RFC Pilots Observer combined badge
 

Hi,
is this a fantasy badge or for real? First I've ever seen..
cheers,
Rick

Fantasy.

Been at Lockdales (the home of fantasy badges) and on ebay.

regards

Thanks, that's what I thought but you never know...
cheers,
Rick

This badge did exist, so not pure fantasy .I viewed a framed picture of the pilot wearing the combined wing that was mounted in frame.

This though is typically junk , very poorly constructed.....made to decieve
All the best steve

Did you note who the subject in the picture actually was, I assume it was a photograph?

Hi Frank,
Sadly it was literally thirty odd years ago , yes it was a full size WW1 portrait wearing this rare badge with his original wing behind glass , 100% period and correct . No name.
It was actually this picture that started my interest in WW1 aviation insignia .
All the best
Steve

The first time anyone referenced this wing was in the "Boy's Own Paper" of 1916/17. Warren Carroll mentions it in his book Eagles Recalled and after some scientific examination came to the conclusion that the item in question was a genuine article. The wing was mounted in a frame with a picture of an unknown officer (who is wearing an Observer Brevet). Your badge was an attempt to copy the item shown in this frame, but not very well executed. Carroll was unable to find any paperwork trail to authenticate its authorisation.

The Observer badge, according to a long dead ex-Air Force friend, was referred to as the "flying a###hole".....

He joined our NZPAF (New Zealand Permanent Air Force) in 1937 and, when war was declared in 1939, he was told he had to carry a sidearm. His first sidearm?

A WW1 German Luger of which many had been taken as trophies during WW1. You couldn't make this stuff up......

Force's humour reigns supreme!