They Cheer - When You Take Off Without A Warm-Up

In this bold and brightly colored WWII-era safety poster, a pilot is launched head-first over his aircraft in a chaotic, cartoonish tumble. His goggles fly off, his body twists midair, and his stunned expression tells us all we need to know — he skipped his engine warm-up. The grounded plane sits crumpled beneath him, surrounded by a burst of red graphic impact that visually echoes the violence of the failed takeoff. Clinging to a towering cactus in the background, Hitler, Tojo, and Mussolini gleefully cheer, thrilled by the pilot’s reckless mistake. This striking image belongs to the “They Cheer” series — a collection of 16 aviation safety posters issued by the Directorate of Air Traffic and Safety and the Directorate of Safety Education during World War II. The posters targeted fast-trained, inexperienced pilots by turning simple flight missteps into moments of national consequence. In this scene, neglecting to warm up the engine has literally backfired, propelling the pilot into the air and gifting the Axis another reason to celebrate. The composition leans heavily on slapstick exaggeration, with bold lines, primary colors, and a dramatic visual punch. As always, the cheering enemy leaders make the lesson hit harder: your mistakes help them win.

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. We guarantee the authenticity of all of our posters.