KASTAUFFER Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share #101 Posted July 1, 2017 So what is the give-away on this B&W photo that it is / was a "cadet" uniform? It's the sewn belt that doesn't actually have a buckle. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted July 2, 2017 Share #102 Posted July 2, 2017 It's the sewn belt that doesn't actually have a buckle. Kurt Ah, the forest and the trees! Thx Kurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted August 15, 2017 Share #103 Posted August 15, 2017 Here are sellers pics of a Caterpillar Club pin I picked up some years ago.It is still on the card in the original envelope.IIRC,I got this from eBay seller Freshfound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share #104 Posted September 11, 2017 That type of screw back pin is a postwar style they still issue today. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share #105 Posted September 11, 2017 Here is a card to a 95th Bomb Group POW captured 2/10/44. It's been well loved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBG Posted October 20, 2017 Share #106 Posted October 20, 2017 Hayes MFG. Corp. Skyhook Club pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBG Posted October 21, 2017 Share #107 Posted October 21, 2017 He's from Wisconsin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBG Posted October 27, 2017 Share #108 Posted October 27, 2017 I can't find another example of the Hayes Skyhook Club pin. Has anyone seen it before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46IR Posted January 10, 2018 Share #109 Posted January 10, 2018 Us Brits always have to throw a shoe into the works so here's the British equivalent of the caterpillar club called the Irving silk Shute club, however its worn on an American owned British made uniform so presumably he was awarded whilst in the RAF's service and later moved across to the AAF Enjoy Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 30, 2018 Author Share #110 Posted August 30, 2018 Navigator of a B-17 named " The Joker" with the 94th Bomb Group. He was captured 10/7/44 and held in Stalag Luft 3 in the South Compound. Standard Irving style pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted August 30, 2018 Share #111 Posted August 30, 2018 Neato! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share #112 Posted December 4, 2018 I can't find another example of the Hayes Skyhook Club pin. Has anyone seen it before? They are scarce. I have never found one, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share #113 Posted February 1, 2019 Kastauffer asked me to add this to the thread.I picked this up yesterday in a trade out of Ohio.The pin and card are IDed to Harold G. Russell shot down 6-22-43 during the Attack on the synthetic rubber factory at Huls Germany.He bailed out and was taken prisoner and spent the rest of the war as a guest of the Germans.After the Men and Women of the Forum helped with his unit which was the 337th bomb squadron 96th bomb group, the attack and becoming a POW I found out he is from Wisconsin my home state.If you Goggle search the net there is a ton of info on Mr. Russell, the attack, and the crews capture. img504.jpg img503.jpg img581.jpg card.JPG Glad to say this one is in my collection now thanks to Bill! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary B Posted February 1, 2019 Share #114 Posted February 1, 2019 This is the last item I have. It is very unusual and I do not know its background, however I have seen a few more of these. It is an aluminum plaque with a parachute D-ring named to a 15th AAF crewman who had to bail out and was a POW. Notice the time and place are noted on the tag. I have seen tags like the one attached this item on WWII equipment and on the inside of WWII submarines , so it may be from the 40's or 50's . attachment If you have any items in your collections.. please post em here!!!!!!!! Kurt, I just saw this post and your comment. The plaque you have is from the Switlick company and was available for private purchase in their newsletter to members. I have never seen one, other than in the newsletter. Gary B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share #115 Posted February 1, 2019 Kurt, I just saw this post and your comment. The plaque you have is from the Switlick company and was available for private purchase in their newsletter to members. I have never seen one, other than in the newsletter. Gary B Thanks Gary, I did not know that. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share #116 Posted March 31, 2019 There have been a rash of suspect IRVING pins showing up on Ebay lately. This is a known real pin: Below are the suspect pins: They appear to be cast and are marked "sterling" which the other WWII Irving gold washed silver Pins I have seen are not. The red eyes are also very sloppily painted which the originals do not. The pins also open 180 degrees on these. The originals only open 90 degrees. Here are some pic snaps from Ebay on some I have found that sold , 2 from one seller and a third pin from another. Does anyone have any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted March 31, 2019 Share #117 Posted March 31, 2019 I was going to say they came from He Whom Shall Not Be Named (HWSNBN) although the detail on the front seems better then I would have thought the back shows they are clearly cast. With castings the edges alway role away from the mold leaving that soft rolled edge and slightly sunken middle. Have you noticed them coming from a particular seller or maybe HWSNBN had a sale and saturated the uneducated market? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share #118 Posted March 31, 2019 I was going to say they came from He Whom Shall Not Be Named (HWSNBN) although the detail on the front seems better then I would have thought the back shows they are clearly cast. With castings the edges alway role away from the mold leaving that soft rolled edge and slightly sunken middle. Have you noticed them coming from a particular seller or maybe HWSNBN had a sale and saturated the uneducated market? I would say you are probably right! I have seen a seller from Arizona selling these and 1 in Florida. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share #119 Posted April 17, 2019 Not a fan of this one being sold out of Florida. It looks cast with sloppy painted eyes. https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-Caterpillar-Club-Pin-Irving-Pressed-Sterling/233200835036?hash=item364bda59dc:g:mEUAAOSwtLRctwRc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted April 17, 2019 Share #120 Posted April 17, 2019 The "Gallery" has flooded the market with these things and sadly they continue to be perpetuated even by some that should know better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapper23 Posted April 24, 2019 Share #121 Posted April 24, 2019 I thought I would show this viariation, a British made bullion caterpillar club patch that was in a 6,600 piece patch collection I purchased a couple of months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 8, 2019 Author Share #122 Posted September 8, 2019 Caterpillar Club pin from the Pioneer Parachute Company to a POW captured 6/22/43 serving with the 305th BG, 8th AAF. Also shown are his lead Bombardier wing His initials are on the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 8, 2019 Author Share #123 Posted September 8, 2019 Another new Caterpillar Group: Gunner from the 484th BG , 15th AAF who had to bail out on a mission to Blechammer Germany on 10/14/44. This is part of a large Scrapbook group with his medals and original general orders. Beautiful bullion Caterpillar Club patch in the scrapbook. The certificate is a color copy. Somehow the original got parted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otter42 Posted November 23, 2019 Share #124 Posted November 23, 2019 Here's my first and only Catapiller Club award, but a great story. First hand account of bailing out of a U-2 at 53,000 feet in 1957! And he survived! Wish I had the pin, but it still may turn up, I haven't given up. If you google his name you will find the write up about this bailout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted February 8, 2020 Share #125 Posted February 8, 2020 Just picked up this very cool Goldfish club pin. Never seen one like it. Its marked 10k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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