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Gold colored P. J. Friedel of Philadelphia "AO" wing? Have you seen this? Airdrome Officer?


rathbonemuseum.com
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rathbonemuseum.com

Hi. John Ferguson has a pilot wing version of this wing. And Patrick has P. J. Friedel in his hallmark photo index. But I have no idea what AO is for. Gold for instructor or contract use. Very popular and common "Amcraft/Balfour style" pattern. Hoping someone has a clue!

98DB11FF-D84A-49E6-AE88-953B99AA767A_1_105_c.jpeg.d64250635aa9ea55eb2e19fcc46abaa2.jpeg

DE429534-60D5-49EF-B54A-C214BFE792E7_1_105_c.jpeg

F580A5F0-C2E2-4EC4-960A-066036CB1666_1_105_c.jpeg

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3 hours ago, rathbonemuseum.com said:

Hi. John Ferguson has a pilot wing version of this wing. And Patrick has P. J. Friedel in his hallmark photo index. But I have no idea what AO is for. Gold for instructor or contract use. Very popular and common "Amcraft/Balfour style" pattern. Hoping someone has a clue!

98DB11FF-D84A-49E6-AE88-953B99AA767A_1_105_c.jpeg.d64250635aa9ea55eb2e19fcc46abaa2.jpeg

DE429534-60D5-49EF-B54A-C214BFE792E7_1_105_c.jpeg

F580A5F0-C2E2-4EC4-960A-066036CB1666_1_105_c.jpeg

aircraft ordinance 

 

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In the 30's the US started trying to jump start its commercial aviation program.  The US had fallen way behind in almost all measures of aviation, military, civilian, air fields, aviation companies, etc.  Starting in the late 20's and early 1930's the Congress recognized that their was a significant need for Federal regulation of aviation. The Aeronautics Branch (1926–1934), the Bureau of Air Commerce (1934–1938), and the Bureau of Air Mail, Interstate Commerce Commission (1934–38) eventually led to the Civil Aeronautics Agency (CAA) and eventually the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).

 

During this time, there was a trend towards making civilian flight safer and more regulated.  Building airfields and navigation systems, establishing civilian aeronautic related industry, expanding civilian and commercial airlines and training new civilian pilots (including women and African Americans). It wasn't until about 1939, when the wars in Europe and the Pacific and the looming potential for US invovelment started a sometimes rocky relationship with the civilian and military aviation communities to prepare for battle (that many people in 1939 wanted to avoid such involvement is frequently over looked). There were also a ton of private flying clubs and organizations that sprang up during this time.  Lots in interest in new speed, altitude and distance records were also popular.

 

Of course during this time, there was nothing limiting what a civilian could buy or wear for ANY of these concerns. 

 

We see this in the relatively wide range of civilian contract flight instructor insignia that existed until about 1943-44, when their was some establishment of uniformity in contract pilot instructors. But there were many private schools that also trained pilots that preceded WWII.

 

It is all a long winded way of saying that this wing looks vintage for the 30's and 40's (but it could also be post war), and may represent a huge possible number of non-military/civilian organizations.  A small commercial airline, a private school, an aviation company making wings or propellors, local airport, etc.  It is a cool wing, but unless you are lucky, you may never know.  It could be the wing worn by Albert Oldflyer, for all we know.  Could have been a cap badge for a limo/trucking company.

 

Thanks for sharing it sure is cool.

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  • 11 months later...
rathbonemuseum.com

A new piece to add to this story. I recently acquired this brassard. I also have digital copies of this brassard being worn with a press release about TRAFFIC COPS OF AIR CORPS FIELDS! The blurb talks about Airdrome Officers. Essentially a rotating chief air boss in a control tower. I don't know if this solves the riddle but an interesting piece of aviation trivia.

AObrassard2.jpg

AObrassard.jpg

AObrassardWing.jpg

AObrassardPhotoFrnt.jpeg

AObrassardPhotoBck.jpeg

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