No. 463 Royal Australian Air Force heavy bomber squadron equipped with four-engined Avro Lancaster Mk.I and Mk.III heavy bombers was formed in the United Kingdom in late 1943. Based on Waddington airfield in Lincolnshire County the squadron commenced nighttime bombing raids to Germany, France and Norway from beginning of 1944 until the end of war in Europe.
Australians dropped 11000 tons of bombs, lost 78 Lancasters and 546 men of aircrew in 2525 combat missions – these was the heaviest casualties among all Australian bomber squadrons in Europe. However, such mournful statistics wasn’t unusual for air warfare of WWII. And No.463 squadron wouldn’t stand out of many if it wasn’t for the squadron codes. After being formed in November 1943 the squadron was presented with «PO» code, which was almost immediately changed to «JO». Exactly these letters read as «Joe» considerably defined the image of squadron’s aircrafts. It’s hard to tell what was the reason for so many paintings on 463’s Lancasters – maybe Command counted on somehow lifting subordinates’ morale this way?
Either way, majority of bombers got names on their big black noses according with personal code letter and a funny picture. Furthermore, the most famous Joe of WWII, also known as «Uncle Joe» – Joseph Stalin, became the central figure of it.
Lancaster Mk.III serial number ED611 squadron code «JO-U» of course was named «Uncle Joe». The name turned out to be lucky since this particular bomber was among the few that survived more than 100 combat missions. It was decommissioned merely in 1947. When the aircraft left squadron for repairs in 1944 it was immediately replaced by new Mk.I with the same code «JO-U» and serial number RF141. Predictably its name was «Uncle Joe Again!» This time Generalissimo’s portrait was matched by background in the form of red flag
Another «Stalinist» Lancaster – aircraft serial number NE133 squadron code «JO-X». Its name «Xtra» was also emphasized by artwork. The inscription says «Vote for Joe» – there is election ballot with the names of Australia, Union of South Africa, USSR, Great Britain and India leaders and one of the boxes is checked. The aircraft was lost above Germany on the night of November 5, 1944
Suspending 1000-pound bombs into bomb bay of Lancaster Mk.I serial number DV280 squadron code «JO-S». «Snifty from Sunny Sidney» with a sapling soiled by doggy and victory markings in the form of a kangaroo
«Nick the Nazi Neutralizer». Lancaster’s Mk.I serial number LM130 squadron code «JO-N» nose art depicting hideous red demon and 62 victory markings in the form of a trident. Lost in crash due to mid-air collision with Hurricane on March 11, 1945
Lancaster Mk.III serial number PB620 squadron code «JO-P» named «Piratical Pete». Aircraft lost above Germany on the night of October 24, 1944
Lancaster Mk.III serial number R5868 squadron code «JO-S» («Sugar») was an incredibly lucky aircraft. After being built in June 1942 it served consecutively in three different squadrons under RAF Bomber Command and survived the war. This particular Lancaster was the first that completed 100 combat missions and 137 in total by the end of the war. As a reward instead of getting scrapped the bomber was displayed with honor at the museum where it stays to this day. Mocking inscription that points to the victory markings is the quote from the reckless claim made by Hermann Göring stating that no enemy plane will ever reach the Reigh territory
