Rare '60s Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. (UK) Caterpillar Club-Type Lapel Wing Given to Nam Vet

This is a cool Martin-Baker Aircraft Company (MBA) lapel wing given to personnel who ejected from an aircraft using a Martin-Baker ejection seat: in other words, it is like a Caterpillar pin. My educated guess is that although date-stamped for 1963, it was issued during the Vietnam War, and was probably awarded to a Vietnam era USAF/USN/USMC pilot (although the recipient was not necessarily American). Keep in mind, any ejection qualifies for award, even non-combat. Although Martin-Baker was supplying seats in 1963, I believe the wing was awarded later than this for two reasons: there are still aircraft with these seats in the USAF and in other national air forces flying inventories (two that come to mind are QF-4 and T-38, flown by USAF). Martin-Baker made the seats for a lot of jets, including the US F-4 and A-As an aside, there are some interesting stories to read on the Martin Baker Tie Club site (martin-baker.com). This pin with MBA in script at its center is now obsolete, and has been replaced with a new design. It has a British "F&S" maker mark on reverse.

Circa 1963.

Approximately 9/16" in height and 1-1/2" in width.

Sterling silver, enamel.

Horizontal British kick (Y) pin with come-under locking swivel catch.

Three British stamps (one is a 1963 date stamp) and F&S.

This is from an aviation company collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VCJX11 LBIEX8/13 SBIE9/13

8- (Very Fine-Excellent): The wing shows little wear and minor tarnish.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.