WWII fundraiser badges - Spitfire & Hurricane

[Skippy]

So I thought I would show off these two aircraft essence-of-form badges, created for sale on the Home Front of Great Britain to raise funds during WW2.

The ‘Spitfire’ was a purchase from Sally Bosley’s website. A lovely little creation in polished aluminium, with a contemporary safety pin attachment method to its underside.

Having got the Spitfire some time ago, I had been keen to find a version of its fellow Battle of Britain aircraft, but could find nothing like it other than a flat side-profile version that didn’t appeal in the same way as the tiny 3D rendering of the Spitfire.

Hence I was please when I stumbled across the pictured ‘Hurricane’ on e*bay and I instantly recognised the wing shape. Also created from aluminium, this badge is a little rougher in finish, with a rather unique single stick-pin attachment method, which is a little loose so I will have to be gentle with it.

The individuals who created these badges - likely all by hand! - did an excellent job of creating these miniature copies of the two famous fighters, perfectly capturing their lines and shape to make them so distinguishable as those aircraft. Very pleased with them!

Various profile pictures and a ‘for fun’ shot with an original 1941 Air Ministry Account of the Battle of Britain booklet.

Cheers……John

[High Wood]

Here are a few of mine. They are quite crudely made.

[Home Guard]

I think they are all pretty cool. I only have one at present, but always looking. Here's mine.

DSCF6431.jpg

Terry

[norfolk regt man]

I have found I have these.

[Skippy]

Thanks for your additions gentlemen. Those bronze coloured ones are likely made from coins of the period no? Again with great skill by their creators.

The larger one is particularly nice with the extra underside details.

Thanks for showing!

Cheers……John

[Home Guard]

I have always heard the ones with the safety pin called "Penny Badges", so assumed they were made from a penny.

Terry

[Bronzestar]

I've had one of these for years that I picked at a Carboot and now I know what it is

20240419_185458.jpg

20240419_185450.jpg

[Skippy]

Terry - Yes, when pennies were actually large and substantial coin!

Bronzestar - Wonderful! Appears to be another Hurricane from the wing shape. Ha! You had a good eye even if it’s purpose was a mystery at the time.

Cheers……John

[Luc]

Here are mine including a British made example for the Dutch Spitfire fund (suggested retail price 5 shilling in 1940).

[ARPCDHG]

Always a bit puzzled by the theory that these were made from penny coins - surely the hundreds/thousands of pennies would have been better going directly to the Spitfire fund? And also, if they were made from pennies, why can you not see any of the penny markings on the badges? Or am I missing something here?

[royston]

Further to the last. Three items relating to Spitfires / Spitfire Fund, which are in a museum I established (In a Naval Establishment) a number of years ago. I have since retired and moved on. Two official badges and one home made.

[royston]

Hi Skippy or anyone else interested.

Noticed in passing

There are a few home made Spitfire badges for sale on the website for The Old Curiosity Shop. www.tocshop.co.uk. Military Badges Section pages 12 & 14. There is also an official Spitfire, wings with the wording "Spitfire", badge on page 15 and another, possibly official on page 17. All, probably with the exception of page 17, at sensible prices.

John

[Home Guard]

Just did a quick check and did not find them, so guess they've been nabbed.

Terry

[londonclanger]

Four available - just search for Spitfire.

[Home Guard]

Thanks Londonclanger!!!

Terry