cthomas Posted November 14, 2014 Share #76 Posted November 14, 2014 How about this enlisted guy wearing a set of wings over his breast pocket. Are my eyes deceiving me or are those wings of a smaller dimension? For perspective, compare it with the typical size being worn by another enlisted aviator to his immediate right... The image was taken aboard the USS Charleston on Easter Morning 1919. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 21, 2014 Author Share #77 Posted November 21, 2014 Any other small WWI era wings out there? Please share your wings or old photographs depicting small wings with us. I bet there's at least a couple of dozen fellow collectors amongst us who would love to see those variations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay V Posted November 21, 2014 Share #78 Posted November 21, 2014 Rustywings I wish I had some of the awesome wings that you have in your collection in my own collection!!! Lets hope others will share theres.Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #79 Posted November 22, 2014 Jay, thank you for your comments and support. Here's a small 1.5 inch wide interwar period Balloon Pilot wing with a STERLING mark and a "Dodge, Inc. - Chicago" hallmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #80 Posted November 22, 2014 Image of the 'C' catch on the small Balloon Pilot wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #81 Posted November 22, 2014 Not WWI era, this much later 1 & 5/8 inch wide one-piece Senior Balloon Pilot wing has a starburst pattern on the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #82 Posted November 22, 2014 A nicely feathered 1920's era Air Ship Pilot wing which is 1 & 5/8 inch wide. Not hallmarked, I believe this little badge was made by the Kinney Company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #83 Posted November 22, 2014 Here's a comparison shot with the full-size Kinney Company badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #84 Posted November 22, 2014 The full size badge has a Kinney Company hallmark. The smaller badge has a different style catch and only a 'STERLING' mark on the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mghcal Posted November 22, 2014 Share #85 Posted November 22, 2014 I really like that Dodge Ballon pilot! Very rarely do you see any dodge marked pilot wings I didn't have aNY idea they made balloon wings. Thanks for showing us some of your outstanding collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #86 Posted November 22, 2014 Thank you Mike. I've only run across the 'Dodge Inc. - Chicago' hallmark on small examples of Pilot, Observer and Balloon Pilot wings so far. There certainly may be other Dodge-made aerial badges in addition to those three. Have you seen other examples? Here's a very small one-inch wide B.B.&B. hallmarked Air Ship Pilot wing. Since it's nicely detailed and well made, my guess is it was made to be worn on the lapel of civilian attire. Any other information or ideas are welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #87 Posted November 22, 2014 Comparison shot of my three different size Air Ship Pilot badges. (One inch; one and one-half inches; and three inches). Is there a two-inch version out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share #88 Posted November 23, 2014 This 1/2 inch wide early gilt Balloon Pilot wing applied to a WWI Victory Medal is the smallest of the bunch. The wing is a pin-back with an old open 'C' catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay V Posted November 23, 2014 Share #89 Posted November 23, 2014 Rustywings,man you have some very nice pieces in your collection.Thanks for sharing,Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted November 23, 2014 Share #90 Posted November 23, 2014 Russ is too humble to say, but I think he has one of the FINEST wing collections around. Combine that with his great store of knowledge, and his willingness to share, and we have one of the great assets as to the collecting community and the forum. Thanks Russ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted November 23, 2014 Share #91 Posted November 23, 2014 Thanks Russ.Your posts are really enjoyable. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Posted November 25, 2014 Share #92 Posted November 25, 2014 I collected these small wings as a student also. Here's one that I was pleased to find. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share #93 Posted November 25, 2014 Jay, Patrick, Mike and Charlie, After watching so much stupidity unfold last night on the television, then going to bed with deep feelings of anger and frustration, I've got to tell you, it was a well timed attitude-changer this morning when I logged onto the Forum and viewed your kind words and participation on this thread. Thank you Gents! Here's a couple of 1.5 inch wide gilt sweetheart wings. Similar in design, the bottom wing is likely an early post WWI piece since the "US" was omitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share #94 Posted November 25, 2014 The badge without the 'US' has a starburst pattern on the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share #95 Posted November 26, 2014 This WWI era sweetheart wing with American enamel roundel is 1 & 5/8 inches wide and is beautifully made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share #96 Posted November 26, 2014 Unknown hallmark??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share #97 Posted November 26, 2014 Post WWI, early Army Air Corps enamel design with uncommon down-swept wings. This 1.5 inch wide sweetheart wing is stamped with another hallmark that I'm not familiar with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share #98 Posted November 26, 2014 Comparison image. One sweetheart with an Air Service roundel...the other with an early Army Air Corps star with meatball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted November 26, 2014 Share #99 Posted November 26, 2014 I've been enjoying watching this thread for a while. Russ, an amazing selection of early minis! Now that we are including early post-war, I can add one - a 2" Kinney with replaced catch. Regards Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share #100 Posted November 28, 2014 Nice Kinney Co. made Pilot badge Mike! Even though the catch has been replaced, it was repaired with a quality period lever style catch which I think helps to maintain the wings desirability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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