CAA/WTS/CPT/Flight Schools

[BBG]

Is this one good? I've seen a few that look some what similar.

[BBG]

Back side

 

[pfrost]

Yes. I think it's good.

[BBG]

Thanks Patrick.

[pfrost]

I think these are for the 311 flight training detachment (or one of the similar groups) operated by the Missouri Institute of Aeronautic out of Harvey Parks Airport. These patches show up with 311th on them and without (like yours). IRCC, about 15-20 years ago, a batch of these patches started showing up on Ebay as new/old stock. So they were being sold around 50-100$ or so. I haven't seen one in ages since then.

 

Im not sure I have seen one with the instructor label on it, but Russ would probably have one if anyone does. That is a great patch!

 

I bought mine as part of a collection of patches stuck on an old piece of cardboard. Sadly, the moths had been doing some nibbling on them.

 

P

[ocsfollowme]

Several schools used that style.

 

Here is a posting that I had in my Home Front thread. There is another thread on the forum that someone thought that this style was with FTD that trained British pilots. Not sure, but what I can say is that the seller that I purchased mine below had a bunch of insignia and paperwork from the 73rd.

 

I picked up this flight instructor. It could possibly go with a lot of AAFFTD flight training detachments but this seller on ebay had three of these flight instructors along with these two other patches. The seller got these at an estate auction so I will attribute everything to the 73rd FTD. The seller does not deal in militaria items.

[pfrost]

I concur, I suspect they were used for a variety of different schools or detachments.

[militbuff]

Here are 3 patches I just acquired.

[COOKIEMAN]

More on the RAF Roundel type AAF FTD patches. A little background. I have been collecting and researching ACTD / AAF TTD / AAF PS patches, badges and wings since mid-1978. When I started out I knew absolutely nothing about AAF WW2 Pilot Training Program. Over the last 40 years I have been very fortunate to accumulate patches and information about the Contract Pilot Schools.

 

Following several patches from six schools that look like RAF aircraft Insignia. Five of these schools were owned and operated by Oliver Parks. The 6th school was owned by Southern Air Service. I believe the generic Flight Instructor patches were worn by personnel and all six schools. It is possible it was worn by other schools, but have no Information confirming this.

 

First two patches are;

 

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

 

51-FTD

[COOKIEMAN]

Next three patches are:

 

62-FTD

 

73-FTD

 

73-FTD FLIGHT INST.

[COOKIEMAN]

3rd set of patches are;

 

309-FTD

 

309-FTD FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

 

[COOKIEMAN]

Four pair

 

 

311-FTD on twill

 

311-FTD on wool felt

[COOKIEMAN]

Last patch

 

 

69TH AAF FTD FLETCHER FIELD

[pfrost]

Those are great. thanks for posting them

[pfrost]

This is a uniform/wings for Joseph Shinal who was an instructor for Smith's Flying Service at the WIlkes-Barrie/Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty-Fort PA.

[pfrost]

The name tag. The uniform is non-military/private purchase. Lucky for me, his name was easy to search!

[pfrost]

He was working for Smith's Flying Service. I don't know what he did after going into the USAAF, but it sounds like he never went overseas.

[BBG]

Very nice! Here's his Find A Grave page. It mentions he served in the 9th Army Air Force in Europe during WW2.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/87350090/joseph-benedict-shinal

 

[pfrost]

That is great. Thanks. I hadn't gotten that far in my research. I was just excited to figure out the wings!

[rustywings]

Patrick, what an eye-opening CAA Flight Instructor coat! Your "Smith Flying Service" bullion wing is sure a well preserved and neat variation. Thanks for sharing your images and expanding our wing identification-bank a bit more...

 

 

It's been awhile since I've stumbled into something cool to add to the collection. So, I was especially delighted when this WASP Civilian Flight Instructor cap badge recently became available. The Avenger Field Flight Instructor cap piece is big and bold, especially compared to a standard size USAAF Officer's cap piece or CAA cap piece. The reverse is unmarked, with a single screw-back for attachment.

 

 

 

[JCBrownABNPFDR]

I just found this thread and decided to add what I have. Hicks Field had a primary flight school in Fort Worth, Texas (I believe it's now Love Field). The accompanying pictures are the insignia worn by Eddie George during his time as a flight instructor there. Along with the insignia, I thought I'd post some pictures that showed that they could laugh at themselves.

[JCBrownABNPFDR]

Hicks Field - Fort Worth, Texas - Insignia close ups:

[JCBrownABNPFDR]

Hicks Field - Fort Worth, Texas - Humor in Uniform:

[JCBrownABNPFDR]

Hicks Field - Fort Worth, Texas - Last one

[Lee Ragan]

I just found this thread and decided to add what I have. Hicks Field had a primary flight school in Fort Worth, Texas (I believe it's now Love Field). The accompanying pictures are the insignia worn by Eddie George during his time as a flight instructor there. Along with the insignia, I thought I'd post some pictures that showed that they could laugh at themselves.

Hicks Field was indeed in Ft. Worth, but Love field was and still is in Dallas.