U.S. Air Force pilot wings authenticity?

[Ttr21]

Hello everybody,

Could I ask for the experts help in looking at this U.S. Air Force - Pilot wings. Are they ww2 era or Korean War war? I’m a bit worried as the back is not as neat as the examples I have seen online, making me worried about it being a cast copy. The seller is a reputable London dealer and said they will refund the item if I discover anything. He was unsure if it is ww2 or Korean War, but stated it was silver. This is my first U.S. airforce piece and I would really appreciate the experts here having a look if it’s real or fake? And what era?
There is a stamp that reads 5-21 of the back of the left wing.
Thanks in advance.

[RH1941]

They are post WWII .

[AZPhil]

I agree with Gary. Manufacturer's went to numerical markings post WW2
I tried to find the maker but had no luck with the 5-21 marking.

Semper Fi
Phil

[MAP]

I agree with Gary. Manufacturer's went to numerical markings post WW2
I tried to find the maker but had no luck with the 5-21 marking.

Semper Fi
Phil

Agree...post WW2. I only have a few (WW2) examples but the quality of this one looks a little suspect. But I will defer to those who know more. Shouldn't they be Sterling as well? (Again..I 'm not sure)

Phil: Could it be S-21 instead of 5-21? Hard to tell given the poor casting.

[Martin C]

I believe that post WW2 wings were not made of sterling.

[AZPhil]

Phil: Could it be S-21 instead of 5-21? Hard to tell given the poor casting.

It very well could be. I have to correct myself and say that they used Alpha-numerical codes.

With that I did find this.
Harry Sugerman/Susco. (S21)

But this is just a search of maker mark codes.

Hopefully Da Wingman(Steve) will chime in with his thoughts.

Semper Fi
Phil

[AZPhil]

Bingo!!
S21 Susco/Harry Sugerman Inc., San Antonio, TX

FORT POLK DENTAL ACTIVITY DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA



Semper Fi
Phil

[MAP]

Again...I'm a novice at these but I'm still skeptical given the really poor quality of the reverse and the casting seams on the edges. I hope someone proves me wrong.

BTW....One Letter and two # are post 1964. So that would place these as Vietnam or later...

In looking at the US Military Forum I did not find a direct comparison but I did find a flight nurse example (Korean war). See photo below. Much nicer but a different period



That said...I found a thread (hate photo hosting because not the photos are gone and it was the same as the one above apparently), but there was a similar discussion as to whether these were cast given quality of the reverse. I've attached the link below

Command Pilot S-21 wing - WING BADGES - U.S. Militaria Forum

[Ttr21]

Thank you everybody I really I appreciate the time you have taken to research the wings. I myself now I’m not fully happy on the quality of the casting either and I was sold it as being silver. Looking at the links provided and pictures, there is a marked difference in quality. I think based on everybody’s input I will get a refund on them and look for a better example. Thanks all!

[Ttr21]

It very well could be. I have to correct myself and say that they used Alpha-numerical codes.

With that I did find this.
Harry Sugerman/Susco. (S21)

But this is just a search of maker mark codes.

Hopefully Da Wingman(Steve) will chime in with his thoughts.

Semper Fi
Phil

Thank you Phil for having a look, your right it’s an S.