WW2 era Scarce Auxiliary Air Force ( AAF ) unmarked silver official issue lapel badge - Society Pilots, Barrage Balloon Squadrons, Anti-aircraft Balloon Defences

The Auxiliary Air Force owes its origin to Lord Trenchard's vision of an elite corps of civilians who would serve their country in flying squadrons in their spare time. Instituted by Order in Council on 9 October 1924, the first Auxiliary Air Force squadrons were formed the following year. The pilots of AAF squadrons were generally formed from the society's elite, who in contrast to those of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) which had been trained in the RAF and left but were obliged to return to service if required. During the war, the AAF also provided manpower for Barrage Balloon Squadrons and Anti-aircraft Balloon Defences. Their achievements were honoured by the prefix "Royal" conferred by King George VI in 1947.

This is a scarce unmarked silver badge, the reverse with a low official Air Ministry issue number "4239". In very good condition, retaining original horseshoe buttonhole fitting and original grease proof paper packet. Lapel circa 24mm tall.

Code: 61969Price: 35.00 GBP

WW1 French Air Force Patriotic Sweetheart Brooch Pin Badge / Unofficial French Allied Air Forces Breast Badge

A lovely and scarce large size heavy gold plated (unmarked) badge. The eagle has a lovely lustre and is quite three-dimensional. Made in two pieces and of hollow construction, with suspension hook to centre which slightly obscures the maker's mark contained in an oval the letters 'FIX' (Bijou Fix Company). Very good condition, with original c clasp and pin fittings. The suspension hook on this example was either for a pendant or most likely an attachment point for a small ladies watch chain. An excellent example. 5 grams in weight an circa 6.7cm wide.

Possibly the most recognisable of all unofficial WWI Pilot Wings and used on the front cover of the excellent book "French Aeronautical Branch Badges up to 1918" by Philippe Bartlett. This style of FIX pattern Pilot wing was worn on left breast by French aviators post 1916 and also some other allied pilots, and also as a cap badge prior to 1916. As evidence of its use, see the photo of an aviator wearing this FIX pattern eagle on his breast tunic (photo not included). It is of Kiffin Rockwell, a volunteer American pilot who served in WW1 the American La Fayette Escadrille (Squadron).

Prior to the advent of the official wreathed French Pilot Wings the Airmen of France had started purchasing the 'Bijou Fix' & 'Oria' brooches in Paris. They were worn on, or above the pocket of their Tunics. As there was no official uniform of the time, put very simply, this would then differentiate the Airmen from the Soldiers of the period.

Auguste Savard registered the trademark "FIX" after he took over his father's company in 1893, in order to protect the integrity of his work and identify his products as a high quality range of affordable jewelry.

D80

Code: 61859Price: 145.00 GBP

Royal Air Force RAF Embroidered Cloth Desert Patch 27 Squadron - Chinooks - Afghanistan

Circa 2003, in unissued condition. Elephant embroidered on light fawn backing.

From January 1998 the Squadron was equipped with Chinook Helicopters only. In 2002 the Squadron saw service in Afghanistan as they transported Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade for Operation Jacana and carried out transport missions during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and for Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. In July 2006, 3 Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon and flew the EU foreign affairs representative Javier Solana to Beirut for talks.

Code: 61818Price: 10.00 GBP

WW2 Royal Air Force Newfoundland Nationality Embroidered Cloth Shoulder Title Arm Badge

An original light blue thread Newfoundland and eagle facing right on a dark blue Melton cloth, with no damage or moth. Scarce.

