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Old 28-03-15, 11:30 PM
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zorgon zorgon is offline
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Default RCAF Prototype wings 2

Before the outbreak of WWII from the late 20’s into the late 30’s, Air Gunners wore stylized winged bullets for their insignia on their sleeves. By the outbreak of the war, the winged bullet was replaced with the letters “AG” in various forms of the RAF style single wing. With the discussions occurring in 1942, one of the proposals had been to create a style of double wings for aircrew. One of these designs reverted back to the pre-war bullet instead of the “AG” lettering. They unique, stylized bullet is superimposed over a circular cross hairs design. Some have suggested that this was actually a proposed design for a new Bomb Aimers insignia. One could even argue the symbol represents a radio or radar tower but since the design is unofficial and no records have surfaced, the reader can choose whichever explanation suits them until evidence is presented to the contrary.
The three examples illustrated are from a decades old collection originally owned by R.H. Drummond, a well-known Canadian collector and dealer.
The first double wing example (pic 2) has a Kings crown and is machine made with 9 feathers in a style similar to the parade issue pilots wing of 1941-1943. The bullet is in white thread and the target in a pale bluish thread reminiscent of the 1948 issue navigator double wings perhaps suggesting an approximate date of manufacture of this example. It is unpadded and backed in a material similar to other Canadian wings of this era. Length is 120mm. Interestingly, it shows signs of light wear on the surface and some stitching threads around the outside to indicate it was at one point, fastened to a uniform. One can only speculate.
The 2nd example is made in the style of the 3rd pattern, large curve with 15 feathers issued in late 1944 and ’45. Again, it has more typical “AG” replaced with the circle and “bullet” but includes the RCAF monogram at the base of the laurels. It is unpadded but has a black backing with a thread count of about 50/inch not uncommon to others of this time period. It is also noted that the black felt base has a very faint tinge of blue to it only noticeable when comparing it directly beside other wings of the era in bright sunlight. I have seen other standard, large curve examples (“B” and “WAG”) which are made from the same felt but they aren’t common. The diagonal measurement is 111 mm.
The 3rd example, again in double wing style, is similar to the first but has the Queens Crown and with the redesigned wings characteristic of the mid 50’s. 114 mm in length, it uses the same design and thread colours as the previous two.
It would be my best guess, that all three of the wings illustrated were manufactured somewhere between the late 40’s to perhaps as late as the mid 50’s, which corresponds to the DND’s search for new designs. This is based on the close inspection of the black felt base, the backing, the thread and stitching. The strongest evidence might be the pale blue thread which saw its first use in the post war newly designed double wings of 47-48.

Comments and your images of other similar examples would be welcome.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2, AG KC, double wing, BBF.jpg (76.5 KB, 29 views)
File Type: jpg 3, AG KC, Large curve, BBF.jpg (109.4 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg 4, AG QC, double wing, BBF.jpg (86.7 KB, 24 views)
File Type: jpg AG bullet & target Symbol, BBF.jpg (69.3 KB, 14 views)

Last edited by zorgon; 29-03-15 at 01:34 PM.
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Old 30-03-15, 08:54 PM
RCAF_Mike RCAF_Mike is offline
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These are very interesting. I knew of a prototype Aerial Gunner with this central device, as it is pictured in a few of the RCAF dress regulations. Matter of Factly it is listed in one as an obsolete badge, yet it was never officially implemented! The large curve pattern single wing I have never seen or heard of before. Most unusual!
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