rathbonemuseum

That is a wonderful, historic and rare group. Fills in elements not found in most histories of the period.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone on the forum has knowledge of or access to official regulations regarding the flight insignia worn by the Imperial Japanese Army Airforce. I am trying to find out if there were official designations or classes to the many styles of wings that I have collected and seen in photos. Issues such as the color of the stars, presence of bullion, etc. I believe there is more to it than just stylistic differences in manufacturers. Also, would love to get some identification help with the many school graduation watch fobs. Please let me know who would be good to contact. Thanks, Tod

Julio, Do you have copies of Brazilian insignia regulations? I would love copies if you do. What happened in 1947? Is that when they added the banner to the bottom of the pilot wing? When was the pilot engineer wing (the one with the gear attached as a hanger) regulation? Thanks, Tod

Julio, thanks for spelling this out!

Iffig. Not bad news at all. Knowledge like this is never bad news. For me it is a confirmation of something the badge was already telling me based on quality and construction. But as you say, I don't know if this type of badge, good or not, ever existed. I am curious about the books you posted. I don't have much for native Bulgarian references. Would you recommend either of these books for a non-speaker/reader? In other words, are the pictures worth it? Cheers, Tod

no responses? Everyone still on vacation?

back

Hello everyone (especially Ted who will probably respond to this first ) I have here an unknown to me Bulgarian aviation badge. It has elements of the WWII period especially the main eagle device and the oversized wreath. I have never seen this badge depicted in regs, books or photos. So first question, what is it supposed to be? Second, this badge is supposed to be a Miloshev badge of the typical multi-piece manufacture. The enamel is hard fired and does not glow. The wreath and the eagle are cast. And I must say, very poorly cast as the details are quite muddy, there are many bubble pits and there are outright blank spaces. The materials are not as fine either. The back screw with the Miloshev imprint is in unplated zinc. So, that is all I know. Do you know more? Do please share. Cheers, Tod

last image

Hello, I would like to identify this badge as there is not a lot of "official" word on what it is as supported by regulations or photographs. Is it airship related or mechanic in this configuration. I also believe this is from the 1920s or early 1930s but I may be off on that issue as well. Also, I have never seen an anchor added like this in this location. And finally, the owner has taken the trouble to solder two plates to the back (really poorly!) One seems to be a number for the badge. As I read it "N 5(or 6)297. The other plate reads "L-15-26-111" Any ideas, gents? Would love to get some firm ID support. Cheers and thank you. Tod

Don't know what these insignia are, do you?

Philippine Air Force - 1945 on?

Philippine Air Corps (I believe)

Hi, I thought I would start posting batches of wings I have that are from around the WWII period but are challenging to date more specifically. I will start with wings from the Philippines. If you know anything more on how to date these, what the regs were and who manufactured these, I would really appreciate your comments.

British, actually.

Dear Colleagues and Friends, Try as I might, I find my resources for pictures of certain countries during the 1930-1945 period are simply too slim in America, online or in English. I am trying valiantly to create fill out pilot images from some pretty rare countries like: Lithuania Denmark (especially pre-war - I have some wartime on the site) Sweden Norway (pre-war in Norway - NOT in Canada - lots of those) Estonia What I am looking for are scans out of books or of original pictures showing: - Portraits of air force personnel showing their uniforms with rank and air insignia (most important!) - Casual pictures of air force personnel in uniform showing insignia - nice clear shots of parked aircraft showing the national insignia of the period. Can you provide any help? As I said, this is for advancing my online museum and resource at http://www.rathbonemuseum.com I would need the digital images to be of good size. Preferably at least 600X900 pixels but I will take anything at this point. Thanks so much in advance for your help. Cheers, Tod Rathbone tod@rathbonemuseum.com

Dear Colleagues and Friends, Try as I might, I find my resources for pictures of SE Asian Air Force pilots during the period of 1930-1945 are simply too slim in America, online or in English. I am trying valiantly to create new sections on my website dedicated to the Philippine Air Force, Siam/Thai Air Force, French Indonesia (Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam) during this very early stage in most countries air forces. What I am looking for are scans out of books or of original pictures showing - Portraits of air force personnel showing their uniforms with rank and air insignia (most important!) - Casual pictures of air force personnel in uniform - nice clear shots of parked aircraft showing the national insignia of the period. Can you provide any help? As I said, this is for advancing my online museum and resource at http://www.rathbonemuseum.com I would need the digital images to be of good size. Preferably at least 600X900 pixels but I will take anything at this point. Thanks so much in advance for your help. Cheers, Tod Rathbone tod@rathbonemuseum.com

I forgot to ask, but if you are willing to part with the wing, please let me know.

Donald, Simply a nice early Brazilian pilot badge. I believe it is a 1930s model (have not had clear regulations to tell you exactly when your model was current.) The standard WWII model was a more tradition "wing" without the hanging device.

my heraldry sources are DEFINITE that the opening of the crescent must always either face up or face left. Facing right when open is considered "waning moon" and is objectionable. Rick, there is definitely something amiss, as the green winged wings are the correct Egyptian wings, facing the viewers right. The flag image you posted, based on where the pole is positioned, also features a right facing moon. And the wing on Farouk's portrait, also facing right. ?? Tod

One more thing. The crown shape looks Moroccan. But the crescent and the three stars, especially on green, is unique to Egypt (at least Kingdom). Still a mystery.

Perhaps the resolution lies in the crown as conjectured. Almost all of the renditions I find of the Egyptian crown feature 5 vertical supports and 4 "windows", as so

Farouk wearing WWII wing in 1944

Another version in metal

Better pic