Original Item: Only One Available. This is an interesting example of a rare DLV vehicle pennant (German: wimpel), measuring 6 1/2" in house and10 3/4" in fly. The Deutschen Luftsport-Verbandes (German Air Sports Association, or DLV e. V.) was one of many paramilitary organizations made during the interwar period to continue military training under the guise of "clubs". With industry curtailed by the Treaty of Versailles, the DLV became heavily involved in Glider flight, and this pennant looks to be for one of those organizations. These were often attached to the front bumper of vehicles to indicate that it was involved in the organization.

The design features a "Triple Gull Wing" insignia next to the hoist side, which looks like the "C" glider proficiency badge issued by the DLF. TO the right of this is AERO-CLUB HOF, the chapter of the DLV that the pennant was used for. We are not sure if "HOF" is short for something, or refers to the Bavarian town of Hof.

Overall condition is very good, showing the expected wear from use and age. The very tip of the pennant is torn, and it looks like the original attachment points on the corners of the hoist are missing, and were replaced with bent wire.

A very interesting and colorful DLV pennant, ready to research and display!

History of the Deutschen Luftsport-Verbandes
The German Air Sports Association (Deutscher Luftsportverband, or DLV e. V.) was an organisation set up by the NSDAP Party in March 1933 to establish a uniform basis for the training of military pilots. Its chairman was Hermann Göring and its vice-chairman Ernst Röhm.

Since the Treaty of Versailles officially forbade Germany from building fighter planes of any sort, the German Air Sports Association used gliders to train men still officially civilians for the future Luftwaffe. The first steps towards the Luftwaffe's formation were undertaken just months after Adolf AH came to power. Hermann Göring, a World War I ace with 22 victories and the holder of the Orden Pour le Mérite, became National Kommissar for aviation with former Deutsche Luft Hansa director Erhard Milch as his deputy. On 25 March 1933 the German Air Sports Association absorbed all private and national organizations, whilst retaining its 'sports' title. In April 1933 the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM – Reich Air Ministry) was established. The RLM was in charge of development and production of aircraft, and soon afterwards the test site or Erprobungsstelle at Rechlin became its testing ground, a military airfield that had been first established in August 1918. Göring's control over all aspects of aviation became absolute.

The German Air Sports Association was dissolved in 1937 and replaced with the National Socialist Flyers Corps, a corporation under public law and subordinate to Reichsluftfahrtminister Göring.