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Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 08 Feb 2014, 19:00
by Jeremy Kudlick
Chris Green wrote:I believe the instrument is intended to be a french horn (or trompa francesa in Portuguese). It is however unusual in that the mouthpiece end is inside rather than outside the circular tube. I can find no image on Google of a horn that matches it. Perhaps it is unique to Portugal, or perhaps the heraldic artist had no access to the real thing (but then why would the Portuguese Air Force accept the design?).

It looks more like a sousaphone to me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sousaphone

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 08 Feb 2014, 19:02
by Marcus Karlsson
Chris Green wrote:I believe the instrument is intended to be a french horn (or trompa francesa in Portuguese). It is however unusual in that the mouthpiece end is inside rather than outside the circular tube. I can find no image on Google of a horn that matches it. Perhaps it is unique to Portugal, or perhaps the heraldic artist had no access to the real thing (but then why would the Portuguese Air Force accept the design?).


The blason on the Portugese Air Force site reads "Franchado de azul e ouro, um sousafone de prata." So the instrument is a Sousaphone named for the American Composer, Dirigent and leader of US Marine Corps Band 1880-92 John Philip Sousa (1854-1932).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sousaphone

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 08 Feb 2014, 19:04
by Marcus Karlsson
So you where quite right there Jeremy.

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 08 Feb 2014, 19:45
by JMcMillan
Marcus Karlsson wrote:The blason on the Portugese Air Force site reads "Franchado de azul e ouro, um sousafone de prata." So the instrument is a Sousaphone named for the American Composer, Dirigent and leader of US Marine Corps Band 1880-92 John Philip Sousa (1854-1932).


John Philip Sousa was the son of a Portuguese immigrant to the United States, which may be why the instrument named for him was chosen for the arms.

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 08 Feb 2014, 20:15
by Chris Green
So it's a sousaphone. It still looks odd to me. Compare the image with any of these:

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/sousaphone/Interesting

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 14 Apr 2014, 16:46
by Marcus Karlsson
Well but anyhow that is how the Artist have interpreted the blazon.

So some new Arms:

Image
Commander of the Transit Aerodrome No1 Lisbon-Sacévem. In the Chief the Tower of Belem a Landmark of Lisbon.

Image
Arms of the Director of the Air Force Newspaper "Mais Alto".

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 14 Apr 2014, 23:36
by JMcMillan
Marcus Karlsson wrote:Commander of the Transit Aerodrome No1 Lisbon-Sacévem. In the Chief the Tower of Belem a Landmark of Lisbon.



Not just a landmark, but the historic fortification on the banks of the Tagus that was the landmark for Portuguese sailors returning from their voyages of discovery. Therefore very appropriate for a transportation squadron.

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 17 Apr 2014, 10:34
by Marcus Karlsson
Yes you are right there Joseph, I was a bit modest in declaring it just a Landmark ;)

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 20 Apr 2016, 18:59
by Marcus Karlsson
A rather awful depcition of the full arms (and this is the official one shown on the Air Force's official site) of the Air Command:

Image

Well the Shield and Standards are not that bad but in combination with the curious depiction of the Supporters and Compartment make up a rather unpleasant picture. Which is obviously cumputer generated by the look of the Compartment.

Re: Portuguese Air Force Heraldry

Posted: 20 Apr 2016, 19:04
by Chris Green
The emblazonment is indeed rubbish, but a talented heraldic artist could do wonders with this achievement.