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Med Cruise, VC or VAP squadron?


Bearmon
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I purchased this patch because the price was right and to me it needed to be identified.

I am going on the thought that it is an actual late 50's early 60's Med Cruise patch.

the construction looks good top me for the time frame, and the plane looks to me anyway like a F9 Cougar.

There were several Det 42's in the various VC/VAP squadrons back then which flew F9F-8P cougars, but none I can pinpoint to any carriers. I focused on VC/VAP squadrons due to the little spy guy on the patch, and possibly a Ghost or Spook on the other side. I suppose it could be some type of intel det also. I am open to all opinions

 

The obvious choice is the USS Ranger but she (the Ranger) never did any med cruise which I could find (her maiden cruise is 1958 seemed to from Norfolk around Cape Horn to the West Coast, where she remained.

 

 

 

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Hi Bearmon,

nice found! It looks to me that is a VFP-62 Det. 42 patch. Detachment 42 flying from USS Forestal and made some Med, cruises.

The plane on the patch looks to me like an Crusader and not a Cougar. The patch said Ranger Squadron so its not sure it is named the Carrier.

Maybe it will helps.

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Lots of VFP-62 Det 42s on several different carrier that did Med cruises. There are many clues on the patch that may take some time to narrow it down. I think the patch may be 60s-70s era. It's not typical 1950s construction. The symbol on the left looks like a crouching cat while the symbol on the right is clearly a spook (more common on 60s-80s patches). The angled deck carrier indicates at least post 1954. The plane symbol might help narrow it down, but, like Franky, I'm leaning towards RF-8A Crusader or Super Crusader(crusader3) although the nose probe looks more like the Cougar. You might try this website: VFP62.com. It seems to have a ton of info to sort through and a webmaster that might be able to help. Jeffro

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Might also check VQ-2. They flew A-3 Skywarriors and their radio call sign was at times "Ranger"

 

The spook is on their squadron patch.

 

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Johnny Signor

I agree with Hink441, the spook' guy looks like the VQ-2 image and the Skywarrior matches good with the shape of the aircraft and probe on nose ......

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Hink441 is on the right track. Definitely nailed the aircraft. I wonder if the symbol on the left is supposed to be a bat in flight? Looked up VQ-2 info and they were Batmen and Rangers at different points in their history, but couldn't find info on when exactly they changed their nicknames or any info on Det42. Jeffro

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While searching online, I did notice that lots of Dets. used the carrier numbers they were assigned to in the 1960s and 1970s. USS FDR had a VQ2 Det attatched during two Med cruises. One in 1967 and one in 1976. Jeffro

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Jeffro, I saw a bunch of DET 1's for the squadron but couldn't find any Det 42's I will continue the search

Thanks all I am much further with the help!

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