Original U.S. WWII Army Air Force USAAF Set of 3 Maker-Marked Aviator Pilot, Navigator, and Bombardier Wings by American Emblem Co. & Amcraft - Sterling Silver

Original Items: Only One Lot Available. This is a wonderful set of three genuine WWII sterling silver aviator wings for a Pilot, Navigator, and Bombardier. There were a multitude of different manufactures of the various flight badges, and many did not mark the badges made, but all three sets here are marked!

Nothing symbolizes a flying person more than his or her pair of wings, whether the wing be constructed from cloth, plastic or metal. A wing identifies a person as an individual trained in airmanship to a specific level of expertise, and is usually awarded to the trainee pilot on successful completion of their exams and first solo flight.

Most individuals awarded a pair of wings cherish them as they represent an accomplishment or milestone in the person's life. It's this human involvement and sense of accomplishment, encapsulating: adventure, excitement and romance that creates a portal into the golden years of aviation, that sparks an interest to collect aviation wings.

Aviator wings are symbolic of a specific job performed by an individual; the style of wing indicating which job. The US Army Airforce (USAAF or AAF) during the Second World War required wings to be produced for several standard aircrew functions: pilot, engineer, air gunner, navigator, bombardier and observer. Sub variants of these wings were also produced to be issued to: glider pilots, balloon pilots, liaison pilots, technical observers, flight nurses and flight surgeons.

This set is comprised of the following wings:

- Pilot Wings - During World War II, with the rise of the Army Air Forces, a second series of aviator badges were issued to include a design that has survived to the modern day. The Pilot Badge was issued in three degrees, including Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Command Pilot. A polished silver colored version of these badges is currently used as the United States Air Force Pilot Badges. This example is for a Pilot and is offered in wonderful condition with a functional pin arm and locking catch. It is marked AMCRAFT / ATTLEBORO / MASS / STERLING.

- Navigator Wings - Navigator wings were awarded upon completion of the aerial navigation course. The device in the center of the wing is an ancient astronomical instrument called an armillary sphere. The wing designation was established 4 September 1942. These wings are marked STERLING / A.E. CO / UTICA / NY for manufacture by American Emblem Co.

- Bombardier Wings - The Bombardier Badge was a military badge of the United States military which was issued between the years of 1918 and 1949. The decoration was intended to recognize the military training and qualification required by those servicemen who were bombardiers on board military aircraft. These wings are marked STERLING / A.E. CO / UTICA NY for manufacture by American Emblem Co.

All three badges are in wonderful condition, each with a functional pin back. They come ready for display.