What did this symbol mean on Allied aircraft?

[Stand By]

Good day all,
I hope someone out there can answer this one for me ...?
I've sometimes seen this figure on various WW2 Allied aircraft - a symbol that I only recognise from The Saint TV series from the 60s and 70s - but clearly it was around some time before that.
And I've seen it on various aircraft, so it wasn't specific to any one person ...
So does anyone know?
Thanks a lot!

 

[Smithy]

Whilst the TV series was popularised in the 60s, The Saint books (on which the TV series was based) were enormously successful in the 30s. The Saint symbol was developed for the books and was seen on the covers. Hence how you see the symbol as nose art on some airframes during the War.

 

[The Good]

Very interesting! I'm a fan of The Saint, too. It didn't occur to me, but it does make sense that it would have made it's way onto nose art. I've got a little stick man in my avatar, too, if you look closely.

 

[Marv]

There were numerous Saint movies back in the 1940's starring George Sanders as Simon Templar so not surprised this image found it's way to aircraft nose art.

Here's a link to some of the movies in anybody is interested......

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033013/

 

[Stand By]

Wow, I had no idea! And I had never known of The Saint ever being made as a film. Thanks a lot, guys!
Once again, the FL shows itself as a font of wisdom …!