Interesting wing for operation deep freeze - NAS Quonset Point wing

[pfrost]

This is a new acquisition.  I believe it’s a civilian contract or tech rep insignia for Operation Deep Freeze from the mid1950’s-early 1960’s

 

it was made by Smith and Warren, a badge making company. It’s brass and was a CE and 10 stamped in the back. I’ve never seen anything like it 

 

any ideas?

 

oh btw Merry Christmas to all my wing dinger friends

[Salvage Sailor]

I believe you're correct to this being a civilian contract pilot, but not necessarily for Operation Deep Freeze.  More likely he flew for the VXS Scientific Development Squadron (Designated as the NRL Flight Support Detachment).  Not sure when they were at NAS Quonset Point (RI) as they're now at NAS Patuxent River (MD).

 

Nice wing and quite unique.

[pfrost]

Thanks. I believe you are correct that it’s not strictly an operation deep freeze. I was kind of using that as a catch all. Although it does seem that was primarily what VX6 was doing.

 

i had also thought  a test pilot For one of the aviation companies working with VX6. 
 

Thsnk you so much you’ve given me some research ideas!

[pfrost]

Did some research, there doesn't seem to have been a VXS-6.  There was a VXS-1 that was established in the mid 1960's.  "

 

"The NRL Military Support Division and Scientific Development Squadron (VXS1) provides airborne research platforms for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the United States Navy, U.S. Government and its contracting agencies. Located onboard NRL in Washington, DC, the Military Support Division (Code 1400) is responsible for the scheduling, planning, and payment processing of airborne projects. Additionally, all military administration for the Laboratory is handled by the division. Located onboard Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, VXS-1 (Code 1600) maintains a fleet of two uniquely configured, research-modified NP-3C Orion aircraft, an RC-12 King Air, a UV-18 Twin Otter, and numerous TigerShark Unmanned Aircraft Systems. VXS-1 is primarily responsible for the planning, engineering, installation, coordination, and execution of airborne science and technology projects. The squadron also maintains the training, qualifications and proficiency of all assigned military personnel, government civilians, contractors, and project specialists as well as the maintenance of the research aircraft. Committed to safety, VXS-1 has logged over 77,000 hours of accident-free flying since 1963."  The squadron was disbanded in the early 2000's.  VXS-1 doesn't seem to have been stationed in Quonset Point, but rather only in NAS Patuxent River.  When I was a kid/teenager, I used to go there and fish for blue crabs (my dad was a career USN officer)

"NAS Quonset Point was the  off-season home of Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VX-6, later VXE-6) during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, operating the LC-47 Skytrain, LP-2J Neptune, C-54 Skymaster, C-121 Constellation, and eventually the LC-130F and LC-130R Hercules, as well as a variety of helicopters."  VX-6 started out at NAS Patuxent river, but moved to NAS QP in about 1955.

This badge pretty clearly states NAS Quonset Point Rhode Island and VX-6 on it.  So I believe it isn't likely that it is for VXS-1.  It seemed that VX-6 was pretty much focused on working on various Antarctic projects (and was also stationed in Christchurch NZ at some times).

 

At this point, I am still leaning towards a civilian/contractor/tech-rep badge.