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In the original book, Hells Playground, the character is a Gabonaise woman named Ndio. The name seems to have been changed for the stage adaptation by Leon Gordon in 1923. A New York nightclub performer was using the name (spelled Tondalayo) by the '30s. At least ten WWII aircraft were christened Tondelayo, a B-25D Mitchell with an image inspired by the Hedy Lamar character, four different B-17 Flying Fortresses (one Tondalayo with a blonde nude or in a bikini at different times, unless these are two different aircraft), three different B-24 Liberators (one with an African Tondelayo in grass skirt, possibly two dressed as Polynesians), a B-26 Marauder with the name but no artwork, and the fighter or trainer seen with Class 43C of the Tuskegee airmen.

This message was edited 7/28/2018, 7:41 AM