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    Army Pilot Badge Evolution


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    Posted (edited)

    Obviously "slotted propeller” badges were used as prototypes for rare Manchukuo Army Pilot Badge – the only difference between them is the superimposed star. Most likely both badges (japanese and manchukuo) were manufactured by the same japanese workshops

    Edited by JapanX
    Posted

    I really hope that you liked this diversity of sizes, colors and materials dear colleagues! :lol:

    Will be happy to hear from you ;)

    Regards,

    Nick

    Posted (edited)

    Great post with terrific photos of some very rare badges! I call that brown finish "bronze". I believe these were issued as proficiency badges awarded upon completion of flight school. It is my understanding these were worn on service dress tunics only

    Edited by Jareth
    Posted

    I call that brown finish "bronze".

    Of course you are right!

    I used "brown" as more neutral word ;)

    I believe these were issued as proficiency badges awarded upon completion of flight school.

    Absolutely!

    Regards,

    Nick

    Posted

    Nick,

    Thanks for sharing these examples of flight school graduation badges. And thanks again for documenting what little information is out there. This needs a lot more research to understand how this was regulated.

    Cheers,

    Tod

    Posted

    I will add an image from my site here. No dates known.

    JPgradbadge.jp.jpg

    Many thanks Tod for posting this (before 1940) 1st class badge!

    Regards,

    Nick

    Posted

    Aviation school “Kumagaya” (kanji on the right)

    Name of the pilot “Nagai” (kanji on the left)

    Translation correction: on the right the two kanji are a contraction of 'Kumamoto Academy.'

    Posted

    Type N3 NCO badge made in silver (1940-1945)

    This beautiful inscribed specimen is from Bob Schwartz collection. Bob kindly gave me a permission to use this (and couple of others ;)) beautiful photos. Thank you Bob! Many rare and beautiful phaleristic treasures could be found at his web-site www.ww2wings.com

    This badge has star in gold gilt, but propeller and rays in silver.

    Propeller has solid blades.

    Marked under the catching hook “Pure Silver”.

    Inscribed on reverse “Takeji Terada, Squadron 7”

    Badge dimensions

    width 38mm

    height 51mm

    Translation correction: Not 'Squadron 7' but '7th Graduating Class.'

    Posted

    Thanks a lot Rich!

    Really appreciate it. :beer:

    7th Graduating Class - I guess this came from early 30s?

    Could we connect this graduation class to an actual year?

    82th Graduating Class ... This is one high number!

    Cheers,

    Nick

    P.S. How was your mini vocation? ;)

    Posted (edited)

    Translation correction: on the right the two kanji are a contraction of 'Kumamoto Academy.'

    Translation correction of my own translation. After a quick bit of research, this is probably Kumagaya Army Pilot Academy (as originally described), which was located in Saitama Prefecture. Established in 1935. Dismantled (abolished?) on April 17, 1945.

    Edited by fukuoka
    Posted

    Thanks a lot Rich!

    Really appreciate it. :beer:

    7th Graduating Class - I guess this came from early 30s?

    Could we connect this graduation class to an actual year?

    82th Graduating Class ... This is one high number!

    Cheers,

    Nick

    P.S. How was your mini vocation? ;)

    Yes, Nick, 82nd is high. The second kanji almost looks like a 7, which is why I put a question mark in parentheses. However, if I am not mistaken, these were not annual classes. That is, more than one class gradated within a single year. I have to investigate a bit further since I am not well-read on this subject.

    And my vacation was fine, thanks! Diving for 5 days in Panglao. Very nice and relaxing.

    Posted

    Thanks a lot Rich!

    Really appreciate it. :beer:

    7th Graduating Class - I guess this came from early 30s?

    Could we connect this graduation class to an actual year?

    82th Graduating Class ... This is one high number!

    Cheers,

    Nick

    P.S. How was your mini vocation? ;)

    The 7th graduating class could very easily be assigned a specific year--if we knew what academy issued the badge. Without that knowledge, we'd have to find the all the various pilot academies and see what years the 7th class was graduated in, and then one of those years would be correct.

    Posted

    Yep. Without info about school there could be no precise dating...

    As for the number of classes graduated during one year... No precise info here either.

    Thanks again,

    Nick

    Posted

    Another variation of type “silver wings” Badge (unknown period) (posts # 38, 39,40)

    This type has only star in gold gilt. Propeller and wings are in silver.

    Reverse in silver.

    Propeller has solid blades.

    • 2 months later...

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