{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-army-air-forces-service-pilot-air-crew-member-and-pilot-aviation-wings-lot-of-3","title":"Original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces Service Pilot, Air Crew Member and Pilot Aviation Wings - Lot of 3","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One Lot of Three Wings. This is a very nice grouping of three WWII U.S. Army Air Forces aviation qualification badges, commonly referred to as “wings.” Included are a Service Pilot Badge, an Air Crew Member Badge, and the classic Pilot Badge. Together, the three make an attractive representative grouping of several different flying qualifications used by the rapidly expanding Army Air Forces during the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first is a U.S. Army Air Forces Service Pilot Badge, distinguished by the large raised letter S applied to the horizontally lined shield between the feathered wings. The Service Pilot rating was authorized in 1942 as part of the enormous wartime expansion of the Army Air Forces. Service pilots were frequently experienced civilian aviators brought into military flying service for duties such as flight instruction, aircraft ferrying, and other essential flying assignments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is stamped on the reverse:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSTERLING\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.E. CO.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eUTICA\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eN.Y.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe triangular A.E. Co. hallmark is the maker stamp of the \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Emblem Company of Utica, New York\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. The wing has an attractive aged silver appearance with scattered tarnish, darker deposits in the recessed feather detail, and normal surface wear. Both of the original rear attachment posts are no longer present, with their former mounting points remaining visible on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second badge is the distinctive U.S. Army Air Forces Air Crew Member Badge. Its circular center displays the Coat of Arms of the United States, including the American eagle and shield. The Air Crew Member Badge was authorized on September 4, 1942, for qualified aircrew personnel not otherwise represented by one of the specialized aviation badges. It therefore became associated with the many men whose duties aboard Army Air Forces aircraft were essential to successful flight operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a pleasing dark oxidized appearance that brings out the feathering of the wings and the miniature details of the central eagle. The reverse retains both attachment posts and their brass clutch fasteners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompleting the group is the classic U.S. Army Air Forces Pilot Badge, one of the most recognizable American aviation insignia of WWII. Its center consists of the traditional vertically striped shield flanked by a pair of fully extended feathered wings, identifying its wearer as a rated military pilot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pilot wing retains a nice silver-toned appearance with an appealing mixture of brighter high points and darker age patina within the recessed feathering and shield. Both rear attachment posts and brass clutch fasteners remain in place. The reverse has developed considerably darker oxidation from age, while the front remains quite presentable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three badges display wartime character rather than a freshly polished appearance, with varying amounts of tarnish and handling marks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45598366564421,"sku":"ONJR25JUHG18","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25JUHG18__01.jpg?v=1787596916","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-army-air-forces-service-pilot-air-crew-member-and-pilot-aviation-wings-lot-of-3","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}