Part 13 - Revealing Secrets of The P-39 Airacobra Brooches of Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell - The Bell Aircraft Co. - WWII

12 years of research on two of the worlds most historically valuable, one of a kind, World War II secret treasures. ----------- The secret P-39 Airacobra Brooches of Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, of The Bell Aircraft Company, were delivered in secret to Larry Bell at the beginning ( June, 1942 ) and at the end ( July, 1945 ) of World War II. -- In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, visited The United States of America and was hosted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. On this trip the Royals were introduced to the Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter airplane. British orders for the P-39 followed this historic Royal visit for the Royal Air Force, RAF. -------- In June of 1942, following his address to the combined United States Congress in Washington D.C., the diamond and platinum P-39 Airacobra gift was hand delivered by King Peter II, Godson and Envoy of King George VI of Great Britain, during a Royal visit to the Wheatfield Plant of The Bell Aircraft Company. ---- King Petr II was the very first King of a foreign country to address the United States Joint Session of Congress. ----- In July, 1945, the second Silver P-39 Airacobra gift was also hand delivered to Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, also at the Wheatfield Plant. ------ Both gifts were placed in a Bank Trust and were not made public. ----------- Over 12 years of historical research has been conducted and is continuing to this day. --- Many companies, institutions, museums, Queens, Princes, The British Royal Archives, The Church of London, etc,. have been involved in this historical fact finding mission. --- The historical findings are very complicated and involved. Time lines, people, events, meetings, communications, legal documents, letters, and many more information sources have been reviewed and organized. --- These items were "Secret", as well as a "Military Secret" of The United States, Great Britain and all of the Allied Countries fighting together, at the beginning and during World War II. ------ At this point in time, that we know of, no other private citizen was presented similar items. ----- Most of the high end jewelry items of King George VI carried a symbolic meaning, sentiment, purpose, and value. This is the case for the P-39 Airacobra Brooches. -- These are not lapel pins. Each brooch is too large and heavy to be worn on a suit or jacket lapel, at least for any long duration of time. -- Approx. 3.5 inches wing tip to wing tip - and - Approx. 2.5 inches propeller to tail. -----This size would be considered the appropriate and "normal size" for the British Royals. -----------Mounted in the horizontal tail section there are a total of 48 round natural diamonds, representing the 48 states, in 1942, and each side of the rear flaps, there are 13 round natural diamonds, representing the original 13 Colonies, in 1776, of early Colonial America. - The vertical tail section, rising from the 48 horizontal natural diamonds, is the exact number of red and white stripes, and one field of blue, identical to The American Flag in 1942. ---------- These two British Royal Gifts are the only, known, two items symbolizing the Independence of The United States of America from British Royal Rule. ---- The daughter of King George VI, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, joined in the research, 30 days before she passed away. --- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, had the "final" and "last" word on all of the research information presented to Her Majesty. ----- Her Majesty made no changes, no deletions, no alterations to any of the research findings. -- and -- she kept the provided documentation and photographs in her possession. ---- The historical individuals involved have passed away. --- and the list is very long, and spans many countries, from 1939 to 2025 --- From 1942 to 2025, these items remained a secret and both items remained locked up in a bank vault, even today !!! -- over 80 years -- they have never been placed on public display. ----- This makes research very difficult and time consuming. --- and there are more physical factors that are yet to be uncovered, verified and determined. -------- Question - On the first diamond and platinum brooch, 1942. why are the red and blue stones "Bezel" mounted - vs - the white natural diamonds that are "Prong" mounted ?? ---- It is a known fact that "Bezel" mountings of precious stones are much more "secure" than "Prong" mounted precious stones. -- There are no red or blue stones "Prong" mounted, all colored stones are "Bezel" mounted. --- It is also a known fact that "Bezel" mountings are more time consuming and expensive to fabricate. --- Note, There are 32 red stones and 26 blue stones, totaling 58 colored stones, all "Bezel" mounted. ------ There are 222 natural white brilliant cut diamonds, all "Prong" mounted. ----- More secrets are yet to be discovered and examined. ----- Please refer all comments and inquires of a factual and/or educational nature to: Wayne Hugh Long, -- email -- whlong2715@gmail.com -- Research is continuing and ongoing. ------ updated 12-19-2025.