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Air Force Patches SR-71, A-1E & F-86


walt323
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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

post-3685-0-61203200-1360890366.jpg

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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