A rare and striking flight crew cap badge from Air West — the short-lived Western U.S. regional airline that existed from 1968 to 1970 before being acquired by Howard Hughes and rebranded as Hughes Airwest. The badge presents a bold and instantly recognizable design: a pair of sharply downswept V-form wings in sterling silver with ribbed feather detailing and polished leading edges, meeting at a V-point below a raised oval center disc bearing the "AIR WEST" name in the airline's distinctive angular block lettering. The reverse is stamped "STERLING" with a small maker's mark, and retains three screw posts — one central with knurled nut, two at the wing tips — confirming genuine uniform issue. Air West was formed in July 1968 through the merger of three Western regional carriers: Bonanza Air Lines, Pacific Air Lines, and West Coast Airlines. Howard Hughes' Summa Corporation acquired the airline in 1969–1970 and renamed it Hughes Airwest, introducing the famous all-yellow "Top Banana" livery — meaning Air West operated under that name for barely two years, making authentic sterling silver crew insignia from this transitional era particularly uncommon on the collector market. Country: United States. Size: Approximately 3¾ inches wide × 1¾ inches tall. Material: Sterling silver; three-post screw-back attachment with knurled nut. Airline: Air West, 1968–1970. Condition: Very good; crisp relief detail throughout, bright surfaces, natural age patina, screw posts intact.
🛫 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.
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**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.
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10. ALL SALES ARE FINAL!
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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.
