Caterpillar Club Badge

[Tim Hart]

I have a Caterpillar Club Badge named to a Pilot Officer, which is supported by half a dozen extracts from Squadron records. Anybody got a view to likely value?

Many thanks

[Paul V]

Us

Sounds great!

Pics and such would help!

PVON

[Gary B]

Dear Tim,

Value might also be affected by whether or not this was a Switlick or Irwin badge.

Gary B

[Tim Hart]

Paul and Gary

Thanks for your responses, I will try and get round to posting a couple of pics. The badge is gold with ruby eyes but no makers mark. On the reverse is engraved P/O AJB Childs who was a Rear Gunner on Halifaxes of 428 RCAF Squadron. The squadron records that I have evidence he flew at leat 8 operation between January and June 1944. Recent sales by Dix Noonan & Webb with modest provenance suggest a value of between £350 & £400.

Best regards.

[Gary B]

Dear Tim,

From your description it appears that you have an Irvin pin. It should be a "top view" of the catepillar for the Irvin one (I believe 2 eyes should be showing and there should be little antennas/legs showing). Switlick ones are side views in black enamel.

Gary B

[Tim Hart]

Catepillar Badge

Hi Gary

My badge would certainly appear to be an Irvin pin being of the "top view" type as you describe.

Many thanks for your consideration and best regards.

Tim

Dear Tim,

From your description it appears that you have an Irvin pin. It should be a "top view" of the catepillar for the Irvin one (I believe 2 eyes should be showing and there should be little antennas/legs showing). Switlick ones are side views in black enamel.

Gary B

[RPN]

Hi Tim

Here's my caterpillar ... came from the recipient attached to his Air Crew Europe Star ... a RAAF air gunner with 102 squadron - Halifax ... POW for 3 plus years.

Regards
Paul

[RPN]

Here's the naming:

[RPN]

The medal group ...

[chippler]

The medal group ...

it's good to see they're still in Australia

- Chris

[RPN]

Hi Chris ...

Here's the whole group from this man ... including his POW dog tag

Regards

Paul

[chippler]

that is a really nice grouping, Paul! You are a lucky man.

- Chris

[Tim Hart]

Caterpillar Badge

Paul and Chris

Thanks for your posts. My badge is identical to the one you have posted Chris, with similar styled engraving on the reverse. Nice grouping particularly with the POW dog tags!

Best regards.

Tim

[Gary B]

Hey guys,

Attached is a picture of my Switlick Caterpillar. Included in the picture is the card that my father carried around with him after the war. The full size document which accompanied the pin is the same as the mini certificate.

As an aside my father told me that he had heard that there were different colored eyes for the Irving pins. Blue eyes was for bailing out over water and red was for the plane being on fire. He had never seen these pins but had heard of them. Not sure if this is true but thought it was interesting.

I intend to write an article on the Switlick Caterpillar club since I have all of the original Switlick newsletters which covers the history of the club.

Gary B

[Gary B]

Reverse