50th Air Police Squadron

[yokota57]

Hahn Air Base, West Germany 1953-1956 (50th FBW F-86H). 5 inch.

[Marshallj]

Not a fan. Looks too new and like something out of Asia. As always, I hope I am wrong. Maybe an unofficial novelty patch?

[Randy]

This is a 100% 1950s German handmade felt patch. Parts of the patch were cut out and sewn into it. The drawback was it did last through too many washings. I have about 30-40 made just like it, nice patch. Attached a similar example, 526th FBS circa 1953-1954.

 

Randy

[yokota57]

11 minutes ago, Randy said:

This is a 100% 1950s German handmade felt patch. Parts of the patch were cut out and sewn into it. The drawback was it did last through too many washings. I have about 30-40 made just like it, nice patch. Attached a similar example, 526th FBS circa 1953-1954.

 

Randy

You are correct. All felt West German handmade. I knew it was the real deal when I saw it pop up on Ebay so I jumped on it immediately. Are you sitting down? I got it for 10 bucks!

[Marshallj]

Was it an “official” patch or a morale patch made for fun? I cannot find anything about it.

[yokota57]

11 minutes ago, Marshallj said:

Was it an “official” patch or a morale patch made for fun?

Here is a pic of a REPRO of their most often seen pre-1966 design. My posted patch may or may not have been their only patch in the F-86H-era. I know it certainly has humor. 

[aerialbridge]

Have any of you got an AP patch for Ramstein, circa 1959?  I like the F86 in that Hahn one. 

[Randy]

Here's another felt APS from the same era as yours. I got this many moons ago, and traded it as I only keep fighter/tac recon items. The dog's name was Sabre in honor of the jet he guarded, there is a Matador missile on there too as they had a unit at Hahn. Also a non-repro official 50 APS but most likely early 60s German made. Only have sps and SFS from Ramstein, no APS unfortunatley. $10? You should be convicted of a felony!😆

 

Randy

[yokota57]

1 minute ago, Randy said:

Here's another from the same era as yours. I got this many moons ago, and traded it as I only keep fighter/tac recon items. The dog's name was Sabre in honor of the jet he guarded. Also a non-repro 50 APS but most likely early 60s.

 

Randy

Tasty!

[Randy]

I added some more just after I posted it the first time as it lacked a few details.

 

Randy

[Marshallj]

So I am clear, the AP patches were never issued by the AF and were not worn in any official capacity. Most likely the guys got together and had them made by a local person. Possibly to wear on those blue bomber jackets with the faux fur collars. Here is another example I found on line.

[Randy]

As far as wear, always possible some snuck onto a uniform. However, these are unofficial and unless approved by the installation commander they should not have been on a uniform. Tour jackets were big in Germany in the 50s into the 60s, and many of these ended up on those. As you said, the guys getting together and doing these was the most likely cause.

 

Randy

[yokota57]

4 minutes ago, Randy said:

As far as wear, always possible some snuck onto a uniform. However, these are unofficial and unless approved by the installation commander they should not have been on a uniform. Tour jackets were big in Germany in the 50s into the 60s, and many of these ended up on those. As you said, the guys getting together and doing these was the most likely cause.

 

Randy

+1

[yokota57]

On 10/22/2024 at 7:39 PM, aerialbridge said:

Have any of you got an AP patch for Ramstein, circa 1959?  I like the F86 in that Hahn one. 

I presume you are looking for a 7030th Air Police Squadron patch? I've never seen one. If you find one, please post it here so we can eyeball it.

[Bobby]

Found this on the internet 7030 Air Police

[yokota57]

Just now, Bobby said:

Found this on the internet 7030 Air Police

Excellent!

[aerialbridge]

 

3 hours ago, yokota57 said:

I presume you are looking for a 7030th Air Police Squadron patch? I've never seen one. If you find one, please post it here so we can eyeball it.

 

Not sure what I'd be looking for.   My late father was a first lieutenant and then a captain at Ramstein from 56 to 60 and ran an air evac squadron there, not sure what the number of the squadron was.   He was assigned to 4th ATAF with NATO.   I was born at the Landstuhl army hospital near the end of his time there and we came back to McGuire the day after Francis Gary Powers did his high altitude punchout.   It just happened to be when he was due to return to the states.  My dad had a bazillion 35mm color slides from all over Europe since that and antiquing with my mother were his hobbies.   He told me he was president of the NATO camera club over there for a time and won a Browning 22 model A from some photo competition.  Sadly, i don't have the slides, but I have a couple of cool Kodak B&W snapshots of Air Police, probably at Ramstein on the flight line at some VIP air show or something.  Lots of brass in some bleachers.  If I dig them up I'll post them here.