Update 12/20/24: SEASON'S GREETINGS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS from FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES!!
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That DISCOUNT also applies to PayPal GIFT (Fee-Free), Check, and Money Order payments!!
Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs! Happy Holidays, Ron & Kana.
ARTIFACT:
This is an Extremely Rare, Early 1945 SAAF SALM South African Air Force # 40 Fighter Tac Recon Squadron Badge with a green wreath superimposed on the UK 8th Army
Shield. Inside the wreath is a cartoon cat, dripping saliva as if hungry,
holding what looks like an O.
40 Squadron SAAF existed as a combat unit from early 1940 through to late 1945. It served in the East African Campaign, Western Desert, Tunisia, and Italy, reaching Austria by the end of World War II. The squadron's motto in those years was Amethlo e Impi -"the eyes of the army".
40 Squadron was formed in May 1940 at Waterkloof Air Station, under the command of Major (later Major-General) Jimmy Durrant, as part of the South African Air Force's expansion early in World War II. It was an Army Co-Operation squadron equipped with Hartebeest aircraft (a South African variant of the Hawker Hart). The squadron deployed to Kenya in August 1940, and in September started operations in Italian East Africa supporting the South African 1st Division. This effort continued throughout the East African Campaign. Operations included Tactical reconnaissance, Armed Recce and Photo Recce using handheld cameras.
40 Squadron, SAAF, was first formed as an army co-operation squadron, but spent most of the Second World War serving as a tactical reconnaissance unit.
VINTAGE:
World War II, 1942 - 1943.
SIZE:
Approximately: 1-1/8" in height x 7/8" in width.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Enameled brass with gold plating.
ATTACHMENT:
Vertical safety-style pin with circular saddle.
MARKINGS:
N/A.
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a foreign Militaria collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MDEM07 LGGEX09/16/24 SGJJX09/24
CONDITION:
9- (Excellent+): The badge shows little to minor wear, and all the enamel remains intact, overall, it is in excellent condition.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
