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yankeedog — History of Oscar
Published: 2007-08-09 20:04:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 2614; Favourites: 20; Downloads: 26
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Description
This was a centerfold for the 13th Bomb Squadron Association's INVADER Magazine. Charles Hinton, the Historian and Editor for the 13th, ask me to create this poster to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the squadron with a visual history of "Oscar the Devil's Own Grim Reaper" the squadron mascot and insignia.The 13th is one of the oldest and most highly decorated squadrons in the United States Air Force. The 13th Bomb Squadron's guidon [link] requires a set of strong arm to carry. There are countless battle streamers and presidential citations, the Grim Reapers have been there and done that, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and now the Global War on Terror. When America calls, the Grim Reapers have been there. Today, the 13th flies the most advanced bomber in the Air Force the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.
Happy 90th Anniversary to Lt Col William Eldridge CO of the 13th at Whiteman AFB and to all the Grim Reaper old and new!
To our friends, the Reapers are ready, to our enemies, FEAR THE REAPERS!
Adobe Illustrator CS2, Apple G5 Power Mac, OSX Tiger.
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Comments: 23
You're Welcome! Thank You for your Generosity in Allowing us to Fave Your Works. Thank You for your Thoughtfulness in Sharing the Historical History & Reasons for creating your Works of Art! Thank You for Your Pride and Love in our Military History. 'HOOOAAH!'
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As a former Reaper, I can't help but love this...
I truly appreciate the way you interpret and preserve history, Don!
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Thanks Dave! I'm very proud to be associated with the Reapers! I'm working on a illustration right now of a very famous Reaper.
-YD
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First a quick question, do the blood drop signify something? I noticed that there was always four, then that changed to five.
as for don't fear the reaper? brilliant song. I'm not a hundred percent sure I like the change they made on the last emblem
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The significance of the blood drops is lost to us. We thought it might have something to do with kills, but now we are not so sure. The first Oscar was painted on a 13th Aero Squadron SPAD when Capt Charles Biddle became an ace. He marked his victories with notches on the bloody scythe. We know that not all his victories were kills and that some of the German pilots he shot down survived.
That was a great song!
The last one is a Friday patch and not an official emblem. The patch in the center at the bottom is the official 13th Bomb Squadron insignia, it incorporates the official 1924 War Department approved Oscar. I designed the Friday patch for Lt Col D'Amico, DO of the 13th Bomb Squadron. I've done several Friday Patches for the 13th at Whiteman, this was just the latest. The previous Friday Patches I designed for the 13th all incorporated the original Grim Reaper for Capt Biddle's SPAD and a B-2 Stealth Bomber. These are sometimes available on Ebay.
-YD
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ahhhh, so as a patch then it is a awesome thing, I thought that that was what they had changed it to sorry
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It would likely take an act of congress to change an official Air Force patch. 
-YD
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awesome, i really like that friday patch
Buzz -
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Thanks Buzz! Yeah, the Friday patch turned out cool. I got the idea one Saturday morning to replace the eyes on Oscar's skull with the B-2 windshield and it was a big hit! They have used this skull and cross bones design on T-shirts for the air and ground crews.
-YD
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Can't stop looking at this.. I always catch something new.
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Thanks Corey! A lot went into this poster. I have been working on elements of this poster for 7 years. Each of the squadron's insignia was research by Charlie Hinton and then illustrated by me. There are a lot more than what's on this poster, I tried to use some of the more significant designs. The last one is a Friday Patch I designed for the the 13th Bomb Squadron at Whiteman AFB.
Here are links to some of the other versions of Oscar that we've documented: [link] [link] [link]
[link]
-Don
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Your attention to detail, and keeping information coming to those who like to know really makes you stand out among artists... Thank you so much for comments and answers to questions we throw to you!
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You're welcome! I put a lot of research into each illustration, it would seem a shame not to share that too.
-YD
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Always a fan of yours and of the 13th
I've seen the patch up close while still at Dyess.
We miss them here in Texas but we still support the crews.
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Thanks Corey! We've been trying make contact with guys that served with 13th at Dyess. We'd like to put together a history of the 13th while it was at Dyess.
-YD
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Thanks! This is just a small portion of different versions of the squadron insignia that exist. It's been a fun project that we have been working on for over 7 years.
-YD
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Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it! The 13th has had an amazing history, if you would like to learn more, please visit the 13th Bomb Squadron Association's web site at: [link]
-YD
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You're welcome. I'll have to take a look.
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