BACKGROUND: The pilot’s qualification badge was originally introduced on January 19TH 1935 for award to personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband Fliegerschaft, (German Air Sports Association, Pilot Base), the secret forerunner of the Luftwaffe, who achieved their pilot’s licence. The badge was officially adopted by the Luftwaffe on March 26TH 1936, by order of Hermann Göring. The pilot’s badge was awarded on an individual basis to personnel who had successfully completed the appropriate theory and flight training and had achieved their military pilot’s licence. As with other flyer’s specialty badges a cloth version of the pilot’s badge was authorized for wear on the flight blouse with a machine embroidered pattern for EM/NCO’s and a hand embroidered pattern for Officers. Of Note: Originally the cloth version of the pilot’s badge was only authorized for wear by Officers ranks until regulations of November 18TH 1937 extended the authorized wear of the cloth versions to EM/NCO’s. Further regulations of May 8TH 1942 discontinued production of the cloth versions although they continued to worn through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Late war production, die struck zinc construction, two piece badge is in the form of a vertically oval, wreath with a separate stylized, spread winged eagle in flight, clutching a canted swastika in it’s talons, mounted on the wreath. The eagle is attached to the wreath by two rivets which are visible to the reverse. The vertically oval wreath features embossed laurel leaves to the right side and oak-leaves to the left side. The highly vaunted eagle shows nice detailing including intricate feathering and cut-out tips to the wings and cut-outs to the arms of the swastika. The eagle’s wings extend beyond both sides of the wreath. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. Note, the swastika has been pushed behind the wreath. I’ll leave it up the next owner to decide if he wants to attempt to put in back in the correct position.