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Bad Luck Crest designed by fighter pilot, WW2
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Bad Luck Crest designed by fighter pilot, WW2
Bad Luck Crest, a form of modern heraldry designed by a fighter pilot who escaped from Dunkirk during WW2 Date: 1941
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Media ID 23459604
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Broken Cigarettes Crest Dunkirk Escaped Hell Heraldry Ladder Lighting Luck Match Mirror Motto Pilot Designed
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This evocative and enigmatic Bad Luck Crest, designed by an unnamed fighter pilot who miraculously escaped from the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 during World War II, is a poignant reminder of the perils and superstitions of wartime aviation. Dated 1941, this modern heraldic emblem was likely created as a personal talisman to ward off the ill fortune that had dogged the pilot's career. The crest features a ladder with thirteen rungs, symbolizing the number of attempts it took for the pilot to successfully escape from Europe. The ladder is broken at the top, representing the fragility of life and the precarious nature of survival in the face of adversity. A mirror, shattered and cracked, hangs precariously at the base of the ladder, reflecting the pilot's introspective nature and the importance of self-reflection in the midst of chaos. The ominous figure of Hell looms in the background, a constant reminder of the ever-present danger that surrounded these brave men and women in the skies during the 1940s. The crest is completed by the motto "Bad Luck," a darkly humorous acknowledgment of the pilot's acceptance of his fate, and two cigarettes and a match, symbolizing the tenuous connection to the familiar comforts of home amidst the uncertainty of war. This powerful and evocative image offers a glimpse into the complex psyche of a fighter pilot during the height of World War II, and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and resilience of those who fought to protect our freedom.
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