Aluminum Junker Pilot’s Badge.

[Sebastian Bianchi]

At the request of Mike, here is another part of this group, a Junker aluminum Pilot’s badge. If you have only seen this thread, the group is here,

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30499

So there you go!

[Sebastian Bianchi]

Back

[Mike Kenny]

Hi Seba,

Many thanks for posting the images! That is a really nice first pattern badge, it even has the cutout! The wear adds real character. No surprise to see a busted catch either!

I'll post images of the second pattern Juncker I mentioned when my scanner is operational again. Interesting coincidence that both badges to FJ doctors are aluminium!

Regards
Mike K

[Lorenzo Brown]

Again, this is the first time I've seen one these badges shown here. Attached is my 1st pattern Juncker Pilot in Aluminum. Notice that both of ours have the brass pin assemblies. Also, note that mine has a plated catch, which I have always thought to be original, even though unique. Now I see on your example a large area around the catch which means that your catch may also have been "plated". Interesting!
http://lbmilitaria.homestead.com/fil...umjuncker2.jpg

[ERIC S.]

Thought here - you think maybe Juncker started to plate the catches on their aluminum badges as an alternative way of attaching the catch to the badge, or, in addition to the first adhesion method to make the catch stronger? Hmmm...... ? Must not have worked judging by Mikes' badge!
ERIC

[Lorenzo Brown]

Hi Eric. I suspect that when aluminum badges first came into play, it was a new element that the metalurgical engineers suspected that existing soldering compounds might not adhere to. Accordingly, it would make good sense to plate a buntmetal catch to an aluminum base. NO GUARANTEES of adherence....but it DOES MAKE SENSE! Later, they apparantly determined that a buntmetal catch could be soldered directly to an aluminum base ( perhaps they changed the solder alloy),but I don't think that THAT method was foolproof either. I have seen a number of missing "direct solder" catches on aluminum Heer para badges that didn't hold up.

[ERIC S.]

Hi Lorenzo,
I agree with you, it does make sense in theory. It seems funny that a flagship firm such as Juncker couldn't solve this catch adhesion problem, like copying and using Assmanns' recessed catch method they used on their aluminum badges, instead ultimately switching their wreaths metal composition to tombak / buntmetall. Do you think this catch problem could be a major reason for them to switch from aluminum to buntmetall in their badges or do you believe they were instructed to save the aluminum for the war effort? Speaking of Assmann aluminum badges, how do you think their catches hold up in comparison to Junckers'? The aluminum Assmann Pilot, P/O, and Air Gunner / Radio Operators badges posted by fellow members seem to retain their catches relatively well using their method.
ERIC

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Eric, I don't think it was a case of Juncker switching from Aluminium to another basemetal, probably more like Juncker giving up on Aluminium. I think Aluminium and nickel-silver (later tombak) Juncker badges were produced at similar times and certainly using the same dies. Regarding first pattern Junckers (J1s) I've only ever seen the earlier CEJ marking on nickel-silver examples. The only J1 aluminium examples I've seen have the later full Juncker marking. The J2s were produced in nickel-silver, most commonly in tombak and rarely in Alumimium (at least from what I've seen).

Regarding the catches, I know Mark M's Juncker PO does not have a catchplate, nor does his RadioOp badge - both of his excellent examples still have their catches too! Maybe Juncker experimented with catchplates on some of their Aluminium badges after response/complaints from wearers. Although the catch area has been heavily reworked on my J2 example, I don't think there was ever a catchplate present though. Also, maybe the reason Juncker didn't employ an Assmann catch crimping system was that Assmann had patented the method, incorporated by the DRGM found on their wreaths.

I guess some of the questions raised in this thread will remain in the realm of speculation, but that's half the fun! I have to say that my interest in acquiring an Aluminium example at all was fueled by earlier discussions on LW Aluminium badges

Regards
Mike K

PS: for Lorenzo, my J2 has a typical Juncker blunt-ended nickel-silver main pin.

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Some digicam pics of the J2 awarded to a FJ Oberarzt. Beaten up, screws for rivets and replaced catch but definitely original imo.

Regards
Mike K

Obverse;

[Mike Kenny]

Reverse;

PS: the images have been reduced in size and resolution so aren't as detailed as I'd have preferred.