John Cooper Posted January 3, 2007 Share #1 Posted January 3, 2007 Here is a nice bullion pilot wing - from the style it appears to be made in England. If you have any please share them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QED4 Posted January 3, 2007 Share #2 Posted January 3, 2007 Defiantly made in England. It seems the Eighth Air Force had a problem with everybody and their uncle going on pass and as soon as they were off post they would pin on a pair of pilot or air crew wings to impress the girls and the MPs had no way of knowing who was on flight status and who wasn't. So to stop this they required everyone to sew a piece of blue cloth to the uniform behind the wings, this slowed down the unauthorized wear of wings. Some times it was a rectangle some times it followed the outline of the wings. It also helps collectors now, when you see an Eight Air Force uniform and it has wings with no blue background you have to wonder about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted January 3, 2007 Share #3 Posted January 3, 2007 My understanding is that the blue rectangle thing was a very unit specific, non official practice. I have had many Vet purchased flight crew uniforms that did not have the blue rectangle. The uniforms that I think are suspicious are those with the “factory” embroidered gold border on the blue rectangle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted January 9, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted January 9, 2007 I agree with the gold border coment. As for the blue part - I have read that some units used it to ID "combat crews"... Now what specifically does that mean is a matter of discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted January 9, 2007 Share #5 Posted January 9, 2007 Defiantly made in England. It seems the Eighth Air Force had a problem with everybody and their uncle going on pass and as soon as they were off post they would pin on a pair of pilot or air crew wings to impress the girls and the MPs had no way of knowing who was on flight status and who wasn't. So to stop this they required everyone to sew a piece of blue cloth to the uniform behind the wings, this slowed down the unauthorized wear of wings. Some times it was a rectangle some times it followed the outline of the wings. It also helps collectors now, when you see an Eight Air Force uniform and it has wings with no blue background you have to wonder about it. I have several 8th AF groupings that came direct from the vet and there was no blue backing. I have a few that do have the backing. What I am saying is I don't think that is a reason to wonder about it being real or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted January 9, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted January 9, 2007 I have several 8th AF groupings that came direct from the vet and there was no blue backing. I have a few that do have the backing. What I am saying is I don't think that is a reason to wonder about it being real or not. Agreed because I have seen period photos with the blue backing... Please post some photos of your uniforms I would love to see them. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaf8 Posted January 10, 2007 Share #7 Posted January 10, 2007 It's likely the blue backing was unofficial but it appears that it was widely used as I've had uniforms from various 8th and 9th AAF groups both fighter and bomber types. Probably a case of individualism amongst aircrew but sanctioned by both Bomber and Fighter Command. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted January 10, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted January 10, 2007 It's likely the blue backing was unofficial but it appears that it was widely used as I've had uniforms from various 8th and 9th AAF groups both fighter and bomber types. Probably a case of individualism amongst aircrew but sanctioned by both Bomber and Fighter Command. That is interesting - I have not seen any info on FG's using the blue backing. Any period photos you can share? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted January 10, 2007 Share #9 Posted January 10, 2007 It's likely the blue backing was unofficial but it appears that it was widely used as I've had uniforms from various 8th and 9th AAF groups both fighter and bomber types. Probably a case of individualism amongst aircrew but sanctioned by both Bomber and Fighter Command. I looked last night and I have a 9th AF with a blue backing. However, he was not a fighter pilot. He flew B-26's I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted January 11, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted January 11, 2007 I looked last night and I have a 9th AF with a blue backing. However, he was not a fighter pilot. He flew B-26's I think. When time allows can you post a pitctue? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted January 11, 2007 Share #11 Posted January 11, 2007 When time allows can you post a pitctue? John Yes I will. It may be a couple of days before I can get it on here. I will post the 8th and the 9th pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted January 11, 2007 Share #12 Posted January 11, 2007 Here is a set of pilots wings on a 4th AAF officer Uniform I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted January 13, 2007 Author Share #13 Posted January 13, 2007 It is hard to tell from the photo but is the backing black? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted January 13, 2007 Share #14 Posted January 13, 2007 Yes it is, he was a stateside pilot during the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted February 7, 2007 Share #15 Posted February 7, 2007 Let's try that again This is from a 9th Air Force Group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted February 7, 2007 Share #16 Posted February 7, 2007 This is a blue backing from an 8th Air Force Grouping. He was a local vet and this came from his estate sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted February 7, 2007 Share #17 Posted February 7, 2007 Thought I would post a picture of this patch. It doesnt have a number. Anyone know why??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share #18 Posted February 7, 2007 Thought I would post a picture of this patch. It doesnt have a number. Anyone know why??? That last patch is not supposed to have a number as it is the standard AC patch vs. the specific numbered units i.e. 8th, 9th, 12, 15th... BTW thats for posting the two other pictures - any chance of getting a larger shot - my eye just are not that good ; Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted February 7, 2007 Share #19 Posted February 7, 2007 Sorry The last patch did not have the red dot. I said number by mistake. I compressed the files on those wings but I can email you if you want to pm me. I think you can enlarge on the email then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted February 7, 2007 Here is mine: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBMflyer Posted February 8, 2007 Share #21 Posted February 8, 2007 My first post. English made bullion glider wing from 437th Troop Carrier Group Veteran. Enjoy. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost Posted February 9, 2007 Share #22 Posted February 9, 2007 Here is a wing I recently purchased, they came on a beautifully tailored British made Ike jacket with red lining. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 10, 2007 Share #23 Posted February 10, 2007 Here are a couple of bullion wings that belonged to Flight Officer Stuart K. Barr who served as a co-pilot with the 448th BG and was shot down on a mission to Frankfurt on 3/20/44 . His plane was named " The Commanche " because the pilot of the aircraft, Waynee Meyers, was a full Comanche! Barr was able to evade capture with the help of the French underground and eventually made it back it England. The waist gunner also evaded , but the rest of the crew became POW's . After the war he stayed in the Air Force and retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted February 10, 2007 Author Share #24 Posted February 10, 2007 Guys I love the wings you posted!! Charlie - very interesting colors - do you have any photos of the ike? Mark - can you post a picture of the back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBMflyer Posted February 10, 2007 Share #25 Posted February 10, 2007 John, here is the back of the bullion on blue glider wing, typical English-made black backing. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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