1-11-C-M-3......WWII USAAF SPECIALISTS' CUFF INSIGNIA-ARMAMENT SPECIALIST........One of 5 different triangular patches worn by NCO designating the specialist's technical field of expertise..authorized 25 Jan. 1943.....this one here is a bomb- signifying Armament Specialist- the guy that was handling the bombs and ammunition for front line aircraft such as the B-17 and the P-51.....patch was worn low on the sleeve, near the cuff, although some information shows these patches were also worn on fatigues above the left breast pocket......measures 2.5" across, made of fabric and it is original..........I have a small number of these patches in new old stock condition, and they pass the UV light test for originality, and are in excellent condition...(patch is not sewn on any material, this is backgound in photo)....original..$12 each

 

*****How do we know these are real? I always ask this question when looking to purchase items such as these.....there are a few ways to tell- the best known way is to check the thread to see if it shows up under black-light "UV"- if it does- it is most likely fake!- thread produced in WWII was not the modern synthetic type bleach/dye of modern times, and does not 'glow'. Also, if you look at the edges of the stitching, you will notice a different, smooth contour of old patches compared to the modern over-sewn edging of modern.****

2-30-C-M-3............SENIOR BALLOON PILOT WINGS ........Original cloth sewn USAAF wings sewn on dark Olive Drab cloth.....this style was commissioned Nov. 11, 1941 for balloon pilots with a specified number of hours in the air plus years of service ......... measure 3" across ........originals in new old stock condition, I have a few......rare find.....$20 each

 

3-30-C-M-3........REPRO AMICO GUNNER WINGS, BUILT TO ORIGINAL SPECS...... Super close to original design, these 2" USAAF Gunner wings were produced by a collector fed up with cheap 'truck-stop' copies......reverse is marked correctly 'Amico Sterling', Gemsco N.Y.'........just have a few of these avialable, indistinguishable from originals..these aren't the cheapies you see most places passing off...about 1/3 ounce silver..limited quantity....$40 each

4-28-C-M-3...CURTISS-WRIGHT PRODUCTION AWARD, 1942...Heavy three inch diameter copper medallion depicting Curtiss P-40 & C-46 flying above Army-Navy "E" flag with border reading, " CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION AIRPLANE DIVISION BUFFALO N.Y. PLANTS ONE & TWO"...reverse has legend "PRESENTED IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE EARNING OF THIS PRODUCTION AWARD" with Curtiss Wright winged logo & date of Aug. 20 1942...a valuable, original wartime factory award medallion for...$85

5-14-C-M-3......WRIGHT R-2600 VALVE COVER...I found a couple more.....FROM THE mighty Curtiss Wright R-2600 'Cyclone 14' that powered the famous B-25 twin engine bomber and Grumman Avenger USN Torpedo plane.....cover measures 7" length and has part numbers on inside of casting...two of these coveres were used on each of the 14 cylinders....used, good condition.....I only have a few of these.....$25 each

6-13-C-M-3.............BOEING MFG B-17 DATA PLATE REPRO...Heavy 2.5"x4" oval aluminum plate with black & silver Boeing "totem pole" factory logo and unfilled specs for ships serial # & mfg. date etc...this has never been filled out & used...it is an exact duplicate (repro) made from original by some Flying Fort buff for display...this is for early an model B-17 ......$58

8-14-C-M-3.......LOCKHEED/ BOEING B-17 MFG. DATA PLATE REPRO..........At the outbreak of WWII, successful heavy bomber desings were few and far between......Boeing couldn't churn out the "Forts" fast enough, so numerous other aircraft companies built the planes under contract......Lockheed built about 2700 planes throughout the war under license to Boeing...this is an exact replica of the data plate that was affixed to each made from the factory drawings...size approx 2.5" by 4"..........$58

9-11-C-M-3......WWII USAAF SPECIALISTS' CUFF INSIGNIA-WEATHER SPECIALIST........One of 5 different triangular patches worn by NCO designating the specialist's technical field of expertise..authorized 25 Jan. 1943.....this one here is a WIND ARROW- signifying Weather Specialist- the guy that had to wake up at 2 AM to 'sling the humidity' and check the visibility- a very important job, as this information helped determine if a mission would fly that day, or if it was scrubbed......patch was worn low on the sleeve, near the cuff, although some information shows these patches were also worn on fatigues above the left breast pocket......measures 2.5" across, made of fabric and it is original......quite obscure, the Specialist's Patches are interesting because they are not often recognized or collected...have a .....(patch is not sewn on any material, this is backgound in photo)...have a few available in new old stock condition.....$11 each

*****How do we know these are real? I always ask this question when looking to purchase items such as these.....there are a few ways to tell- the best known way is to check the thread to see if it shows up under black-light "UV"- if it does- it is most likely fake!- thread produced in WWII was not the modern synthetic type bleach/dye of modern times, and does not 'glow'. Also, if you look at the edges of the stitching, you will notice a different, smooth contour of old patches compared to the modern over-sewn edging of modern.****

1941-1946 MILITARY AVIATION Page 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 -- 5 -- 6 -- 7 -- 8 -- 9 -- 10 -- 11 -- 12 -- Home -- Order