Shawn C. Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I've started a patch collection, but I don't really like asking pilots for their patches. They aren't free; these guys and gals have to buy them. Some aircrew willingly give them up, but after about 18 months of collecting I only have about 15 patches. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good source to purchase quality, accurate fighter squadron patches of AF, USN and USMC flying units. I would rather buy these than bother aircrew to give me something they paid $5 for. Thanks! Shawn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I've started a patch collection, but I don't really like asking pilots for their patches. They aren't free; these guys and gals have to buy them. Some aircrew willingly give them up, but after about 18 months of collecting I only have about 15 patches.I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good source to purchase quality, accurate fighter squadron patches of AF, USN and USMC flying units. I would rather buy these than bother aircrew to give me something they paid $5 for. Thanks! Shawn Sahwn I used to buy them fromorm a online place called " WHILE YOU WERE DEPLOYED"{ it 's profits went to the Squdrons } and had patches and tee shirts , baseball caps etc etc but Dana has stopped the business due to family commitmnets but I have seen SPRUEBROTHERS have gotten Patches for sale..I do think there are one or two more ARC ers that collect them and they have other places that they may know of.... ..Bes of luck in your collection.. HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Yes, I miss While You Were Deployed, Dana had a great site as Holmes said ... I like >>> Plane Crazy <<< ... As well as a couple of sellers on Ebay including this one: >>> Clicky <<<... HTH ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Yes, I miss While You Were Deployed, Dana had a great site as Holmes said ... I like >>> Plane Crazy <<< ... As well as a couple of sellers on Ebay including this one: >>> Clicky <<<... HTH ... Gregg I second Gregg on the Ebay seller he mentioned. I have purchased stuff from him and I was very happy with the level of quality of the product as well as the service provided. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I second Gregg on the Ebay seller he mentioned. I have purchased stuff from him and I was very happy with the level of quality of the product as well as the service provided.John Yeah John, he's very quick on shipping, I've had orders arrive from him within 2-3 days of my purchase ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vesper Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Ebay's a good start, especially if you're looking for the humorous unit only stuff or something thats hard to find . . . I've gotten quite a few good deals off of there. Sucks that WYWD went away, I never did get my order into them . . . Another good place is >> AV8R Stuff << Ves Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sunliner Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Yep Viking Guy on ebay is awesome as well as Av8rstuff I had a large patch collection that I just finished selling off to pay some bills; a lot of my stuff came from Viking Guy. He's very fast to ship and easy to work with. When I get my finances back together, I'm going to be visiting his online store again! -Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hornet Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I bought a couple of time from this guy, always fast and reliable. He also sells on Ebay. http://www.patchspain.com/ Cheers, Hornet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegoodsgt Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I've collected a few over the years, but I don't know what to do with them! I mean, it's easy enough to put them in binders, etc., but then what? Do you take out the binder and just sit and look at them? It's odd but I can't help myself sometimes. Here's a great resource: http://usafpatches.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
William G Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Been collecting them since I enlisted back in 1985 I think I have about 200 of them right now and most of them I traded for, either with my own patches or wiht photos, models, and even beer. I had several that were very special to me, however many moves and many PCS's later I have lost some of them. Oh Well I still look for and will buy or trade for others. William G Quote Link to post Share on other sites
