aaf8 Posted February 13, 2008 Share #1 Posted February 13, 2008 Check these out. I'd love opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted February 13, 2008 Share #2 Posted February 13, 2008 I think the first 2 are good. I think the second two are bad. Although, you will likely get arguments about the very first one. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhbooker2 Posted February 13, 2008 Share #3 Posted February 13, 2008 "GREETINGS & SALUTATIONS!" Might be wrong, but it seems that wool cloth backing would have moth holes? Very often wool rots and you see loose thread. Perhaps there will be some person at a local insignia show that knows more about First World War insignia that can tell you for sure? You might write to the people who authored books on such insignia, they might answer if you send them photographs and a self-adressed pre-stamped envelope? Philip R. Martin who wrote "Pilots Wings of the U.S." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted February 13, 2008 I think the first three are good but I'm fairly certain the the Dallas Pilot's wing has had the wool backing replaced at one time. The Bomber wing (Bomb Aimer) is a damn good copy...if it is in fact a copy. The last wing used to be widely accepted as authentic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant#4 Posted February 13, 2008 Share #5 Posted February 13, 2008 That book is mostly for airline wings and most of the pics are better here. Good for airline listing, but not for makers and varities. The wings look good from here, but I am sure there are more vocal folkes out there. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Cain Posted February 13, 2008 Share #6 Posted February 13, 2008 I have my doubts about the Dallas Wing, but the other three are good based on the pictures. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted February 13, 2008 I have my doubts about the Dallas Wing, but the other three are good based on the pictures.Gary Gary, I actually like the Dallas wing even though I believe its been repaired or recovered. The US center is perfect and well jeweled unlike the usual suspect fakes. Tough one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share #8 Posted February 13, 2008 another quick observation is that the Junior Aviator wings beading extends beyond the wingtip which is usually a bad sign. Also, the US center is very sloppy. It looks like the second wing is most likely a repro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Cain Posted February 14, 2008 Share #9 Posted February 14, 2008 Actually you want the beading to extend beyond the wingtip(that's what I don't like about the Dallas wing as they used the same wings. In the picture it doesn't look that sloppy but you have it in hand and I don't! Cheers Gary another quick observation is that the Junior Aviator wings beading extends beyond the wingtip which is usually a bad sign. Also, the US center is very sloppy. It looks like the second wing is most likely a repro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share #10 Posted February 14, 2008 Actually you want the beading to extend beyond the wingtip(that's what I don't like about the Dallas wing as they used the same wings. In the picture it doesn't look that sloppy but you have it in hand and I don't!Cheers Gary I'm sure you're correct. It's been awhile since I've been involved with WW I wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted February 14, 2008 Share #11 Posted February 14, 2008 I'm sure you're correct. It's been awhile since I've been involved with WW I wings. All of the wings above are currently being listed on Manions as reproductions. I see no reason to doubt their appraisal in this particular case. I think the best of the lot is the middle wing which APPEARS to be a real wing that has been re-worked. They are offering a nice pair of REAL dallas wings in their current catalog, but the opening bid is $2500. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted February 14, 2008 Share #12 Posted February 14, 2008 All of the wings above are currently being listed on Manions as reproductions. I see no reason to doubt their appraisal in this particular case. I think the best of the lot is the middle wing which APPEARS to be a real wing that has been re-worked. They are offering a nice pair of REAL dallas wings in their current catalog, but the opening bid is $2500. Chris People can think and say what they want about Manion's, but I will say that the guy that has the final say on vintage aviation insignia is about the most knowledgeable guy that you could have making the call. I'd stack his opinion up against anybody's. If he calls them reproductions, that is what they are. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted February 14, 2008 Share #13 Posted February 14, 2008 People can think and say what they want about Manion's, but I will say that the guy that has the final say on vintage aviation insignia is about the most knowledgeable guy that you could have making the call. I'd stack his opinion up against anybody's. If he calls them reproductions, that is what they are.Allan In the interest of full disclosure, here is a link to the Manion's page where the above wings are listed. Manions US Wings I think their descriptions are pretty much spot on. However, the genuine "Dallas" wings are no longer listed. They must have ended. Mea culpa. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share #14 Posted February 14, 2008 I have to admit that the listings seemed confusing because the wings look pretty decent. The Dallas wings are noted as authentic however they don't seem to conform, and the Bomb aimers wing looks great (textbook). John knows his stuff and I have to agree that if he says they're repro...they are. Pretty scary repros! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted February 14, 2008 Share #15 Posted February 14, 2008 Who is the appraiser/authenticator for Manion's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share #16 Posted February 14, 2008 I thought it was John Conway but I could be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share #17 Posted February 14, 2008 One last comment regarding these wings. I strongly feel that a mistake has been made regarding the authenticity of these wings. We all make mistakes. In fact I believe that the Dallas wing is most likely authentic but has had significant repairs done, The Junior MA appears good, the Bombing Aviator looks good and the Observer is a repro. Just my humble opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted February 14, 2008 Share #18 Posted February 14, 2008 Well guys, other than the Dallas wing ($600), the others are still pretty cheap on the Manion's site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share #19 Posted February 14, 2008 Very cheap, especially if they're right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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