1930's - Early WWII 10K Gold Fleetwings Aircraft Corporation 5 Year Service Pin

ARTIFACT: 1930’s – early WWII 10K gold Fleetwings Aircraft Corporation 5 year service pin. Fleetwings existed until the 1960’s after being established in 1926. In 1929, the company was reorganized and moved to New York and began researching and developing stainless-steel aircraft structures and components for other manufacturers of aircraft including the Ireland "Privateer" and Grover Loening Aircraft Co. In 1943, it became Kaiser-Fleetwings and entered its XBTK-1 model aircraft in a United States Navy attack aircraft competition, with five aircraft being flown. Kaiser-Fleetwings did not win, the contract went to the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider and the Martin AM Mauler. In the early 1960’s just prior to closing, the company manufactured the launch canister for the Echo 1 balloon satellite. The 10K gold pin is shaped like a spread winged eagle facing the viewer’s left and reads: “FLEETWINGS” across its chest and just below features a black enameled triangle that shows the number “5”.

VINTAGE: Circa 1930’s – early WWII

SIZE: Approximately 7/8” x 3/8”

CONSTRUCTION/MATERIALS: 10K gold and enamel

ATTACHMENT: Single screw post with disc backing.

MARKINGS: “LGB 10K”

ITEM NOTES: This is from an aircraft manufacturer collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VBEX15 LAAEX6/15 SAAEX5/17

CONDITION: 8 (Excellent-): The pin shows minor to moderate wear, nearly all the gilt brass and enamel details remain.

GUARANTEE: As with all my items, this piece is guaranteed original.