March 22, 201412 yr #28 Stunning wing. What is interesting is that Cliff really puts a solid provenance to a rather rare and unique wing pattern. I have seen this pattern pop up a few times over the years, and it is usually marketed as a "CBI" made piece (as are almost all the hand worked wings (and most cheap castings!)). But I had always wondered if these weren't a Mexican of Panamanian made wing, as they had that "feel" to me. But, it never occured to me that they would turn out to be a Native American product! When you think about it, I suspect that one of the local artisans in a very famous and important silver work/jewelry center of the US probably hand crafted only a small batch of these wings. Sure, as much "fun" as it was to try to figure out who made graduation wings .... this is so much more interesting. Thank Cliff, great wing.
March 22, 201412 yr #30 Cliff, Thank you for sharing this eye-opening information. The provenance established with your studio photograph alone answers many questions. Then to add personal insight with a known recipient of this style badge adds a real "wow" factor to this fresh information! I've seen and owned a few of these unique wings, but was never able to pinpoint with certainty who made them, or where? Due to your efforts, the riddle is now solved! Because each Bombardier badge is hand-chased, no two are identical...but each does have a rather gruff appearing back and the same American-style pin and catch. At 3.25 inches, they are much wider than other typical American-made Bombardier badges. This is an important factor because someone made a few cast copies of this style and few years ago...and those reproductions are smaller at about 3.0 inches in width.
March 22, 201412 yr #32 Unlike most other Bombardier badges, this wing has a very pronounced three-dimensional center stabilizer fin on the bomb and two incised horizontal lines across the body of the bomb:
March 23, 201412 yr #35 Cliff, when we reference badge designs with names like Juarez, Dondero, Panama, Firmin, Link, and Robbins, each name conjures-up a specific wing pattern. You need to select a reference name for this newly confirmed and unique wing pattern. You could name the pattern in honor of your friend who helped make the wing identification possible. Or a name which makes reference to the Albuquerque area from where they originated...or the Indian Tribe of the jeweler? Until the name of the American Indian artisan who actually designed and made these wings is identified, this unique pattern needs some type of identifier.
March 23, 201412 yr #36 Cochisadiers? Dances with Liberators? Falls from Sky Buffalo? Feel free to stop me any time, moderators....
March 23, 201412 yr #37 Cliff, when we reference badge designs with names like Juarez, Dondero, Panama, Firmin, Link, and Robbins, each name conjures-up a specific wing pattern. You need to select a reference name for this newly confirmed and unique wing pattern. You could name the pattern in honor of your friend who helped make the wing identification possible. I think that is a great idea! The Whitlock or the Kirtland. I think the "Whitlock" sounds better, roles off the tongue nicely. Mark P.S. I added a memorial for Mr. Whitlock on Find-A-Grave for those whom wish to pay there respects. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Whitlock&GSiman=1&GScid=1982032&GRid=126680065&
March 23, 201412 yr #38 Cliff, when we reference badge designs with names like Juarez, Dondero, Panama, Firmin, Link, and Robbins, each name conjures-up a specific wing pattern. You need to select a reference name for this newly confirmed and unique wing pattern. You could name the pattern in honor of your friend who helped make the wing identification possible. Or a name which makes reference to the Albuquerque area from where they originated...or the Indian Tribe of the jeweler? Until the name of the American Indian artisan who actually designed and made these wings is identified, this unique pattern needs some type of identifier. Russ, both you and Mark must have been reading my mind. I too thought it would be a great idea but was not sure anyone else would agree; therefore, perhaps it is know needless to say, since no one would probably have any idea exactly where the wings were made had it not been for the book written by Hubert Whitlock - it really would be very appropriate if we all agree to refer to them by naming them in his honor as, "Whitlock" wings. One last thing. Your suggestion was a very noble thing to do. You are a very fine person Russ Wilson and let me be the first to thank you for being who you are. Kind regards, Cliff
March 24, 201412 yr #40 Russ, while out for dinner this evening it gave me more time to think about your suggestion as to what 'name' those wings should have. Since Hubert Whitlock received his bombardier training at Kirkland Field AFB in Albuquerque, NM and they were made by a Navaho Indian craftsman in Albuquerque, and because he was awarded them while there - it really makes common sense to give them a name in line with the geographic section of the country that they came from - a name that would also be much easy for collectors to remember and refer to. My point? Why not just call them "Albuquerque Wings?" I would also like to add that I knew Hubert Whitlock to be a very dignified Southern gentleman from the old school who, along with being a true prince of a man, he had a strong streak of personal modesty in his character and I think he would agree. So, if no other member of this form has any other ideas, lets just refer to them plain and simple as "Albuquerque Wings." Your thoughts please. Cliff HUBERT S. WHITLOCK May 19, 1919 - February 19, 2014
