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Happy Collecting, Ron & Kanae
ARTIFACT:
This is a rare and extremely historical circa 1932 Pan Am senior pilot (or 1st officer) wing engraved to PAA pioneer pilot R. O. D. (Robert Oliver Daniel) Sullivan on reverse. Sullivan joined the United States Navy in 1918, functioning as a flight instructor as well as a test pilot, and stayed on as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Navy Reserve even after joining the new Pan American Airways (PAA) in 1929. Sullivan served as 1st Officer on the Clipper that made the historic first trans-Pacific air mail flight in April 1935 (newspaper clipping and group photo above date from this period. Sullivan is third from left, kneeling). Sullivan served with Pan Am for eight years, achieving the rank of Captain. After piloting the first-ever trans-Atlantic Pan Am flight to experience an accident, a distressed Sullivan retired from aviation. Over half of the people on the flight did not survive the crash of the Yankee Clipper near Lisbon, Portugal, including celebrity Jane Froman. The wing is in 10 karat gold, and would have been the first "2nd issue" wing Sullivan was ever issued. It is accompanied by his 2nd issue Type I cap badge with the incredibly low issue number of 17 on the reverse! Sullivan is shown wearing this pair in the April 1935 group photo above. (Newspaper clipping credit: David-Monthan Aviation Field Register/www.dmairfield.com; group photo credit: www.west.net.)
VINTAGE:
Circa 1932.
SIZE:
Wing: approximately 7/8" in height and 2-3/16" in width; hat badge: 7/8" in diameter.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Wing: 10 karat gold, enamel; badge: enamel and probably 10K gold (large screwback probably obscures content mark).
ATTACHMENT:
Wing: horizontal pin with drop-in locking swivel catch, plated brass findings; hat badge: single screw post with disc backing, stabilization teeth.
MARKINGS:
Wing: R. O. D. SULLIVAN, 10K TOP; hat badge: 17.
ITEM NOTES:
This is from an airline collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VFJJX12 LDEJJX11/12 SDJJJX2/13
CONDITION:
8+ (Excellent): The wing and badge are both in wonderful condition.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
