B-17Guy Posted February 5, 2016 Share #51 Posted February 5, 2016 Great discussion, but just so there is no mis-information out there, there is no such thing as an Airship wing in the Navy. Airship Pilots worn standard Naval Aviator wings of gold. A half wing in the USN was a Balloon Pilot. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted February 5, 2016 Share #52 Posted February 5, 2016 Copy that. Thank you John. I guess Willis and Carmichael's book "U.S. Navy Wings of Gold" will need some revisions as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted February 6, 2016 Share #53 Posted February 6, 2016 I believe that the 1/2 wings were also used for early aviation cadets and seaplane crews, as well as for observation balloons. They don't think that they were worn by airship pilots. In fact, I think a general rule of thumb is if the aircraft was capable of independent powered flight (ie not tied to anything) then the pilot flying the craft wore full naval aviator wings. I suspect a lot of "balloon observer wings" may actually have been worn by cadets or seaplane crews. Willis and Charmichael's book is a nice reference, but I believe that it doesn't have near the quality of the Silver Wings volumes for accuracy and information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted February 6, 2016 Share #54 Posted February 6, 2016 I wanted to add this page from the 1918 Army and Navy Store Co. Catalog: The Army and Navy Store Co. 245 West 42nd Street, New York Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted February 7, 2016 Share #55 Posted February 7, 2016 Great discussion, but just so there is no mis-information out there, there is no such thing as an Airship wing in the Navy. Airship Pilots worn standard Naval Aviator wings of gold. A half wing in the USN was a Balloon Pilot. John Yes, according to Bureau of Navigation Circular Letters 25-21 and 30-21, both dated 19 September 1921, Naval Aviator Pilots qualified as Airship (Dirigible) Pilots wore standard duel-wing Naval Aviator wings in gold. Balloon Pilots (both free and kite balloons) wore half-wing gold insignia. ________________________________________________________ Adding to this discussion by quoting an entry in the Army and Navy Register dated 30 August 1919, page 287: NEW AVIATOR DEVICE The Navy Department has approved the change of naval aviator device as follows: The present gold (metal) pin with double wings based on the shield and anchor will be worn ONLY on wash summer uniforms. The winter uniforms will carry a similar device of gold EMBROIDERY. Provision has been made by the new regulation with designates STUDENT NAVAL AVIATORS and FLYING MECHANICIANS: The student wears a pin similar to that of the graduate aviator, with the exception that one wing is removed, leaving a device similar to that worn by observers abroad. Regular members of seaplane flight crews among the ENLISTED men will wear a pin similar to that of the student naval aviator, except that it shall be SILVER. This change is made with the belief that there should be a distinctive insignia for the graduate and student naval aviator, and further that the flying mechanician should also be entitled to wear some mark of distinction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted February 7, 2016 Share #56 Posted February 7, 2016 Excellent info Cliff. Thank you for posting. 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