Aluminum Pilot Light as a Feather

[Brian S]

I never thought I'd luck into a 100% aluminum pilot badge. But sometimes when you're not looking, there it is...

[Brian S]

These were horribly fragile. I would guess the overwhelming majority of these went straight into the trash after the eagles popped off. Not a metal for making multi-parted badges...

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Brian,

Sorry about the Doris Day thing. Beautiful Pilot Badges. I especially like that double marked one, having the Assmann logo on the wreath. Simply outstanding!
Best regards! Tom yanacek

[Brian S]

The eagle is not marked. That's OK I'll drop a DD tune title on you and then YOU'LL have the tune searing your brain

[Frank Heukemes]

Don´t want to be a pain again, but are you sure Brian that it is an aluminum WREATH? I am missing the DRGM mark and the crimped in catch typical for those aluminium Assmann wreathes.

[Brian S]

Yes, I wondered if you'd recognize it. I now have it in hand and both pieces are aluminum. Maybe DRGM until patent was awarded? After awarded no longer stamped??? Is the DRGM wreath the same as this one? This one is the exact same as my Tombak 'A' pilot beside it above.

And, Frank, you are NEVER a pain. Ask away.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello Brian,

Is that just bubbling then to the eagle on the aliminum one? Thought I could almost see an 'A&S' marking there. Maybe I just stared at it too long, and imagination was taking over.
Best regards! Tom Yanacek

[Brian S]

I know how that goes Tom, I appreciate you taking such a good look. Here's a closer shot of it.

[Tom Yanacek]

Great badge!

[Brian S]

Frank, I know the ones we've seen have had catches on plates. These are so incredibly fragile.

Maybe the plates came later for added strength?

[Neil Howes]

HI Brian,

Saw the ali, but it had already sold!

Bubbling on the back of the eagle is ok as I have seen this on other ali's, especially Juncker's.

The A & DRGM marked wreaths are on 1st pattern Assmann's Pilot's, P/O's, Ob's & WO/AG & Para's. Presumeably because they were early production pieces. But why the WO & para do not have thin wreaths I can't explain!

As this was a 2nd patt & a totally different design, I assume they dropped the DRGM??

Nice buy,

Regards,

Neil

[J Temple-West]

Hi Brian, Nice example... As Neil so rightly says, this is a second pat pilots.. It would seem that 'Assmann' continued to use Alu in the production of the 1st run of the 2nd pat series, incorporating the normal hinge and heavier rivets setup, perhaps, in an attempt to make the badge a little more sturdy for use in battle conditions..

As far as 1st pat WO/AG's and Para's are concerned, they were produced with thin wreaths and DRGM marked, Just bloody hard to find.. I'm awaiting the arrival of a 1st pattern WO/AG in alu, with repairs of course, but still a nice piece..Will post as soon as it arrives..

Posted, is an example of an AG, in Alu which is presently up for sale.. It comes in a later case and has a repair to the catch.. The asking price is just a little to rich for my blood...

[Brian S]

I would imagine this 2nd pattern did not last long. I'm assuming they are all hard to find as they were so fragile. Really, most must have gone into the trash after breakage.

[Rich G]

Brian,


What does this one weigh in at? My 1st pattern is 10.1g

Rich

[J Temple-West]

You're right, Brian, must have been a very short time, although I suspect that the recipients must have just as proud of their Alu badges as those with bunt' or Zinc as I've seen some mighty strange repairs on these Alu' examples, showing that they had lasted up until the Wars end.. Perhaps the strangest was a home embroidered wreath, lovingly done by a girlfriend or wife, on a piece of material with the Alu eagle attached, by no means regulation but who worried about Reg's when you were on your 400th mission..