BROBS Posted October 1, 2014 #152 Posted October 1, 2014 The correct clutches would either be flat (no dimples on face) or some other type of WW2 vintage fastener. They may or may not be Sterling Silver, even though they are unmarked. Nice! -Brian
501stGeronimo Posted October 1, 2014 #153 Posted October 1, 2014 The correct clutches would either be flat (no dimples on face) or some other type of WW2 vintage fastener. Nice! -Brian I have had pieces straight from vets that have not been messed with at all and the clutches have dimples, so I don't live by that rule.
BROBS Posted October 1, 2014 #154 Posted October 1, 2014 True 501, I believe I read that a few manufacturers very late war had a type of dimple, but it does look slightly different than the modern dimpled clutches IIRC. I should have said "the most widely accepted clutches" -Brian
skypilot6670 Posted October 2, 2014 #155 Posted October 2, 2014 See the link to a discussion concerning ATC Gemsco wings. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/220947-atc-wings/
stevie_e Posted October 6, 2014 #157 Posted October 6, 2014 How about this TO Wing guys? Looks to me to be good. I know there are 70's re strikes but the re strikes I've seen have the logo impresses rather than raised on the back of the wing? This one looks identical to the Meyer one on the excellent WW2Wings.com Bob Schwartz site? Opinions welcome...Steve in England...
CliffP Posted October 6, 2014 #158 Posted October 6, 2014 stevie_e, Please post the photos rather than a website. Thank you.
doinworkinvans Posted October 7, 2014 #159 Posted October 7, 2014 thoughts on these Flight Engineer wings...appear to be 2 piece and no markings...
5thwingmarty Posted October 7, 2014 #161 Posted October 7, 2014 This pattern of flight engineer wing can sometimes be found with Vanguard (1V) hallmarks. The same dies were used by Vanguard, Silverman Brothers (2S) and Charles Polk (CPCo.). It is probably post WWII with the long clutch posts.
stevie_e Posted October 8, 2014 #163 Posted October 8, 2014 Ok, trying again re: photos! How about this TO Wing guys? Looks to me to be good. I know there are 70's re strikes but the re strikes I've seen have the logo impresses rather than raised on the back of the wing? This one looks identical to the Meyer one on the excellent WW2Wings.com Bob Schwartz site? Opinions welcome...Steve in England...
skypilot6670 Posted October 8, 2014 #165 Posted October 8, 2014 Stevie the TO wings are a minefield.Having said that it looks like the one you have is good.Check it against the Meyers on Bobs web site. http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/usaaftechnicalobserver.shtml You should check it for indications of having been cast,pillowing,edges look like a slightly overstuffed pillow,any bubbles or pits that don't belong such as corrosion,and a detailed inspection 10 power at least, jewelers loop to make sure wear is genuine and not applied.If satisfied then pull the trigger .These are rare and often faked but real are hard to find. Mike
stevie_e Posted October 8, 2014 #166 Posted October 8, 2014 Stevie the TO wings are a minefield.Having said that it looks like the one you have is good.Check it against the Meyers on Bobs web site. http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/usaaftechnicalobserver.shtml You should check it for indications of having been cast,pillowing,edges look like a slightly overstuffed pillow,any bubbles or pits that don't belong such as corrosion,and a detailed inspection 10 power at least, jewelers loop to make sure wear is genuine and not applied.If satisfied then pull the trigger .These are rare and often faked but real are hard to find. Mike Looks good under a Loop,. Also looks good against Bob's Meyer on his site Mike. Looks a good 'un to me...but happy to hear people's opinions on it...Steve
doinworkinvans Posted October 10, 2014 #167 Posted October 10, 2014 on the flight engineer wings in post 159...is $70 a good price?
Nack Posted October 10, 2014 #168 Posted October 10, 2014 on the flight engineer wings in post 159...is $70 a good price? My sense is no, but I don't really know. I think I have one, or had one, and I doubt I paid more than $20.
BROBS Posted October 10, 2014 #169 Posted October 10, 2014 on the flight engineer wings in post 159...is $70 a good price? for postwar I don't believe so. but I don't collect postwar so I'm biased. $70 is probably what I would try to pay for original WW2! (I'm a deal-seeker) -Brian
Patchcollector Posted October 21, 2014 #170 Posted October 21, 2014 Here is a new one for the "good or not" thread.Full sized Wing.Seller described as an "early" example.No "Sterling" mark that I can see.The odd thing,to me anyway,is that the back looks to be a lot more worn than the front.Is this uneven wearing common?Sellers pics. If this is authentic,would this be a pre-war,or early war example?
pfrost Posted October 21, 2014 #171 Posted October 21, 2014 Pictures aren't great but this one gives me some heartburn--looks like a casting. Here is what a good one should look like. The wear you see is likely from the casting process, I would guess. I have always felt that this senior pilot pattern wing (AKA the pelican beak) is a smack-in-the-middle-late war time-KW version. The little star on stilts seems to be an earlier version, with a later variation where the star is larger and not on stilts. Remember, almost no WWII trained pilots would have earned a senior pilot wing until well towards the end of WWII (most probably not until the Korean war). It should be clear that the pilot wing was likely made all through the war, but the little stars weren't probably added until later. I have groupings with the second wing (with the large star) from guys flying after KW, but is have no doubt that the wings overlapped significantly. The "pre-war" pattern (AKA the Adams Design) is the last wing shown -- although I suspect it also was used during WWII.
Patchcollector Posted October 21, 2014 #172 Posted October 21, 2014 Thanks for all the helpful info Patrick.I thought that the back looking the way it does could be from the casting process.The weird part is that the front appears OK,and looks like a die cut example (to my inexperienced eyes anyway). Has this type of Wing been reproduced in abundance?Thanks!
BROBS Posted October 21, 2014 #173 Posted October 21, 2014 a lot of the obverse details look smoother as well, I think it's just hard to tell from that photo. back is definitely pillowed like a casting. to me, 100% fake. -Brian
rustywings Posted October 21, 2014 #174 Posted October 21, 2014 The unnecessary wear and distortion to the hallmark; the rounded edges and dull corners; the fact there's no stop-cam on the pin; all thumbs-down indicators for me...I would also pass on this piece.
pconrad02 Posted October 21, 2014 #175 Posted October 21, 2014 Guys here it is http://www.1903.com/World-War-II/Army-Air-Corp/Senior-Pilot/WWII-Senior-Pilot-Sterling-Meyer-Design-p1050.html
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