Modern souvenir/airshow wings for reference

[5thwingmarty]

In general, the wings like this where the back shows much of the detail of the front, have this very gray finish, and typically have "nail head" type pins are reproductions made for museums, surplus stores and airshows.  

 

There is no one good style of reverse that indicates a wing is a good WWII era product.  There are hundreds of good wing examples discussed here on the forum, and there are many shown on Bob's excellent website:

http://www.ww2wings.com/

 

If you find a wing that looks exactly like one shown on Bob's site, with the correct fittings, metal and maker marks, it is probably a good wing but even then there is no guarantee.  

 

Study the wings on this site and Bob's site and you will begin to learn how to tell the difference between good wings and bad ones.

 

Marty

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Dear Elliott,

 

I appreciate your enthusiasm. There is sooooo much knowledge here in this forum with lots of pictures. It just takes some time to read through threads. To get a quick overview and bone up a little on what to search deeper on, go to www.ww2wings.com and check out what is posted there. If it is not there, it is probably not worth pursuing until you get a little more knowledge and experience under your belt. 

 

Cheers,

Tod

[Elliott R]

thanks for the help guys, checking out that website now

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

A brand new souvenir wing from H.J. Saunders

[rathbonemuseum.com]

A very common brand of army navy store wings that have been sold since the 1980s

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Even though gold navy half wings have been out of regulations for over 50 years at least, Vanguard still makes modern copies

[rathbonemuseum.com]

These are the current patterns of souvenir style WWII and KW regulation wings being sold these days. These are from MedalsUSA on ebay. These are commemorative and really not meant to fool anyone into thinking they are original period badges

[jeff41st]

H.J. Saunders or Best Emblem & Insignia pattern of the Bombardier. Center device is attached to the wing. Appears to be sterling.

 

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

More examples of modern "commemorative" souvenirs. 

[AndrewHL]

And in the vein of Airshow related wings....
CAF Confederate Air Force, I believe now Commemorative Air Force, wing from this great group that restores, preserves and protects vintage warbirds.

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

a recent souvenir shop display

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

For sale at the USS Bowfin museum

[rathbonemuseum.com]

[rathbonemuseum.com]

[rathbonemuseum.com]

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[rathbonemuseum.com]

[5thwingmarty]

No one should ever suspect those Navigator wings to be real.  They look more like a fishing net and rope than an armillary.

[rathbonemuseum.com]