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M-1919 Direct Embroidered 1920s style pilot wings


hawk3370
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Pulled this out of the closet where its been hanging for about 20 years. Thought some of you might find it interesting in that these wings that are directly embroidered to the tunic are not often encountered. This particular tunic was a private purchase by the aviator in the Philippines in the late 1920's. The collar insignia and wing style were worn between 1926 and the mid 30's. Embroidered wing measures 3 1/2" tip to tip.

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Pulled this out of the closet where its been hanging for about 20 years. Thought some of you might find it interesting in that these wings that are directly embroidered to the tunic are not often encountered. This particular tunic was a private purchase by the aviator in the Philippines in the late 1920's. The collar insignia and wing style were worn between 1926 and the mid 30's. Embroidered wing measures 3 1/2" tip to tip.

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Great uniform thanks for posting. You just filled in a peice of a puzzle for me of a photo I have that appears a direct embroidered wing & prop insignia on an overseas cap. I am not sure of the exact date yet but I think it to be before 1935 base on the fact that Maj. Carl Spaatz aka "Tooey" was promoted to Lt. Col. sometime in 1935.

 

Cheers

John

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Air Corps officers wore wing-and-prop insignia on field caps from 1925 to 1937, when regulations changed to put rank insignia at this spot (Emerson's Encyclopedia p. 363). Emerson also has a picture (same page) showing an Air Corps officer wearing the same pattern of khaki coat with direct embroidered wings and lapel insignia.

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Great uniform thanks for posting. You just filled in a peice of a puzzle for me of a photo I have that appears a direct embroidered wing & prop insignia on an overseas cap. I am not sure of the exact date yet but I think it to be before 1935 base on the fact that Maj. Carl Spaatz aka "Tooey" was promoted to Lt. Col. sometime in 1935.

 

Cheers

John

 

John,

The army regs of 1926 called for the US and Branch insignia to be worn on the lapels. The Air Corps was the only branch to use this particular configuration of an embroidered usually bullion US and wing and prop on a diamond sewn to the bottom lapel. The rest of the army used a metal US on the upper lapel and the branch insignia on the lower. The Air Corps continued to wear this style into the mid 1930's when it gradually faded out. Idea was that the embroidered insignia would not snag on parachute harness or seat belts. So your overseas hat would date between 1926 and probably 1935. The picture attached of the young pilot was taken around 1929, notice that he wears embroidered insignia while the officer behind him wears metal. They were stationed with an reserve observation squadron in California.

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Thanks for the follow-up information guys!

 

Terry - that photo of your display is great what a beautiful cap! Additionally the wall display of insignia on the right side of the photo is something I have wanted to put together myself.

 

Cheers

John

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Thanks for the follow-up information guys!

 

Terry - that photo of your display is great what a beautiful cap! Additionally the wall display of insignia on the right side of the photo is something I have wanted to put together myself.

 

Cheers

John

 

John,

Thanks for the kind comments from you and the others. Have attached a couple pic of the collar insignia frames for your consideration.

Terry

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John,

Thanks for the kind comments from you and the others. Have attached a couple pic of the collar insignia frames for your consideration.

Terry

That, is wonderful - thank you.

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Wow! Hawk, is there any chance you could get some clearer photos of your display boards? They would be a great addition to the reference section. Maybe you could get a closeup of each individual insignia type. Great collection.

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Wow! Hawk, is there any chance you could get some clearer photos of your display boards? They would be a great addition to the reference section. Maybe you could get a closeup of each individual insignia type. Great collection.

 

Dougboy,

Will see what I can do over the next couple days, My camera is not the best in the world, or maybe its the picture taker himself. But will see if I can come up with some better shots.

Terry

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Wow! Hawk, is there any chance you could get some clearer photos of your display boards? They would be a great addition to the reference section. Maybe you could get a closeup of each individual insignia type. Great collection.

 

Doughboy,

Attached are some more pic. If there is any particular piece of insignia that interest you I could perhaps try to shoot it individually. Hope you find these pic a little better.

Terry

post-6022-1256827366.jpg

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Doughboy,

Attached are some more pic. If there is any particular piece of insignia that interest you I could perhaps try to shoot it individually. Hope you find these pic a little better.

Terry

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post-6022-1256827782.jpg

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I think you need to do a complete photo session to show off your collection!

 

Cheers

John

 

Back around Sep 12th. I posted pic of most of my collection in the Display forum. Listed under "My War Room" Hawk 33. Check it out and let me know if there are any items that you might like to see indivdually.

 

Terry

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