Ventura 1:32nd scale Decals – RNZAF P-40Ns, “Gloria Lyons” and “Leslie” – V3285

– P-40N NZ3220 “Gloria Lyons” late 1944. NZ3220 was the third “Gloria Lyons”, marked P-40. Both variations of “Gloria Lyons” artwork worn by NZ3220 are provided.

– P-40N NZ3259 “Leslie” June 1944. NZ3259 “L”, “Leslie”, was maintained by No.2 Servicing Unit between May and June 1944. It was the highest serial number RNZAF P-40 to see combat in the Pacific.

The naming of several successive P-40s “owned” by No.4 Servicing Unit as “Gloria Lyons” was the result of correspondence between two armourers of the unit on New Georgia with a pen-friend who suffered from tuberculosis in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her name was Gloria Lyons and it was decided to adopt the sick girl as a unit mascot. Over time three P-40s and one F4U Corsair were christened “Gloria Lyons”. NZ3220 was the third and survived the war.