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Blue Backed Radio Operator's Wing


Timberwolf
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I don't know why there isn't more comment on these wings. They are super nice and really stunning. One question, is this on an officer or EM uniform? Typically, it would be rare for an officer to be a radio operator on one of the heavies (B17 or B24), I think.

 

BTW, there are a number of similar wings made and put on combat blue backing. Here is mine.

 

Also here is a link to other, similar wings--all sort of based on an observer wing with a letter in the center.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/86348-ww2-english-made-bullion-wing-variations/

 

I did have a chance to talk to Ms Carol Erbe (who gave me her father's gunner's wings) before she passed. She said that her father had told her that they were already in England (579th BS) before the gunner wings were generally available, so he picked up a local made wing that seemed to reflect the RAF style of using a letter (i.e. N, AG, B) to designate crew ratings. Not all the 8th AAF units used combat patches, but the 579th was one that did.

 

Again, thanks for showing this uniform.

 

P

 

 

post-1519-0-13656600-1476809241_thumb.jpg

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I don't know why there isn't more comment on these wings. They are super nice and really stunning. One question, is this on an officer or EM uniform? Typically, it would be rare for an officer to be a radio operator on one of the heavies (B17 or B24), I think.

 

BTW, there are a number of similar wings made and put on combat blue backing. Here is mine.

 

Also here is a link to other, similar wings--all sort of based on an observer wing with a letter in the center.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/86348-ww2-english-made-bullion-wing-variations/

 

I did have a chance to talk to Ms Carol Erbe (who gave me her father's gunner's wings) before she passed. She said that her father had told her that they were already in England (579th BS) before the gunner wings were generally available, so he picked up a local made wing that seemed to reflect the RAF style of using a letter (i.e. N, AG, B) to designate crew ratings. Not all the 8th AAF units used combat patches, but the 579th was one that did.

 

Again, thanks for showing this uniform.

 

P

 

 

P,

 

Thanks for the comments! I had read your thread on the "lettered" air crew wings and it was very helpful! It is an enlisted crew members uniform, and it looked like he rotated stateside for training new crews.

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It is interesting he didn't have a good conduct medal. Maybe he was a naughty fellow!

 

Again, really great wing. Hopefully you can get more information about him.

 

Patrick

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It is interesting he didn't have a good conduct medal. Maybe he was a naughty fellow!

 

 

I've seen a few where in order to conserve space, the GC was omitted. They wore the combat awards (DFC/AM) and EAME ribbons to show they were there and keep everything in one bar. My 95th BG flight engineer has a Brit-made bar with DFC/AM/AD/EAME ribbons, and I have a blue-backed 34th BG gunner with evidence of only one row of ribbons, so I restored it with a DFC/AM/EAME. Of course, they could have gotten into some trouble, but it seems to be more an issue of practicality.

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