My WW2 Pilot Wings.

[irish]

Thought I would start to post wings from my collection. These will be both British as well as Commonwealth from the period. For now the collection is small, but am trying to focus on quality when they become available. Will update when new pieces are added.

1st wing follows the more typical design and has a nice pin back arrangement for wear.

The 2nd wing is more stylized. It has been sewn down to a blue denim type material and likely then sewn to a uniform. Not sure if there is any significance to the blue backing material or just the original owners discretion. I really like the look of this wing and assume it is theater/foreign made.



thanks
Jack

[arrestingu]

very nice jack .

[Roy]

Hi Jack,

Thanks for sharing these, very nice indeed. The second example is really striking on the blue background - lovely!

Cheers, Roy.

[irish]

Thanks Roy, the second pair appear theater made, just do not know where. If anyone has a thought on that it would be much appreciated..

Had posted this wing earlier in a separate thread but thought it should be moved into this for organizing sake.

thanks
Jack

[irish]

I have seen these referred to as Army Observer Pilot and also a connection to Glider Pilots from WW2 era. It appears that the same wing was worn by both, at least to my eyes anyway.

In this case an Observer Pilot as there were other related items in the group from an Artillery Observer.
Best
Jack

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Jack,
You are certainly in the wrong section with this, AOP was Air Observation Post, this wing is the Army Flying Badge, they date from their introduction, certainly from memory, on the 11th of April 1942 and were originally worn by both AOP and Glider Pilot Regiment pilots, Freddy would have approved.
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by irish

I have seen these referred to as Army Observer Pilot and also a connection to Glider Pilots from WW2 era. It appears that the same wing was worn by both, at least to my eyes anyway.

In this case an Observer Pilot as there were other related items in the group from an Artillery Observer.
Best
Jack

[irish]

A pair of wings added in the last several months to my collection. South African and Australian. The S.A wings were among the belongings of a U.S. Air Force officer. The Australian wing having snaps for removal from the uniform.
Hope you enjoy.

[Spode]

Is that a paper backing on the SAAF wings? I have something similar, even down the the left wing being more defined than the right wing, with a thick paper on the back.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Spode

Is that a paper backing on the SAAF wings? I have something similar, even down the the left wing being more defined than the right wing, with a thick paper on the back.

Hello Spode, sorry for late reply. Had not looked through my older posts recently. Yes it is a paper backing. thanks for looking in.
Jack

[irish]

Updating this thread with some recent wing additions. This particular wing was posted in another thread of mine but am grouping it together for consistency sake. thanks to everyone who have looked in and commented
Jack.

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[irish]

Recent additions. Both heavily padded. Top wing has 10 feathers while the bottom has 9. What I find interesting on the bottom wing is the color of the wreath and the embroidery that carries up into the crown. The wreath on the bottom wing is more of an olive brown in color as opposed to brown and the RAF letters are larger. The red Crown may indicate Canadian made. Could possibly be pre WW2.

thanks
Jack

[Frank Kelley]

Those two are particularly nice examples.

Originally Posted by irish

A pair of wings added in the last several months to my collection. South African and Australian. The S.A wings were among the belongings of a U.S. Air Force officer. The Australian wing having snaps for removal from the uniform.
Hope you enjoy.

[irish]

Thanks Frank,
Jack

[RCAF_Mike]

The bottom one is definitely prewar. Most likely mid to late 20s

Originally Posted by irish

Recent additions. Both heavily padded. Top wing has 10 feathers while the bottom has 9. What I find interesting on the bottom wing is the color of the wreath and the embroidery that carries up into the crown. The wreath on the bottom wing is more of an olive brown in color as opposed to brown and the RAF letters are larger. The red Crown may indicate Canadian made. Could possibly be pre WW2.

thanks
Jack

[irish]

Thanks Mike, it appeared not to be WW2. Having looked through what few references available to me. Appreciate the confirmation.
Jack