March 24, 201412 yr #41 Cliff, Thank you for your most generous comments. I'm good with whichever name you select to call this particular pattern. Referring to this design as an "Albuquerque wing" certainly adds the distinction as to its place of origin. British style; CBI style; Juarez style; Dallas style; Panama style...and now "Albuquerque" style. Descriptive and simple to remember. An excellent choice! Russ
March 24, 201412 yr #42 Russ, Or as a third idea thanks to you, it could be called the "Navaho" style. Other members are encouraged to contribute suggestions too. Cliff
March 24, 201412 yr #43 Cliff, I have learned so much from you through these past years since I have started up collecting. This revelation is on par with those precision techniques in identifying the wings of World War I, when I would have an epiphany of understanding what you had taught me when looking at a badge. I have looked at this style wings since I became familiar with them a couple of years ago, with consternation and the jury was still out even though when queried I would attribute the wings to the European theater as I had read somewhere. I see Wing collecting as best and most richly availed upon, when undertaken with an affinity for the history itself, as well as the men who gave context and humanity to the events; from those who made the wings to those who took the jousting matches of old to the theater of the skies; Replacing the Great Plate Mailed Percherons, with Giant Warbirds which plowed equally effective through the men on foot and went head to head with those, of like mount, giving battle from the Enemy. Collecting expands in the enjoyment of the piece, the more that history undergirds the collecting, either General History or especially Personal History as above, which elucidates a tiny, yet poignant with life and death, point on the giant scale of the General Histories. History such as this, casting its experiential light upon the wing gives deep emotional, physical and spiritual context to life on the terms which the men had to live it at the time, and thus empathy with the times past far from us. That is when the entire experience begins to take on a relational experience which, when shared amongst us all, binds us as collectors. Otherwise we are men piling up shaped metal. Thank you Cliff for really exemplifying, through this Wing framed by your heartfelt appreciation for the Blessing of Hubert's presence in your life, the reason this avocation of collecting has such a special place in so many lives. And thank you for the priceless wisdom you have passed on to me over these past few years. Your patience and diligence has made collecting a Joy and kept me safe more times than I can count, from the hateful and harmful intentions of those, whose desire it is, that each of us Collectors who takes his responsibility to preserve history very seriously, come to the shock and disheartening pain caused by their Materialized Lies called Counterfeits. As Always Gentlemen, Blessings in Your Collecting
March 24, 201412 yr #44 Really nice Cliff.I think it is only fitting that you name the wings.I personally will always associate them with you and your boundless efforts to further the hobby I enjoy so much.Thank You Mike
March 25, 201412 yr #46 Well I am already bias to the "Whitlock" wing as Mr. Whitlock was what started this process but it also I think it just sounds good. Albuquerque Whitlock Navaho Now when you state that it is a "style" such as "Juarez" and not the maker name such as "Firman" that makes a big difference. They are named after the manufacture or the location, I get that. I think my brain just leans toward the attractive sound rather then the geographical location. There can always be the extra tag "aka Whitlock" for folks like me. But in the end I think Cliff should make the final decision, and I will honor what you decide Cliff. Than again Cliff you can always write the Wikipedia page for this new wing style and its history / Hubert will be a part of that forever. I would love to see that as well! Mark
March 25, 201412 yr #47 This would be worthy of an article in a collector journal - I'm not a wing collector, but I love learning something new like this every day!
March 27, 201412 yr #48 Final Choice: Native American artisans' in New Mexico have a rich heritage dating back almost 200 years and today their jewelry, especially their work in silver, is international famous and highly collectable. My decision to name the design for this wing badge "Navajo Style" is based on a fact documented in the book written by a wonderful friend, Hubert S. Whitlock. In his book, Hubert wrote that identical wings to these were made during World War II by an unknown Navajo silversmith who sold them in Albuquerque, NM; therefore, knowing Hubert as it did, I have no doubt he would agree that to be fair to the artist, and the ethnic culture, art and traditions of his people whose love for the land and their attachment to it was so strong, this too would be his best choice. Cliff "Navajo Style"
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