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New 8th AF Service coat: Blue Backed Radio Operator Wing


Timberwolf
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Hi all,

 

New pick up. Unfortunately not named, aside for the fact that the seller said the vet was the father of a well known police officer in PA?

 

Looks like our TSgt. was an early 8th AF guy, more than likely completing the 25 missions and was rotated home as a radio instructor with the 2nd AF. The wing is a blue backed bullion example with a R for radio operator in the center. I read that this may have been an early attempt by British tailors/embroiderers to mimic the British style wings. Also interesting is an instructor wing above the radio operator diamond. 8th AF SSI is a British embroidered patch with bullion overlay, and the 2nd AF is of felt construction. Looks like our guy earned a DFC and a AM with 3 OLC's, and an ETO with Two campaign credits. All in all a really interesting service coat.

 

post-19184-0-12861800-1476718109.jpg

 

post-19184-0-39543400-1476718124.jpg

 

post-19184-0-77813500-1476718134.jpg

 

 

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AAF_Collection

Hi Ben,

 

it's certainly an interesting coat. I'd suggest he probably rarely wore it after returning to the US as otherwise it's unlikely he would have been able to continue wearing his blue wing backing, plus the fact there's no discharge patch means he probably wasn't using it regularly at the time he was discharged.

 

Matt.

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Very nice service coat. There are a lot of "attaboys" connected with this piece. Thanks for showing. Jack

Thanks Jack! It definitely is a looker!

 

Hi Ben,

 

it's certainly an interesting coat. I'd suggest he probably rarely wore it after returning to the US as otherwise it's unlikely he would have been able to continue wearing his blue wing backing, plus the fact there's no discharge patch means he probably wasn't using it regularly at the time he was discharged.

 

Matt.

Thanks Matt! Interesting thoughts, so do you think this was just something that was worn early on then? What were the regulations concerning the blue backing?

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