stratasfan Posted July 20, 2016 Share #1 Posted July 20, 2016 Hi, Wing Pros! Hoping someone here can help me out with a set of mystery wings. Found this a while ago, and been wanting to post the pics to get opinions. What is this pair of wings? It is an aircrew wing with what looks to be a lightening bolt in the center, over the great seal. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kropotkin Posted July 20, 2016 Share #2 Posted July 20, 2016 I would hazard a guess and say the lightning bolt is an unofficial addition by an radio operator to his issued aircrew wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted July 20, 2016 Oh, that's an idea! Does it look like a WWII era wing? I didn't see it marked anything, but the clutchs looked like the WWII type. Was it common to modify wings? I really like the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted July 20, 2016 It looks like it could be sterling to me from a close-up. I had saved one more picture. Are modified wings typically more expensive? Or does it "ruin" it. I've not run across something like this before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 20, 2016 Share #5 Posted July 20, 2016 I would hazard a guess and say the lightning bolt is an unofficial addition by an radio operator to his issued aircrew wing. I agree. Unofficial radio operator comes to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 20, 2016 Share #6 Posted July 20, 2016 Check another example here: http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/usaafradiooperator.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted July 21, 2016 Share #7 Posted July 21, 2016 The wings do look like WW2 era clutch back, short pins. I agree with above that it may be an U/A radio operator, which were enlisted aircrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted July 21, 2016 Share #8 Posted July 21, 2016 It looks like it could be sterling to me from a close-up. I had saved one more picture. Are modified wings typically more expensive? Or does it "ruin" it. I've not run across something like this before! theatre made radio op wings 3.JPG Makes it quite unusual and therefore desirable--great find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 21, 2016 Share #9 Posted July 21, 2016 Glad you were able to get the wing.Really a cool variation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted July 22, 2016 Thanks for all the comments! So, do you think that $60 was a fair price? I know these often depend on "appeal", too, which they do to me! The clutchs say sterling, adn the wings look like sterling. Was it common to have non-sterling from this era? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 23, 2016 Share #11 Posted July 23, 2016 Very cool piece,I think that you did well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spandlem Posted July 23, 2016 Share #12 Posted July 23, 2016 These are very cool! When researching them I found them on eBay. Here is the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/112060839576 You said they are yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyboy_trav Posted July 23, 2016 Share #13 Posted July 23, 2016 Here is another example of a radioman wing that was theater made: http://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=fta&Product_Code=0u03afw20000atm-CON&Category_Code= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted July 23, 2016 Actually, I ended up bidding on them. They came up a while ago and I saved pics. Then, I contacted the seller and offered to him, which he was open to originally, but then someone bid, so I'm bidding! I don't know what will happen, but it has been a fun thing anyway it turns out! Cool link that Flyboy-trav posted. I like the theatre-made wings! I've seen pictures a few times of Indain made wings and they look cool. I think it is cool that the guy was so proud of his position that he went out and got custom wings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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