New Zealand Backing Plate for the Post 1952 (Queens Crown) RNZAF Metal Pilot Wings
A scarce, white metal backing plate for the Post 1952 (so Queens Crown) metal RNZAF Pilots wings.
Worn on tropical or summer uniform, which originally started back in 1944, when Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilots, Navigators, Engineers, Signalers and Air Gunners where permitted to wear metal insignia due to tropical conditions in the Pacific theaters of War. Cloth basically rotted in the high humidity.
Backing plate is in good condition and shows signs if wear and scratches where a pin would have been fitted through the lugs on one side.
NOTE the last photo shows badges NOT part of the sale, but is merely to represent how the backing plate was used and highlight the difference in shape between the pre 1952 backing plate and the post QEII example.