Jim Butcher: Air Force/Defenders of Freedom

Artist: Jim Butcher
1944 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 15.5 by 15.5 inches
Overall Size: 20 by 20 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

The Air Force is the youngest branch of the United States armed forces, becoming independent in 1947 after forty years as part of the Army. It was during those early Army Air Corps years that the Air Force uniform began to develop. Typical of the first distinctive Air Corps uniform was the one worn by the World War I pilots. They dressed in khaki-colored uniforms with high tunic collars. Only U.S. flyers assigned to the Royal Flying Corps, serving in Europe, were allowed to wear an open collar. In addition to the jacket, the pilots wore breeches, knee-high boots, and a Sam Browne belt, all holdovers from early cavalry days. By World War II styles more directly related to the functions of Air Force personnel. The enlisted bomber crewman wore khaki pants and shirt, or else heavy leather overalls, in addition to a fleece-lined jacket, gloves, boots and cap with ear flaps. Every article was designed to insulate him on even the highest, coldest bombing runs. Congress created the United States Air Force as an equal partner to the Army and Navy on September 9, 1947. Just two years later, in 1949, Air Force personnel started wearing the new distinctive blue. In today's Air Force, officers and enlisted men wear a winter uniform of dark blue trousers and coats with silver buttons and visor caps. In summer, light blue shirts and dark blue trousers are worn. Women in the Air Force are outfitted in two-piece wool uniforms for winter and light blue shirt and dark blue skirt or pants for summer.

This painting was originally used on the Fleetwood® Commemorative Cover for the Air Force Defenders of Freedom issued July 21, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06442

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