A rare and historically important pilot wings badge from the China National Aviation Corporation (C.N.A.C.), one of the most storied airlines in aviation history and among the most eagerly sought names in the entire field of airline insignia collecting. The obverse presents a pair of fully spread, deeply relief-cast swept wings in aged gold-tone base metal, flanking a pointed shield centerpiece surmounted by a bold blue enamel rectangular bar bearing the raised dotted-letter designation "C.N.A.C." The reverse retains its original long horizontal needle pin with period C-catch roller clasp, consistent with American-made airline uniform insignia of the 1930s and 1940s.
Founded in 1929 as a joint venture between Curtiss Aircraft and the Chinese Nationalist Government, CNAC came under Pan American Airways management in 1933. When Japan's invasion of China cut off all surface supply routes, CNAC crews pioneered and flew the legendary "Hump" route over the eastern Himalayas from Assam, India into Yunnan, China — one of the most dangerous air corridors in history, flown daily through Japanese fighter patrols and brutal mountain weather at the cost of 150 crew members' lives. The airline continued operations after the war until the Communist victory in 1949 ended its remarkable twenty-year history. Institutional examples of CNAC insignia are held by the SFO Museum and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Country: United States (issued in China theater). Size: Approximately 3 inches wide × 1¼ inches tall. Material: Gold-tone base metal with blue enamel letter bar; needle pin and C-catch roller clasp attachment. Airline: China National Aviation Corporation (C.N.A.C.), Pan American Airways affiliate, 1929–1949. Condition: Good to very good; crisp relief detail, attractive age patina consistent with period use, blue enamel intact, pin and clasp functional.
🛫 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
All items sell AS-IS with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied.
We reserve the right to add or delete items prior to sale time.
**Due to increase in fraud activity, ALL SILVER, GOLD, COIN/CURRENCY & JEWELRY MUST BE PAID BY CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, WIRE TRANSFER OR ZELLE (Zelle available up to $1500) prior to items being shipped - NO EXCEPTIONS! Non-Paying Bidders WILL BE REPORTED & BLOCKED! Sorry to sound harsh but many are not able to understand that CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR GOLD/SILVER PURCHASES, COIN/CURRENCY & JEWELRY. All forms of payment for SILVER, GOLD, COIN/CURRENCY & JEWELRY must clear our bank before items will be shipped.
Payments by Wire Transfer will incur a $15 service fee per invoice.
Zelle will incur a $5 service fee per invoice.
**Any item not picked up on designated pick-up day/time will incur a $10 per day storage fee. In no case will a refund or proceeds from resale of items not picked up within 30 days be awarded to prior bidder even if already paid for.
SALES TAX INFO: Auction purchases from Bid Y’all Auction & Realty may be subject to state sales tax. Sales Tax will be added to the final sale amount including the buyers premium. If you are tax-exempt, you can submit your resale and South Carolina form ST-8A to prevent the collection of tax. We do not collect sales tax for vehicles or coins/currency.
Please send any specific questions to our email address
[email protected] or call us 864-497-0330 for more information.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL!
Payments made by certified check or wire transfer must clear our bank before items will be shipped. This can take up to an additional 14 business days.
Online Bidding Terms:
1. Bid Y’all Auction & Realty has put forth every effort in preparing the catalog for this auction to provide accurate descriptions of all items. All property is sold 'as-is' and it is the bidder's responsibility to determine the exact condition and/or authenticity of each item. Printed statements or descriptions by staff are provided in good faith and are matters of opinion and/or seller provided information. Questions regarding condition and/or other specifics important to the bidder must be asked in writing at
[email protected] prior to bidding. Absolutely NO refunds will be offered.
