I just "met" this famous model for a very famous Army Air Force poster.

[Maj.Nick Danger]

[/IMG]

Well, sort of. Indirectly.
A lady came to my workplace tonight with this poster to have it drymounted for eventual framing.
Turns out the story is that the model for the original painting for this recruitment poster was her father. Also turns out he flew 66 bombing missions in world war 2! More than any other veteran pilots I have heard about.
Small world. Hopefully I will get to design the frame order for it too.

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

That's very cool. I have always loved that poster. Is her father still alive?

 

[Tomasso]

Kinda looks like Harry Connick Jr.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

That's very cool. I have always loved that poster. Is her father still alive?

Yeah, very cool, and I certainly didn't expect it. Unfortunately, her father is deceased.
We also recently got an order to design a display of medals for a vet that is still alive though. In his 90's. Highly decorated, combat infantry badge, bronze star, Mediterranean theater, POW, etc. I like doing the military display orders the most, I get to pay tribute to the vets in at least some small way.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Kinda looks like Harry Connick Jr.

He was selected not only for his achievements, but also because he had a sort of "Everyman" look. His daughter told me that the original painting hangs somewhere in The Pentagon. Would be cool if she could obtain it.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Kinda looks like Harry Connick Jr.

Bob Stack..!!lol

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

He's di-vine!

K

 

[Steven180]

Have never seen that poster before, but a very classy design. Wonder why we can't produce inspiring promotions like this anymore...

Our best to his daughter and family!

M.

 

[Rookie1]

Really cool poster and nice story too.

 

[ButteMT61]

Looks like a better Captain America.
Cool pic and story.

 

[Phantomfixer]

I thought I read that the painting was inspired by or to immortalize Colin Kelly...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Kelly

 

[B-24J]

Once, years ago, I was visiting the Pentagon and the hallways had many pieces of artwork such as this painting (poster). I recognized quite a few having seen them in various history books.

See "Art of the American Soldier" exhibit at:

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ncc_press_Art_of_the_American_Soldier.aspx

I do not know if this particular painting is in this exhibit.

I believe I saw it at the Pentagon because I remember thinking, "Hey, where's the B-24!".

Of course, eBay has copies of this poster.

John