Chris S Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 This is a cased Pilots Wing issued to an Airforce with approx 150 pilots...made of silver by Roman Tavast who eventually died at the ands of the Soviets.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 11, 2006 Author Share Posted June 11, 2006 Closer of the front... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 11, 2006 Author Share Posted June 11, 2006 The back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Moore Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Hello Chris,A beautiful and very rare badge. Do you have any close-up photos of the shield (is it a seprate piece?) and the sword where the eagle?s claw is? Actually, this is such a rare badge that any close-up photos would be great. I have been attempting to educate myself on these, but there is so little information out there.Regards,Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 Hello Chris,A beautiful and very rare badge. Do you have any close-up photos of the shield (is it a seprate piece?) and the sword where the eagle?s claw is? Actually, this is such a rare badge that any close-up photos would be great. I have been attempting to educate myself on these, but there is so little information out there.Regards,LeeHi LeeYes, this is a very hard to find badge and possible amongst the rarest of pilots badges as the Airforce only had 150 pilots...very lucky to find it in its case as well.The shield is separate to the badge with the claws part of the shield.RegardsChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 The Shield Front which displays the colours of the Estonian Flag.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 A closer one of the front...Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 The back...made of silver but not hallmarked.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Moore Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Hello ChrisThanks for the additional photos. As you said, not only a very rare badge, but with its case too. How and where did you find this?Regards,Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 Hello ChrisThanks for the additional photos. As you said, not only a very rare badge, but with its case too. How and where did you find this?Regards,LeeI was actually looking for Soviet items but as soon as I saw this Pilots badge I new I had to have it...It was in a Antique shop in the old part of town in Tallinn, Estonia.Never see one before or since altho the modern pilots badge is similar it is no were near as detailed and not made of silver.RegardsChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 I was actually looking for Soviet items but as soon as I saw this Pilots badge I new I had to have it...It was in a Antique shop in the old part of town in Tallinn, Estonia.Never see one before or since altho the modern pilots badge is similar it is no were near as detailed and not made of silver.RegardsChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 Hi LeeJust for you another one, which may appear to be a Pilots badge due to is "winged" nature but the Estonian's love their State Eagle and birds of preyThis is a Defence League (like national Guard) good service badge...pre WW2, for the Sakula (region in Estonia)RegardsChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 The back....what makes these badges even harder to find is that during the Soviet Occupation if you were found with these badges it could lead to serious consequences, as I mention Roman Tavast dies in a Soviet Concentration camp.....he was famous for his badge making.This badge is made of German Silver.I have a few other Estonian badges which are post WW2...like an Eagles Cross 3rd class with documant would you like to see these also?Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Murphy Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 I do not collect this period or country, but I have to say that pilots badge is stunning. When I saw it, the quality just took my breath away. Congratulations on a great find. Dan Murphy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Moore Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 I have a few other Estonian badges which are post WW2...like an Eagles Cross 3rd class with documant would you like to see these also?ChrisIt is interesting with the different shield and sword. Yes, I would like to see your others badges as wellRegards,Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 18, 2006 Author Share Posted June 18, 2006 Hi LeeThis is an order of the Eagles Cross, it comes in 8 degrees, this one is the 3rd Class. It was instituted on the 28th February 1928.This Cross was the first 3rd Class awarded in its new Independence from the Soviets.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 18, 2006 Author Share Posted June 18, 2006 A bit closer of the Eagle.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 18, 2006 Author Share Posted June 18, 2006 Complete with box.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Moore Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 A beautiful award. What are they awarded for? Is the new (post communist independence) pilot badge similar to the WWII type? Do you have any photos of the current pilot badge?Regards,Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted June 22, 2006 Author Share Posted June 22, 2006 (edited) A beautiful award. What are they awarded for? Is the new (post communist independence) pilot badge similar to the WWII type? Do you have any photos of the current pilot badge?Regards,LeeCheck this site out...? 6. Order of the Cross of the EagleThe Order of the Cross of the Eagle was instituted in 1928 by the National Defence League to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Estonian independence. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is bestowed in order to give recognition for military services and services in the field of national defence.http://www.riigikantselei.ee/?id=684There is a display of badges where I work, it has a pilots badge which is the same design I will take a fot next week, but it is very inferior to the pre and war2 exampleChris Edited June 22, 2006 by Chris S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted July 1, 2006 Author Share Posted July 1, 2006 Hi GuysNot to sure if this is the best place to put this badge, but it is linked being Latvian and part of the Baltic States.This again is a very, very rare badge.A Latvian Airforce Regiment badge circa 1930. You will be interested to note that the Latvian Airforce has a Swastika, this is nothing to do with the Nazi's.Latvia adopted this symbol in 1919 for its airforce and called it the "Ugunskusts" which means "Fire cross".Chris[attachmentid=45648] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted July 1, 2006 Author Share Posted July 1, 2006 The back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted July 1, 2006 Author Share Posted July 1, 2006 A close up of the beak area... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted July 1, 2006 Author Share Posted July 1, 2006 A Close up of the right wing...the hanging device is very delicate, amazed how it survived all these years and repression.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted July 1, 2006 Author Share Posted July 1, 2006 Screwpost set up...Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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