Jump to content

US Army Aviation Flight Wings- Class wings 60s-70s


all-bull
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello,

These came out of a collection and were labeled as Flight Solo Wings. Its wool with a very stiff guaze back. Does anyone know what exactly they are, what they were issued for, and when? What does the number specify? THANKS!

post-2063-1254487522.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are class wings from the 60's - 70's time frame (maybe longer). They come with different color numbers and are numbered 1 thru 4 and I believe they were worn on ball caps. I have several with different numbers and different color numbers on them. They were not solo wings, but student pilot only insignia. I'm sure some of the Army aviator types on this forum can clairify the info I've given and possibly correct some of it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The solo wings I wore in 1987 looked just like that, but had no numeral.

 

 

These are my solo wings from 1967. We did not have a wing with a number on it during that period. These wings were worn on our baseball caps. Each student company wore a different color hat, mine was yellow. I suspect that the different color numbers match the color of the hat worn by the student. Don't know when these numbered wings came into being but it was after 1968.

 

Terry

post-6022-1254508241.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spathologist
These are my solo wings from 1967. We did not have a wing with a number on it during that period. These wings were worn on our baseball caps. Each student company wore a different color hat, mine was yellow. I suspect that the different color numbers match the color of the hat worn by the student. Don't know when these numbered wings came into being but it was after 1968.

 

Terry

 

Yes, mine had the S over the shield in my class color (maroon). So the numbered wings would have been after 1968 and before 1986.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spathologist
Hawkdriver, yer an RLO?

 

This is from 1999, a little faded from being in the sun.

post-2757-1254537121.jpg

 

You wear that thing mowing, or did you just have that many rechecks?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was, then about Captain, realized the errors of my ways and converted to the dark side. If it makes you feel better, being a NG aviator in a huge class of RA guys, the WO class was smaller, so to even out the classes, the class leader had to identify 12 of us to go over to the WO candidate class. Funny that there were 12 Guardsmen and 12 slots. All 12 of us went over to the WO class and had the best time, the candidates knew how to party and took us "RLO's" under their wings and taught us well. The RA guys ate themselves up with petty rivalries, comparing ceckride scores and setting up pecking orders. Glad to be in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen now!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You wear that thing mowing, or did you just have that many rechecks?

 

Hahaha, close. It was a nice vibrant shade of 'burnt umber' but a summer of working stadium shows faded it out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was, then about Captain, realized the errors of my ways and converted to the dark side. If it makes you feel better, being a NG aviator in a huge class of RA guys, the WO class was smaller, so to even out the classes, the class leader had to identify 12 of us to go over to the WO candidate class. Funny that there were 12 Guardsmen and 12 slots. All 12 of us went over to the WO class and had the best time, the candidates knew how to party and took us "RLO's" under their wings and taught us well. The RA guys ate themselves up with petty rivalries, comparing ceckride scores and setting up pecking orders. Glad to be in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen now!

 

Glad you realized your error. Didn't it feel good to be free of all that silly command stuff? Now instead of herding the cats you are one of the cats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yessirree bob! I must be one of the bigger cats, they called me in today to "help" with a problem on my day off. Gonna cost them a lot for that one.

 

At least yours faded, mine bled through when it got wet, can barely read the solo info on the bottom of the bill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was, then about Captain, realized the errors of my ways and converted to the dark side. If it makes you feel better, being a NG aviator in a huge class of RA guys, the WO class was smaller, so to even out the classes, the class leader had to identify 12 of us to go over to the WO candidate class. Funny that there were 12 Guardsmen and 12 slots. All 12 of us went over to the WO class and had the best time, the candidates knew how to party and took us "RLO's" under their wings and taught us well. The RA guys ate themselves up with petty rivalries, comparing ceckride scores and setting up pecking orders. Glad to be in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen now!

 

I had the identical experience in flight school, I volunteered to go over to the WO candidate section in primary to balance things out. Mainly to get away from the Woo Poo crowd. Spent ten years as a commissioned officer in the RA then took WO IP slot in the Guard in 1989. Knowing what I know now I would have started out as a WO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cobrahistorian

Heheheh.... so this is what I've got to look forward to?

 

Looks like Company Command will be next year, and after that, who knows!

 

I'll post some of my Army Aviator wings when i get back home. We never got fancy hats or solo wings. Just more crap from the Bravo Company cadre. If ever there was something broken in the Army, its that friggin company. 2000 people in a COMPANY?? And yet it was SO efficient ;)

 

My class was split about 50/50 AC/RC and it was exactly 50/50 in the Longbow course. For you non Attack guys out there, that's the slow, mean lookin helicopter with all the armament on it. You know, the one that's a hell of a lot more maneuverable than you guys are? :D

 

Jon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For you non Attack guys out there, that's the slow, mean lookin helicopter with all the armament on it. You know, the one that's a hell of a lot more maneuverable than you guys are? :D

 

Jon

 

The only difference between a Apache and a hoover vacuum is that the hoover keeps it's dirtbags on the inside, and opposed to Apache pilots, the hoover quits whinning when you shut it off!

 

Has nothing to do with hats, but couldn't let it go :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cobrahistorian

Man...

 

You Hawk guys sure do sound like broken records. Ever get new material?

See, most gun drivers will be admittedly self deprecating on the shortcomings of our birds (hey slow the f' down!), but you start pickin on hawk aircrew and they've gotta go get a tissue to wipe their nose and you've gotta tell em to take their thumb out of their mouth!

 

;)

 

But we love em all the same.

 

The only difference between a Apache and a hoover vacuum is that the hoover keeps it's dirtbags on the inside, and opposed to Apache pilots, the hoover quits whinning when you shut it off!

 

Has nothing to do with hats, but couldn't let it go :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We seem to forget that a 47 can walk off and leave both of them behind. :D

 

Oh, and I completed the 64 transition in 2005 unfortunately had a medical retirement in 2006. :crying: Oh, well, 27 years should be long enough for anybody.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cobrahistorian
Oh God, now we just need the 58 community to pipe in! :w00t:

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh God, now we just need the 58 community to pipe in! :w00t:

 

 

Been there done that, I had that transition too. ;) If you can call it a transition, two week course.

 

In 27 years I qualified in UH1s, CH47B, C, and D, OH58A/C and AH64As. Missed out on the CH54's by a few months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cobrahistorian

Got my wings in July 07. Qualled on TH-67/OH-58A/C, AH-64D and AH-64A.

Current in the Alpha, looking forward to getting our new birds next year.

 

 

 

 

Been there done that, I had that transition too. ;) If you can call it a transition, two week course.

 

In 27 years I qualified in UH1s, CH47B, C, and D, OH58A/C and AH64As. Missed out on the CH54's by a few months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got my wings in July 07. Qualled on TH-67/OH-58A/C, AH-64D and AH-64A.

Current in the Alpha, looking forward to getting our new birds next year.

 

 

The best transition I ever received were my retirement orders. :) I do not miss it one bit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

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...