---
title: Private Scrap builds a bomber (exhibition)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-private-scrap-builds-a-bomber-exhibition-1939/
description: A cheerful figure made of household scrap (a hot-water bottle, tins, a fork, a spanner) wears a helmet before a bomber.
section: Collection
---

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3. Private Scrap builds a bomber (exhibition)

[![Private Scrap builds a bomber, 1939 UK poster: A cheerful figure made of household scrap](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-private-scrap-builds-a-bomber-exhibition-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-private-scrap-builds-a-bomber-exhibition-1939.jpg)

# Private Scrap builds a bomber (exhibition)

A cheerful figure made of household scrap (a hot-water bottle, tins, a fork, a spanner) wears a helmet before a bomber, announcing a free exhibition at Charing Cross Underground station. The tell for plain-folks is the cartoon 'Private Scrap' built from ordinary kitchen discards, which presents giving scrap as a soldier-like act anyone can take part in.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
exhibition

PRIVATE
SCRAP
builds a bomber

CHARING CROSS UNDERGROUND STATION · MAY 18TH TO JUNE 14TH
9.30 A.M. TO 7.30 P.M. · SUNDAYS INCLUDED · ADMISSION FREE
Produced for the Ministry of Supply by the Ministry of Information

G. CULLEN

PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY MULTI MACHINE PLATES LTD. LONDON E.C.4. 51-3567
```

[← Potatoes - the Nation's Iron Ration (Make Sure of a Full Plate)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-potatoes-nations-iron-ration-1939/) [Put Out More Salvage and Save More Shipping →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-put-out-more-salvage-save-more-shipping-1939/)

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- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [Treeing Coons (pro-Polk cartoon), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/treeing-coons-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Plain folks)
- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['Little Mac.' (from the Democratic presidential campaign songster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/little-mac-song-sheet-feeks-1864/) (United States · 1864 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
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- [The working-man's banner. For President, Ulysses S. Grant, 'The Galena Tanner.' For Vice-President, Henry Wilson, 'The Natick Shoemaker.'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/working-mans-banner-grant-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)