US Aviation Wings 3"

**Walkwolf** · 11-18-2009, 08:48 AM

Thought I'd share a couple of cases of 3" WWII USAAF pilot and specialist
aviation wings which I've been collecting over the past 15 to 20 years.
I keep adding more all the time, and now these particular cases
are overflowing !

Probably not seen all that much outside North America.
There are a few post-war examples mixed in ( some of the US Navy wings )
as well as some very rare ones. Most are genuine WWII 3" sterling
silver wings.

Just like most areas of militaria however, it is a minefield of fakes and repros ! !

**Walkwolf** · 11-18-2009, 08:27 PM

I can post individual fronts and backs if anyone is interested...........

**Adrian Stevenson** · 11-18-2009, 08:48 PM

I would be interested to see more.

I only ever owned one pair of US pilots wings. They were British made by "Firmin, London" and were solid silver. Long gone now.

Cheers, Ade.

**mjw** · 11-18-2009, 09:15 PM

I would like to ask if you would consider providing a few tips on what pitfalls there are in collecting these wings. I am sure that many of us are familiar with the obvious fakes etc, but perhaps the more dangerous examples would benefit from some publicity?

Any help would be most welcome (by me) and I imagine other Forum members interested in these fascinating insignia.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

**Steven M** · 11-18-2009, 09:48 PM

by mjw

I would like to ask if you would consider providing a few tips on what pitfalls there are in collecting these wings. I am sure that many of us are familiar with the obvious fakes etc, but perhaps the more dangerous examples would benefit from some publicity?

Any help would be most welcome (by me) and I imagine other Forum members interested in these fascinating insignia.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

I know someone who is very knowledgeable in this area. I can put you in touch if you send me a PM.

WWI is more my area, but what I can tell you is that WWII wings by Meyer are a minefield as they reproduced many of the old style wings years ago, and you really have to know a lot about the markings they used. As a result, many collectors tend to avoid them because it is extremely difficult to distinguish period examples from re strikes.

**Steven M** · 11-18-2009, 09:50 PM

by Walkwolf

I can post individual fronts and backs if anyone is interested...........

I'd love to see a close up shot of the Airship wings. Beautiful collection.

**Walkwolf** · 11-18-2009, 10:28 PM

by Steven M

I'd love to see a close up shot of the Airship wings. Beautiful collection.

I'll show a close-up, but I should tell you, this one is a REPRO,

as most all airship wings are !

**Steven M** · 11-18-2009, 10:31 PM

by Walkwolf

I'll show a close-up, but I should tell you, this one is a REPRO,

as most all airship wings are !

Never mind then

...at least your feeling won't get hurt now.

**Walkwolf** · 11-18-2009, 11:06 PM

by mjw

I would like to ask if you would consider providing a few tips on what pitfalls there are in collecting these wings. I am sure that many of us are familiar with the obvious fakes etc, but perhaps the more dangerous examples would benefit from some publicity?

Any help would be most welcome (by me) and I imagine other Forum members interested in these fascinating insignia.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

There are so many variables!! Any of the really rare wings, such as "Balloon", "Airship", "TO", "WASP" or some of the rarer makers "Luxenberg", "Blackinton" are fairly expensive when originals do come up at all. (There was a genuine Luxenberg 1st pattern pilot wing on ebay today which just sold for over $430.00 US !)

You really have to study how these wings were originally made.
Fakers are getting better at these things. Most fakes are easy to spot if they are "cast", as they are smaller than originals, and have very uneven surfaces.

"N.S. Meyer" have restruck wings in the recent past, and they still make military insignia today.
"Orber" should be regarded with caution, as I've seen some very convincing examples.
"Balfour" is another maker of wings to be careful of, as they were in business into the 1970's.

I should say that I have some fakes in the cases you see here !

Also, any wings with numbers on the back are from later periods.......

**Walkwolf** · 11-18-2009, 11:18 PM

by Steven M

Never mind then

...at least your feeling won't get hurt now.

Hi, Steven M !

I would like to know who you are speaking of !

After all the money, time and deep study involved collecting these,
I'm quite aware of several fakes that I've been stung by !

- You have just pointed out that there is at least one in these display cases !

That particular airship wing was only $100.00, where a true original should be ten times that or more!

Best regards,

Steve.