History

The NSFK (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps = National Socialist Flyers Corps) was originally established in January of 1932. However, in March of 1933, the NSFK was, together with all other air sports organisations, absorbed into the newly founded DLV (Deutscher Luftsportverband = German Air Sports Association), an organisation that was used as a means to secretly rebuild the German air force under the guise of a civilian association. After the Luftwaffe was officially unveiled in 1935, the DLV was dissolved in 1937. On April 17, 1937, the NSFK was re-established as a civilian and paramilitary air sports organisation.

The NSFK’s mission was to provide the means for (young) Germans to pursue an interest in flying, and thus to secure new blood for the Luftwaffe. For this reason, the organisation worked closely with the aviation sub-section of the Hitler Youth.
Membership in the NSFK was on a voluntary basis. Members were forbidden from holding simultaneous SA, SS, or NSKK membership.
NSFK aviation training was no substitute for training in the Luftwaffe if a member decided to join the military. Since Luftwaffe planes were motorised without exception, the NSFK was the only organisation to teach its members how to fly gliders and hot air balloons.

Like several other organisations, the NSFK awarded a so-called "Old Fighter" (Alte Kämpfer) Chevron for those members who had been NSDAP members since before January 30, 1933. For Austrians, it was awarded to those that had been part of an NSDAP-affiliated organisation since before March 12, 1938, and for those in the Sudetenland since before May 19, 1938. Additionally, members of the Patriotic Front of Gliding Association (Heimattreue des Segelflugvereins) and members of the Archers (Bogenschützen) in Eupen-Malmedy (Belgium) who had joined prior to May 10, 1940 were also eligible.

The chevron was worn on the upper right sleeve. It is in the form of two sections of aluminum Tresse (braids) that form a "V", measuring 7mm in width, sewn to a cloth backing in the same colour as the uniform the insignia was intended for.