WW2 RNZAF Metal Wings

[Padre]

The RNZAF used metal wings and half wings on tropical uniforms in the Pacific theatre at the end of the war, the pilots wings often found dated 1944 and maker marked 'M & K' for 'Mayer and Keane'.

I have a set of these wings, and also an S wing, N wing E wing and AG wing, all of them in my collection for 12 years plus. I have been looking out for a B wing, but was there such an item? Or have I been looking for something that doesn't exist?

If there was such a wing, does anyone have a photo, or better still an example for sale?

[nbroadarrowz]

The RNZAF white metal wings were introduced under ADO A.261/44 of 28th June 1944. The badges introduced where pilots, navigators, air gunners and flight engineers. These are the only 4 designations that were worn during WW2. All others are post war or made in the field.
If you want to know more, including their individual stores numbers please see page 366 of my new book.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...5&bof=mqCdWYwj
Barry

[Padre]

Barry, that looks like a great book. I am planning one of my own on the Commonwealth Air Forces, primarily the RAF 1939-45, although I have some of the stores Nos, and Air Force orders for RNZAF bits.

Where can I get a copy of the book? I'm in the UK so can't use 'Trade Me'.

As for the other wings, do you have a confirmed date of introduction for the metal 'S' wing? It explains why I havent found the B wing Ive been searching for for years though!

[nbroadarrowz]

The books are $89.00 each plus postage of $67.00 to the USA and UK, $32.00 to Australia and $10.00 within NZ. (all prices are NZ dollars and I accept Pay Pal). Please PM me if you would like a copy.
I have had very positive feedback from British, Australian and USA collectors who have the book and the numbers sold to these countries is surprisingly pleasing.
540 pages, soft cover with end flaps, each book weights about 1.8 kgs.
Thanks
Barry

[Nichollg]

I agree with nboardarrowz only RNZAF metal wings used during WW2 were Pilot, N, E and AG.
S was a post war issue used during the 1950s and 60s

[Padre]

Its interesting. Although I accept that the first issue of the metal wings in June 1944 did not include the 'S' wing, I've yet to come across a confirmed date of introduction for the metal 'S' wing into RNZAF service, or the 'S' wing in general, or confirmation that no 'S' wing was ever worn in metal unofficially.

In the case of the Royal Air Force the new 'S' wing was approved by the King under Kings Order 521 of 5th October 1943, after which it was passed to the Air Ministry who authorised the new category of 'Signaller' (not Air Signaller) in November 1943 under Air Ministry Order A.1242/43, which stated that the title 'Signaller' replaced the previous title of 'Wireless Operator / Air Gunner'. The associated 'S' half wing badge was not approved for wear by the Air Ministry until 6th January 1944, under Air Ministry Order A.3/44.

If the RNZAF approved the 'S' wing and/or 'Signaller' category prior to August 1945 wouldn't they have authorised a metal version too, not least as they aircraft such as the Lockheed Hudson and Beaufort operating in the Pacific?

I was also looking around to find an image of a post war 'S' wing and this site https://www.jsmilitaria.com/royal-ne...air-force.html has the comment 'I also believe that there is a "S" half wing for Signaller in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but these are rather scarce if its a WW2 era one. They seem to have been made from excess "N" or Navigators half wings, with an "S" added to the front, but you can still see the impression of the "N" to back.'

I have had a look at my four half wings (sorry, I forgot to photo the front!). The 'AG', 'E' and 'N' all have the 'M & K, W' marking. The 'S' wing seems cast aluminium, and if there was a marking in the normal place its covered by the lug. The lugs on the first three are circular and neatly attached, on the 'S' wing it is a U shape and not so cleanly attached (photo No. 3 with a comparison in No. 4). It doesn't appear to be a post war chromed type in either material or manufacture.