Flak88

I would love to see an early Assmann! Juncker or Ballhinge or even one of the Brehmer/GB...not sure. All common. But I think the ball-hinge is the best quality across the board regardless of material. Marc

J - thanks for playing! Marc

Gents, Just wondering how you would rank the makers in rarity? Here is my thought: 1) B&NL 2) Zinc Juncker 3) Wide-pin Wernstein 4) GWL 5) FLL The rest are pretty common. Of course I would place neusilber anything on top... Marc

Richard - I would very much like to see more of that badge!

I am AMAZED at the poor quality that juncker had with these. I have not seen it in their other luft badges!

Very nice - keep them coming! Marc

Gents, As you know I am working on the Flak book. I am looking for a truly GORGEOUS Tombak Assmann Flak. If you have one that could be featured in my book please contact me. Thanks! Marc

Gents, Here is your chance to show off those fabulous Junckers and help me with research at the same time! I am doing a study of Juncker Flaks for the book, so please postfront & back! Thanks, Marc

Gents, DO any of you have broken/damaged Flaks that you would sell cheaply for study? I am looking for Flaks with broken wings, no pin, broken swas or ground dug so they can be disassembled and studied. Thanks, Marc

Well, you guys can take the Merkava off the list after Lebanon...

Gents, Check your ball-hinge Flaks. Does ANYONE have one with a rounded hinge? I have only seen flat-tops on Tombak, and a few scarce rounded on zinc, but want confirmation. Please help! Thanks, Marc

Gents, Please check your S&L Flak badges for a possible die-flaw. All I have observed have a line on the lower arm or the swas, and I want to see if that holds true across the board: If you are unsure about how to ID an S&L Flak it is the easiest thing. Just look for the line of metal just below the breech extending to the wreath. S&L is the ONLY Flak maker that exhibits this trait. It is where other makers have a rondel:

Gents, I am off to hospital as my heart has stopped...my but they are gorgeous! Still searching... Marc

I like it when they shine...

The Flaks shown here have the die-flaws - very nice. As for maker, it is either RK, AS, or HA. Just no way to tell which yet. Marc

Gordon, After the week I spent with Max last year I am happy to see him with the badge. He kept telling me how sad he had been that he never got it back. Thanks so much for doing this and for posting the photos of my old friend. I was lucky enough to get many hours on tape with him and I am working (should i say badgering) the history Channel into doing a piece on Max. Hopefully they will come around. The one missing piece they want is a UK navy crewman and being in the US I haven't been able to locate a vet that might do the show... Marc

Wildcard, OK, that's it. You pull out one more uber-rare medal like that and I am jumping off the Tappan-Zee! WOW! Amazing Waterloo... Marc

Wildcard, I am utterly without words! When i get back from my business trip in a couple of weeks I am going to have to see if we can check schedules! Marc

Do any of you have a neusilber Flak badge of a maker OTHER than ball-hinge? I am looking for neusilber Flaks for the book, but other than ball-hinge I have never seen one. Marc

More info from Wildcard: Following is Neal?s list of aviation service WEK recipients; your man should be in there somewhere. The ones marked with an astrisk (*) I have positively identified as observers. Those unmarked may or may not be. Good luck and best wishes. Hans Freiherr von und zu Fraunberg* Max Lochte Wolf Thieme Kurt or Curt von Haeseler* Werner St?hr Otto Fl?l Ernst Umlauff Friedrich Schaefer Bruno Schubert* Oswald von dem Hagen Edmund Nathanael Alfred Edler Friedrich Freiherr von Th?na Walter Jacobi Otto Fischer Freidrich Brauns Viktor Neumann Kurt Ernst Emil Hunger Hans Weber Kurt von Boyneburgk Erich F?lle Max Rossbach Walter Schwarz Walter Luge

Thanks Dave - good to hit as many forums as possible - never know who has something... Marc

Um, right there. I can see it...

Christ Dave, those are gorgeous! Marc

Thoas aren't awards, its a bullet-proof vest!

Gents, Just got this photo for my book and am hoping we can ID him. Thanks! Marc