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  EARLY UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PENNANT, MADE NEAR THE TIME OF ITS INCEPTION AS ITS OWN BRANCH OF THE MILITARY, circa 1947-1950’s

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 21" x 38.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 11" x 28.5"
Description....:
Felt pennant with a blue panel along the hoist end and a red field beyond, joined by machine stitching, made to celebrate the United States Air Force, close on the heels of its 1947 inception. The textile features the Hap Arnold Wings against the blue ground and the name of the service in Roman letters, against the red, printed in ivory white. There is a felt binding along the hoist of the same color, applied by machine.

The U.S. Army Air Forces was an eventual outgrowth of the War Department's Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps, which originated in 1907. Operating under this designation until 1914, it morphed through various stages and associated titles. Between 1918 and 1926 it was known as the United States Army Air Service. In 1926 it was renamed the U.S. Army Air Corps, which it remained until 1941. In that year, the onset of WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45) brought with it yet another name, the United States Air Forces.

At each stage, the role of the Army's use of flight became more critical to military strength and effectiveness, and the balance of power shifted away from the Army's central command. Following the war, in 1947, the Department of the Air Force finally became its own branch. It was at this time that the War Department, having previously administered the Army, the Coast Guard, and various other military and pseudo-military, support-oriented divisions, was abolished. This placed the Army and the Air Force on a more level playing field with the Department of the Navy, which had been its own entity since 1798.

The Hap Arnold Wings were approved on February 23, 1942 by the man of the same name, who served as both Five Star General of the U.S. Army and Five Star General of the U.S. Air Force. The only man to hold such a rank in two different services, and the only Five Star General in U.S. Air Force history, Arnold served as Chief of the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1938-1941, prior to achieving these distinctions. The device was created by James T. Rawls in 1942, an artist on Arnold's staff, and approved by him on February 23rd of that year.

Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained a specialized department for this purpose. Our lead conservator holds a master's degree in textile conservation from one of the nation’s top programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples.

The pennant has been hand-stitched to its background, which is is 100% hemp fabric, ivory in color, with a twill weave. The two part frame consists of a cove-shaped molding that is very dark brown in color, with a wood grain surface, to which a black-painted and hand-gilded Italian molding was added as a cap. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas).

Condition: There is minor craquelure of the paint (a positive trait because it shows age attractively) and there is very minor soiling.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1947
Latest Date of Origin: 1950's
State/Affiliation:
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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