A.C.F.C wings

[Phroger46]

Came across this pair of wings today. After researching through a few other posts, I came out more confused on if they are real or reproduction. So, any thoughts or points would be appreciated.

[B-17Guy]

Those look fine.

There're some extensive threads on the forum about these wings.

Your pair look good to me.

John

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Enamel type, color order, findings, metal wear and hallmark style all match originals i know. Agree with John's conclusion.

[Phroger46]

I appreciate the answers. I was fairly certain it is a good wing after comparing the hallmark, but it's obviously nice to get second opinions when spending the type of money these go for.

[pfrost]

Mel posted an excellent thread on telling real from fakes.

 

 

The Air Corp Ferry Command (ACFC) was started in 1941 as part of the Lend/Lease program.  Mostly they were ferrying planes from US factories to areas where our allies could pick them up. When WWII started for the US, expanded to move  planes from factories in the US (domestic wing of the ACFC) and to various overseas theaters of operation (foreign wing of the ACFC).  The ACFC wings were worn by civilian pilots and for only a relatively short period of time.  Most of the pilots were men, and one the war started, the US needed to free up these experienced pilots for war time duty. 

 

After Pearl Harbor, the ACFC fell under the command of the ATC but various civilian pilots and organizations (like the Pan AM Ferry Command) still transported aircraft.  By about 1943/1944 the need for paramilitary civilian ferry organizations was pretty much over and most of these organizations were phased out (for example the WASPS were disbanded in Dec 1944).

 

In the l30's and early 40's to pioneer women aviatrix (Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Harkness Love) proposed that women pilots be used (based in part by the experiences of the British using women pilots in the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) program to ferry planes. 

*Nancy Love was involved in The  Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), that was started in 1942 but they never numbered more than about 30 pilots. 

*Meanwhile, at about the same time, Jacqueline Cochran, founded the  Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD.

*Eventually these two programs would merge to form the WASPs in August of 1943 (disbanded in Dec 1944).

 

The ACFC wings seem to be linked to WASP pilots in the minds of most collectors.  However, the ACFC was part of the ATC by the time most of the WASPs were being trained. Some women had been recruited (about 30) into the WAFS and would have worn the ACFC wings.

 

I guess my point is that this thread really shouldn't be in the Women's section, if we are being honest.  Unless there is proof that this was a wing worn by one of the early WAFs.

 

P