WWI to WWII USN bullion wings: examples and patterns

[rustywings]

Kastauffer,

 

Your two bullion Aviator wings are absolutely exceptional! Thank you for posting such "top-shelf" examples.

 

Russ

[CliffP]

Cliff.

Attached is a pic of Roland Corbin, Naval Aviator #621 and his brother Horace W. Corbin during the war.

Terry

Hey Terry,

 

Found another picture of Ensign Corbin in the book FLYING OFFICERS of the U.S.N. which you probably have; however, in some old files found a picture of Navy dirigible DN-1 taken in April, 1917 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Since Ensign Corbin got his Naval Aviator rating at Pensacola about the same time on 17 April 1917 he would have flown in it.

 

Cliff

 

CORBIN, Roland Earl

Born: 18 Sep.1893 in Dundee, MI; Retired: South Hero, VT 1969.

Education: University of Michigan - 1 year

Military Service: U.S. Navy: April 30, 1917- September 30, 1921 (Rank: Ensign USNR)

Ratings: Heavier-Than-Air and Lighter-Than-Air Balloon & Airship training at Akron, OH & Naval Air Station-Pensacola, FL; FAI-ACA Balloon License #595 issued 17 April 1917; Naval Aviator #621.

-----------------------------

[hawk3370]

Hey Terry,

 

Found another picture of Ensign Corbin in the book FLYING OFFICERS of the U.S.N. which you probably have; however, in some old files found a picture of Navy dirigible DN-1 taken in April, 1917 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Since Ensign Corbin got his Naval Aviator rating at Pensacola about the same time on 17 April 1917 he would have flown in it.

 

Cliff

 

CORBIN, Roland Earl

Born: 18 Sep.1893 in Dundee, MI; Retired: South Hero, VT 1969.

Education: University of Michigan - 1 year

Military Service: U.S. Navy: April 30, 1917- September 30, 1921 (Rank: Ensign USNR)

Ratings: Heavier-Than-Air and Lighter-Than-Air Balloon & Airship training at Akron, OH & Naval Air Station-Pensacola, FL; FAI-ACA Balloon License #595 issued 17 April 1917; Naval Aviator #621.

-----------------------------

 

Cliff,

Thanks, great pic of the airship. Must have been a boring mission putting along in one of those.

 

Russ,

I had Ens Corbin's complete uniform and this extra wing, but since I don't collect Navy, moved the uniform along about a year ago. Attached is pic of the tunic. I hung onto the wing since it was unique and I had never seen one like it before. I could only speculate that the Airship pilots might have gone this route to distinguish themselves from the other pilots.

Terry

[cszakolczai]

Cliff,

Thanks, great pic of the airship. Must have been a boring mission putting along in one of those.

 

Russ,

I had Ens Corbin's complete uniform and this extra wing, but since I don't collect Navy, moved the uniform along about a year ago. Attached is pic of the tunic. I hung onto the wing since it was unique and I had never seen one like it before. I could only speculate that the Airship pilots might have gone this route to distinguish themselves from the other pilots.

Terry

 

Sir your stuff always amazes me. I swear the items you have or have had in your collection are just mind blowing. Add this picture to the list of items which make you go, "holy smoke I never woulda expected to see it"

[rustywings]

WWII era padded bullion Aviator wing.

[rustywings]

Another WWII padded Aviator badge, with longer and somewhat different wing design.

[John Cooper]

Please dont stop posting individual close ups Russ this is a fantastic learning experience.

 

Cheers

John

[navyman]

Here's two that I bought a few weeks ago.

Can anyone date these?

 

First one...

 

 

 

Jason

[navyman]

2nd one

 

 

Jason

[John Cooper]

Kurt & Jason thanks for the wonderful additions to this thread. As for dating your wings Jason I hope someone can help.

 

Cheers

John

[Jack's Son]

This is my only bullion wing.

 

[rustywings]

Here's two that I bought a few weeks ago.

Can anyone date these?

 

First one...

 

Jason

 

 

 

Jason, you've posted a couple of nice WWII era bullion wings. I believe your first example was produced from the mid 1930's thru early WWII. Your second wing appears to be a solid WWII example.

[rustywings]

Bullion WWII USN Aviator on black felt.

[rustywings]

Back.

[rustywings]

Padded bullion WWII era Aviator on green gaberdine.

[rustywings]

Back.

[rustywings]

Bullion WWII era Aviator on white cloth background.

[rustywings]

Back.

[Ricardo]

One more ... :thumbsup:

[navyman]

Jason, you've posted a couple of nice WWII era bullion wings. I believe your first example was produced from the mid 1930's thru early WWII. Your second wing appears to be a solid WWII example.

 

Thanks Russ! I appreciate the help!

 

Jason

[rustywings]

WWII era USN Aviator on tan cloth.

[rustywings]

The back.

[rustywings]

A WWII era variant with five different types of bullion used, counting the foil.

[rustywings]

The back.

[rustywings]

Late-war, or possibly early post-war USN bullion Observer wing.