J Temple-West

With regards to buntmetal Vs zinc Luft flak badges with the SW68 mark, I have come across what I consider to be a transitional buntmetal, SW68 marked piece, but as far as the RO/AG and AG/FE badges are concerned, I?ve only ever seen this late zinc series marked as such.

Here's an example of the 'SW68' marked buntmetal piece I have on file.

Now that's what I call a tab.. Very nice, Mike.

And the L/21 marked screwback.

Truly impressive..

I shall have to frequent this section a little more.

Reverse..

That's a good idea for a thread, Jan.. I hope you don't have too many in the junk box?

Here's another scary one.. The 'Hermann Aurich ' flat back fake.

Maker mark.

Reverse.

Another example of this maker mark can be found on the later Air Gunner/Flight engineer's badge.

Instituted on 22nd june 1942, this badge is the same as the Radio Operator/Air Gunner badge but without the lightning bolts.

It should be noted that there was a common practice to remove the bolts from RO/AG badges (post production) to make them into AG/FE badges to keep the costs of die production to a minimum.

This particular badge was factory produced without the bolts. The same wreath die and reverse setup were used, but a new die was made for the eagle.

closeup of the badge in wear.

Maker mark.

Reverse.

Although a late example in zinc, it?s in very nice condition with nickel plated wreath.

One question I?m asked, on a regular basis ? ?Is the ?Juncker Berlin SW68? maker marking a period mark?? Yes, I reply, cite the timeframe, show examples of badges with the mark, etc. The next question is usually.. ?Okay, but have you ever seen any period photo?s showing these badges in wear?? Well, for those who have asked, here is a perfect example of one of these badges in wear. This Radio Operator/Air Gunner badge comes with a large portrait of the recipient.

This searchlight unit patch looks Okay.

The dark background is possibly due to it belonging to a 'Luftschutz' unit.

Hi Mike, ye olde pilot ye. Welcome to the club, good to see you here.

Re the posting size, there is a probationary period before being given full member status (this will give you a higher posting allowance) which shouldn?t last long if you were to honour us with some of your insights and expertise into the wonderful world of Luftwaffe collecting.

In the meantime, if you use a smaller file size, you?ll be able to post some pretty decent sized pix.

Example, which is less than 60kb.

Here you go, Paul...

A letter of congratulations, for winning his life saving medal, from the Officer Corps to a pilot who flew long range fighters. Not a citation but quite an interesting document to do with the subject.

Very nice, Garth. I know where to come if reference material is needed.

[quote

(I take it you're still in the same predicament and your will hasn't broken???)

Hi Neil,

Good to see the wife is keeping that other para away from you until Christmas.

Re the image size... If you lower the file size, you'll be able to post larger pix...give it a try.

That Deumer RO/AG is an absolute beauty, Kurt. Having the original Deumer case is a very nice thing to see.

The JMME, as you say, is a Juncker parts piece, in wonderful condition.

Congrats on both!

Just amazing how things turn up!!

Hi Craig,

HJ flag bearers patch. Worn by the bearer of the "Gefolgschaft" flag.

If the reverse looks like the one posted below, I'd say it's a keeper.

I'm usually pretty good at identifying badges on photo's....but this one is a little too hard! No chance of upping the scanner resolution and giving us little more to work with?

The bottom badge looks to have the wings of a pilot's badge, which would mean the middle one would be an EK1. Top=??

At the other end of the Island we have Mont Orgueil Castle.