Items Similar to 'Careless Talk May Cost His Life' British Royal Air Force original WW2 Poster
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Unknown'Careless Talk May Cost His Life' British Royal Air Force original WW2 Poster 1941
1941
About the Item
To see our other original vintage public information posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find it.
'Careless Talk May Cost His Life'
50 x 33.5 cm
Original RAF Poster (1941)
'Careless Talk May Cost His Life: Don't Talk About Aerodromes or Aircraft Factories.'
The photographed RAF pilot is John Ian Blair, who was with 113 Squadron from 1939 to Sept 1940. In Sept 1940 Corporal Blair, a non-pilot, safely landed the Blenheim bomber he was in after the pilot (P/O John Harry Reynolds) had been shot and killed.
He joined the RAF as a boy entrant and trained as an armourer, training and qualifying in the UK as an air gunner in 1936. Whilst serving with Middle East Command, during a bombing raid over Derna, Blair had just released the bombs on the aircraft when there was a loud bang and the aircraft began to dive. Seeing the pilot had been incapacitated, Blair seized the control column and brought the plane back to level flight. The air gunner removed the pilot from the pilot's seat and Blair took control of the aircraft - having never flown before. Heading back to base they had plenty of time to discuss their next actions. One option was to bale out and leave the aircraft to crash; Blair decided to try to land. Having watched this operation many times, he knew exactly what to do and made a slightly tail-heavy landing. The landing was reputedly witnessed by the AOC who said, 'If that airman can fly an aircraft without a training course it is time he was sent on one.' Blair was awarded an immediate DFM for the incident and left the squadron to train to be a pilot. He left the RAF as Squadron Leader.
HIs full tale is to be found on the 113 Squadron website.
Needless to say the PR team took full advantage of this tale, and this famous poster was the result.
His DFM citation reads as follows:
"550006 Acting Sergeant John Blair ,No 113 Squadron, Middle East Command.
On 4th September, 1940, during operations over Derna, when the pilot of the aircraft was killed instantly by enemy action, Sergeant Blair, the observer, succeeded in getting the aircraft under control and taking evasive action while the air gunner fought off the enemy aircraft. Assisted by the air gunner, he then removed the dead pilot from his seat and, without previous flying experience, achieved a safe landing after a flight of 350 miles. By his courage, devotion to duty and determination he saved the lives of both himself and the air gunner as well as saving the aircraft.”
London Gazette. 24.9.40
- Creation Year:1941
- Dimensions:Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)Width: 13.19 in (33.5 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Generally very good.
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU79538569202
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2014
1stDibs seller since 2017
282 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- 1953 Coronation Regalia of Queen Elizabeth II poster for National SavingsLocated in London, GBTo see our other original vintage posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the poster you want. after Dorothy Wilding (1893 - 1976) The Coronation Regalia (1953) Original vintage poster 75 x 50 cm Issued by the National Savings Committee, London, the Scottish Savings Committee, Edinburgh, and the Ulster Savings Committee, Belfast. Crown Copyright Reserved. Printed for H.M. Stationery Office by Waterloo & Sons Limited, London and Dunstable. A fantastic piece of royalist British history. The famous...Category
1650s Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Honourable Artillery Company British Army recruitment poster by Anna ZinkeisenLocated in London, GBTo see our other original vintage propaganda posters, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot fin...Category
1950s Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Royal Flying Corps (RAF) Officer Institute of Army Education uniform lithographLocated in London, GBRoyal Flying Corps (RAF) Officer 1914 uniform Lithograph 50 x 31 cm Produced for the Institute of Army Education. Printed for HM Stationery Office by I A Limited, Southall 51. Thes...Category
1950s Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Royal Tank Corps Captain Institute of Army Education WW1 uniform lithographLocated in London, GBTank Corps (now Royal) Captain (Fighting Order) 1917 uniform Lithograph 50 x 31 cm Produced for the Institute of Army Education. Printed for HM Stationery Office by I A Limited, Sou...Category
1950s Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Women's Auxiliary Army Corps Institute of Army Education WW1 uniform lithographLocated in London, GBWomen's Auxiliary Army Corps Officer (Clerical Section) 1917 uniform Lithograph 50 x 31 cm Produced for the Institute of Army Education. Printed for HM Stationery Office by I A Limi...Category
1950s Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- 9th Queen's Royal Lancers Officer Institute of Army Education uniform lithographLocated in London, GBThe Ninth (Queen's Royal Lancers) Officer 1899 uniform Lithograph 50 x 31 cm Produced for the Institute of Army Education. Printed for HM Stationery Office by I A Limited, Southall ...Category
1950s Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
You May Also Like
- Itinerary of Words - Original Lithograph by Mino Maccari - Mid-20th CenturyBy Mino MaccariLocated in Roma, ITItinerary of Words is an original artwork realized by Mino Maccari in the half of 20th century. Mixed colored lithograph. Hand signed on the lower right margin. Titled on the lowe...Category
1940s Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Paper
- Marcelle Lender en Buste - Lithograph after H. de Toulouse-Lautrec - 1970sBy Henri de Toulouse-LautrecLocated in Roma, ITMarcelle Lender en Buste is a lithograph realized after the homonymous work by Toulouse-Lautrec of 1895. Limited edition of 1.000 specimens. Very good conditions. Henri de Tolous...Category
1970s Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsPaper, Lithograph
- Portrait of Woman - Lithograph by Jean De Caldain - Mid-20th CenturyLocated in Roma, ITPortrait of Woman is a Lithograph realized by Jean De Caldain (1801-1900). Hand-signed by the artist on the lower right corner. Good condition included a cream colored cardboard pa...Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsPaper, Lithograph
- The Pill - Lithograph by Mino Maccari - Mid-20th CenturyBy Mino MaccariLocated in Roma, ITThe pill is an original artwork realized in the half of 20th century by Mino Maccari. Mixed colored lithograph on paper. Hand signed on the lower. Titled on the lower center. Orig...Category
1940s Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Paper
- Child - Lithograph by Mino Maccari - Mid-20th CenturyBy Mino MaccariLocated in Roma, ITChild is an original artwork realized in the half of 20th by Mino Maccari. Black and white etching. Hand signed by the artist on the lower right margin. Includes wooden frame. Mi...Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsPaper, Lithograph
- Magic Creatures - Lithograph by Mino Maccari - Mid-20th CenturyBy Mino MaccariLocated in Roma, ITMagic creatures is an original artwork realized in the half of 20th century by Mino Maccari. Hand watercolored lithograph. Hand signed on the lower right center. Includes wooden f...Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Paper