Don't Fly Too Low

This striking WWII-era safety poster delivers its message through clean, immediate symbolism. A single red star is lodged in the jagged tip of a pine tree, vividly marking the danger of flying too low. The stark contrast of bright green branches against a rich purple background creates visual tension, while the sharp angle of the tree’s peak reinforces the hazard. The bold red, black, and white typography commands attention: “Don't Fly Too Low”

Part of a wartime safety campaign by the Directorate of Air Traffic and Safety and the Directorate of Safety Education, this poster was designed for maximum legibility and impact. The target audience — young military pilots in training — would instantly grasp the consequence: low altitude can mean instant disaster in unfamiliar terrain.

The image draws on mid-century modernist poster design trends, with flat planes of color, minimal detail, and bold asymmetry. It reflects a shift in visual strategy — moving away from narrative to symbol-based warnings, in keeping with the evolving visual language of 1940s American public service graphics.

This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. This poster was printed on heavyweight paper and is in excellent condition apart from slight toning at folds.

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