Im here in joplin too. I have a large collection of camp crowder items. Tje felt patches. Some blue felt. Most black felt. Were a PX purchase item, authorized for wear by the camp commander. Most commonly seen for the camp are the blue embroidered ones. Mostly officers wore the felt ones. But ive seen plenty of photos of GIs wearing them too. If you were permanent party. It was the patch to wear. Here is one of my very small displays i bring to some of the meetings for the upcoming camp crowder documentary im blessed to have a small part in. Middle of everywhere is the name of the documentary .

okay will do thank you very much for your help i am so happy i got more information it has made my day!!! kind regards Noah

My father commanded VF-171 during that 1950-1951 USS Coral Sea Med cruise before moving up to CAG-17 to replace Bruce Weber who had moved up to Ops Officer. I remember a dark rainy night in around 1955 while my father had VX-5 at Moffett Field.  He was at sea and my mother was taking the brood somewhere when the car died.  To the rescue came Blackie Kennedy, with wife Cookie, making sure all got home safe and sound and the car to the shop.

Just guessing, I’d say he remained assigned to group HQ, but flew as needed with the squadrons. Again, just conjecture.   You might try contacting this gentleman, who may be able to provide more solid info or guide you in the right direction.   https://troopcarrier.blog/   Dan

Nice ones Chris!

The first one I am guessing is WWI -20s. The second one looked older to me. It has the lat/long detail, but some of the globe and line details are worn away. 

. Hi earlymb,   as you requested this is the air-horn that is on top of the carburettor, not necessarily the one attached at the factory during manufacture but it's the one presently on there, I am not certain it will answer any questions you have on the air-horn.  You will see that it is a brand new ' possibly reproduction' carburettor that has been fitted on there recently before shipping from the USA.      Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 07 July   2O26.   ..

. Hi Flibble,   I hope this link works it is a British army documentary on Youtube, it shows the British army learning postwar from the German technicians of how to build, transport, fuel and fire the A2 rocket with which they bombarded London in the final months of the war.    https://www.youtube.com?watch?v=ek3yh-AyAZU     Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 07 July   2O26.    ..

I just realized that your rifle is only 21 numbers higher than one that I have . Mine is number 263342 , it is is in similar condition and is NRA marked for civilian sale.