Observers wings - what period?

[ravrick]

Hi,
I have these 2 O wings,can anybody give me an indication of the age/period these may have been worn?

Cheers,
Rick

[magpie]

I think the observer wing was in use from 1915 until 1942.

Andy.

[grey_green_acorn]

Here are three pictures of the Observer Brevet worn by my father who served in RAF Coastal Command in the UK, Iceland and South Africa from 1942-1945.

[David Tremain]

That backing looks like WW2. I have a Bomb Aimer's brevet with the same type of backing, which is WW2. David

[ravrick]

Thanks for the input guys, realy appreicated.
Is there any significance between the style of the wing (straight or curved) or is it just a manufacturing difference?
Rick

[mjw]

Hello Rick,

I would have put a date on the curved "O" wing as between the wars and UK made. It is typical of the many variations one can find during this period. Often this curved shape, with the distinctive weave as seen in the later example posted by GGA, can indicate Canadian manufacture.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[grey_green_acorn]

mjw,
Thanks, the Observer Brevet I posted could well be of Canadian manufacture as my father trained and qualified in navigation, bombing and gunnery in Canada and "crewed up" at 32 OTU on Vancouver Island in late 1941.

[SAS1]

Both wings are WW2 vintage, the right hand one Canadian made, the left British made.