Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 78A:
Description
Rare original, full-sized enameled AVG pin made by Whitehead and Hoag. This item is a World War II era enamel pin featuring the insignia of the American Volunteer Group, also known as the Flying Tigers. The design consists of a leaping, winged tiger superimposed over a blue enamel V for Victory. The tiger motif, originally created by Walt Disney Studios for the unit, is executed in black, yellow, and light blue enamel with a red eye. The background of the central V-shape features a textured, stippled gold-tone metal finish. The construction is of gold-tone base metal with hard enamel fill. The reverse side includes a horizontal pin back with a rotating safety catch. This scarce World War II?era badge is associated with the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers, and was manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag. The AVG was a small unit of just over 300 members that served in China for a short but significant period from late 1941 into mid-1942 before being incorporated into the U.S. Army Air Forces? China Air Task Force, eventually forming part of the 23rd Fighter Group. The design features a winged tiger in flight set against a blue V, making it a striking and desirable piece for collectors of WWII aviation memorabilia. The badge measures approximately 1-1/4 inches tall by 1-15/16 inches wide, is made of gilt brass with enamel, and retains its original horizontal pin with drop-in swivel catch; it is marked W&H CO. indicating Whitehead & Hoag manufacture. This is the original full-size badge.
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