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"It's an Ace Novelty" USN & USCG Patch Manufacturers


Salvage Sailor
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Salvage Sailor

Aloha Everyone,

 

This is a reference topic specifically for USN (or USCG) patches manufactured by Ace Novelty Tokyo, Japan, with the label attached

 

post-2322-0-65019700-1450469176.jpg

USS TATNUCK (ATA-195) In service 1945 to 1971

 

They were primarily suppliers to the units of the Pacific and Sixth Fleet (Staff, Surface, Aviation, Support, etc) from the late 1950's to 1980 but I've also seen their patches made for Atlantic Fleet USN commands who participated in the Indian Ocean - Persian Gulf area (Gonzo Station) during the Iran Hostage Crisis (1980) They were particular favorites of USN auxiliaries and aviation squadrons during the Vietnam War.

 

post-2322-0-08367500-1450469178.jpg

 

There are many, many Ace Novelty patches out there, especially rate/division/cruise specific and a ton for Naval Aviation units. Many of these patches are in our collections without the stick on labels as they were often removed or fell off. We may 'know' that they are Ace Novelty, but please only post those with the labels attached.

 

Please post any examples you have of Japanese Ace Novelty patches as a forum reference

 

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Salvage Sailor

.....now, despite what I just requested of you all, here is an example of how the labels were attached to the patches. They were attached by glue which would often dry out and over time the labels would work loose.

 

USCG AIR STATION SITKA ALASKA

CGAS SITKA ALASKA Ace Novelty 001a.jpg

 

CGAS SITKA ALASKA Ace Novelty 002a.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

FLEET TUG USS PAPAGO (ATF-160) in service 1945 to 1992

ATF 160 USS PAPAGO Ace Novelty 003.jpg

 

ATF 160 USS PAPAGO Ace Novelty 004.jpg

 

Vietnam Era Naval Aviation

VA-165 The Boomers (note the different style tag, there were two types)

VA 165 Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

VA 165 Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

COMMANDER MIDDLE EAST FORCE (1970's) Bahrain, Persian Gulf

COMMIDEASTFOR Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

COMMIDEASTFOR Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

USS FIDELITY (MSO-443) Ocean Minesweeper Atlantic/Sixth/MEF fleet unit

MSO 443 USS FIDELITY Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

MSO 443 USS FIDELITY Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

They were also a favorite of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force

USS SCAMP (SSN-588)

SSN 588 USS SCAMP Ace Novelty 001a.jpg

 

SSN 588 USS SCAMP Ace Novelty 002a.jpg

 

Unfortunately, Ace Novelty ceased production just after the 1980 Iranian Hostage Crisis. The EISENHOWER battle group was one of their last customers as she steamed out to the Indian Ocean to establish Gonzo Station

 

USS EISENHOWER (CVN-69) SSES NAVSECGRUDIV 1980 CRUISE

CVN 69 USS EISENHOWER NAVSECGRUDIV 1980 Ace Novelty 001a.jpg

 

CVN 69 USS EISENHOWER NAVSECGRUDIV 1980 Ace Novelty 002a.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

EISENHOWER relieved the NIMITZ Nuclear Battle Group which placed a large order when they made a port call at Yokosuka in 1980

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 NBG Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 NBG Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

Crossing the Equator along the way

 

USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Shellback Ceremony 1980

(notice the bag, this is how they were wrapped in 1980. I got this entire batch from a Nimitz crewman)

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 Shellback Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 Shellback Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

USS NIMITZ Battle Group - Gonzo Station 1980

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 GYC Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 GYC Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

Back and forth, back and forth, tearing holes in the Indian Ocean, 100 days at sea.....

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 100 Days Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 100 Days Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

Which allowed them to enjoy a Naval Tradition belayed by the teetotaller Josephus Daniels in 1914

 

They got a Beer!!!

