art/bomber-command-museum-of-canada-nose-art-replica-paintings/) on Lancaster LL725 on 7 April 1944 after the crew had completed an air-test flight and later he painted it on his suitcase. On 20 July 1944, George completed his tour of 30 operations, 22 flown in “Zombie.” He flew two additional operations, one in Lank-L as the mid -under gunner with Frankling 27-5-44 and another in Lank-L on 17-6-44 with Bryson as mid-upper gunner. George says he must have came back from leave early because the money ran out and filled in for something to do. Eight days later LL725 was shot down on a raid to Hamburg, Germany, one of three Lancaster Mk. II’s the squadron lost that single day. 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.