Original Items: Only One Lot of 3 Available. This is a fantastic set of WWII era Aviator wings as worn by the Pilots and Crew members aboard the various types of aircraft during and after the war. Two are pinback and marked STERLING, and the third has butterfly pins and is not marked.

The wings in this lot:
- US Army Air Forces Pilot “Wings”: During World War II, with the rise of the Army Air Forces, a second series of aviator badges were issued to include a design that has survived to the modern day. The Pilot Badge was issued in three degrees, including Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Command Pilot. A polished silver colored version of these badges is currently used as the United States Air Force Pilot Badges. This example is for a Pilot and is stamped STERLING with a functional pinback. This style is attributed to Bell.

- US Army Air Forces Aerial Gunner “Wings”: The winged bullet on this badge represents the training and hazardous duty of aerial gunners who served on bomber aircraft such as the B-17 and B-29. It was authorized for wear from WWII until 1953 when it was replaced by the aircrew member badge. This set has the nicest patina we’ve seen, with fantastic shadowing and wear. Marked with STERLING on the reverse. The pin arm and locking catch work well.

- US Army Air Forces Observer Wings: Between 1919 and 1935 the design of the Observer Badge remained unchanged, and was issued to both airplane and lighter-than-air ratings. However, as military aviation developed, changes in the concept of an Airplane Observer necessitated the redesign of the Observer Badge with a corresponding change in the eligibility criteria. On 20 February 1940 the rating was changed to that of Combat Observer, followed by redesignation as Aircraft Observer on 4 September 1942. Note that bombardiers that used the top secret SHORAN also received the Observer Badge. They sat midship, where the radio operator would normally sit, since they used an electronic not optical bombsight. The wings have butterfly pins and are not marked, but do look Sterling.

A great lot, ready for display.