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 Guzzler Ace Novelty 001a.jpg

 

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 Guzzler Ace Novelty 002a.jpg

 

With their CT detachment aboard to keep an eye on Ivan and the Iranians

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 CVIC Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

CVN 68 USS NIMITZ 1980 CVIC Ace Novelty 002.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...
Salvage Sailor

USS PINTADO (SSN-672) Sturgeon class in service 1971 to 1998. 5 1/2" Ace Novelty patch from her third westpac deployment 1977-1978

SSN 672 USS PINTADO West Pac 1977 1978 Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

"...Following her year of routine training, Pintado deployed to the Western Pacific in August 1977. She was operating with Republic of Korea Navy vessels on 6 December 1977 when a South Korean surface ship abruptly turned toward her. She executed a crash dive, but the two ships collided, and Pintado sustained damage to the top of her rudder. She returned to San Diego in February 1978...."

 

SSN 672 USS PINTADO West Pac 1977 1978 Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

USS_Pintado_(SSN-672).jpg

Photo PINTADO with DSRV MYSTIC ready for deployement

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS GRAYBACK (SSG-574) circa 1958-1964 Regulus Missile Submarine

SSG 574 USS GRAYBACK Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

SSG 574 USS GRAYBACK Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

Another Auxiliary Tug - USS SALISH (ATA-187) Sotoyomo class in service 1944 to 1972

ATA 187 USS SALISH Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

ATA 187 USS SALISH Ace Novelty 002.jpg

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Patchcollector

Another great reference Salvage Sailor.You can see the timeline where the company began transitioning to the "computer" generated pieces.My favorite is the Grayback patch.I saw that one on eBay and had thought about going for it.Looks like you got to it before me :lol:

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Salvage Sailor

Yep,

 

Here's another

 

post-2322-0-01641600-1454800978.jpg

USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Seasparrow - Phalanx close in weapons system circa 1978 from a Gunners Mate

 

post-2322-0-90744000-1454800979.jpg

 

Reality check: The USN removed most of our guns as they were deemed "redundant" in the 1960's missile age. Around 1973 the bad guys realized that any speedboat than got under our Terrier missile or 5" 38 cal minimum range could literally run rings around our ships since the nimwits removed our 20mm and 40mm guns. Ever try to stop a torpedo or suicide boat with an M-14? Thus - the immediate implementation of the Sea Sparrow and Phalanx (gatling gun) close in weapons system.

 

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  • 4 months later...
vintageproductions

ASMIC did a great article a few years ago by George Petersen and it was an interview with the owner of Ace Novelty and he gave a history of the company. I believe it was published shortly after the owner passed away.

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Salvage Sailor

So when did Ace Novelty begin making patches for the USN?

 

Here's a good clue - USS MAGOFFIN (APA-199) Still in the wrapper

 

APA 199 USS MAGOFFIN Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

APA 199 USS MAGOFFIN Ace Novelty 002.jpg

 

The Patch.....

 

APA 199 USS MAGOFFIN Ace Novelty 003.jpg

 

APA 199 USS MAGOFFIN Ace Novelty 004.jpg

 

...and the calendar card dated 1961, probably made in 1960

 

Take a look at what they made for the fleet besides patches

 

"ANYTHING ELSE: You name it, we make it. When in town (Tokyo) give us a buzz"

 

Ace Novelty 1961 001.jpg

 

Ace Novelty 1961 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two (HC-2) Fleet Angels

 

post-2322-0-48711200-1470605303.jpg

USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) 1973 Med Cruise 5" Ace Novelty custom bullion patch

HC-2 Det 67 Fleet Angels  "When they're in our palm, they're safe and calm"

 

HC-2 CV-67 USS JOHN F. KENNEDY Med Cruise 1973 Ace Novelty 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

The Blue Bolts VA-172 ATKRON Cap size patch, Vietnam era - Disestablished in 1971

The Lightning Bolt 'T' is a nice touch

VA 172 Blue Bolts Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

VA 172 Blue Bolts Ace Novelty 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

Boomer USS ULYSSES S. GRANT (SSBN-631) James Madison class fleet ballistic missile submarine in service 1964 to 1992

Ace Novelty 1970's

SSBN 631 USS GRANT Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

SSBN 631 USS GRANT Ace Novelty 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

VAW-121 Vietnam Era - Carrier Airborne Early Warning squadron 121

Flying the smaller E-1B Tracers off of the older Essex & Midway class carrier decks

VAW-121 Ace Novelty 001.jpg

 

VAW-121 Ace Novelty 002.jpg

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