Mascot of the Month: Lipa – 317 Squadron

Perched atop one of 317 Squadron’s Hawker Hurricane fighter planes, one Squadron pilot serenades their mascot, Lipa the dog, on the accordion, while another tries to entice him with a treat.

Below, Lipa seems as comfortable hanging out on the plane as he is snuggling with one of the pilots.

Named for the city of Wilno, 317 Squadron was a day fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed between February and April of 1941 at RAF Acklington in Britain and operated until December 1946.

Its emblem, a condor on a cross, was derived from two prewar Polish Air Force fighter units originally based in Wilno. Before the war, Wilno was one of Poland’s major cities. Now known as Vilnius, it is the capital of present-day Lithuania.

 

 

 

Check out the products in our Store featuring the 317 Squadron insignia!