beef Posted January 31, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 31, 2015 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." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted January 31, 2015 1352nd AAFBU DI (Painted on stiff leather): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted January 31, 2015 1352nd AAFBU Squadron patch, removed from Mr. Cockrell's A-2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted January 31, 2015 British jump wings. There is a typical Brit pin bar. I have it, but the thread holding it to the wings have rotted away: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted January 31, 2015 10th Air Jungle Rescue, multi-piece: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted January 31, 2015 Share #6 Posted January 31, 2015 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 More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted January 31, 2015 CBI Theater made patch with attached Airborne tab, from Clint Blanchard: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted January 31, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted January 31, 2015 Mr. Cockerel with the C-47 "Somewhere I'll Find You." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted January 31, 2015 Multi-piece Blood Chit from back of jacket: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted January 31, 2015 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 More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted January 31, 2015 Share #12 Posted January 31, 2015 WHOA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted January 31, 2015 Share #13 Posted January 31, 2015 Awesome find !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First time I've ever seen the "variation" of the 1352nd design !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leather patch I made of the one version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted January 31, 2015 Share #14 Posted January 31, 2015 My patch version came from a big book on the CBI area .......... and is slightly different in colors/details as many were ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted January 31, 2015 Share #15 Posted January 31, 2015 Amazing group! -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberwolf Posted January 31, 2015 Share #16 Posted January 31, 2015 What an awesome group! Would you be able to share his uniform? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted January 31, 2015 Share #17 Posted January 31, 2015 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 More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #18 Posted January 31, 2015 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 More sharing options...
beef Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted January 31, 2015 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 More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted January 31, 2015 Share #20 Posted January 31, 2015 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 More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted January 31, 2015 Share #21 Posted January 31, 2015 Incredible grouping!! I love it!! ...especially the AJR patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torch03 Posted February 1, 2015 Share #22 Posted February 1, 2015 That's a great group!! Thanks for sharing it with us! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share #23 Posted February 1, 2015 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 More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted February 1, 2015 Share #24 Posted February 1, 2015 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 More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted February 2, 2015 Share #25 Posted February 2, 2015 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 More sharing options...
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