Which squadron mascot do you have to welcome your plane home safely?

[PADDY]

Often aviators had a loyal dog waiting for them at the side of the airfield to welcome them home as they clambered exhausted out of their cockpit from a flight over enemy skies!

My dogs, Becky and Ross, would be waiting for me outside the squadron hut when I touch down after a sortie over Bremen (ironic that the dogs are German!!).

What Squadron mascot do you have waiting for you?

 

[silhouette53]

Meine hund

Why, my faithful bitch Kara ( also a German ! )lol

[/IMG]

 

[PADDY]

Kara is just a drop dead gorgeous Fraulein!!

I could see her on both sides of the English Channel either welcoming back her RAF bomber pilot owner, or her young Luftwaffe fighter pilot when he finally touches down on French soil after a hard slog over the Kent countryside. I was brought up with GSD's (German Shepherds) and they are just the most loyal, beautiful animals a man could ask for as a companion (yes, I know there are other breeds to fit that bill, but just indication how great the GSD is).
If I had a beauty like that, I'd be buying an old BMW Wermacht motorbike and side car and kitting her out with a leather flying helment and goggles to sit in the side car!!!
What a welcome you must get after a sortie!!! home in time for tea, medals and a doggie welcome!!!

 

[Zemke Fan]

If dogs could talk...

Becky: Where did dad (Paddy) go?

Ross: He was here just a second ago!

Becky: Oh, look, there he is! In the neighbor's yard!

Ross: Crikey! HE'S NOT WEARING ANY CLOTHES!

Becky:

 

[PADDY]

Better to say nothing...

I'm saying nothing until I have my brief/attorney with me!! Anyway, I'd just encourage you, and you don't need any encouraging Fred lol

Strangely enough, a saying in the UK for someone who's wandering around without too much on, is "Going Commando!"

Enough banter...FOCUS on the topic chaps!!!

 

[Caledonia]

Gorgeous dogs gents. Big Dog would wait beside the runway forever. Except when dinner's on the go of course. Check that. Big Dog would never wait beside the runway, because there's always somebody somewhere else with snack potential! Small Dog would be in the cockpit with me, begging to learn how to fly.

 

[PADDY]

Oh Caledonia...what cuties...

What cuties you have running around your home Caledonia!! Don't they just fill a home with so much presence and character!!

I'm wondering if anyone here can find the pic of Wing Cmdr Guy Gibson and his faithful black labrador (?). I've tried but cannot find one!!

Oh Caledonia...I've sailed the canal with your name on it (had a lovely time, good sailing on the Lochs, but eaten in the evening by the squadrons of mossies!!!/midges)

 

[scotrace]

The Usual Enthusiasm From The Homefront

What you can't see is the involuntary backend wiggle during the photo shoot.

 

[PADDY]

That British Bulldog spirit is still alive in your house!!

Those two little furry Winston Churchills are gorgeous. That's the bulldog spirit that broke the Luftwaffe in 1940!!!

 

[fortworthgal]

Here's my squadron mascot:

Fast asleep, as usual. lol

 

[PADDY]

Cats as Squadron Mascots...

These were rather popular with the Luftwaffe Fighter Squadrons, but tended to be the BIG cats, eg: Tiger. I'm trying to find a pic of one with a Luftwaffe Sqn, but can't just put my hand on it!!!
Thanks for that Pam!!! what a cutie. Bet he has a good right hook

 

[fortworthgal]

VP-12, the Black Cat PBY Squadron, had a black cat "Yardbird" as their mascot:

http://www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/photo10.htm

 

[colleency]

Paddy, your schnauzers are so cute! I absolutely love schnauzers. I used to have a black one that people always mistook for a scotty.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

The wild child.

And a rare still moment.

 

[Mike K.]

On final approach to my home field with my faithful co-pilot Lucy (Shepherd/Chow mix).

 

[PADDY]

Some photos of WW2 Sqn Mascots (man's best friend!)

I really wanted one of Guy Gibson's black lab (of the famous 617 Dambuster's Sqn), but couldn't find one, so if anyone has a pic to hand for posting?

Also, I've tried to get ones of Luftwaffe mascots (I can remember seeing a lion and a tiger cub, but can I find them now..???!!!).

Anyway, without further ado, just to show that we need our little animal friends as much as they need us (especially when your life is on the line!).

Some of these you might have seen before (such as Adolf Galland in 1940 in the British Irvin jacket with the spaniel), but others I hope will be a pleasant suprise to you!!! ENJOY

 

[PADDY]

Part two (PHOTOS) of WW2 Sqn Mascots...!!!

CHOCKS AWAY....!!!!

So, who have you got waiting for 'you' when you fly in ....?

 

[PADDY]

My wee boy and girl thank you Colleen!!

Paddy, your schnauzers are so cute! I absolutely love schnauzers. I used to have a black one that people always mistook for a scotty.

I love the look of the black ones too!! Thank you ever so much Colleen for those lovely words. Becky and Ross say ..."WUFF..!!" in thanks
This house wouldn't be the same without their little personalities filling the place.
If folk cannot understand the mentality to this, well, you need to be a doggie person to make any sense of it! These little lives enhance our little lives!!

 

[Naama]

Ah, everyone got so lovely doggis!
So, here's my whole pride, Basil;

Naama

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Nigel

He's loyal, steadfast, and er, prickly,...just try getting past these defences! lol