CAA/WTS/CPT/Flight Schools - Reference Thread

[rustywings]

Gilt colored Flight Instructor's wings presented to Mr. C. L. Milhiser.

[rustywings]

Presentation inscription on the back of C.L. Milhisner's Flight Instructor's wing. He worked at Cal Aero Flight Academy from 1942 thru 1944. Major C.C. Moseley owned and operated Cal Aero, Mira Loma and Polaris Flight Academies.

[rustywings]

Two uniform coats which belonged to Contract Flight Instructor C.L. Milhiser. Winter and summer dress wear. Note the buttons are plain brown leather as required in the rules of heraldry for civilian attire.

[rustywings]

Two different styles of gilt wings.

[rustywings]

Identical "C.F.S." (Contract Flight School) patches on both coats.

[CliffP]

Gilt colored Flight Instructor's wings presented to Mr. C. L. Milhiser.

 

Hi Russ,

 

Thank you for those wonderful pictures of the gilt colored civilian Flight Instructor wing badge seen in post 479 and 480. The badge in those two pictures plus the two badges attached to the two uniforms seen in post 481 and 482 pretty much confirm (for me) that it was USAAC/USAAF civilian contract pilots who were permitted to wear gold gilt pilot badges rather than Regular Army and/or Army Reserve Officer instructors. . . who (I think) because of War Department regulations were only permitted to wear Sterling Silver wings.

 

I have a question for you. The gilt colored wings seen attached to the summer weight uniform on post 481, 482. . . and below, appear to have been struck from an old die that was originally made by Wm. Link Co. back in the 1920s. Does that badge have clutch-back or pin-back fasteners, and does it have a trademark on the back?

 

Cliff

[B-17Guy]

In addition to Cliff's questions, I would also be curious to know if the above, apparent. Link-die wing has a snowflake back?

Best, John

[rustywings]

They certainly appear to be from the Link stable. They're an unmarked die-struck brass badge with applied gold wash and "C" style catch. Do you think they were produced in the early 1940's using an old Link die? Or could they have been produced in the 1920's and sold as new-old stock in the late 30's and early 40's?

[rustywings]

Reverse of gilt colored badge.

[rustywings]

Close up of the shield.

[CliffP]

They certainly appear to be from the Link stable. They're an unmarked die-struck brass badge with applied gold wash and "C" style catch. Do you think they were produced in the early 1940's using an old Link die? Or could they have been produced in the 1920's and sold as new-old stock in the late 30's and early 40's?

Thank you Russ,

 

Oh yes, they were produced during the first half of our (USA) involvement in WW2 using the old die. I'm currently trying to obtain an identical badge with a silver finish and snowflake pattern on the back that was given to a B-17 pilot when he graduate from flying school in the first half of 1943. It has clutch-back fasteners and is what prompted my inquiry.

 

Cheers,

 

Cliff

[rustywings]

Near identical Pilot badges, but one in gold wash and the other silver wash.

[rustywings]

Neither badge is marked...with near identical findings.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Hi all.

 

Didn't know if anyone had posted this yet but here is the original CAA Danecraft set on the original card.

 

[mshaw]

Here is a different take on instructors for the war effort. This patch and overseas cap is from the Frye Aircraft Company founded by Don Frye. FAC helped train the army of people needed to boost wartime production of aircraft. The Frye schools were scattered all over the West. The patch is large (7 inches across) and was worn on the back of coveralls.

 

[mshaw]

A circa 1940-1941 image of the patch being worn by students:

 

[mshaw]

And a circa 1940-41 photo of the cap. It looks very much like the early aviator cadet caps on page 302 of More Silver Wings Pinks and Greens (far left example).

 

[B-17Guy]

John, you've posted some extremely rare SWA wings, patches and insignia. Thank you for sharing the great images and valuable information. Attached is an image of a period magazine advertisement supporting your comments.

Just came across this ad as well, from a 1943 issue of Flying.

John

[B-17Guy]

Thank you Russ,

 

Oh yes, they were produced during the first half of our (USA) involvement in WW2 using the old die. I'm currently trying to obtain an identical badge with a silver finish and snowflake pattern on the back that was given to a B-17 pilot when he graduate from flying school in the first half of 1943. It has clutch-back fasteners and is what prompted my inquiry.

 

Cheers,

 

Cliff

Cliff, I believe this is the wing type in question, using the Link die.

Belonged to R.C. Twyman, killed during WWII.

 

John

[B-17Guy]

Back

[COOKIEMAN]

LATEST FIND - An unusual Air Corps Military Police Badge

 

Out antiquing today and picked up the badge in attached pictures. It fits into my area of interest, as I believe it is from a pre-1942 Air Corps Training Unit. The major inscription is: A.C.P.F.S. In my opinion I think the initials stand for: AIR CORPS PRE-FLIGHT SCHOOL

 

In Googling the net I find no direct reference to an ACPFS. I solicit your thoughts and comments on a definitive ID on the badges, i.e. when and where did the school exist, its background and history, etc.

[B-17Guy]

New addition, measures 2".

 

[B-17Guy]

Blackinton pattern Instructor's wing badge.

Wing appears to be gilted brass, with the pin replaced at some point.

 

John

[Bob Hudson]

 

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.

 

 

Someone I know recently got a pair of the Chinese wings with the Dondero hallmark. They came with a pair of wings made in China by NDC: these though are stewardess wings for the Chinese airlines CATC - Central Air Transport Corporation. I know that even through Vietnsm War there were "civilian" airlines that fronted for military operations and CNAC did that in China, but did CATC do that?

 

 

[rustywings]

Bob, thanks for posting the two interesting wings.

 

It's my understanding the Chinese wings by Dondero were made for presentation to Chinese Flying Cadets upon graduation from one of several Contract Flight Schools here in the United States.

 

Regarding the CATC badge: In February 1931, "Eurasia Airlines" was established as a joint venture between the Chinese National Government and Germany's Lufthansa Airlines. After the start of WWII, Germany forfeited its share of Eurasia Airlines.

 

In March 1943, Eurasia Airlines was reorganized as CATC (Central Aviation Transport Corporation) and the Chinese National Government actively recruited AVG, AAF and ATC Pilots to fill their need for trained flight personnel as they had with CNAC (Chinese National Aviation Corporation).

 

Many American Pilots continued to fly for CATC and CNAC well after the end of the war. However, on November 9, 1949, during the Communist Revolt, the general managers of both CATC and CNAC threw their support behind Communist ideals which effectively ended US Pilot involvement in both organizations.

 

Here's a full size WWII era CATC Pilot wing and cap badge made by the "Russell Uniform Company, New York, N.Y."