Ah, yes….I feel the old “Ball hinge” glider pilot badge controversy is about to rear it’s head once again.
For those who are unfamiliar with this type of badge, there are two schools of thought on the subject…believers and non-believers.
Never say never, and certainly, it is a very good looking badge, but other than some stories regarding collector acquisition from allied vets etc these badges have never, to my knowledge, been identified by any glider pilot or seen in any period photograph.
The thing that worries me is that the glider pilots badge is a rare beast, known original examples by the firms BSW and CE Juncker are exceedingly hard to find. Why then do these ‘ball hinge’ types turn up so regularly?
Personally, I have not considered buying one of these badges due to doubts and have stuck to the known originals.
All that having been said….Always open to new information. So what is the story behind this piece, Wood?
Please tell me that you have an 8x10” showing this badge in wear. Now that would be exciting!