1943collector Posted December 13, 2008 Share #1 Posted December 13, 2008 I don't know much about wings and i just picked up these wings along with a bunch of WWII German stuff. Can anyone identify what they were issued for and are they period US WWII era. The R on the front is a seperate piece on the shield and the only mark on the rear is a sterling stamped mark. They are about 3 inches overall length and have a long brass pin with a ball type catch. Thanks in advance for your information. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted December 13, 2008 Share #2 Posted December 13, 2008 I don't know much about wings and i just picked up these wings along with a bunch of WWII German stuff. Can anyone identify what they were issued for and are they period US WWII era. The R on the front is a seperate piece on the shield and the only mark on the rear is a sterling stamped mark. They are about 3 inches overall length and have a long brass pin with a ball type catch. Thanks in advance for your information. Mike Very nice pair of wings. They are a modified pilot wing made by Beverly Craft. If you look carefully, you will see a small palm tree in the front of the sterling mark. I am not sure what they are for exactly. They are unofficial but you do see them periodically, and I have heard any number of explanations for who wore them. I suspect a radio opperator for one of the ATC contract crews, but that is just a guess. Again, a very nice pair of relatively rare wings. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1943collector Posted December 13, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted December 13, 2008 Are they WWII period and who was Beverly Craft ? thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMPERIAL QUEST Posted December 13, 2008 Share #4 Posted December 13, 2008 Is the reversal of the hinge and catch a characteristic of this maker, or unintentional error?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted December 13, 2008 Share #5 Posted December 13, 2008 For some reason, they are like that. All the pinback Beverly Craft wings I have seen have the hinge and catch reversed. This company made wings and other insignia (as well as lots of sweetheart jewlery type stuff) in the 1940's. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted December 13, 2008 Share #6 Posted December 13, 2008 A very interesting set of wings... radio operator... radar operator... maybe a sweetheart with the first initial of R. One thing is for certain is that someone took this to a jeweler to have the shield re-worked and the R applied. I like it! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 15, 2008 Share #7 Posted December 15, 2008 Saw one of these with an "E" on it a couple of years ago. Flight Engineer I suppose and I think an Aircrew wings was used as a base. Paul S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted December 15, 2008 Share #8 Posted December 15, 2008 I recall being advised that non-reg "R" wings were worn by Radar Operator/Back-seaters on P-61 "Black Widow" night fighters. Nice piece! Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted December 16, 2008 Share #9 Posted December 16, 2008 Absolutely stunning Radio/Radar operators wings ( I lean towards Radio) . I had a 8th AAF tunic with an embroidered version of this wing not to long ago, and I have seen CBI theater made versions also. If you ever decide to part with it let me know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainofthe7th Posted December 19, 2008 Share #10 Posted December 19, 2008 Actually the R is for Robert....they are mine xD Great wings, they're very interesting. I'll have to look out for a pair, I look out for Navy and AAC radioman "stuff." Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted January 4, 2009 Share #11 Posted January 4, 2009 Very nice wings and as a novice I will none the less throw this out there. Could they be, a theater made Radar Operator Wings or even British made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant#4 Posted January 4, 2009 Share #12 Posted January 4, 2009 Nice set of wings, but prehaps the thought toward ATC flying schools should be looked at a bit harder. The different fields wanted thier guys to stand out just a little bit ahead of the normal pilots and there is a wide varitey of wings that these pilot trainers wore, most in very limited production. A lot of them were custom made. Just a thought, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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