cwnorma Posted November 8, 2020 Share #1 Posted November 8, 2020 World War One Weekly Wing #46 French Made Observer Description Second type Observer Unusual, French made example with silk cord and black thread highlights Design wise, this badge borrows elements from a series of French Air Service insignia by an unknown French maker. The bottom image above shows an air service shoulder sleeve insignia that incorporates a winged propellor removed from a French Air Service armband. Note the similarities between the winged propellor from the armband/shoulder insignia and the observer badge. There are a number of variations made by this particular maker; some with the wing attached to the O (as in the example above), and others without. The badge itself is a nice combination of British and American ideas for an Observer's badge. The wing consists of a first row of eight bullion "feathers" in a helix configuration with each feather separated by fine black thread. Next is a single row of bullion feathers consisting of J-shaped vanes and interior rachis of matching smooth bullion. The topmost shoulder is executed in straight smooth bullion roughly configured in a crescent shape. Between the crescent and the second row of feathers, is thick, braided black silk cord. A bullion coil is affixed across the entire top of the wing, spanning from the intersection with the O and extending out past the outermost feather. The O is constructed in the same smooth bullion and is a slightly squared oval. The stiffening material on the rear is coarsely woven, cream colored muslin. The badge is hand embroidered in bullion. Mounting Sew on Background Compared to pilots, observers are notoriously difficult to research. This badge came attributed to an observer along with photos of the young Lieutenant in uniform. Unfortunately, the photos showed him without overseas stripes. Assuming this meant he did not serve overseas, purely by luck I stumbled on verification that he had indeed served in France, albeit very late in the war. He was never assigned to combat and as far as I can tell never even flew an observation sortie overseas. He made it to France, days before the end of the war though, just long enough--to purchase a French made Observer badge. I would love to hear your thoughts on this interesting badge. Even better, if there are other examples out there in the collections--I'd love to see them! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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