mshaw Posted July 5, 2010 Share #1 Posted July 5, 2010 I have a question for the airborne jump wing collectors. Were there any clutch back airborne jump wings made during WW II? I primarily collect AAF wings so I don't know much about jump wings but I know where a pair of clutch back wings are for a modest price. The clutches on this are smooth but, of course, they could have been added later. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Posted July 5, 2010 Share #2 Posted July 5, 2010 They did make clutched wings, just as they made other clutch badges during WWII. The length of the posts are a good indicator, as well as any hallmarks, brazing, and other qualities. You just need to be careful, as the vast majority of WWII jump wings are indeed pin back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted July 5, 2010 Share #3 Posted July 5, 2010 There are plenty of Reproduction/Post War Production Jump Wings both pin back and clutch back. This forum has a lot of information on them and I would recommend culling through them and asking questions before buying anything. I know it is hard to do but it is better to pass up on something rather then buy it and find out that you laid out good cash for something that is not period. I know from personal experience and I am sure there are many others who have made the same mistake. If you have photo feel free to post them and folks can advise you. Any how good luck and good hunting. Happy Independence Day Weekend John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshaw Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted July 10, 2010 I picked up the wing. Pictures follow. I did not realize it but they are maker marked: C P Co on the first line and N.Y.C. on the next line. It's kind of hard to make out in the pictures. From the length of the posts, I'm guessing post WW II. I'm assuming that C P Co. is Charles Polk Co. of New York. Polk was a maker of AAF Wings but I do not recall seeing them on the list of jump wing makers. Have any of you seen this maker on a jump wing?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshaw Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted July 10, 2010 A closer picture of the back: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshaw Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted July 12, 2010 A closer picture of the back: Bump. Has anyone seen the C P Co N.Y.C maker mark on a jump wing before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 12, 2010 Share #7 Posted July 12, 2010 Bump. Has anyone seen the C P Co N.Y.C maker mark on a jump wing before? I believe this is the Charles Polk Co, of NYC. I have seen it before, and on some late war USAAF wings. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAA Posted July 12, 2010 Share #8 Posted July 12, 2010 A great piece and a rarer hallmark ~ very nice find! Bump. Has anyone seen the C P Co N.Y.C maker mark on a jump wing before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Cain Posted July 13, 2010 Share #9 Posted July 13, 2010 Nope, only on pilots wings. Any chance of a better picture of the pins themselves? A great piece and a rarer hallmark ~ very nice find!Bump. Has anyone seen the C P Co N.Y.C maker mark on a jump wing before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshaw Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted July 13, 2010 Nope, only on pilots wings. Any chance of a better picture of the pins themselves? I will try to get a shot of the pins later. They are longer than usual which leads me to believe they are post war. I have an aircrew wing marked C P Co. as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshaw Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted July 14, 2010 Here are a couple of shots of the pins: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfields Posted July 14, 2010 Share #12 Posted July 14, 2010 mshaw, In response to your question about whether there were clutchback jumpwings during WWII, I have enclosed photos of a set in my possession that belonged to Roy Barger who served with the 508th during WWII. He was a rigger who jumped into Normandy, according to the paperwork was captured for a short period of time, somehow escaped and returned to his unit for the remainder of the war. He is no longer living so I cannot ask him the question where and when he received these but they did come with his jam packed photo album (also in my possession) consisting of WWII through early 50's photos as well as a few other items. I believe this set to date from WWII but I am not an expert on the topic. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshaw Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted July 14, 2010 Thanks Kim! How long are the clutch pins on your wing?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfields Posted July 15, 2010 Share #14 Posted July 15, 2010 mshaw, precision measuring probably isn't my strong suit but I did measure them at 5/16 of an inch long. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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