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EDanaII
2/4/2008 11:50:03 AM | As you all know, I've been playing with the idea of alternate means of funding the 401st. Among those ideas was a simple deck of playing cards. So far, I've created these:
The back card and two aces:
Several number cards:
I'm stuck, however, on what to do for face cards. I'm currently leaning towards B-17s for each one. That would be a total of twelve "Seventeens." I'm not, however, sold on this particular idea, which is why I'm posting. I'd like to hear other alternative ideas as well. For example, I played with the idea of B-17s only for the King cards, and, maybe, P-38s and P-51s for the Queen and Jack cards. Maybe Air Commanders for Kings, B-17s for Queens and Squadron Insignias for Jacks? Maybe actual pilots for Aces? I've also thought about other images for face cards, such as the control tower, nissen huts, and anything else that might be representative of the 401st.
So, any suggestions for the face cards?
And if anyone likes the "Forts" for all face cards, any suggestions criteria should be used to rank them? Should the Kings be well known 401st Seventeens? Such as the Mary Alice? What then for Queens and Jacks? Lesser known? Crashed? Planes flown by members that survive today?
And, of course, who wants to be the jokers? 😉 Hitler? Jerry Colonna? Bugs Bunny? OK, that last one might be copyrighted... 😉
Any and all thoughts welcome.
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/4/2008 1:48:17 PM | Hi Ed,
I like the design of the back of the card and I like the first two Ace card pictures. Would the other two Ace's be the other two photos on the main Forum page?
Jackie
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swinny
2/4/2008 6:45:05 PM | Or you can do something with the 612th , 613th , 614th , 615th ?
Looks great
Andy
_________
 My adoption graves http://www.remember-our-heroes.nl/us_401stBG.htm
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donaldbyers
2/4/2008 8:54:02 PM | Think you are doing a great job. I like the idea of B-17s and the use of the 4 Squadrons but I am not very good at graphics and art. Playing cards is a good idea and I like it. 😃
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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EDanaII
2/5/2008 10:45:19 AM | Thanks Don. What I'm doing is actually pretty simple. Almost every image I've used, except the bomb markers, is borrowed from the 401st. The Squadron emblems being the obvious examples.
@ Jackie
Yep. I intend each suit to represent a Squadron, so each squadron will be on an Ace. I originally intended to take that further by replacing each suit symbol with each squadron symbol, but decided that would be too confusing.
@ Swinny
Since, as I point out to Jackie, each suit represents a squadron, the answer to your question is "yes." 🙂 Whatever idea I go with for the face cards, each face card for a suit will be a picture from that squadron.
Ed.
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Phoenix
2/5/2008 3:42:03 PM | Ed,
What about nose art for the picture cards maybe female art for Queens, Baby Lou for example macho male for Kings etc. I do see the flaw in this as most nose art was understandabley direct at female titles but just batting ideas about at the minute, I'll sleep on it.
Good job by the way.
All the best
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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EDanaII
2/7/2008 9:16:39 AM | Actually, I've considered that, Dale and I'd love to do it. I'm not too worried about male/female nose-art, as I'd only need 4 each. My bigger concern is how to "lift" the nose art off the planes, since they are taken at an angle and semi-rounded. I think I could do it, but it would take considerable effort. I'm also limited by the size the available photos, at least those available on the 401st web page. As they are now, an entire photo may not be large enough for the cards I'm making, lifting just the nose-art would reduce the image overall. And, of course, if I were to put that much effort into just lifting the images, then I might as well redo the color and resize them so that they have enough detail for each card. Unfortunately, my skills and abilities end there.
Now, if we could only find a real artist willing to donate their time...
Ed.
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EDanaII
10/20/2008 6:33:49 PM | OK, just for giggles, I've actually made more progress on this silly idea.
For any who are interested, you will find the new updated cards here.
I decided to make the Jacks either images from the squadron that I've associated with a particular suit or with whatever interesting images I could find. Queens are images of (mostly) randomly selected B-17s. Kings are images of (mostly) randomly selected combat crews. I say "mostly" because for the 614th I chose for one of the Queen images... wait for it... the Hard Seventeen. 😃 And for one of the images of the King I chose my father's crew. (Yea, I'm biased 😉 )
So, look 'em over if you are willing and let me know what you think. I'm also open to alternate suggestions for images of the face cards. Is there any crew you want to honor? Any plane you think ought to be there? Any other scenes of the 401st that should be represented? Just let me know.
Finally, some people may not like the Jokers I've chosen, I did it just for the hell of it. I'm tempted to switch them to "Uncle" Adolph, maybe Himler and a few other dorks, but these are the one's I'm using for now.
In any case, enjoy! 🙂
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EDanaII
10/21/2008 10:02:22 AM | I think I've found my jokers. Definitely this image: Adolf Hitler inspecting bomb damage in a German city. And, possibly one of these.
I believe these are all public domain.
I'd still like to work the 8th into the deck somewhere, but still not sure how.
Ed.
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donaldbyers
10/21/2008 10:17:50 AM | Ed,
I have to admit I am not sold on Hitler being in any part of the deck of playing cards. The 612th's first patch was the Mangler which was a Bear.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Phoenix
10/21/2008 1:51:42 PM | Well,
I would definately have Neville Chamberlain as a joker..........and anyone from France....Agincourt and all that don't you know 😂
Tallyho
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
10/21/2008 8:27:02 PM | Hey Ed,
I like the squadron photos! Any chance you could use my Dad's...Lt W.J. McKeon's crew from the 613th!!!! hint hint!
Jackie
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EDanaII
10/22/2008 9:07:38 AM | So let it be written. So let it be. 🙂
@ Donald
By making Hitler a joker, I'm in no way glorifying him at all. And that one picture in particular shows the results of our bombing campaign, which is why I like it. Of course, I could be talked out of it.
Ideally, what I'd really like is a carton of Hitler shaking his fist and standing under the shadow of the 8th Air force, but... I still ain't no artist.
Ed.
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EDanaII
10/22/2008 9:37:45 AM | Jackie. I went to add the picture of the McKeon crew, but it's very small. Do you have a larger image? If so, send it too me.
Ed.
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
10/22/2008 4:25:38 PM | Ed,
I have sent you the photo privately. If it is still to small just let me know and I will send a hard copy by mail.
Jackie
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