Italian Air Force- Interceptor or Hunter
"Intercettatori" or "Caccia"

Click on the images to see a larger version and the back of the wing/badge
These distinguished insignia badges for War Actions were issued in three grades, gold, silver and bronze. They were awarded for merit and experience in an individual specialty. They were first listed in the 1942 regulations stating:

"The Duce (Benito Mussolini) has institued for all air crew member a special badge in the form of a wreath with the Royal Crown on the top and the Savoy Love Knot at the bottom junction. Applied in the center is the special device which will come in 3 classes, and which will identify the classification of the airman in the War Actions he has participated.

The center device symbol will be in 3 grades - 1st grade is bronze, 2nd grade is silver and third grade is gold. This will be worn on whatever type of uniform of the day the airman is wearing. It will be worn on the left side of the tunic, in the center of the breast pocket. This will be worn at all times while the airman is on permanent duty and until the end of his term of active duty.

Final Notations for Personnel - For all specialties except Hunters and Interceptors, the actions are considered effective when actual air combat is verified with adversary aircraft. If during the actual combat engagement, and the enemy aircraft is shot down, the actions will be doubled for the actual attempt and tripled for the final fulfillment or the destruction of the downed aircraft.

For the Hunters, the flight take off upon alarm must be confirmed by confirmed presence of the enemy aircraft and for the Interceptors, ballistic contact will be computed and considred as two flights due to alarm."

The grade requirements for this particular badge were:
Bronze - 6 take offs upon confirmed alarm or 4 actions over enemy territory
Silver - 30 take offs upon confirmed alarm or 20 actions over enemy territory or 2 aircraft shot down
Gold - 60 take offs upon confirmed alarm or 40 actions over enemy territory or 4 aircraft shot down

All information courtesy of Rudy D'Angelo

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Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/19/2002
This is the gold grade badge
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36 mm
50 mm


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A. L. Collection
12/29/2001
This is the gold grade badge
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36 mm
50 mm


Pin
A. L. Collection
12/29/2001
This is the silver grade badge
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36 mm
50 mm


Pin
A. L. Collection
12/29/2001
This is the bronze grade badge
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Aviation Wings and Badges of the World Wars