Item: ONSV10609
Original U.S. WWII 1942 Army Air Force Pilot Gag Trophy Trench Art Compass
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Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a piece which certainly walks the line between a militaria, folk art, and Americana. It is apparent, after studying the drawings and inscriptions on this piece, that the recipient, Lieutenant Darby Merrill, became lost during a training flight in his North American T-6 Texan.
The “trophy” is mock up of a compass that is drastically off-kilter. Directions on the compass are skewed (West being East, East being South, etc), with the compass needle off set from the center, with the directional arrow having split directional arrows. The face of the compass, along with the sides, features numerous humorous drawings and slogans. The front of the compass is affixed a brass plaque with engraved:
COMMERCIAL AIRWAYS.SNAFUGATION AWARD.FOR 1942.WON BY SECOND LT. DARBY MERRILL.ON HIS WEST COAST JUNKET.
The compass measures 7 ⅛” wide x 2” high. The bottom of the compass includes a period cartoon (most likely cut from a magazine or manual) featuring a lost pilot in a T-6 Texan. The cartoon is affixed to the base with red tape that is contemporary to the period. This would make a great addition to an Army Air Corps collection!
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