History

The NSFK (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps = National Socialist Flyers Corps) was originally established in early 1932, but then became part of the DLV (Deutscher Luftsportverband = German Air Sports Association). When the DLV was dissolved upon the establishing of the Luftwaffe the NSFK was refounded on April 17, 1937 as an NSDAP paramilitary organisation.

The mission of the NSFK was to provide the means for (young) Germans to pursue an interest in flying, and thus to secure new blood for the Luftwaffe. Membership was on a voluntary basis. However, members were forbidden from simultaneously being members of the SA, SS, or NSKK. The NSFK training was no substitute for training in the Luftwaffe if a member decided to join the military. There was one thing that the NSFK had over the Luftwaffe though, which was the opportunity to fly gliders instead of just motor powered planes. The NSFK also included the discipline of ballooning.

The NSFK Breast Emblem shows a standing man holding spread artificial wings, with a superimposed swastika. It was produced with blue-grey or with tan backing, depending on the type of garment it was meant to be attached to. It was generally worn over the right breast pocket, however after the beginning of the war in some instances it was worn on the upper right sleeve. It was also worn on the front of the Sports Shirt.

The materials and quality depended on the wearer’s rank. Lower ranks usually wore a machine-woven version, while higher ranks sometimes wore an embroidered version, or a version with an aluminum cord border around the swastika.