I was given this framed piece of aircraft fabric by a close friend before he passed away. He told me his father served in World War I and cut this section from an airplane he was working on. I’m trying to learn more about it and determine whether it might have historical or collector value. For those familiar with WWI aviation artifacts: • What are the best ways to authenticate aircraft fabric from that era? • Are there specific markings, stitching patterns, dopes/paints, or weave types I should look for? • If it does turn out to be genuine, is it typically worthwhile to pursue a sale, or is this more of a niche collectible? Any guidance from experienced collectors would be greatly appreciated.    

Mine was engraved to be presented to one of the Caucasian officers by his men.

A couple guys on Okinawa 1955

I ran into this image which I vaguely remember downloaded from the forum. Is this young MacArthur? Looks like he's wearing a M1902 infantry company officer full dress. Btw appreciate if anyone could help provide the full-size original group photo :)    

Thanks @DogDoc for the note. I will spend the next few months watching and learning more about the market and making sure I know what I am looking at.

5th Composite Group Luke Field (Ford Island), T.H. circa 1935      

Great work and detail, would have never known it was a twig from the backyard. Reminds me a lot of a scene from Saving Private Ryan, and even looks a little like Tom Hanks. Not to take anything away from the real guys who were actually there, all I can think of is all those white crosses.  Former modeler myself, but just aircraft, tanks and ships. I could not do figures If my life depended on it. It takes a certain artistic touch, a keen eye and lots of patience.  

Here are several recorded and documented M.A. Wings sold by two well established militaria vendors that deal with high quality wares on their  respective webpages.  Some of the examples shown do line up with the photographic evidence from the 1919 publication. There are a few Aeronauts that are wearing M.A. Wings types back in the days that are not typical examples.  I suspect if either were found in the wild that they would be viewed as suspect due to the lack of detail or because they were not published in some contemporary reference material.  I think these two likely fall into this category in my opinion.  

I can’t answer your first question and only half of the second one. Good 1903A4’s are out there if you are patient and willing to dole out the funds.    Good luck Jay  

I flew on that deployment when I was a Captain in the 68th.  We were the first to deploy being there for 6 weeks and then the 70th "Tinheads" followed us for the next 6 weeks and flew our airplanes after we returned to Moody.  The flight over was 13 hours and 12 minutes for me and I was in the second element.  We departed about 3 am Moody time and arrives mid afternoon Cairo West time.  It was 10 air refuelings  and the flight was in the dark until we were crossing the Azores which was the first land we had crossed since coasting out from Nova Scotia.  To clarify, Moody did not have any F4Ds.  All 3 squadrons, 68th, 70th and 339th all wee F4E equipped.  Four of us (2 pilots and 2 WSOs) left at the 4 week point to return to Moody to begin preparing for William Tell 1980.  In the 2 week period when we were the only guys at Moody from the 68th the accident occurred which took the lives of Gordie Essinger and Jim Weatherington.  As a result we were tasked to go their homes (Pilots to Gordie's house and WSOs to Jim's house) and do what ever we could for the families.  I had seen Gordie's wife at squadron parties but didn't pay much attention since I was a single guy with my own priorities.  Getting to know her in the aftermath of this tragedy was a life changing event for both of us.  Neither one of us were expecting it or looking for it but we were married 9 months later. WE still our and our children, our twin daughters (from her first marriage) who were 10 at the time and our son (from my first marriage) who was8 at the time are now in their 50s with their own families.  God is good!  BTW- We won the F4 division at William Tell 1980 with our "dirt beating camouflaged  jets" against all the "air superiority gray jets flown by the air-to-air pukes".