IS THIS WING GOOD? Post your requests here!

[rathbonemuseum.com]

I think you need to get that seller to provide clearer images! Could be anything!

[Manky bandage]

On the search for a pilots wing and came across this, Blackinton pattern?

 

 

[5thwingmarty]

Blackinton-pattern, Luxenberg-hallmarked wing.  The wing looks pretty worn for still being in the box, but whoever bought the wing could have kept the box to put the wing back in later.

[Manky bandage]

That had crossed my mind too, is the box even original? I’ve not come across one before or seen one to compare them. Would be nice to add a boxed example to the collection. 

[Kropotkin]

Hello all,

 

Anyone come across this type of Meyer Naval Flight Surgeon wing badge before? It’s full-size and the findings look good but I’ve not been able to find another example of this hollow-back design.

 

 

[Kropotkin]

5 hours ago, Manky bandage said:

That had crossed my mind too, is the box even original? I’ve not come across one before or seen one to compare them. Would be nice to add a boxed example to the collection. 

I put an early bid on this, it’s a good one. But don’t worry, it was a speculative one as I have another (but without the box).

 

I have noticed that quite a few of these Blackinton/Luxenberg wings have the very feint / worn lateral shield lines. I reckon it could be due to a worn die as the wear is very similar, wing to wing.

[Manky bandage]

2 hours ago, Kropotkin said:

Hello all,

 

Anyone come across this type of Meyer Naval Flight Surgeon wing badge before? It’s full-size and the findings look good but I’ve not been able to find another example of this hollow-back design.

 

 

I like it, the findings look good to me. Reminds me of a similar H&H made piece. Naval stuff really peaks my interest the more I dive into them. 

[Kropotkin]

1 minute ago, Manky bandage said:

I like it, the findings look good to me. Reminds me of a similar H&H made piece. Naval stuff really peaks my interest the more I dive into them. 

Cheers. I pick up the odd naval badge here and there if it’s a rating I don’t have, as in this case, but don’t really hunt for them like I do the Army wings.

[militbuff]

Can anyone tell me if these two wings are originals or repros? Much appreciated!

 

 

[5thwingmarty]

Not repops.  Probably late WWII to post-war production, both likely from Robbins.

[militbuff]

5 minutes ago, 5thwingmarty said:

Not repops.  Probably late WWII to post-war production, both likely from Robbins.

Thanks!  Were wings from this period generally made of silver?

[5thwingmarty]

Either solid sterling or sterling-plated brass was the norm for "silver" finished wings.  In most cases solid sterling wings were marked as being sterling, while sterling-plated brass wings were not metal marked at all.  There are some solid sterling wings that are not metal marked though, so some type of testing would need to me done to verify what they are made of.

[militbuff]

37 minutes ago, 5thwingmarty said:

Either solid sterling or sterling-plated brass was the norm for "silver" finished wings.  In most cases solid sterling wings were marked as being sterling, while sterling-plated brass wings were not metal marked at all.  There are some solid sterling wings that are not metal marked though, so some type of testing would need to me done to verify what they are made of.

Thanks again!

[Threewood]

I have seen this type listed but cannot for the life of me find the topic, nor do I remember what they were called. Anyway, are the wings below original or reproductions? It is not the normal type reverse as it mimics the front. 

Thanks!

[pfrost]

Perfectly fine.  Likely from late WWII into the Korean War period.  I call them "cliche" versions but there is likely a more accurate term for this type of mirror strike on the back.

 

Not terribly uncommon, but neat.  100% good, IMHO

[Threewood]

Cliche!! That's the term I will forget again in the near future lol. Thanks!

[cwnorma]

6 hours ago, pfrost said:

I call them "cliche" versions but there is likely a more accurate term for this type of mirror strike on the back.

 

You know Patrick @pfrost, Now that you point it out, I am not sure if there is actually a more correct term?  Someone can correct me to 100% if I am wrong on that. I've called these "semi" cliche' as they are nowhere near as thin as a true cliche' strike.  Cliche' uses very thin stock; primarily as a means to minimize materials cost.  This sort of mirror image force seems to be a way to ensure a better quality strike using lower pressure equipment.

 

At any rate, nice badge!

 

Chris

[B-17Guy]

I agree with the above, but I’ve never been a huge fan of these wings.

Also, one thought, I don’t think the Glider, Service, and Liaison wings lasted beyond the 1947 transition to the USAF.

John

[pfrost]

They didn't continue to use those rating for new guys in the USAF, but I think they were still available in the 60's for guys that earned them during the war (or so I have heard).  I vaguely recall seeing a photo of a guy wearing an alphabet wing on his USAF uniform.

 

My guess is that they (whoever it was) made a ton of these ratings for the US Government during WWII and they just ended up in old storage rooms.  Sort of like the ton of WWII vintage PH that were made and were still handed out well into VN.

 

This is a WWII vet wearing flight engineer wings on his USAF uniform.  I do not recall when they totally phased out this version of the flight engineer, so it may be authorized...but it makes my point to some extent.  There was a "phase in/phase out period" IIRC.

 

Also this is an interesting wing. It is that version of the cliche service pilot wing but it was converted to an aircrewman's wing with the addition of the US Seal. When I first started collecting, this was the FIRST service pilot wing I found....  LOL. Many a day, I thought about trying to pop off that top!

 

[Threewood]

I realize there are a plethora of fake and reproduction balloon pilot wings, so can I get an opinion on this wing. I'm guessing restamp because the reverse is all a uniform darker color and the back looks unused. Cammed pin, no sterling mark. Meyer shield.

[Threewood]

On 3/5/2025 at 12:55 PM, pfrost said:

Perfectly fine.  Likely from late WWII into the Korean War period.  I call them "cliche" versions but there is likely a more accurate term for this type of mirror strike on the back.

 

Not terribly uncommon, but neat.  100% good, IMHO

Picked it up for $60.

[The Rooster]

13 hours ago, Threewood said:

Picked it up for $60.

Its a Meyer Re strike. Or a fake.....

Its got a cammed pin but fakers are on to that.

Black lacquer on the back, logo sunk in not raised.

Or is it raised? Either way it looks like a restrike.

As an aside.....

Another thing I finally started to notice about all WW2

wings is the pin specifically.........

If they were worn, you will find bends

in the pins from putting them on and taking them off a uniform.

Notice how the pin is straight and true?

Never worn.

[Threewood]

37 minutes ago, The Rooster said:

Its a Meyer Re strike. Or a fake.....

Its got a cammed pin but fakers are on to that.

Black lacquer on the back, logo sunk in not raised.

Or is it raised? Either way it looks like a restrike.

As an aside.....

Another thing I finally started to notice about all WW2

wings is the pin specifically.........

If they were worn, you will find bends

in the pins from putting them on and taking them off a uniform.

Notice how the pin is straight and true?

Never worn.

The rear strike matches a known original that I found. Same indention and raised bump. You are correct about the pin...very straight. And the uniform dark color. Shield strike is very crisp. It sold for $303 and about 20 bids.

[Manky bandage]

A bit of an oddity, anybody recognise them? Some weird knock off fantasy wing, maybe a child’s toy or theatre made. 
 

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Patriotic souvenir pin. WWII period. Costume jewelry pin.