CAA/WTS/CPT/Flight Schools - Reference Thread

[John Cooper]

Russ - in post #44 you posted the two designs of the CAA wings. Was the indian head type the earlier pattern..?

 

Thanks

[rustywings]

John, the CAA/WTS Flight Instructor wing with the Wright Flyer profile is the earlier version of the two wings. Compared to the later Indian Head variation, I found it much more difficult to locate an authentic Wright Flyer example. Because the earlier version is considerably more scarce, expect to pay more. I've seen Wright Flyer examples sell for well over $700.00 on ebay. And, since they command such big money, be very leary of reproductions because they're out there in mass. In my opinion, these War Training Service badges are very desirable pieces of U.S. aviation history...and well worth the hunt!

[John Cooper]

Russ,

 

Thank you for the advice and the following which is just in. Without you I may never have obtain these two gems (both from the same estate)! I love the feathering details on the CPT wing and the added bonus of the POLARIS bracelet having the name of the pilot that earned them!!!

 

[John Cooper]

Here is the reverse shot

 

[bmbrzmn101]

OK guys, let me preface this with the image below is not mine, I found it on the internet. I do have a similar one recreated from an original that belonged to a mechanic who worked at Grider field during the war. Below is a link to the EAA chapter in Pine Bluff still flying the old warbirds out of Grider Field.

 

I kinda grew up playing with the warbirds there and flying in trainers(ie..PT-17, PT-19,BT-13,SNJ...)and went on to become an aircraft mechanic to boot with the help of some of my friends there.

 

On this web site are some photos from the training field and a grainy historical film(only one known to exist), narrated by the same mechanic who help train me an the same mechanic that worked on this field. It's nothing profound but very interesting to aviation buffs like me with it's ties to WW2 aviation. I am also partial to that field, planes, and people since I took my first small plane ride, aerobatics,and watched and flew with my dad from Grider while he was a pilot.

 

I hope you enjoy this info and if I can fill anything in let me know. I also hope I am not steeping on anyones toes by posting this in this thread. Thanks, Chris.

 

 

http://www.razorbackeaa.org/

 

http://www.razorbackeaa.org/school/index.html

[rustywings]

Russ,

 

Thank you for the advice and the following which is just in. Without you I may never have obtain these two gems (both from the same estate)! I love the feathering details on the CPT wing and the added bonus of the POLARIS bracelet having the name of the pilot that earned them!!!

 

 

John, nice CPT wings and Flying Cadet bracelet. With a little luck, I might be able to further identify the original owner of your bracelet if he's listed in one of the old Polaris Flight Academy classbooks I have. First the "CFI" gilt wing, now these two nice pieces...looks like you're hooked John!

Russ

[John Cooper]

John, nice CPT wings and Flying Cadet bracelet. With a little luck, I might be able to further identify the original owner of your bracelet if he's listed in one of the old Polaris Flight Academy classbooks I have. First the "CFI" gilt wing, now these two nice pieces...looks like you're hooked John!

Russ

 

 

Russ that would be super if you could dig up some info as I would love to see a photo!

 

...looks like you're hooked

:thumbsup:

 

Thanks

John

[gparlin]

Last weekend I attended the West Coast Historical Militaria Collectors Show and found a few items I'd like to share. While searching a good friend's table looking for wings and patches, I found this 63rd AAFFTD (Army Air Force Flight Training Detachment) class book from the Raymond-Richardson Aviation Company, Douglas, Georgia. Seeing that the book was dated 1943, I bought it believing it might have one of the flying cadets pictured which are named on the large silver plated plaque I illustrated a couple of weeks ago on this thread. To my surprise, this class book contained photos of the first and second Honor Cadets inscribed on the plaque. This book adds some clarity and documentation to the silver honor plaque...and it's nice to put a name and face together.

Russ, you didn't mention what a great price you got on the Class book. This has to be one the best threads in the Wing Discussion section, I continue to come back to it. I hope that anyone interested in WWII goes through this thread, there is some great information and really rare items.

I agree, putting a face to the names is really something. Think of it, this is 67 years later. Russ, should I post that Instructor patch that we discussed? Thanks to all of those that have posted, Gregg

[pfrost]

Russ, you didn't mention what a great price you got on the Class book. This has to be one the best threads in the Wing Discussion section, I continue to come back to it. I hope that anyone interested in WWII goes through this thread, there is some great information and really rare items.

I agree, putting a face to the names is really something. Think of it, this is 67 years later. Russ, should I post that Instructor patch that we discussed? Thanks to all of those that have posted, Gregg

 

Hello Gregg,

 

Please, post away!

