Gregor Duncan - WWII Parachute Riggers' School - C. 1943

This wonderfully animated ink drawing was executed at Chanute Field, Illinois, and depicts some members of the Parachute Riggers School. The illustration has no pencil under-drawing; just Duncan's lively pen and brush work. The piece was used by the Air Army Corps' public relations office, and has the following caption: '""KEEP 'EM FLOATING." And that's exactly what these students are learning in this advanced phase of the AAF Technical Training Command's Parachute Riggers course at Chanute Field, Ill. In addition to their duties as parachute riggers, they will be responsible for the maintenance, packing and stowing of this 5 man life raft in the aircraft, including necessary provisions and medical supplies. They'll go on from here to study the new "parachute type" life raft, extensively, in use in "over-water" operations. When deflated, the raft folds into the seat of the 'chute. Sustineo Alas -- "I sustain the water wings" --as one wise guy was heard to sound off."'