CliffP Posted September 24, 2014 #127 Posted September 24, 2014 So did you win it? -Brian If that is directed to me. . . NO!
5thwingmarty Posted September 24, 2014 #129 Posted September 24, 2014 I bought it. Hopefully it is a real one. I will post better photos when it arrives. I asked the seller if he could provide the bombardier's name as well. If I can get the name, I should be able to see what class he graduated with.
rustywings Posted September 24, 2014 #130 Posted September 24, 2014 Marty, I hope it turns out to be a good one as well. The ebay description states it's 2 3/4 inches in width. That's 1/2 inch smaller than the known originals. This smaller variation has a straight and level edge which runs along the top of the wing. The larger version has much more pronounced shoulders which are higher than the tips and distant portion of the wings. As Cliff mentioned, the differences might be attributed to the craftsman changing his design from one piece to the next? Ultimately, once you have the badge in hand, you'll be looking for deeper recesses between the feathering and sharper overall details than the current ebay illustrations depict.
5thwingmarty Posted September 25, 2014 #131 Posted September 25, 2014 I was told the name of my bombardier but was asked not to pass it on. I am supposed to be getting a letter with the wing that will have some more information for me. In any event, with the name I was able to check for men with the same first initial and last name and found four candidates, one of which graduated from Kirtland in class 42-08. I don't have class books for any of the four candidates but a friend can hopefully help rule out two of them by checking his books, and another friend might be able to confirm I have the right class for my guy. I will post more when I get the wing and more information.
Patchcollector Posted September 25, 2014 #132 Posted September 25, 2014 Here is a full sized Observer Wing that is Sterling.Would like to know if it is authentic,and when where and by who this one was made,if possible.I looked on the WW2 Wings website but did'nt find a match.Sellers pics. Thanks!
pfrost Posted September 25, 2014 #133 Posted September 25, 2014 It looks ok. I doubt you'll ever figure out who made these.
Patchcollector Posted September 25, 2014 #134 Posted September 25, 2014 It looks ok. I doubt you'll ever figure out who made these. Thanks for the thumbs up Patrick.
bschwartz Posted September 26, 2014 #135 Posted September 26, 2014 http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/observer/steraaflargeobserver.shtml
5thwingmarty Posted September 26, 2014 #136 Posted September 26, 2014 Here are some hopefully better pictures of the Navaho bombardier wing. It arrived sooner than I expected. The details are very sharp in person, and I was surprised how thin the wing is. I was expecting a very heavy, thick wing and it is not at all. Although the metal is thin, the wing has incredible depth with the shoulders bulging outward almost as far as the center bomb fin. The target rings look to have been added to the center circle. It is also just 2-5/8" wide. The story was this was purchased as a gift for a sweetheart for a girlfriend the bombardier met in Albuquerque, so that would fit with this having been made so much smaller than regulation wings.
5thwingmarty Posted September 26, 2014 #137 Posted September 26, 2014 And here are a couple more pics.
pfrost Posted September 26, 2014 #138 Posted September 26, 2014 Looks pretty stunning to me. I like it.
BROBS Posted September 26, 2014 #139 Posted September 26, 2014 the quality sure seems to be there... nice set! -Brian
skypilot6670 Posted September 26, 2014 #140 Posted September 26, 2014 Marty congrats and thanks for posting the pictures.I like the depth of the hand chasing,bomb and target and the shoulder .That is one really unique and beautiful wing.I believe it's another Cliff's Navajo. Thank you very much for sharing it. Fraternally Mike
5thwingmarty Posted September 26, 2014 #141 Posted September 26, 2014 I'm glad the consensus is that it is a good wing. I have taken some additional photos with my work iphone that I am hoping may show better detail. If they turn out I plan on adding photos to the previous thread about the Navaho wings.
Patchcollector Posted September 26, 2014 #142 Posted September 26, 2014 http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/observer/steraaflargeobserver.shtml Thanks for the link,not sure how I missed those..
stevie_e Posted September 30, 2014 #143 Posted September 30, 2014 Hi, Just acquired this Air Gunner wing. Marked Sterling & Balfour and with two rivets? WW2? Thoughts welcome...
CliffP Posted September 30, 2014 #144 Posted September 30, 2014 Re: Post 143 Hi, Just acquired this Air Gunner wing. Marked Sterling & Balfour and with two rivets? WW2? Thoughts welcome. . Stevie. In case some members have had trouble pulling up the three photos from the website posted by Stevie, the images have been posted below for review. Thoughts welcome:
pfrost Posted October 1, 2014 #145 Posted October 1, 2014 I don't see any problems. Nice vintage wings.
BROBS Posted October 1, 2014 #146 Posted October 1, 2014 I think it's a good maker marked version and neat with the riveted emblem. -Brian
BROBS Posted October 1, 2014 #148 Posted October 1, 2014 Yes looks good how long are the posts? Probably just the wrong clutches on it.
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