WW2 British Airborne Insignia

[Ox_Bucks_44]

Need an opinion on the authenticity of these...any help appreciated.

[Sonofacqms]

I am not sure on these, I will leave it to the SF experts.

Rob

[NEMO]

HI Para wing is ok , the printed Pegasus and Airborne strips are poor quality fakes , sorry.

[Arnhemjim]

Hello Ox_Bucks_44,
I have enlarged the jpg showing the printed Pegasus formation badge and AIRBORNE strip. Carefully compared both insignia with each and every example shown in the the relatively recent book, “British Airborne Insignia” (jointly published by Military Mode & Airborne Assault Museum). The book devotes an entire chapter to the embroidered and printed version of the formation badge. Based upon my knowledge, and corroborated by the examples in the book, the first criterion I use is whether the maroon ink is printed on the diagonal (on the bias) to the weave of the light blue cloth. I believe this was done in order that the material did not fray as rapidly. This is not the case with the insignia you have shown. For a more detailed analysis you may want to scan the following; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/british-militaria.html. Scroll down the article a ways.

In the case of the Parachutist Qualification brevet I went through the same process. Again the book devotes an entire chapter to the brevet. The embroidery weave and color of the threads comprising the wings appears of genuine WWII manufacture. Having said that I’m concerned with the combination of the narrower width of the canopy, and the short length of the base where the shroud lines are gathered. Although there are a broad range of variants of the WWII, I personally have not seen in either real examples or photographs of same, the exact combined features of your badge. Again if you scroll down the same article, this specific brevet is discussed.

Am in no way an expert (however have 5 decades of collecting experience), so please consider these judgments only to be my personal appraisal.

Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

[Ox_Bucks_44]

Thank you all for your input. Especially Arnhem Jim, what a comprenshive explanation regarding the Airborne printed titles and formation signs, I will definiately commit this to memory for the future. In response, I had already assumed the printed examples were reproductions that had undergone some level of weathering to make the look more authentic so was planning on passing on these. I may take a punt on the parachutist qualification if the price is right!

[David Tremain]

Does anyone know the name of the new-ish book out on British airborne insignia? I saw a copy at Bromley in December and was told it was hot off the press. So hot, I couldn't afford it!

David

[fougasse1940]

You mean this? British Airborne Insignia by Oliver Lock, Military Mode Publishing, ISBN 978-1-63452-404-9, http://www.militarymodepublishing.com/

Rgds, Thomas

[Ox_Bucks_44]

Thanks chaps. Final question, does anyone have any idea what the wings might be worth? Just wanted to see if I got a good deal?