Poster, 'The Air Force Needs Men!'

item details

NamePoster, 'The Air Force Needs Men!'

ProductionClaude Wade; commercial artist; Early 1941; Wellington
Wilson & Horton Ltd.; printing firm; Early 1941; New Zealand

Classificationpolitical posters

Materialspaper, printing ink

Materials SummaryThree colour block printed text over a colour line block process image (photomechanical) on paper

Techniquesphotomechanical processes

DimensionsOverall: 505mm (width), 760mm (height)

Registration NumberGH014039

Credit lineLoan from Mr C.H. Andrews, 1967

Overview

This is a recruitment poster designed and printed in the early years of World War II. 'The Air Force Needs Men!' is an invitation to New Zealanders to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The heroic and glamorous pose of the pilot looking skyward, possibly after a dangerous mission, provides a noble example. In fact the pilot is a self-portrait of the artist, Claude Wade.

Effectiveness
Many New Zealanders answered the call. The success of such recruitment posters can be partly measured by the fact that over 40,000 men and women served in the RNZAF alone.

Recruitment posters for the Army, Navy, and Air Force were designed to motivate specific groups, appealing to citizens' loyalty and patriotism. New Zealanders rose to that challenge in tens of thousands. Even so, the need was greater and conscription was introduced in June 1940.

The survival of such ephemera is rare. The poor condition of this poster indicates that it may have been displayed outside.