Germany Awards - Thunderclap Pilot Gunner Badge

The sign was established on January 19, 1935 by the Reich Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe German Goering. The badge was awarded exclusively to flight personnel as a flight operator, gunner and flight mechanic trained as an on-board gunner, but not earlier than a year after the start of basic training. During the course of the war, the award rules were changed. Thus, the badge could be awarded after 2 months or 5 enemy flights, or even when injured on enemy flights. In 12.12.1941, the Luftwaffe Gunner Sign was introduced without a thunderstorm bundle for gunner and flight mechanics. It was here that the original lightning bolts were subsequently removed. Badges with a black wreath without lightning were awarded by the end of the war to flight personnel without training, but with at least 10 enemy flights or injuries. Badges were made of non-ferrous metal, aluminum, nickel silver and zinc. The eagle is usually black. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. IV, 2001.

Openwork working sign made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal. The tinted eagle was minted separately and riveted along with the wreath. At the back is a vertical pin. The manufacturer's designation is carved on the eagle.

Front side:

• The margin is formed by a wreath of left laurel foliage and right oak foliage.
• Below on a wreath is a swastika placed on top.
• Put the eagle sliding right from top to bottom with 2 double flashes in its paws.
• The spread wings and tail of the eagle are superimposed on the wreath.
• The tips of the wings rise slightly above the edge.

Downside:

• Smooth and silver plated with a vertical pin.
In
• the upper part of the wreath there are 2 rivets from the eagle.
• Two lines are carved on the eagle: - C. E. JUNCKER -/- BERLIN - SW -.

Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de

Front side: Arrow pilot badge with a bundle of zippers

Reverse: Flyer-gunner badge with zipper bundle

Established:

January 19, 1935 Hermann Goering

Awarded:

1935 – 1945

Data:

• Material: non-ferrous silver-plated metal
• Size: approx. 41 mm x 52.3 mm
• Weight: about 38.5g

estimated collector price:

420 - 440 € patinated in aluminium or nickel silver
300 - 320 € in silver-plated/tinted zinc
640 - 680 € silver-plated/patinated in Tombac

OEK Number:

4016