Rare 1939 Dated Italian Air Force Pilot Wing as Issued to Bulgarian Pilot in Early WWII

ARTIFACT: This is a rare 1939-dated Italian Air Force pilot wing as issued to an unidentified Bulgarian pilot in the early part of World War II. Unfortunately, the Bulgarian pilot's name is not currently known, but it is being researched. Not all air forces had the facilities to train pilots and had to rely on larger countries such as this Bulgarian pilot training in Italy (please see photos above). This wing is listed on the web as a Bulgarian Pilot's Honorary Italian Wing for passing the first flight test. Under close scrutiny, there is no sign of the crown having been removed, so it is quite possible that it was manufactured crown-less. This could have been for an entire class of Bulgarian pilots training in Italy, the crown being removed as the Bulgarians in training would have no allegiance to the Italian Monarchy, which the crown represents. This crown-less wing also became the initial wing worn after the 1943 armistice by Fascist forces of the North (RSI: Repubblica Sociale Italiana) until a new wing was designed.

The pilot has scratched the date on which he passed his initial test at the Novaro Airport (7/10/39) on the reverse of the wing as a commemorative. The pilot is pictured at right along with a DO-17 he later flew in Bulgaria.

Pilot's Biographical Notes:
1st flight - Bozhurishte Airport Bulgaria - 17.XI.1938
1st Observer Test completed - Vrazhdebna Airport Bulgaria - 14.VI.1939
1st Pilot Test completed - Komeri - Novaro Airport Italy - 6.X.1939
2nd Pilot Test completed - Vrazhdebna Airport Bulgaria - 22.II.1940
"A" Blind piloting:
Passing with heavy airplanes - Telish Airport Bulgaria - 27.IX.1941
"B" Blind piloting - Plovdiv Airport Bulgaria - 25.VIII.1944
My last flight - Bozhurishte Airport Bulgaria - 21.XI.1947
I have flown 22 types of Airplanes, with a total of 1000 flight hours, with average speed of 250 km per hour = 250000 km.
My first single / solo flight was at the Komeri Airport Italy at 21.XI.1939 09:30 hrs
Photos shown are not included in the sale, and are courtesy of the Rathbone Museum website (http://www.rathbonemuseum.com). Our translations and information are also from the Rathbone site.

VINTAGE: Circa 1939 (early World War II).

SIZE: Approximately 9/16" in height and 2-7/8" in width.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Gilt brass.

ATTACHMENT: Horizontal plunger-style pin.

MARKINGS: 7/10/1939 XVIII.

ITEM NOTES: This is from an Italian militaria collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VAEJX16 LIGEX10/16

CONDITION: 7+ (Very Fine+): The wing has some light wear and tarnish.