Italian Pilot's Badge
 

Can anyone tell me the difference between such a badge with an eagle holding the bundle in its tallons but with and without a crown?

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

Look at the pictures

The first is the pilot's Badge of Regia Aeronautica (before 8th Sept 1943);
the second is the badge of Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana,without crown 'cause Repubblica di Salò was a "Republic" and not a monarchy.The 3rd shows the badge of the pilots of South Italy,flying with the Allies, with the English crown (and without fasci evidently):wink:.
Regards
Alessandro

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

It's a good question Chris. I always wondring why Hans Assi Hahn have this badge "Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana" (firts picture of Alessandro) during the summer 1940?
Fredo

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

Sorry, i would like to say wondering the Badge of Regia Aeronautica
Thanks
Fredo

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

Are you sure Fredo? Do you have any image? I'd like to see this badge!!
Ciao

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

I think the second is for civil pilot in military service.

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

The second is the pilot badge untill november 1944,when appeared this one:
http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/italy/...pilotfrtlg.jpg

but only 300 pieces were issued.
Check this site: http://www.ww2wings.com/main.shtml

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

So is the middle one of the 3 relatively rare as I have managed to obtain one?

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

Of course Alessandro !
What do you think ?
Fredo

Re: Italian Pilot's Badge
 

IMHO, "Assi" Hahn wore that Regia Aeronautica's pilot badge either because he had exchaged it with an Italian pilot of the Corpo Aereo Italiano based in Belgium during the second half of 1940, or he was offered with one when visiting one of such units.

A third possibility could be that Hahn spent some time in Italy before the war (several dozens of Luftwaffe pilots effected flying courses in Italy by that time) and obtained the eagle there.

Wearing two pilot badges certainly was peculiar, but not so inexplicable, I guess...