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Tail-End Charlie

A solo journalling zinequest game about the rear gunners in bomber command, and the stark contrast between one day in country pubs and dance halls, and the next facing death at 20,000ft

Alex White

Mar 6, 2025 — 2 min read

This is a community submitted press release.

Tail-End Charlie is the nickname given to rear gunners in the lancaster bombers of Bomber Command in WW2. As a volunteer, perhaps 18-20 years old, you would spend 5-8 hours alone in the turret at the rear of the aircraft. It’s 40 degrees below zero, so you hope your heated seat doesn’t give out, hope you don’t get frostbite from fixing inevitable gun jams. Hope you can spot the enemy bandits in the night sky before their cannon fire rips through your plane.

Flight -Sergeant J Morgan, the rear gunner of an Avro Lancaster of No. 630 Squadron RAF at East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, checks his guns in the Nash & Thompson FN120 tail turret before taking off on a night raid on the marshalling yards at Juvisy-sur-Orge, France

Last Day

4th March is the last day that Tail-End Charlie is on kickstarter, although late pledges will be available. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plane-sailing-games/tail-end-charlie

*The air and ground crew of Avro Lancaster B Mark I, W4236 'QR-K', of 'A' Flight, No. 61 Squadron RAF (ground crew seated*)

You split a deck of cards in half, using the clubs and spades to determine what happens on the operations (and whether you survive) and the diamonds and hearts to determine whether your recreation relieves your stress, and what kind of romantic interludes you enjoy with the WAAFs or local girls.