Jump to content

Vietnam Era Helicopter Wings ?


TLHSS
 Share

Recommended Posts

I received in the mail today a "Vietnam Era" warrent officer's uniform that was dated 1982 :)

 

It looks like a put together, so I'm trying to determine which insignia is truly Vietnam war era.

 

The wings on the jacket are marked "1/20 SF GI". Can anyone tell me if these are modern or Vietnam war era?

 

Thanks for you help ....

 

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are some photos. I hope they help in identifying the era of the wings.

 

Thanks in Advance,

Tim

 

post-2144-1211631783.jpg

 

post-2144-1211631790.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I received in the mail today a "Vietnam Era" warrent officer's uniform that was dated 1982 :)

 

oh, thats never good thumbdown.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh, thats never good thumbdown.gif

 

Yea ... I know. Pretty disappointing (not the first time or last time I get something in the mail that's not as advertised).

 

Do you know if the wings are Vietnam era?

 

Thanks,

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hard to say, the design is the same as Army Aviators wear today. For example the wings I wore nearly 30 years ago are the same ones guys wear now. The wings in your photo appear to be sterling silver, that being the case I would venture they are old as most of the younger aviators, post 1990, I knew did not wear them. They went for the type you never had to polish. :)

 

Sterling silver wings as well as the cheapies were private purchase as all officer insignia is, none is issued. These could have been bought at Clothing Sales or through a variety of companies that offer officer uniforms. The sterling silver Master Aviator wings I wore last were purchased off of Ebay. :) The only way to come close to being absolutely sure is to buy a set from the guy that bought them during VN even then it is doubt you will be able to tell the difference from later wings of the same type.

 

As for being helicopter wings, Army Aviators, commissioned or warrant, all wear the same insignia be they rotary wing or fix wing rated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The "1/20 SF" mean 1/20th Silver Filled, so they are not sterling. I'd venture the opinion they are Vietnam Era. The lack of a TIOH maker's letter/number code might mean they are a bit earlier. Someone on the forum should be able to decipher the hallmark.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry about calling them Sterling, anything that was made out of heavier metal than the pot metal PX types and required to be polished we casually referred to as silver. w00t.gif

 

We weren't collecting them back then, we were just wearing them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...