A stunning matched pair of Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR) pilot wings badges offered together as a single lot, each bearing the "F.A.R." scroll banner below a richly enameled Cuban coat of arms shield — the royal palm, blue and white diagonal stripes, key of Havana, and sunburst horizon in vivid polychrome — flanked by fully spread gold-tone feathered wings. The two badges represent distinct pilot grades: the lower badge is the standard qualification wing without a star device; the upper badge is the senior or command grade, distinguished by a bold wreathed five-pointed star above the shield. The upper badge reverse is stamped "ZULETA" — a confirmed Havana-based insignia maker — with two screw-post fittings; the lower badge also retains two screw-post fittings. The Zuleta maker's mark adds meaningful provenance, confirming genuine Cuban domestic manufacture rather than export production. The FAR flew Soviet-supplied MiGs throughout the Cold War and played a direct role in the Bay of Pigs crisis of April 1961, making original FAR wings — particularly matched grade pairs from a confirmed Cuban maker — among the most historically resonant pieces in Cold War aviation collecting. Approximate width: approximately 2¾ inches each. Material: Gold-tone base metal with polychrome enamel. Country of Origin: Cuba. Both show light age-appropriate wear with strong enamel color remaining.
🛫 WINGS OF HISTORY! A Historic Aviation Collectible & Memorabilia Online Extravaganza!
Part One of the Frank Cuadrado Lifetime Collection — Online Only Auction
Bidding Ends: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT | www.BidYall.com
WELCOME ABOARD! You've found the catalog for one of the most extensive and historically significant aviation memorabilia collections ever offered at auction — the MUSEUM QUALITY lifetime collection of Frank Cuadrado, retired Federal Aviation Administration employee. Browse the lots below, but first, here's your flight plan:
★ THE COLD WAR CUBAN COLLECTION — The Crown Jewels History you can hold in your hand. Leading the way: General Eulalio Cantillo's personal FAR pilot wings — a direct, personal link to one of the pivotal military figures of revolutionary-era Cuba. Alongside them: Cuban Brigade 2506 wings and patches from the Bay of Pigs invasion force, Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR) pilot wings in multiple rank variants, and gorgeous pre-revolutionary Cubana de Aviación insignia, including a bullion wing patch that has to be seen to be believed. Material with this provenance simply does not surface at auction.
★ FEDERAL AVIATION HERITAGE — A Salute to the Collector's Own Career A scarce Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) eagle badge from the pre-FAA era (ca. 1938–1958), a Connecticut Department of Aviation Inspector badge, and a City of Jackson, MS Airport Police badge. Early aviation law-enforcement and regulatory insignia is among the toughest categories to collect — and here it is.
★ DEFUNCT U.S. AIRLINES — The Carriers That Built American Aviation Eastern Air Lines (multiple pieces, including the wonderful "Future Flight Captain" child's cap), Hughes Air West chrome pilot wings, a National Airlines cap badge & wings set, plus TWA, Mohawk, Colonial, Continental and MORE. These legendary names no longer grace our skies — their insignia lives on right here.
★ UNIFORMS & WEARABLES — The Golden Age, Head to Toe Highlighted by a complete vintage airline stewardess uniform — jacket, cap, and period-correct wings badge — straight from the era when flying was an EVENT, plus crew insignia spanning multiple carriers.
Serious aviation historians, militaria collectors, Cold War buffs, airline employees past and present — this is your boarding call. Every lot tells a story, and when this collection is gone, it's GONE. And remember: this is only PART ONE — stay tuned for the next departure!
🔨 Bidding Ends: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT 📍 Online Only | Spartanburg, SC | Bid from Anywhere at www.BidYall.com 📞 (864) 497-0330
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Pick up date for this auction is July 9, 2026 from 10AM-4PM
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