WW2 Air Force brooch.. I think

[Badfrog]

Found this tonight and I was wondering if anybody might have some information on it. It seemed to be gold plated and it depicts a bomber of some sort. Could be a military brooch from a ww2 pilot...

 

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[DD-777]

Looks like an old troop transport...

 

[dex378]

Looks like a B 17 Flying Fortress. Is it flat?

 

[Montana Jim]

It most closely represents the B-17, but, is still very different.

But - I think it's a generic WW II brooch/pin that simply symbolizes a Bomber.

 

[warsawdaddy]

Are those bumps on the side turrets?Don't see a nose,bottom, or rear bubble.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

yep...whatever Jim says.....

 

[Shortstack]

That definitely IS a B-17 bomber. The first B-17s in service had NO tail guns or chin turrets and the vertical stabilizer was that more rounded shape with NO ventral spine in front of the vertical stab. It was discovered ,AFTER production began, that the rear of the fuselage was too weak and would break-off in rough weather or rough landings. So later models had the ventral spine piece and a redesigned vertical stab as well as tail guns. The chin turrets came in on the "F" models. Those first models, as represented by this pin, were modified in the field by cutting off the tailcone to where the gunner could go in feet first from the outside the plane and pull a single-barrelled 50 cal. mg in behind himself. A real hairy thing for a gunner to do. That first model run didn't last long and were quickly modified, at the factory, with the changes I've described.

That first model had no top turrets or ball turrets, either. The B-17F and G models are the ones we're used to seeing in the old war news reels and in Hollywood movies like Twelve O'Clock High.

 

[Montana Jim]

That definitely IS a B-17 bomber. The first B-17s in service had NO tail guns or chin turrets and the vertical stabilizer was that more rounded shape with NO ventral spine in front of the vertical stab. It was discovered ,AFTER production began, that the rear of the fuselage was too weak and would break-off in rough weather or rough landings. So later models had the ventral spine piece and a redesigned vertical stab as well as tail guns. The chin turrets came in on the "F" models. Those first models, as represented by this pin, were modified in the field by cutting off the tailcone to where the gunner could go in feet first from the outside the plane and pull a single-barrelled 50 cal. mg in behind himself. A real hairy thing for a gunner to do. That first model run didn't last long and were quickly modified, at the factory, with the changes I've described.

Which must be why there are differences in the one's I saw...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is a company that sells gold plated B-17's but I dont see the stars on the wings.
http://www.aerospacejewelry.com/cgi...20-R-807-P.html?L+scstore+bpyf7771+1221528375

 

[Badfrog]

Cool, a b17. Thanks for the replies. HAd you ever seen this kind of brooch ?

Also, the picture actually show it flat on a sheet of paper. It's not an angle I tried to give to it.

T

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

another... http://www.semperfimac.net/B-17 FLYING FORTRESS GOLD PIN/8015/shop/cart.htm

 

[Shortstack]

Cool, a b17. Thanks for the replies. HAd you ever seen this kind of brooch ?

Also, the picture actually show it flat on a sheet of paper. It's not an angle I tried to give to it.

T

That's the way pins in aircraft shape are made. I retired from the USAF in 1988 and I have a similar pin of an E-3A/B like I flew on and it's cast in the same flat perspective.

As far as the stars on the wings of the pin, remember, it was the ARMY Air Force in WW2.

 

[Badfrog]

Looks a bit like this doesn't it ?

 

[Shortstack]

Looks a bit like this doesn't it ?

This drawing is of the second generation model with the redesigned vertical stab with ventrial fin; tail gunner position; top turret; and the waist gun positions were changed from blisters to simple open hatches.

 

[duggap]

I may be wrong but here goes. There are pins like that one that was worn on the ribbon of mens hats. They came popular when Stetson came out with the model called Stratoliner, which was one of the most popular hats sold by Stetson. They were popular in the late 40s and 50s.

 

[PBK]

This pin is illustrated in a group of WWII aircraft sweetheart pins on p. 153 of Antique Sweetheart Jewelry by Nicholas D. Snider.

 

[lonesomebob]

There were a few planes labeled B19 that pre dated the 17. I have only seen one in my lifetime. They .were Boeings prototype for the big bomber. Bob

 

[warsawdaddy]

Could it also be a B-24 Liberator?

 

[Badfrog]

Ok, after a bit more research, it's officialy a WWII US ARMY AIR FORCE B-17 SWEETHEART PIN. There is actually one made of silver for sale on ebay at this moment. Don't know why, but I can't seem to get the details of it (same for may WW2 related items actually).

Thanks for your help guys ! Now I'm still wondering what it was doing in the woods of Quebec...

T

PS": PBK, did it mention any value ?

 

[PBK]

PBK, did it mention any value ?

Several pins, all non-dug with bright, original finish, were shown together. The price range was $25-60. Three of the pins were quite a bit smaller, so those are probably $25. Another pin had a pendant suspended from it, and I'd guess that's the one worth up to $60.