F106A Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 (edited) They aren't free; these guys and gals have to buy them. I would rather buy these than bother aircrew to give me something they paid $5 for. I'm curious to know what unit charges their own guys for the unit patches! You are correct, they are not free, but I have yet to be in a unit where they didn't supply the patches to us (or the flying crew chiefs, as appropriate) for free. Some resource advisors can be real tight wads with them (that's not a bad thing), but to charge their own guys?! The only patch I have ever bought from my unit is the one I use for my avatar. It's a reproduction of our WWII patch that we are authorized to wear on our "Friday" uniforms. The money goes towards our booster club. Every flying unit I have been in to include my current unit actually sells patches at airshows to raise money for our booster clubs. We use the money to buy going away plaques, have unit parties, and stuff like that. Years ago when I was a Civil Air Patrol cadet I used to write to units and just ask for a patch. Most of the time I would get a patch, usually a unit history, maybe a photo or two, and whatever they could fill an envelope up with. Around 1981 that practice stopped. I would get polite letters back saying money was tight, and some would sent lists of patch sellers. I haven't heard of units selling their patches (or coins) on-line, but imagine that would take alot of time for someone to handle it. Good luck on your patch quest! Mark Edited June 17, 2010 by F106A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 I'm curious to know what unit charges their own guys for the unit patches! You are correct, they are not free, but I have yet to be in a unit where they didn't supply the patches to us (or the flying crew chiefs, as appropriate) for free. Some resource advisors can be real tight wads with them (that's not a bad thing), but to charge their own guys?! The only patch I have ever bought from my unit is the one I use for my avatar. It's a reproduction of our WWII patch that we are authorized to wear on our "Friday" uniforms. The money goes towards our booster club. Every flying unit I have been in to include my current unit actually sells patches at airshows to raise money for our booster clubs. We use the money to buy going away plaques, have unit parties, and stuff like that.Mark I've had the opposite experience, I've had to purchase the unit patch for every one that I've ever been in. For most it was part of the package deal of the "wardroom buy-in" when your first checked in, but I have never-ever-ever gotten anything from CSD for free. If a sponsor was good enough that he hooked the new check in up with one before you showed up, it was because they bought it with their own dime and sent it out. -Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Philp Posted June 18, 2010 Share Posted June 18, 2010 (edited) I second trying airshows. The local units usually have them for sale along with T-shirts, caps, etc for extra squadron funds. Air museum gift shops sometimes have them also, especially if they are affiliated with a base (like the Hill Aerospace Museum). Years ago I got some from a company that included unit histories, etc with the patches. They probably are reproductions but look pretty good. No idea what to do with them but would be interested in trading or selling them. Remember one is from the 94th Hat in the Ring squadron. I have been collecting pins from my last few vacations (dang Disney) and different museums + from the Nationals that I have attended (that had pins). Edited June 18, 2010 by Philp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sunliner Posted June 18, 2010 Share Posted June 18, 2010 I've bought patches from units-mostly USN/USMC squadrons at airshows and via mail. The money goes towards the 'coffee mess" fund for morale purchases etc so I don't mind paying at all. I believe that they are prohibited by DoD from selling on ebay or other online routes. VFA-86 sold patches and shirts very briefly on ebay a couple years ago but suddenly shut it down; I was told the officer who set up the sales got a very stern talking to. -Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Autobahnstormer Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 I bought a couple of time from this guy, always fast and reliable. He also sells on Ebay.http://www.patchspain.com/ Cheers, Hornet But not always original. He does some excellent reproduction Aerobatic Team Patches, but reproductions all the same. ABS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cajunmodeler Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 PM sent Shawn............. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
no_man_army Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 its a shame you dont collect badges, i have a tin of over 300 russian tinnies somewhere. i dont collect them i just buy and sell militaria Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 I've been collecting for years and have amassed a fairly impressive collection. I've gotten individual pieces and bought large collections (thanks Ikar!). Any unit that I've been in or heard about, patches had to be purchased to make up the unit's cash outlay. It was split up evenly, so no one was paying more than anyone else unless you wanted more patches. Just before I left C Company, we had new patches made. I bought a handful. Of course, the Army now says "no patches on the uniform other than your left and right sleeve patches".... Way to go big Army, way to shoot down yet another morale-producing piece for the sake of uniformity. Next thing you know, we'll be wearing ACHs in the cockpit.... Ok stepping down... