Scarce WWII Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilot Wing

Extremely rare RNZAF Pilot wing in metal for tropical wear, lug fixings and fastening pin, maker marked to "44, M & K, W" for 1944, Mayer & Kean, Wellington. In good condition and measures 3”

New Zealand, since the beginning of the war had always maintained a small Air Force due to the presents of German raiders in the Pacific. From 1941 with Japans entry into WW2 and its conquest of vast area's to the north of New Zealand, the government, with the help of the British Government, rapidly expanded its Air Force to defend against what it though was imminent invasion by Japanese Forces. From 1943, its allies shifted from a defense to a attacking roll, and New Zealand Air Force was deployed in tropical area's, taking the fight to the enemy.
At its peak, the Royal New Zealand Air Force has 34 squadrons, 25 were based outside NZ in the pacific.
Due to high humidity, cloth material was found rot at high rates, to counter this, in 1944, the NZ Government authorised the wearing of metal qualification insignia.

Code: 56117