Update 12/20/24: SEASON'S GREETINGS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS from FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES!!
WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH CREDIT CARD PURCHASES!! Using your PayPal accounts solves this issue fastest!
If you would like to PAY for a $100.00 or MORE Artifact with a CREDIT CARD, please email and I will get an invoice emailed to you as Soon as Possible!
We will be OUT OF THE OFFICE from FRIDAY 12/20 until SUNDAY 01/05/25, Returning to the Office on MONDAY 01/06/25!!
And, as always, we are HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR ORDERS during our time AWAY, and we will promptly mark any ordered Artifacts as SOLD.
We will be UNABLE TO SHIP as of 12/20, and REGULAR SHIPPING will resume on MONDAY, JANUARY 6th, 2025!
As always, if funding your order of $100.00 or more from a Bank that offers ZELLE, ASK ABOUT our ZELLE DISCOUNT!!
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 Circa 1935 United Air Line Captain's Mate Pilot Wing 1st Issue of William Blair Barnes.
Just in from the family, an exceedingly rare and historic wing. It is not known exactly when the MATE title was removed from the Co-Pilot wing, but the wing was in use roughly from 1931 to 1938, and this one was worn by William Barnes at least by 1937, if not earlier.
Barnes had his pilot license as a teenager in Barhamsville Virgnia, and used to fly around the town in his Wright Flyer during the 1920s. At some point after college he joined the US Air Service / US Air Corps in the Reserves, and then went on to fly for United Airlines, presumably by 1935.
By 1942 Barnes was working for the CAA Civil Aeronautics Administration. During WWII he ferried aircraft for the USAAF through the Greenland Route. And after the war he remained in the USAF Reserves retiring as a Colonel in 1969. He worked for the FAA after WWII until retiring around 1975 and he passed away in 1984.
VINTAGE:
Circa 1935.
SIZE:
Approximately: 1" in height x 3-1/2" in length.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Gold Fill with black enamel.
ATTACHMENT:
Horizontal pin with come-under locking catch.
MARKINGS:
UNITED AIR LINES
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a United Air Lines collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VAJBBX23 LDCGEX01/21/24 SDJJJX02/14/24
CONDITION:
8+ (Excellent): The wing shows minor wear only, and overall, beautiful patina.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