C11.2

Code: 61812Price:

AIR VICE-MARSHAL BIRDIE BIRD-WILSON Attributed Medal Ribbons, Photo, Letter and signed postcard - Battle of Britain and one of the first McIndoe Guinea Pigs

An amazing attributed collection of items comprising a personal letter from Air Vice-Marshal Birdie Bird-Wilson, on BAe headed paper (2 pages of A4) which originally enclosed his medal ribbons and RAF ( QEII ) pilot wings with a photo (modelling his 'new' nose!), all available here. There is also a Battle of Britain memorial postcard with his autograph. Most (including me) could never afford his medals but what a great alternative! The letter includes some reminiscences about other pilots who flew with him in the Battle of Britain in Hurricanes when he was with 17 squadron. The photo has a few press marks in it from the medal ribbons studs, which probably happened when they were posted initially. They were certainly not put there by me. Still with the exception of small issue, this is an amazing collection of medal ribbons with clasps. According to his obituary he was entitled to:

DFC in 1940, a Bar to it in 1943, a DSO in 1945, an AFC in 1946 and Bar to it 1955. He was appointed CBE in 1952, and was also awarded a Dutch DFC and a Czechoslovak Medal of Merit.

From looking at his medals he was also MID and he has the 1939-45 Star ribbon with clasp - for the Battle of Britain!

See the following URL for his amazing career as summarised in his Daily Telegraph obituary notice dated 29th December 2000:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1379657/Air-Vice-Marshal-Birdie-Bird-Wilson.html

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Code: 61810Price:

WW2 Royal Air Force (RAF) Wings Silver and Enamel Sweetheart Brooch Pin Badge

A superior quality and attractive item with original pin and evidence of a mounting for a safety chain. One leaf of enamel on left of wreath is weaker than the others in colour, suggesting a slight firing fault, but other than that this is a lovely solid and reasonably large se of wings at circa 6cm across.

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Code: 61809Price: 25.00 GBP

WW2 Royal Air Force (RAF) 43 Fighter Squadron Enamel and Brass Lapel Badge Sweetheart Brooch - The Fighting Cocks

A small and attractive enamel badge with original pin fittings and with no damage to the enamel. Circa 3.2cm tall. No maker marks. King's crown.

43 Squadron were equipped with Hurricanes and covered the withdrawal of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk and were then heavily involved in the Battle of Britain. They later moved to North Africa in 1942 and were re-equipped with Spitfires.

D86

Code: 61808Price: 48.00 GBP

WW2 19 (XIX) Fighter Battle of Britain Squadron Royal Air Force ( RAF ) Brass and Enamel Sweetheart / Pin Badge Lapel Brooch - Miller

A small pattern badge of circa 1940s vintage at circa 3.3cm tall with original and functional pin fixings and clasp. Maker marked H.W. Miller Birm 18. Some light staining to reverse and touch of verdigris to lettering on bottom scroll. Enamel in good condition and intact.

The Squadron was equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire on 4 August 1938 and stationed in the UK at the outbreak of the Second World War. It was part of No. 12 Group RAF, RAF Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain. 19 Squadron formed part of the Duxford Wing, 12 Group's 'Big Wing' formation. Later versions of Spitfires were flown until the arrival of Mustangs for close-support duties in early 1944. After D-Day, No. 19 briefly went across the English Channel before starting long-range escort duties from RAF Peterhead for Coastal Command off the coast of Norway.

Comm FB

Code: 61807Price: 38.00 GBP

WW2 Royal Air Force ( RAF ) Warrant Officer Cloth Rank Badge, Kings Crown

Removed from uniform, in very good condition, hessian backing. As worn on the blue uniform.

Worn on both sleeves with the centre of the badge 6.5 inches for the bottom of the sleeve. See also item 56908 for another example.

Tanner p247 refers.

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Code: 61699Price: 12.00 GBP

WW2 Royal Air Force ( RAF ) Printed Light Blue on Dark Blue Cloth Eagle Arm Badge

Removed from uniform, in very good condition. This is a WW2 printed example.

First introduced in 1918, for other ranks of the RAF, it was worn in red on khaki on the khaki uniform and in light blue on dark blue on the blue uniform and worn on both sleeves of the tunic and greatcoat immediately below the shoulder seam, in facing pairs, with the eagle's head facing to the rear of the wearer.

Tanner p267

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Code: 61698Price: 10.00 GBP