Sabrejet Posted January 18, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2010 Pictured here are three examples of the Air Corps' Technical Training Command DUI...the motto translates as I sustain the wings. This was a widely issued DUI which was first approved of in 1929. The two on the left are an unmarked matched pair whilst that on the right was made by N.S. Meyer. What struck me about the matched pair was the nature of their bizarrely shaped large pins, particularly when compared with the much more refined Meyer item with its standard pin and roller catch. In all my years of collecting US insignia I've never encountered this kind of pin before. I presume it's pre-war and dates from the 1930s? Has anyone out there seen such pins on other types of insignia? Sabrejet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted January 19, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 19, 2010 The DI's that you have photographed have to be the most common DI of the second world war and the variations of this DI never seem to end. While it is possible that your pair of DI's with the odd pin are pre-World War II, my guess is that they are more likely of wartime manufacture. This guess is based on the fact that the need for these DI's exploded with the start of the war as the Army Air force was hard at work trying to train aviators both officer and enlisted. As a result, the entities procuring these DI's had to go off the beaten path so to speak in order to acquire sufficient quantities to sate the need for the insignia. It might be interesting for others to add variations of this DI as it would make for an interesting study of variations. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pack Rat Posted January 19, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 19, 2010 Though technically the Latin motto translates as I sustain the wings...it was sort of a pun for the phrase "Keep'em Flying". Nice collection. Cheers, -D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham Posted January 19, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 19, 2010 Pictured here are three examples of the Air Corps' Technical Training Command DUI...the motto translates as I sustain the wings. This was a widely issued DUI which was first approved of in 1929. The two on the left are an unmarked matched pair whilst that on the right was made by N.S. Meyer. What struck me about the matched pair was the nature of their bizarrely shaped large pins, particularly when compared with the much more refined Meyer item with its standard pin and roller catch. In all my years of collecting US insignia I've never encountered this kind of pin before. I presume it's pre-war and dates from the 1930s? Has anyone out there seen such pins on other types of insignia? Sabrejet I have a AAFTS Instructor badge made in plastic, maker marked WHITEHEAD. HOAG with the same pin. Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredhed2 Posted January 20, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 20, 2010 I have a couple of plastic DI w/ the same shaped pin, but different attachment, and both are W & H too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobrahistorian Posted January 20, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 20, 2010 I've got a nice Balfour Sterling marked one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham Posted January 23, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2010 Just rememberd this, its been in my 'not sure tin' for ages. Same pin, bar looks to be plated brass, badge is plated over a dark metal ??? I posted this once before, Bit of an inconclusive [ we prefer sterling] responce last time. I'm leaning towards 'good' based on the pin. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark1 Posted January 23, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 23, 2010 I have a screw back set with no hallmark. can anybody ID the maker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCRECON Posted January 25, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 25, 2010 I have several of these as well. Below are a couple that I could put my hands on quickly. Two are plastic pinback, two are brass screwback and one is brass pinback. All are marked Gemsco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got da Penny Posted November 11, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 11, 2013 Here is one I found last week .... Made by Amcraft --- has the "Snowflake" pattern on reverse. Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted November 16, 2013 Share #11 Posted November 16, 2013 Hello SJ! I hope you're doing well. Just saw your post from nearly 3 years ago. I'd like to know the maker that used this distinctive pin assembly too. I have 2 or 3 of the technician badges and this metal AAFTS badge. All are un-hallmarked. As with most of my posted pics...please pardon the cat hair, the scanner just seems to attract it Best wishes to you, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted November 16, 2013 Share #12 Posted November 16, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted November 17, 2013 Hi Jmar. Those pins are very distinctive aren't they, so there must be a manufacturing link? Alas, I never did find out who the maker was. However, now that this thread has been revived, someone out there might have the answer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunkerhillburning Posted December 28, 2015 Share #14 Posted December 28, 2015 An example of the DUI from a 1944 photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now