White Superstitious Rabbits

Royal Air Force crew in WWII were famously superstitious, given Bomber Command’s extremely high casualty rates. 

Saying “White Rabbit” was common as a lucky or protective phrase, first thing in the morning of the first of every month. 

Many aircrew carried personal lucky objects on every sortie: coins, rabbit’s feet, mascots. 

Some crews developed boarding routines: like standing spaced evenly around the aircraft, or sticking chewing gum on a wing.