This particular issue is dated July 1, 1944 and was Volume 2, Number 12. The cover of this issue pictures the new insignia created for the station by Disney artist Hank Porter, in the spring of 1944. The accompanying article related the story of how the design came to be:
"...it all began...on February 19th of this year That was the date Bombs Away announced a contest, offering a $25 War Bond to the person who submitted a design considered most representative of the Field. More than 20 entries resulted. The drawings were then judged by a committee...Donald won...and so off he went to the Walt Disney Studios for a little retouch work. Disney artists liked the idea and set to work making it a professional job."
The article also stated decals, which I have seen offered for sale on eBay, were going to be sold in the Post Exchange. "If the insigne proves popular, the PX has agreed to obtain leather reproductions for wear on jackets and flight suits." A second, shorter story referred to the image as "Shack Smackin' Don."
A photo of Walt Disney holding the original art was also published in this issue. The image is interesting as the finished art does not, at this point, bear Hank Porter's scriptive "Walt Disney" signature. Porter signed Walt Disney's name to each piece of insignia art he created. Given the fact Walt holds what appears to be a writing instrument in his right hand, I wonder if he personally penned an inscription to the base C.O. before putting the art in the mail?
A very nice image of a determined Donald Duck being trained as a bombardier on a fairly hard to find publication.
