rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #51 Posted November 1, 2014 The back reveals a variety of catches and markings. The findings include a Tiffany-style lever catch; a rotating 'C' catch; and drop-in rotating catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #52 Posted November 1, 2014 The small WWI era Pilot wings weren't limited to just metal-made. Here's a two-inch wide bullion-made Air Service wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #53 Posted November 1, 2014 Heavily padded and pin-back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #54 Posted November 1, 2014 Another two-inch wide bullion Pilot wing with slightly different design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #55 Posted November 1, 2014 The back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #56 Posted November 1, 2014 Comparison shot of the two small bullion Pilot wings. Both are heavily padded. The second example is slightly smaller at 1 & 7/8 inches wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share #57 Posted November 1, 2014 Similar findings and materials and on the back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted November 1, 2014 Share #58 Posted November 1, 2014 WOW Russ those bullion are awesome. That is just the best. Would they be shirt , cap or sweetheart or all of the above.They are really nice. Thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted November 1, 2014 Share #59 Posted November 1, 2014 Great thread! I haven't been on for a while and It is nice to see these smaller WW1 wings getting some love. Do any of you have photos of these two-inch wings being worn (on caps, shirts, or even by "sweethearts")? Certainly by WW2, and on into the present, two-inch wings would have been for wear on shirts. Do we know when the WW2 era practice of shirt-sized wings started? The 20s? 30s? Could the later 2-inch wings be a continuation of something done earlier (if not officially sanctioned)? Your thoughts? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted November 1, 2014 Share #60 Posted November 1, 2014 Great thread! I haven't been on for a while and It is nice to see these smaller WW1 wings getting some love. Do any of you have photos of these two-inch wings being worn (on caps, shirts, or even by "sweethearts")? Certainly by WW2, and on into the present, two-inch wings would have been for wear on shirts. Do we know when the WW2 era practice of shirt-sized wings started? The 20s? 30s? Could the later 2-inch wings be a continuation of something done earlier (if not officially sanctioned)? Your thoughts? Chris Nice to see you back Chris. Hope all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #61 Posted November 3, 2014 WOW Russ those bullion are awesome. That is just the best. Would they be shirt , cap or sweetheart or all of the above.They are really nice. Thanks Mike Mike, until we reveal more concrete information, I think your "all of the above" answer is likely the best response. Thanks for your input. Great thread! I haven't been on for a while and It is nice to see these smaller WW1 wings getting some love. Do any of you have photos of these two-inch wings being worn (on caps, shirts, or even by "sweethearts")? Certainly by WW2, and on into the present, two-inch wings would have been for wear on shirts. Do we know when the WW2 era practice of shirt-sized wings started? The 20s? 30s? Could the later 2-inch wings be a continuation of something done earlier (if not officially sanctioned)? Your thoughts? Chris Chris, it's terrific to have you back with us! For those members not familiar with Chris, just review some of the old Forum archives and you'll see he's an avid wing and badge collector...and a very knowledgeable source on early U.S. aviation. I hope our membership can help answer your questions regarding the early use of two inch wings. I have two WWI overseas officer's caps with nicely detailed small Pilot wings attached which I believe are original. But were they authorized? Any period photographs of Pilots, or their sweethearts, wearing these small wings would certainly help. Please share your small wings, images and tidbits of information any of you may have. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #62 Posted November 3, 2014 Here's a WWI era color-tint studio photograph of Lt. Robert T. Cronau wearing a small pair of wings which I estimate to be in the 2 & 1/4 to 2 & 1/2 inch size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #63 Posted November 3, 2014 A closer shot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #64 Posted November 3, 2014 Another photo of Lt. Cronau. Not much detail, but it looks like he's wearing the same small wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #65 Posted November 3, 2014 A third photo of Lt. Cronau and his small wings. Note how he wears them much higher on his chest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #66 Posted November 3, 2014 Closer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #67 Posted November 3, 2014 Lt. Cronau was also photographed wearing a full size bullion wing in its proper place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #68 Posted November 3, 2014 Here's a similar Pilot wing to the one depicted on Lt. Cronau's uniform. It is 2 & 3/8 inches in width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #69 Posted November 3, 2014 The back is unmarked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #70 Posted November 3, 2014 Another example similar to the wings being worn by Lt. Cronau. This badge is 2 & 1/2 inches in width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #71 Posted November 3, 2014 The back is marked STERLING near the top of the shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share #72 Posted November 3, 2014 Comparison shot of the previous two wings. (Top wing is 2 & 3/8 inches; bottom wing is 2 & 1/2 inches.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cthomas Posted November 8, 2014 Share #73 Posted November 8, 2014 Here are a couple of pictures showing smaller 'sweetheart' wings in wear. They both date to the postwar era. The first one shows a few different type of 'smaller' aviation wings. I call this guy "The Drunk Captain" The 2nd image soon to follow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cthomas Posted November 8, 2014 Share #74 Posted November 8, 2014 Sgt. Frank P. Rubenking, 11th Co. 2nd Air Service Mechanics, sporting the very same sweetheart wings seen in the collage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share #75 Posted November 11, 2014 Here are a couple of pictures showing smaller 'sweetheart' wings in wear. They both date to the postwar era. The first one shows a few different type of 'smaller' aviation wings. I call this guy "The Drunk Captain" The 2nd image soon to follow... That really is quite the Officer's photograph! Even his "U.S." collar insignia is disconnected and precariously hanging there... Terrific image. Thank you very much for sharing it with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now