WW2 British Airborne insignia

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Steve, thanks for showing your stuff.

Sorry but I am not keen on the British para wings. Maybe a closer look with confirm my suspicions? But I wear on exact same wing on my Denison for living history. They were commissioned by a friend of mine, Trevor Bate, who used to trade as "Airborne Militaria" (now retired) and made in India many years ago now. The backing material was from a worn out pair of BD trousers. They were not made to deceive and were sold for £3.50 at the time, retail. Many dealers, some of them well known and London based bought them and sold them as "real".

Cheers, Ade.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Hi Steve, thanks for showing your stuff.

Sorry but I am not keen on the British para wings. Maybe a closer look with confirm my suspicions? But I wear on exact same wing for living history. They were commissioned by a friend of mine, Trevor Bate who used to trade as "Airborne Militaria" (now retired) and made in India many years ago now. The backing material was from a worn out pair of BD trousers. They were not made to deceive and were sold for £3.50 at the time, retail. Many dealers, some
of them well known and London based bought them and sold them as "real".

Cheers, Ade.

Ah good! I'm glad someone agrees with me...just proves my brain isn't turning to mush quite yet!!..I told Steve about this earlier (before I posted images) on MSN messenger and he wasn't very happy because he said he got these from a chap he trusted and thought they were right. Don't worry anyway, it's happened to us all I also think this is the same type you're wearing on your Denison Smock in King & Country, Ade?

Thanks, from Jack.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Jack, it is never very nice to tell someone that an item it a repro. I have seen these wings sold as real so many times. I think you are right about them being on my smock in Harlan's book which has not helped matters either. We had no editorial control or a proof read...

Hi Steve, please demand a refund on these. Trevor never made them to see people being ripped off, but this is the trouble with any kind of copy once they fall into the wrong hands. I was at the old Nottm Arms Fair years ago and had someone come over to me to give a pair of these the "once over". He had just bought them for £35 from a London dealer, yet just 10 yards away Trevor had them on his stall for £3.50.

Cheers, Ade.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Hi Jack, it is never very nice to tell someone that an item it a repro. I have seen these wings sold as real so many times. I think you are right about them being on my smock in Harlan's book which has not helped matters either.

Hi Steve, please demand a refund on these. Trevor never made them to see people being ripped off, but this is the trouble with any kind of copy once they fall into the wrong hands. I was at the old Nottm Arms Fair years ago and had someone come over to me to give a pair of these the "once over". He had just bought them for £35 from a London dealer, yet just 10 yards away Trevor had them on his stall for £3.50.

Cheers, Ade.

Hello Ade,

That's right it's never nice to be told about the authenticity of something...but I think it is something any 'friend' should do if they suspect something might be fishy. When HG's book was first published in 1999, I remembered seeing those and not knowing much at the time I thought they were a really nice set. About 6 months later I saw a set identical to Steve's and bought them for £25 (from a well respected dealer. 6 years ago £25 was a lot of money for me and for a set of wings). It wasn't long before a few sets turned up and I started to become suspicious. Anyway, it was a good lesson

....it's a shame when these things get sold as 'genuine' when the original purpose of them was harmless.

Thanks, from Jack.

[DJT]

Wow, I can't believe someone sprang £1500 for a Gold GQ badge. It must have had an incredible history to warrant such a price. There was an original on ebay a while ago with the document card and the price was about $900? or around that region. I don't think it sold.

I have the 3 "normal" variations. Don't think I'll ever find a gold one to complete the group

[force136]

Wing Collection

Hi Guys

There are some nice wings here- however just a note- the bullion Canadian wings- all except the one on the light green background- are post war. The light green ones I have no clue- they could be wartime however this would be one of those - one offs- . The cloth wings are also post 1954.

Ken

last one...

[JEROEN1944]

This lovely set arrived in the mail today:

Hey Luc,

Would you trade them???
Looks very good..

Jeroen

[lnijherald]

Would you trade them???
Looks very good..
Jeroen

No way! They cost me an arm and a leg..

Luc

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

one I rescued from a Liverpool junk shop in 2001! It's dated 1943 and is Kangol made and very very battered but beautiful

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

never been removed!

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

more

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Nice pattern of swirls..

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Last one...inside

[Adrian Stevenson]

Can't fault that one Jack Mint is nice, but I do prefer used like that.

Cheers, Ade.

[lnijherald]

Yes that is a good beret.
Condition is what they would describe in French as "dans son jus".

Question, is there any logic in the ordnance inspection stamp? I mean, is a certain number valid for a specific period?
Cheers, Luc