LONGINES graduation | “Radu Irimescu – 1936”
Student-pilots of the Aviation Officers School – Bucharest (Cotroceni) received at the graduation from 1936 a beautiful Longines chronograph watch, special order of the Marine and Air Ministry (M.A.M.) from that time – eng. Radu Irimescu, valuable pilot in the First World War, important political figure and general-commander at that time but also USA ambassador in the following years.
I have the chance, through the amiability of a collector, to present some pictures of such a watch, kept from his grandfather, aviator-commander Traian POPTEANU who received it at the graduation of the School, in 1936!
After the graduation as aviator-junior lieutenant, Traian Popteanu was distributed as pilot of bombers within the Squadron 1 – Iasi (1936-1939) and then during 1939-1944 (promoted lieutenant) at the Hydro-aviation Squadron from Mamaia. In June 1944 was transferred (captain) at the Civil Aviation Department within the Marine and Air Ministry (M.A.M.).
(to be continued)