Italian Air Force - Pilot
Click on the images to see a larger version and the back of the wing/badge
Below you will find pictured several variations of the Italian Pilot wing. The first wings shown will be the 1923-1935 pattern wings. Next will be the 1935-1943 pattern wings. Italy surrendered in September, 1943. The Germans set up a puppet government in the North, the RSI (Republica Sociale Italiana). The Italian pilots that went north to fly with the Germans, cut the crown off their normal badges. Later these badges were manufactured without the crown. Those pilots which went south and flew with the Americans converted their pilot badges by cutting off the fasces. The Italian term for this symbol is "Fascio Littorio" which tanslates to the Lictorian Fasces. The symbol consists of a bundle of rods symbolizing strength in unity. The ax blade meant the administration of required discipline and sentence by the old Roman Magistrates since this was the symbol of justice in Roman courts. Mussolini added the lion's head often seen slightly above the top of the axe blade. The lion being the symbol of strength. There are two types of fascios. The early type has the axe blade coming out of the TOP of the bundle of rods. The second pattern, used after 1930, has the axe blade on the side of the fascist bundle. Enjoy all the variations of Italian pilot wings.
1935-1943 Pilot Badge
Width:
Height:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
Note:


Pin
Warren Carroll Collection

Please see Mr. Carroll's wonderful book on British Commonwealth wings in the Resources section.
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
75.9 mm
23.6 mm
10.3 grams
S Johnson, COP Nuova 15, Milano
Pin

12/12/2001
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Tod Rathbone Collection
3/13/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
72 mm
25 mm


Pin

6/18/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
74 mm
23 mm

S Johnson, COP Nuova 15, Milano
Pin

6/26/2002
Post 1943 Pilot Badge - South Wing - Allied
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
75.5 mm
22.2 mm
10.9 grams

Pin

12/12/2001
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
Note: 		72.7 mm
22.1 mm
10.3 grams

Pin

3/1/2002
Here's another interesting variation of the badges worn by the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force after the Armistice. It simply has the axe blade filed off as a symbolic rejection of the Fascists.
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Tod Rathbone Collection
3/13/2002
Post 1943 Pilot Badge - North Wing - Axis
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
73.1 mm
14.7 mm
6.2 grams

Pin

12/12/2001
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:




Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/7/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
72 mm
15 mm


Pin

6/18/2002
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
51 mm



Pin


Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:





Tod Rathbone Collection
04/21/2024
1944 RSI Pilot Badge
Width:
Height:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
Note:


Pin
Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
3/12/2002
This is an extremely rare badge. Less than 300 were ever made. It was designed and sent to the Republican Airforce (Mussolini's Republic of Salo after the surrender of the Royal Italian Armed Forces on 8 September 1943) Secretary of Defense in October 1944. It was approved on 17 November 1944 and issue began. It became obsolete as of 1 May 1945. The wreath and upraised Roman sword (called a "gladius") are the official collar emblems of the RSI Armed forces. It is an honor to display this wing on my site.
Width:
Height:
Weight:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:





Tod Rathbone Collection
04/21/2024
Pilot Swords
Width:
Height:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
Note:



Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
11/16/2002
This sword is for Generals and Air Marshals. It is an extremely rare piece. The grip is made of real ivory. The handguard is extremely wide and in the shape of a wing. It also has a clam shell section in front that hinges down and then clips to the scabbards so the sword does not fall out. The Portapee (knot) for Generals was all gold.
Width:
Height:
Hallmark:
Pin/Clutch:
Contributor:
Date Added:
Note:



Rudy A. D'Angelo Collection
11/16/2002
This is the pilot officer's sword. The grips are black ebony. At the top of the scabbard throat is the model 1935 pilot wings. Swords prior to 1935 carried the model 1923 wings (see above). The hand guard basket is in the form of an eagle's wing. The Portapee (knot) for all officers other than Generals was gold and blue. Black grips were used for all officers under the rank of Colonel. For Colonels and above the grips were ivory, white celluloid, white leather and so on. These swords were worn with the dress uniform.
All electronic scans remain the copyright © of Bob Schwartz or the specific contributors and cannot be reproduced by either digital, electronic, electrostatic or lithographic or by any other means without expressed permission from the originator of the web site or its contributors.

Aviation Wings and Badges of the World Wars