Percy The Parachuting Penguin Ruler - 15cm

Percy the Parachuting Penguin was the lucky mascot of Flight Lieutenant Stan Chapman of 158 Squadron Royal Air Force. He used to take him on bombing operations in his Halifax bomber.

One night in 1944 they were over Berlin when their aircraft was hit by flak and badly damaged. It was going to crash so Flight Lieutenant Stan Chapman parachuted from the aircraft carrying Percy inside his leather flying jacket. They landed safely and were soon captured by German soldiers. They spent the rest of the War as prisoners in Germany. Stan felt that Percy was lucky because he made sure that he and all his crew mates survived being shot down that night. Flying involves an element of risk, especially in wartime. This is why over the years aviators try to help ward off bad luck by having lucky charms or mascots.

Made exclusively for the Royal Air Force Museum.