walt323 Posted February 15, 2013 Share #1 Posted February 15, 2013 I just found these patches this week at a local flea mkt. None of them look to be standard US made patches. Anyone have any idea of where and when these patches were made? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt323 Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted February 15, 2013 backs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted February 15, 2013 Share #3 Posted February 15, 2013 The A1E patch looks to be Thai made. the larger F86E also looks Thai, altough the border looks a little different from what I associate with Thai work. Both would be Viet nam era. IMO. Unsure ofthe other 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted February 15, 2013 Share #4 Posted February 15, 2013 Great group of patches.The 13th TFS was stationed in Thailand and Japan.Doesnt really look Japanese made to me.The SR-71 was probably made Okinawa n the 70's / 80's?I have to agree with the A-1 patch as being Thai made.The F-86 to me looks more Japanese made, 1950's.I don't think the F-86E flew in Vietnam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted February 15, 2013 Share #5 Posted February 15, 2013 A-1 looks Thai 1960s, F-86 Japan late 50s to early 60s, SR-71 Okinawan mid 80s and the 43 looks mid to late 80s. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted February 15, 2013 Share #6 Posted February 15, 2013 I think that odd shaped patch is actually 43d Field Maintenance Squadron, which was assigned to Guam between 1972 and 1973. They would have been supporting B-52's striking North Vietnam at the end of the war. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_USAF_Provisional_Wings_assigned_to_Strategic_Air_Command Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted February 15, 2013 Share #7 Posted February 15, 2013 Actually, the 43 Strategic Wing/Bomb Wing ( with the 43 FMS assigned) was at Guam til 86. They activated later as an air refueling unit from 92-96, but the patch pictured looks Asian made to me, so most likely 80s. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted February 15, 2013 Share #8 Posted February 15, 2013 Actually, the 43 Strategic Wing/Bomb Wing ( with the 43 FMS assigned) was at Guam til 86. They activated later as an air refueling unit from 92-96, but the patch pictured looks Asian made to me, so most likely 80s. Randy That is what I get for not digging deep enough. Thank you for the correction, and I agree it looks like it is from the late 1970's to 1980's. The Air Force started off with using black for it's subdued patches but later changed over to blue. It is from sometime in that time period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted February 15, 2013 Share #9 Posted February 15, 2013 No biggie! The USAF has so much ground to cover, it can happen. I don't know how some of you guys do it with all the branches. Reading all the info and knowledge in here, regardless of the subject, is fascinating to me. I just like the history of it all. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f106dart Posted February 15, 2013 Share #10 Posted February 15, 2013 Congraltions on the haul Great stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLHorstead Posted February 15, 2013 Share #11 Posted February 15, 2013 The 43rd FMS remained on Guam in till 1990 or so when the B-52G's left the rock. I was there when the first subdued insignia were issued, in 1976. I was in th 43rd FMS Corrosion Shop (we had Sgt / SSgt aircraft mechanics (431X1E assigned due a critical shortage of Corrosion Control Specialist) working there because for a few months untill I was promoted to TSgt and was transfered to the 43rd OMS in 1977 as a B85D crew chief.. Terry L Horstead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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