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 (edited) Most Navy squadrons have a Gedunk that will sell their patches. I've always bought them from there when I've been on a base. Air Force squadrons don't typically have anything analogous to a Gedunk, but usually the squadron orderly room will sell them to you. This all assumes you can either get onto the base or find the address to write or call. There are *zillions* of patches on eBay, some for very reasonable prices. Rarer stuff will cost you more, naturally. Patches are so cheap and easy to make, knockoffs are common, but often it's hard to tell them from the real thing. Sort of like really good counterfeit money - if you and I both agree it's worth what it says on the bill, then who's to say it's not real? :) J PS: Here are a few of my rarer and more favorite patches. First photo: The three pork themed patches are from the 343rd SRS, 55th SRW at Offutt. This reflects the affection the EW guys have for the RC-135. The "RC-135 Hogu" patch shows what they think of the SR-71. All came to me from a navigator with the 343rd in the 1980s and were made in Okinawa during one of their regular deployments there. The 24th SRS Cobra Ball (the RC-135S) is probably one of the rarest patches I own. I had to (literally) beg and plead with the operations officer at Eielson AFB to get it. He said they normally have (had) a strict policy that their patches didn't go outside the squadron, but since I was with an Electronic Security Command squadron whose main job was keeping their butts out of the Soviet wringer, he relented :) It still took some fancy footwork. Second photo: The first one is a genuine English-made 8th AF patch from WWII. Not the fanciest, hand made variety (I'm not that wealthy), but a nice example of a theatre-made patch as worn on the A-2 jacket. I like to think this patch probably flew many missions aboard a B-17 or B-24. Next to that is a "Comfy Levi" patch from the 193rd SOS, Pennsylvania ANG. During the 1980s Comfy Levi was the name for a roll-on SIGINT collection package that would slide into any garden variety C-130 and turn it into a SIGINT collection platform. In practice it was rarely done on anyone other than the 193rd's own dedicated Levi airplanes, but in theory it could be used anywhere. They used it in Alaska on a Coast Guard 130, but since they had to supply their own main gear doors and aft paratroop doors (that's where the antennae were housed), those camouflaged doors on a gleaming white airplane kind of stuck out like sore thumbs! Below are a genuine 1st FIW patch from their ADC days, and a genuine "Ali Cat" patch from the Imperial Iranian AF. I'd kill to have a real "Anytime Baby!" patch in Farsi, but again, I'm not that wealthy. I've seen that patch go for over $1000. I have a sticker of it, so that'll have to do. Finally, and having nothing whatever to do with patches (but it's in the same box), is a scan of my invitation to the White House grounds for Mikhail Gorbachev's first visit to the US in 1987. I had a friend who worked for the State Department, and got us in. I was within 25 yards of the podium, right behind the Marine Band. Almost froze my ****** off, and had to pee so bad my teeth were floating. Thank goodness the Dept of Veteran's Affairs is close to the White House grounds and they have a public restroom right inside the main entry! :) Edited June 22, 2010 by Jennings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn C. Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 Thanks to everyne for the links. I'm sure I will be placing an order very soon. I like your RC-135 patches Jennings as your have a connection to them. I got my coolest patch today. It's the "Phantom West" F-4 from Holloman AFB. For the airshow afficionados that is the F-4 that flies with the USAF ACC heritage flight. I've always had a soft spot for the F-4, was once stationed at Holloman and always think the AIr Force heritage flight looks better with an F-4 than an F-22! The pilot and GIB were both really nice guys and I helped them with their flight planning to get out of the congested Salt Lake airspace quickly and avoid the ludicrous vectors from SLC approach. They appreciated that so I asked them if they had an address or e-mail I could write to in order to purchase a couple of patches. Being friendly folks they went back to the jet and got me one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vesper Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 Thats the spirit Shawn! A few years ago the LaTech Flight Team kicked around the idea of doing blue flight suits as our "BDUs", some of us went as far as buying a few before that idea slipped into history . . . Not long after I got mine I added some velcro areas on the arms & torso so I could add display some of my collection. Haven't wore it yet, but Halloween ain't too far away . . . Ves Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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