Update 08/05/25: Welcome to FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES!!
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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 TUESDAY 08/05 until MONDAY 08/18/25, Returning to the Office on TUESDAY 08/19/25!!
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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 Summer, Ron & Kanae.
ARTIFACT:
Extremely rare circa 1959 1st Issue Air America Crew Half Wing FULL SIZE (NOT the usually encountered Shirt Size) in sterling silver. The center of the wing reads: "AIR AMERICA" in the center of a winged shield. Air America was a 'dummy corporation', a covert airline controlled by the US Government and the CIA posing as a civilian passenger and cargo airline. After WWII, CAT a subsidiary of Airdale acquired nearly half of the Civil Air Transport (CAT) an airline started by General Chenault in China, 1946. During the Vietnam War, the airline was engaged in many assignments and was even wrapped up in drug smuggling allegations in Laos. Air America's authority was cancelled by the CAB (pre-FAA) in 1974. By and large, the military-owned airline was covertly used to skirt the restrictions brought forth by Geneva Accords in 1954 and 1962, posing as a civilian airline allowed access to otherwise restricted areas.
VINTAGE:
Circa 1959
SIZE:
Approximately 2" x 3/4"
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Sterling silver
ATTACHMENT:
Double posts with clutchbacks
MARKINGS:
"STERLING"; "PAT 2308412 2308424 2551196" on clutchbacks
ITEM NOTES:
This is from an airline collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VBBJX16 LABIEX6/16 SLAHIEX2/17
CONDITION:
9- (Excellent+): The wing shows minor to moderate wear, overall handsome patina.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