2. FOR ONLINE BIDDING: There is an 18% Buyer's Premium added to your total purchase.
3. All accounts must be settled at the conclusion of the auction. We accept major credit cards and cash only. SILVER, GOLD & COIN/CURRENCY purchases MUST BE PAID IN CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, WIRE TRANSFER, or ZELLE ONLY (Wire Transfer Fee of $15 & Zelle Fee of $5)! All items must be paid for within 7 business days or items will be forfeited and collections proceedings will be initiated against the defaulting bidder.
4. We are SOMETIMES SLOW TO SHIP as we package items well and try to ensure your items will get to you in great condition. PLEASE BE PATIENT. Bid Y'all Auction & Realty will arrange packing and shipping through Shipping Saint. Packing and shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer and will be charge separate from the auction. INSURANCE IS REQUIRED TO BE PAID ON ALL INVOICES OVER $250! Arrangements must be made by buyer for large items (furniture, artwork, vehicles, rugs, etc.) to be shipped by a professional shipping company and may result in higher shipping costs. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL AN ITEM BE REFUNDED DUE TO SHIPPING COST!
5. Our online auctions move quickly! If you are interested in an item, bid quickly. Items MUST BE PAID IN CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, WIRE TRANSFER or ZELLE ONLY (Wire Transfer Fee of $15 & Zelle Fee of $5)! within 7 Business days from the end of the auction.
6. In order to better serve our customers, all bidders must provide their name, address, daytime phone number, and email address at which they can be contacted. This is to ensure good communication between Bid Y’all Auction & Realty and the bidder throughout any transactions.
7. The purchaser agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred by the auction company in the collection of funds. The purchaser also agrees that a fee of 2% per month is added to the balance of any unpaid balance due the auction company and any other costs or losses incurred by the purchaser's failure to adhere to these terms. Any debt collection or dispute proceedings will be heard in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
8. The auctioneer has the sole discretion to advance the bidding and may reject a nominal advance, should it in his estimation prove injurious to the auction. The auctioneer shall be the final judge in all bidding disputes and shall name a bidder as the purchaser.
9. The auction company shall not be held responsible for any 'missed' bids or bids unseen by the auctioneer. Bid Retractions ARE NOT ALLOWED! Bid ONLY on items you wish to purchase!
10. ALL SALES ARE FINAL!
11. By bidding on any item, the bidder shows acceptance of the terms of the auction.
12. The auction company reserves the right to refuse service or decline registration to any person. All announcements made the day of auction take precedence over any and all written, verbal or electronic statements.
13. All items must be picked up at the designated place and time listed in the auction details or shipping arrangements made.
14. “Local Pickup” items WILL NOT BE SHIPPED! Many of these items are large or heavy. You MUST bring help to load. Bid Y’all Auction & Realty will not be responsible for any item after the sale ends. No charge back or refund will be allowed! Items not removed by the time listed for pick up MAY be charged a fee ($25 'Local Pickup' / $5 Small Items) to be placed in storage. For any placed in storage, a $10 per day storage fee will be charged. All storage fees must be paid prior to pick up or shipping. Any item not picked up or shipping arraignments made by the buyer within 30 days of auction will be forfeited and sold or donated.
15. ALLOW 1-2 WEEKS FOR SHIPMENT. ANY CHANGES IN SHIPPING ADDRESS MUST BE IN WRITING BY EMAIL. If you DO NOT WANT IT SHIPPED and wish to forfeit your purchase YOU MUST EMAIL
[email protected].
IMPORTANT PICK UP & SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:
Pick up date for this auction is July 9, 2026 from 10AM-4PM
Lots may only be picked up at our office on scheduled date as shown above unless other arrangements are made prior to that date. We will combine shipping for multiple auctions ending within 10 days of the other.
IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFORMATION!
All shipping cost are the responsibility of the buyer and will be charged separate from the auction.
ITEMS WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO THE ADDRESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PAYMENT AND USED AT REGISTRATION!
Shipping will be coordinated through Shipping Saint. You will be sent an email and/or text when your items are ready to ship. You will be prompted to confirm your address and will be able to pay for the separate shipping invoice at that time.
