Air-crew Badge

[Peter J.]

Greetings collectorfriends.

I became a member in this great forum a couple of weeks ago and
I´ve surfed it every evening. A lot of knowledge out there. Thank´s for sharing the information. I hope I´ll have some odds
and ends to contribute in the future.

Well, my first post will be a question. In Angolia´s "For Fuhrer
and Fatherland" vol. 1 the Aircrew Badge (Fliegerschaftabzeichen)
is described as follows: a horizontal oval wreath an eagle holding
a swastika, oakleaves on the right wreath and laurelleaves on
the left. Worn by DVL pilots and observers.

In 1935 it became official in the newly founded Luftwaffe. One
alternation was made on the wreath; the oak- and laurelleaves
changed position.

Is this a correct information? If so, can anyone post pictures of
the two different patterns.

Best regards
Peter

[Philippe DB]

Dear Peter,

Just read that part in Angolia's book you were refering to.

If I understand it correctly their is only one version of the early Aircrew badge (oakleaves on the left and laurel leaves on the right)

The Pilot badge that was instituted probably early in 1936 always had the leaves the other way arround. So I think there is only one pattern.

That's how I am understanding the explanation.

Correct me if I'm wrong

KR
Philippe

[Yuri D.]

Peter,

The "Aircrew" badge was actually the first Luftwaffe Pilot / Observer Badge. This badge was manufactured by CE Juncker and has the same "spirit" (style, materials, finish) as the J1 Juncker Pilot's Badge. EXTREMELY RARE BADGE. It is marked on the reverse of the eagle with "CEJ" in a rectangle. Also, the wreath was recessed where the eagle's wings came into contact with it. The only two individuals ever shown wearing this badge were Goering and Milch. I believe this badge was introduced in 1933 or 1934 and was discontinued in 1935 with the introduction of the more well-known Luftwaffe qualification badges. I do believe that an Association Member owns a cased example. I will not give out his name, but if he chooses to, he can present pictures of his badge for us on this forum.

Yuri

[François SAEZ]

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/war_...crew_badge.htm

[W. C. Stump]

A TRUE ORIGINAL

Here is a "Air Crew" badge once owned by my old friend and pioneer collector Robert McCarthy. It now belongs to the noted collector Pieter Verbruggen.

[Yuri D.]

I also have that photo, but are there any better photos of this badge?

Yuri

[martin]

Excellent

Wow...I didn't think anyone owned one of these badges.

I know this isn't your award but I am sure that your collection must be inspiring Bill. Do you have any particular favourites?

I am glad that they changed the design of the Aircrew badge though, the eagle looks like it needs a good feed.

[Peter J.]

air-crew badge

Wooohhh!

Great respons. And as for mr. Stump, beautiful picture.
It´s getting late and the bed is calling, but I´ll be back
tomorrow with some more thoughts. Thanks and good
night.

Regards

Peter

[W. C. Stump]

Originally posted by Yuri D.
I also have that photo, but are there any better photos of this badge?

Yuri

Here is another, but not better. This was taken from the Rocky Mountain Coin, Inc. Auction catalog of Nov. 13, 1999.

[ERIC S.]

PINS

Hi Bill,
Did these have the wide broad blade pin also as seen in some references or did they only carry the needle type pin? I see the 2 pictured examples here have the needle pin.
ERIC

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Eric,

From the few images I've seen of this rare badge, the round/needle pin is the norm.

Regards
Mike K

[W. C. Stump]

Re: PINS

Originally posted by ERIC S.
Hi Bill,
Did these have the wide broad blade pin also as seen in some references or did they only carry the needle type pin? I see the 2 pictured examples here have the needle pin.
ERIC

Original specimens of this badge are so scarce that it is hard to say for sure what is the norm. I have only seen the round needle pin. Dr. Klietmann had an example with the wide tapered pin. Also, the badge first came into use in 1933 and wasn't officially instituted until 1935. The earlier versions had the wreath composed with the left side with oak leaves and the right with laurel leaves. After it was instituted the leave patterN was reversed. Here is the Klietmann example with the wide pin.

[W. C. Stump]

GORING WEARING THE EARLY AIR CREW BADGE

Here is Herman Goring wearing the early Air Crew badge.

[Peter J.]

air crew badge

Greetings

Well, there seems to be various opinions regarding the facts of
this badge. Here are some of the references I´ve found:

D. Niemann: Junker-stile, marked, thin pin.
A. Forman: Same as above. Also Godet with broad pin.
A. Husken: Only in white-metal.

I also browsed through an english book ( Ailsbury I think) where
yet another variant was discribed as; aluminium with two holes
drilled on the reverse. A plate with the hook inserted in one and
a thin needle+attchment in the other one.

Normally I wouldn´t pay too much attention to this last statement
but a happen to have one similar to this description. I´ve no
illusions of this being a "good" one, but I´d like to share it with
you for comments. Unfortunatly I can´t post any pics since I´m
yet a association member, but I´ll gladly E-mail one to any of
you guys for access to forum.

E-mail: www.texasgbg@hotmail.com

Regards
Peter

[W. C. Stump]

AILSBY'S AIR CREW

HERE IS A SCAN OF CHRIS AILSBY'S AIR CREW BADGE.