Radio Operator & Air Gunner Badge, by C. E. Juncker (in aluminum)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.GTR.0705.101.04.002
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Thin-Wreathed Aluminum Version; A textbook example of a mint and fine quality manufacture Luftwaffe Radio Operator badge; constructed of aluminum with an aluminum wreath, and a patinated eagle; the obverse with an oval wreath consisting of laurel leaves on the left half and oak leaves on the right half, with a mobile swastika centered on the bottom and an eagle clutching lightning bolts in the centre; the reverse plain with a vertical needle style pinback, a barrel hinge and a round wire catch; two rivets visible on the reverse holding the eagle in place; maker marked “C. E. Juncker, Berlin W” on the reverse; measuring 41.26 mm x 52.22 mm; weighing 8.8 grams; in overall mint condition.
The Radio Operator & Air Gunner Badge was instituted on March 26th, 1936, and was conferred upon Luftwaffe radio and gunner personnel who successfully completed the two months of training, or had participated in at least 5 operational flights. The number of flights could be overlooked if an individual was injured in the line of duty.
In June of 1942, a separate Air Gunner & Flight Engineer Badge was established, and it was conferred upon air gunners, flight engineers, and meteorologists who fulfilled the same requirements that are stated above. The original badge was reserved for wireless-radio operators in the Luftwaffe.
The difference between the two badges is that the original Radio Operator & Air Gunner Badge shows an eagle carrying lightning bolts in its claws, while the later instituted Air Gunner & Flight Engineer Badge shows the same eagle, but without the lightning bolts.
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