Snoopy

The world knows him as Snoopy, the beloved beagle from Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip.  In the aviation community, he is better recognized as Snoopy the World War I Flying Ace, one of his most popular alter egos. Sitting atop his doghouse in a flying helmet, goggles, and colorful scarf blowing in the breeze, Snoopy fantasizes about navigating the blue skies.  Snoopy bears his name and charming images on the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport’s logo, the USPS postage stamps, and even a fighter squadron’s mascot during the Vietnam war.

Snoopy first adopted his World War I Flying Ace alter ego on October 10, 1965, as he was climbing atop his doghouse to fight the Red Baron.  Snoopy and the Red Baron engaged in many battles.  Victory yielded to Snoopy sometimes; the Red Baron triumphed other times.  “Curse you, Red Baron!” Snoopy would howl.  The fantasy would end when Linus would encroach upon him with the sound of a machine gun. Snoopy would then remark, “Maybe I can get a job with a good commercial airline.”

The Snoopy cartoon drawing, Bomb-Happy Generals, of which Snoopy is standing on his doghouse labeled “Curse You, Red Civilians!”, is cataloged in the Library of Congress.  He is thinking to himself, “Here goes the fearless World War III pilot all over North Vietnam, and possibly China and Russia — If only those stupid civilians would unleash me….”

This vintage black hoodie is embroidered with Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace.  On the backside of the embroidery is patched with a scarf of a thousand cats.  The front zipper is lined with red laces.