Jump to content

Airborne! The FIRST AF PJs---1352nd AAFBU and 10th Air Jungle Rescue


beef
 Share

Recommended Posts

The 1352nd AAFBU, originally know as "Blackie's Gang" was the first AAF Para-Rescue ever formed. As a part of the 10th AF, the utilized a variety of aircraft, including early Sikorsky helicopters (Really) to search and rescue (or recover the remains) of downed airmen that flew the Hump in the CBI. A small group of these men were jump qualified in order to insert into areas inaccessible by ground or without viable landing strips. They attended the British parachute course at Imphal, India. The 1352nd items, I received from SGT Burnham "Burnie" Cockrell of Jackson, MS. The other items, I lumped into the display and are unnamed, but were purchased in the 1980s from Clint C. Blanchard, a Florida retired AF officer who sold and collected AF items. Clint was always a pleasure to deal with. These are behind glass, so pardon the "haloes."

post-5029-0-10402200-1422675748.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

doinworkinvans

Holy crap...that ATC patch is absolutely amazing! All this CBI stuff is killing me! What a phenomenal group!

 

I've only heard tale.of the 1352nd patch...never thought id see one

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SSIs. The leather AAF and CBI patches are those removed from his A-2. He said the A-2 was rags by the 1960s. The billions were extras. I have his dress uniform coat with bullion CBI and 10th AF patches on the sleeves.

post-5029-0-83896700-1422676759.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Holy crap...that ATC patch is absolutely amazing! All this CBI stuff is killing me! What a phenomenal group!

 

I've only heard tale.of the 1352nd patch...never thought id see one

Glad to show you! Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Johnny Signor

Awesome find !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First time I've ever seen the "variation" of the 1352nd design !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leather patch I made of the one version

post-2068-0-24422100-1422685783.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BILL THE PATCH

I've had this patch for a long time was told it was a fantasy patch. I'm glad I found out this info. that's why I love this forum. hopefully my pics will show. new phone, still working out the bugs.. not trying to hijack thread apologies in advance. but I knew this was a theater CBI made patch. I thought maybe oss.

post-11207-14227221327156.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've had this patch for a long time was told it was a fantasy patch. I'm glad I found out this info. that's why I love this forum. hopefully my pics will show. new phone, still working out the bugs.. not trying to hijack thread apologies in advance. but I knew this was a theater CBI made patch. I thought maybe oss.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bill, I bought mine in 1989 at the Alabama Gun Collectors show from Clint Blanchard, a well known Southeastern area dealer. I paid $35.00 for the patch. He had called me (before email) described the patch and sent me a photo in advance of the show. I told him I wanted it, I'd pick it up then. When I arrived, I found that the patch had caused quite a stir. Several people, including F. Patt Anthony wanted to buy it and offered him a good deal more than $35.00! But Clint is a great guy and honorable as they come.... Richard Smith was also at that show. He looked at it and I asked for a ballpark appraisal. He laughed and said based on the amount of attention it was gaining it would be best to auction it on the floor. Clint was always very meticulous in recording the provenance of his AAF stuff, but other stuff, not so much. A real loss!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BILL THE PATCH

I found mine on eBay, was a sleeper , but I still paid exactly 103.00. I remember. and that has to be at least 5 Years ago. I wonder what it fetch today knowing what we do now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks! On a sad note, there was a small 2" square of felt with a standard machete and a kris sword crossed with the words "Jungqle Rescue" (sic) if I recall the misspelling correctly that was part of the grouping. Typical Brit type patch, for pocket or sleeve??? IDK what happened to it. I had it when I picked it up it never saw it again! Real loss!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patchcollector

Astounding stuff.I don't use the word "rare" very often but this group does indeed deserve to be called just that.

 

LOVE the patches,especially that "pebbly" leather 10th AJR :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

doinworkinvans

Im pretty sure I had a dream about this thread last night.....I just really cannot believe the CBI items I am seeing here. Top shelf - thank you so so so much for sharing this with us!

 

Daniel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...