CAA/WTS/CPT/Flight Schools - Reference Thread

[B-17Guy]

Yes, which is why I didn't originally post the back, as it makes it easy to id the wing to the auction. I figured maybe some folks on the forum maybe

bid on the wing.

 

Since a pic of the back was requested by you and Russ, I figured what the heck.

 

It actually went for far less then I thought it would. Ebay is very soft right now. I have picked up some great wings lately. As usual, there is some great stuff there,

if you know what you are looking at. Seller said he got it at the Pomona Gun Show in 1996.

 

Russ, you seem to know a lot about these wings. Is there any way to find out which of the three schools this gentleman taught at? Wondering if it was maybe Cal-Aero, given the fact that the seller bought the wing in Pomona?

 

Best, John

[rustywings]

Hello John (B-17 Guy),

 

I located Flight Instructor F. L. Graf in several Polaris Flight Academy class books, including editions 44-D, 44-E, 44-F & 44G. He may very well have had a long tenure under Major C.C. Moseley since your wings are inscribed with the date 8-26-41. Polaris Flight Academy was quietly training British Flying Cadets in the high desert north of Los Angeles prior to Pearl Harbor. Who knows, maybe F.L. Graf was responsible for training British Pilots, before War Eagle Field focused on producing American Pilots. If you ever have access to some of the early RAF War Eagle Field class books, your Instructor might be listed? Another possibility is F.L. Graf was initially hired as a Contract Flight Instructor at Moseley's other school (Cal Aero Flight Academy) and he transferred to Polaris at a later date. When time permits, I'll pull out some of my old Cal Aero class books and take a look. John, your wing is a top-shelf gem! Thanks for sharing it with us. To put a face to a name, here's a few Flight Instructor group shots which include F.L. Graf.

 

Russ

[rustywings]

A closer image...

[rustywings]

From Polaris Flight Academy - War Eagle Field - Class 44-D - Squadron Twelve. (D.L. Graf is standing, second from the right).

[B-17Guy]

Great stuff Russ.

Thanks so much for pulling the information on Graf and bringing the wing to life.

I look forward to seeing any other informaion, as you get the time to look.

 

Best, John

[LuftStalg1]

Hawthorne Field, Northrop Contract Pilot School sterling wing.

 

 

Here’s a neat one Ron has for sale at Flying Tiger Antiques. I have never seen this one before and Ron always posts great pictures on his sight!

 

Has the unusually J.A. Meyers & Co, Los Angeles hallmark.

[LuftStalg1]

Hawthorne Field wing, back side.

 

Hawthorne Field, Northrop Contract Pilot School sterling wing.

Here’s a neat one Ron has for sale at Flying Tiger Antiques. I have never seen this one before and Ron always posts great pictures on his sight!

 

Has the unusually J.A. Meyers & Co, Los Angeles hallmark.

[LuftStalg1]

Sweeney Aviation School

 

Here is a little lapel pin wing I have from Sweeney Aviation School. It is hallmarked “Green” and “Sterling”. Anyone every heard of this place?

[rustywings]

Thunderbird Field in Arizona trained both American and Chinese Flying Cadets. Here's two Thunderbird Field shoulder patches worn by Civilian Flight Instructors.

[rustywings]

Back of Thunderbird Field shoulder patches.

[rustywings]

American Flight Instructor with Chinese Flying Cadet. Thunderbird Field patch on Instructor's sleeve.

[rustywings]

Closer view of Thunderbird Field Instructor's shoulder patch.

[rustywings]

Image copied from Thunderbird Field class book 44-D shows an American Flight Instructor wearing a large Thunderbird patch on his flight jacket while surrounded by his four assigned Chinese Flying Cadets.

[rustywings]

Contract Flight Instructor wing and Chinese Air Force Pilot wings. The Chinese wings are hallmarked "A.H. Dondero, Inc. - Washington D.C." and I suspect were made specifically for Cadets receiving their wings from schools here in the United States.

[rustywings]

Same wings laying on another image of an American Flight Instructor and his Chinese Flying Cadets. Note the wings on the Instructor's chest.

[LuftStalg1]

Contract Flight Instructor wing and Chinese Air Force Pilot wings. The Chinese wings are hallmarked "A.H. Dondero, Inc. - Washington D.C." and I suspect were made specifically for Cadets receiving their wings from schools here in the United States.

 

 

Wow, I never heard of one of these US made and marked Chinese wing before! :twothumbup: Can you show the back? :nerv0003:

[rustywings]

Wow, I never heard of one of these US made and marked Chinese wing before! :twothumbup: Can you show the back? :nerv0003:

 

 

 

During WWII, the A.H. Dondero Company made these Chinese Pilot wings in both pin-back and clutch-back. The pin-back is part of a Chinese Pilot grouping. I bought the clutch-back variation on ebay about seven or eight years ago. Here's a couple of images of both.

[rustywings]

And the backs.

[rustywings]

Close up of the American hallmark.

[LuftStalg1]

Close up of the American hallmark.

 

 

Wow, nice!

 

Thanks!

 

:twothumbup:

[COOKIEMAN]

REFERENCE POST #412

 

Russ, to put a fine point on the "Thunderbird" shoulder sleeve insignia. The thunderbird insignia is actually the Corporate Logo for Southweat Airways. The mistake of calling it the Chinese Cadet patch or Thunderbird Field patch has been published and repeated in too many publications to enumerate. Southwest Airways was a multi-faceted operation during WW2. Besides operating three AAF Contact Pilot Training Schools, it also operated a CAA War Training Service Flying School, a Contract Air Transport route operating out of San Bernardion CA, and a depot overhaul facility.

 

Now to share some of my SWA goodies:

 

The attached picture depicts a SWA pilot wing. Besides being worn by SWA Instructor Pilots, it may have bee worn post war when SWA functioned for a short timeas an airline.

 

Also attached is an unusual octanginal shaped SSI.

[COOKIEMAN]

REFERENCE POST #412

 

Two additional SWA insignia, but 5 inch flight jacket insignia. The first one is a flocked design on wool/felt. The second is chenille.

[COOKIEMAN]

REFERENCE POST #420

 

CHINESE AVIATION CADET INSIGNIA

 

Expanding on Chinese versus US made insignia, ahave had the attached in my collection for a long time. Top badge is a typical badge made in China. The lower badge is US made and marked NS Meyer, New York

 

Second picture is of a U S made chinese Officer's Cap Insignia

[COOKIEMAN]

OOPS, now attached

[John Cooper]

Gentleman - thanks for keeping this wingnuts education going!

 

Cheers

John