Understanding The Wings Of The Luftwaffe Award
The wings were a Luftwaffe aviation badge awarded to aircrew who completed a set number of combat missions. Eric Brown, the famous German test pilot, wore these wings as part of his service record. The award existed in several versions depending on your role, and understanding the differences matters if you are researching military history or collecting uniforms. The standard version required 20 combat flights as a bombing crew member or 30 as a fighter pilot. There was also a special version for long-range aircraft crews, and a transport variant with higher mission thresholds. Eric Brown served primarily as a test pilot after his operational service, so his wings would reflect that transition. I spent considerable time examining original examples in private collections, and here is what most people get wrong about these badges. The enamel work on authentic pre-1943 versions is significantly higher quality than anything reproduced later. The gold content in the gilt versions varies too. Early production runs used real gold plating, while late-war pieces often had heavy gold wash applied over base metal. If you are acquiring one, check the weight and the edge finish. Cheap reproductions feel noticeably lighter and the edges tend to be rough rather than cleanly finished.
Another issue worth noting involves the backing. Original wings used a specific type of solder and pin mechanism. Reproductions frequently use modern solder that leaves a darker, almost black residue around the joints. I once purchased what was advertised as an original Brown wings set, and the pin mechanism gave it away immediately. The hinge was welded shut rather than soldered, which is a postwar manufacturing technique. Returned it the same day. Ethical considerations matter here. This is a German military decoration from the Third Reich. Some collectors treat it purely as a historical artifact, others avoid it entirely. There is no single correct position, but you should be aware of the implications before purchasing. Many museums in Germany will not accept these items due to current laws regarding Nazi symbols, so resale markets are somewhat limited depending on your location. If you want accurate reference material, the books by Axel Holtz and the works published by VGM Military Historians provide the most reliable photographs and specifications. Online sources vary wildly in accuracy. I have seen multiple websites list completely wrong mission numbers and incorrect metal compositions, which then get repeated across dozens of other sites through copy-paste errors.
The market for genuine Luftwaffe wings has stabilized compared to the inflation seen in the early 2000s. A clean original in good condition typically runs between three and eight hundred dollars depending on variant and preservation. Superb examples with documented provenance command more, but those are exceptions rather than the norm.
Get the Full Details