 

Patrick

[vintageproductions]

Heck, if it came from "square deal" Gregg, it must have been a killer deal.

[rustywings]

Russ, you didn't mention what a great price you got on the Class book. This has to be one the best threads in the Wing Discussion section, I continue to come back to it. I hope that anyone interested in WWII goes through this thread, there is some great information and really rare items.

I agree, putting a face to the names is really something. Think of it, this is 67 years later. Russ, should I post that Instructor patch that we discussed? Thanks to all of those that have posted, Gregg

 

Gregg,

 

The friend who sold me that classbook really is quite the gentleman...and I hold him in high esteem!

 

Gregg, I agree with Patrick...I think it would be terrific to see your pilot instructor patch, or anything else even remotely related to WWII Contract Flight Schools which you'd like to share with us. After Chris (AKA-bmbrzmn101) posted the nice image of the 312th AAFFTD-Crider Field Flight Instructor's jacket patch last week, I spoke with John Cooper to see if I would be rocking-the-boat if I posted additional related WWII flight school patches on this "wing" thread. Since the wings, insignia, photos and patches are all interrelated to the topic, our monitor sees no conflict in expanding the study. Maybe we can lure in more participation and flight school memorabilia by cross-referencing this thread with a link to the patch collectors section.

 

Blue skies,

Russ

[rustywings]

and a close-up of the Lodewick patch being worn.

 

 

Bob, here's a set of WWII era playing cards and shoulder patches from Lodwick Aviation Military Academy to go along with your cap. The cards are another treasure from "Square Deal Gregg".

[rustywings]

Here's a close-up of one of the Lodwick Flight Academy cards. Note the statements on the card in small print..."Country Club Of The Air" and "Training Pilots For The U.S. Army Air Forces".

[rustywings]

Here's my accumulation of WWII era flight school patches and field patches worn by civilian contract personnel and flying cadets. Some of these shoulder patches were worn on tunics with the flight instructor wings previously illustrated. Let me know if you'd like a close-up or image of the back on any of these patches. Russ

[rustywings]

More flight school patches...

[rustywings]

WWII flight school patches. (I'm especially fond of the red flight instructor patch marked "March S.D." (March Sub-Depot; March Army Air Field; then March Air Force Base, Riverside, Ca.)

[rustywings]

Flight school and air field patches.

[rustywings]

The two patches with the "Link Trainer" qualification badges attached are from the Sacramento Air Depot.

[vintageproductions]

I have always liked those War Eagle Field patches. I think they were all designed by Disney artists.

[rustywings]

A number of these cloth wings and patches were previously illustrated in smaller groupings on this thread.

[gparlin]

I am so pleased that this has been expanded to include the patches. They are a very important part of this discussion and examination. Thank you Mr. Moderator and Russ for making this happen.

 

As I recall, I thought that you had three War Eagle patches? There is some really rare patches in your collection. Thanks for posting and I would think that patch guys should spend some time checking this thread out. I know that I will be back many times. Well done! Gregg

[pfrost]

I am so pleased that this has been expanded to include the patches. They are a very important part of this discussion and examination. Thank you Mr. Moderator and Russ for making this happen.

 

As I recall, I thought that you had three War Eagle patches? There is some really rare patches in your collection. Thanks for posting and I would think that patch guys should spend some time checking this thread out. I know that I will be back many times. Well done! Gregg

 

I can add a small and humble few to the thread. Not only has Russ given me wing envy, he is now heaping on a bad case of "small-patch collection syndrome" on me. Thanks Russ!

 

First, Chicago School of Aeronautics.

 

A not horribly uncommon patch for Riddle Aeronautics Institute.

 

Long Island Flight Training School (LIFTS). This one is on a white twill.

[pfrost]

Finally for tonight, a pre-cadet squadron patch. I have only seen 4 of these. One in the Pinks and Greens book, and then I had 3 that came out of an estate. I have two, and the other one ended up in Russ' collection (IIRC).

[rustywings]

Good memory Gregg! Here's a close-up of a "Squadron 1 - War Eagle Field" Flight Instructor patch worn at "Polaris Flight Academy". These four inch wide patches were sewn to the front of the A-2's worn by civilian Flight Instructors during WWII. The cartoonish airplane depicted in the patch is holding a book that says, "How To Fly".

[rustywings]

Here's a photo copied out of a Polaris Flight Academy class book from 1943. The Flight Instructor is wearing a War Eagle Field - Squadron 1 patch.