Original Item: Only One Available.This is a group of three U.S. Army Air Forces aviation badges representing three distinct wartime aircrew qualifications: Pilot, Navigator, and Air Crew Member. All three use the familiar outstretched-wing form associated with Army aviation insignia, but their central devices identify the individual rating. Two of the badges, the Navigator and Air Crew Member examples, are marked STERLING, while the Pilot wing bears the maker marking of N.S. Meyer Inc., New York with the firm's shield trademark.

The first is a U.S. Army Air Forces Navigator Badge, identifiable by the armillary sphere at the center of the wings. The armillary sphere, an early astronomical instrument representing the celestial sphere, was particularly appropriate to the navigator's work in determining an aircraft's position and course. This example is a clutch-back type with two attachment posts and both clutches present.

The second badge is a U.S. Army Air Forces Air Crew Member Badge. Its central circular medallion contains the Coat of Arms of the United States, with the American eagle, shield, olive branch, arrows, and constellation rendered in miniature. The Air Crew Member Badge was authorized on September 4, 1942, for qualifying crew members who were not represented by another specialized aviation badge. Like the Navigator wing, this example uses two clutch-back posts and retains both clutches.

The third is the classic U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot Badge, consisting of feathered wings surrounding the vertically striped pilot's shield. This example differs from the other two in using a traditional horizontal pinback attachment rather than clutch posts. The complete pin extends across the reverse to its catch.

Of particular interest is the clear maker marking on the reverse of the Pilot wing:

N.S. MEYER INC.
NEW YORK

with the small Meyer shield trademark immediately below. N.S. Meyer of New York was an established American insignia manufacturer and is documented as a manufacturer of U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot Badges.

All three badges show age and service-related handling consistent with period insignia. The raised details remain well defined, particularly the feathering of the wings and the individual rating devices. There is general surface tarnish and oxidation, with some scattered spotting and darker patination in the recesses. Localized green oxidation is visible around one area of the Pilot wing. These surfaces have not been described as cleaned or refinished and retain the varied coloration acquired over time. Both clutch-back badges retain their two clutches, while the N.S. Meyer Pilot wing retains its pin and catch assembly.

Taken together, the lot provides a useful cross-section of the specialized aviation insignia worn within the wartime Army Air Forces. Included in the lot:

• 1x U.S. Army Air Forces Navigator Badge, armillary sphere center, clutch back, marked STERLING
• 1x U.S. Army Air Forces Air Crew Member Badge, U.S. Coat of Arms center, clutch back, marked STERLING
• 1x U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot Badge, shield center, pin back, marked N.S. MEYER INC. / NEW YORK with Meyer shield trademark

All three pins are 3” wide.