The Origin of the Airmail Pilot Wings

Initially, airmail pilots did not wear uniforms -- after all, they only carried mail and there were no passengers to impress.  But like all other airlines that started by carrying the mail, Northwest Airways began carrying passengers to generate additional revenue.  In 1927, the airline carried a mere 106 passengers, but by 1929, this business had increased so that Lewis Brittin, Vice President and General Manager of Northwest Airways, not only put his pilots in uniforms, he also designed wings for the pilots.

Brittin's design was submitted to the U.S. Post Office for approval.  The Post Office was so taken by the design, they requested and received permission from Col. Britton to adopt the insignia as the official emblem to be worn by air mail pilots.  For this reason, the very first pilots of American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and several other companies wore this wing in the very beginning.  The design also shows up on several stamps issued by the U.S. Post Office.
 

Typical U.S. airmail issue (1932)
 

This first wing had a metal center with the words "U.S. AIR MAIL" in raised letters.  The center piece was fitted into a bullion background of wings.  This design was worn by the NWA pilots from about 1929 to 1934 when the airline changed to a all metal wing.

 

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