Small blue 94th Fighter Squadron patch

[Siamundo]

Interesting small blue wool patch for the 94th Fighter Squadron. Not sure if this is WW II or later-might be the 1950's Fighter interceptor era. I haven't been able to find another example like this. Small size, 2-3/8", makes me think it might be for hat wear.

[Randy]

Never saw it either, it does look old though. I have a 4" 94 FS that is on a black disc. I'd say yours was for a hat too, maybe a scarf

 

Randy

[Siamundo]

Thanks, Randy. I had considered the possibility of a scarf as well. The blue background is what was puzzling me since most I have seen were either yellow or white. Your black one sounds like an unusual one as well. Cheers!

[Randy]

Any chance yours is faded black? But it seems to have changed colors many times over the years, as well as the direction the hat is facing. Yours is the approved direction. The disc background color is not specified as it was meant to be used with the the hat and ring. The black one appears to date from 45-50. The divices only is 94 TFS from the early 70s.

[Siamundo]

Randy, it is definitely light blue as the back edges of the patch visible in the second photo are the same color as the front so I do not suspect that it was ever black. I had noticed looking at on-line examples, the hat and ring do seem to face opposite directions on different patches.

[yokota57]

There are tons of Eddie Rickenbacker-era Eastern Airlines employee service pins currently on EBay. I had a look around to see if the blue background patch was used by them but couldn't find anything to connect your patch to Eastern. 

[Randy]

Interesting pin, as I got one from a pilot in the 94th FIS in 1952. Looks brighter in the pic, has a lot of wear, and marked Sterling. I have seen several FIS pilots of the era in different units wear these types of pins on their flight jackets. That would be a big no-no today with the FOD conderns on top of uniform regs.

 

Randy