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New 507th PIR Oval with Ludlow Wing

Fritz
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Fritz

Fritz

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Thanks guys! It's a beauty, while looking at the oval, could this be an Italian made oval and not Brit? Just the construction looks like it could be Italian. Thoughts?

 

Fritz

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pfrost

pfrost

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I'd like to see better pictures of the jump sing. I see a couple of things that make me worried that these are not 100% correct. In particular note the shroud line on the right side that merges rather high with another shroud line. Also I see some of (what looks like) the casting flaws found in the fakes. Finally this appears to have the incorrect catch for a Ludlow

 

It could be the lighting but....

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pfrost

pfrost

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I think I would still need better pictures especially of the front. You have them in hand, is the L of Ludlow and LO on London present and covered in goo or are they not there at all? Its hard to know with those pictures, but I see things that make me think this is a cast wing (especially on the front). IF you can get good pictures of the front in good light, I would have a better idea, but the shroud lines look like the fakes.

 

They have been faking British made jump wings since the 1980's.

 

Also, if the wings were that grungy, then you would think that the oval would be an absolute mess.

Here is a Ludlow that Allan H thought was good (and I think he is one of the experts to the experts on jump wings).

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/204402-ludlow-us-army-jump-wings-opinions-welcome/?hl=ludlow

 

But it doesn't really matter what I think, you are the one who has to be happy with them.

 

Sorry

Patrick

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Fritz

Fritz

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Pfrost, the oval is nice but shows the same age and wear as the wing. Against ALL good judgment I cleaned the back and all letters are present albeit worn alittle, doesn't look cast to me but we'll see, I'll have some pics uploaded shortly

 

Fritz

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pfrost

pfrost

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Like I said it really doesn't matter what I think. I fear that with Brit-made stuff, we have reached the era where short of signed and notarized picture of the vet unpinning it from his jacket and handing it to you, there will always be doubts.

 

So, while I can't say I am an expert on Ludlow wings, there are one or two general observations I have made.

First, the catch "tends" to be a square wire or cut out plate rather than a round wire and the pin is typically a steel one that sometimes shows rust. You can see it this CIB from my collection and here

Glider pilot wing: http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/gliderpilot/ludlowgliderpilot.shtml

AC wing: http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/aircrew/markkaafludlowaircrew.shtml

Glider assault badge shown and thread where it was discussed: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/165843-ludlow-glider-troops-oppinions-please/

And another Ludlow jump wing that I believe is what a "correct" one should look like and the thread it was discussed: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20946-wwii-ludlow-london-paratrooper-wings-para-oval/

 

Although to be fair it isn't universal: A navigator-- http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/navigator/ludlowaafnavigator.shtml with a wire catch.

The wing in this thread is one of those things that if it were in my collection, the issues I have with the strike makes me have doubts. But it isn't in my collection :)

As I said, you have it in your hand and all I can go by is what I see on the photos (which are little better). Honestly, from the new pictures, I am less sure that these aren't correct, but... It is what it is.

P

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post-1519-0-14757800-1481497925_thumb.jpg

post-1519-0-91206600-1481498120_thumb.jpg

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Patchcollector

Patchcollector

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Hmm,this is interesting.Fritz,your hallmark,kind of worn looking and somewhat indistinct, is similar to the one I posted.Now if you look at the example that Patrick posted a link to it shows what appears to me to be a much crisper hallmark.I don't know what to make of this as I'm no expert on these and don't know if there are any variations in the hallmarks.

 

Just wanted to add;I think it's OK to clean dirt and grunge off of things,but I won't remove patina.That's just me.

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Fritz

Fritz

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Pfrost, thanks, I always want many opinions, I respect yours as well as others here as long as they are not derogatory, I looked all over and have found tons of examples and almost all are just a tick different but this one shows all signs off all of them. I have zero doubt on the authenticity of this wing, came with a small group right out of an estate , the oval is 100% right and why would someone put a bad wing on a fairly uncommon real Brit made oval, and honestly I bought this for the price of the gorget eagle and the rest was gratis per sei. This is a wing I'm happy to add to my airborne insignia collection. Thanks for your input hombre

 

Patchcollector, thanks for the posted variations to assist with this wing, much appreciated sir

 

Fritz

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