Collectors are a relatively small community and most often quite ready to impart the latest knowledge, so if you want to check or verify information on any wing, find one and ask! Check the Resource pages of this site to see if any specialist advisors have volunteered to impart their knowledge to specific enquiries.
Books noted as "Out of Print" may still be findable!! There are many on-line resources available now and many used book sellers list online. There is a wide variation in prices of specialised books, so it pays to shop around.You can try the following links for new and used books:
Wings of World War 2 author Russel Huff self published, copyright 1981, 1st edition published 1985. Out of print A very valuable survey of the combattant and other associated nations involved in the conflict. While this book is now acknowleged to contain errors, (many reviewed in the later publication "Wings and Things", see below) it remains a useful documentary of items rarely seen. Russ is now once again selling a fully stitched hard binding version of this original work, in limited "remaining stock" numbers for US$50 plus shipping costs. Its well worth buying while still available hardbound. The earlier versions were mostly paperbacked and glue-bound and good examples are hard to find. Russ may be contacted directly at russjhuff@comcast.net A Companion to Wings of World War 2 author Russel Huff self published. Out of print A scarce follow up companion to Wings of World War 2, containing mostly line drawings of wings. Russ is now once again selling limited "remaining stock" of this volume. Its valuable addition to your resource set. Russ may be contacted directly at russjhuff@comcast.net Wings & Things of the World author Russel Huff self published. Out of print Rare "newsletter" style supplements published by Russ Huff. Twenty four issues were published from 1987-1993. They include input from veterans and many resspected wing collectors. They are very difficult to find as a set but well worth buying, even as singles, if you can find a copy. Limited issues of these are still available directly from Russ Russ may be contacted directly at russjhuff@comcast.net Thirty Years of U.S. Army Pilot Wings 1917 - 1947 author Charles I. Fitzsimmons, PhD, ATP self published. Out of print This book shows well the many variations of pilot wings during the history of US Army aviation. It uses highly detailed line drawings to display the wings. A very useful reference with well written and informative text . This book is not commonly sold but may still be available directly from the author. You can e-mail me from the HOME page and I will see if I can use channels to make contact. Aviation Badges and Insignia of the United States Army 1913-1946 author J.Duncan Campbell self published 1977. Reprinted several times. Currently out of print This is widely regarded as "THE BIBLE" source of information on US wings. The text is excellent and covers in great detail the evolution of all of the Army badges. The 1995 4th printing contains both line drawings and B&W photographs of wings and badges and has a detailed Appendix which discusses squadron badges, the many question around fakes and restrikes and adds new information on wings not covered in the earleir editions. Many different patterns are represented. Though out of print, this book is worth finding through the on-line book sellers in their out of print sections. Military Pilot and Aircrew Badges of the World (1870-present) Vol 1 Europe A-H author Don Chalif published by James Bender 1982. Out of print This book is invaluable for anyone collecting European pilot and aircrew badges. Unfortunately, its title is a misnomer because there is no Volume 2. I have been in touch with James Bender to enquire about "the rest of the volumes" and he informs me that Don Chalif has prepared manuscripts and photographs and they are scattered around the back room at the publisher's office. This work was prepared before the time of digital imagery and computer based publishing and a lot of work is required to bring it up to scratch. You are encouraged to contact Bender to pester them to release the rest of the works! Volume 1 is now out of date, but if ALL the volumes, all the world had been released in as masterly a fashion as Volume 1, This website would not have been necessary except to add colour!Though out of print, this book is worth finding through the on-line book sellers in their out of print sections.
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