WW2 U.S. Army Air Force Patches and Cloth Insignia, Numbered Army Air Force Patches, Bullion Air Force Patches, Theatre Made Army Air Force Patches and Variation Army Air Force Patches 

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Please Note: The patches and cloth insignia listed here as "WW2 Theatre Made," or "Handmade," refer to vintage, WW2 period, patches that are not like the mass-produced patches that we are familiar with today. These highly collected patches were produced individually by hand sewing in small shops, throughout the Asiatic and/or European Theatres of Operations Some patches have a very professional manufactured appearance, some are crudely made using whatever materials were at hand. The collector interest and value of these patches lies in the individual, artistic, handmade rendering and/or the crude quality of these types of patches.

3AFP-30. 2-1/2-inch diameter, fully embroidered blue patch depicting a gold wing with three arrows and lines of longitude and latitude. Established in 1948, headquartered at Gravelly Point, Virginia. The Military air Transport Service provided air transportation for the U.S. military establishment; providing movement of strategic cargos, military mail; they provided air rescues, weather communications, transportation of personnel, as well as the sick, wounded and deceased. MATS furnished personnel and aircraft to support the Berlin Airlift. Extremely light and insignificant signs of age from handling. Unused. Excellent.  $8.00 SOLD

3AFP-31. 2-7/8-inch diameter, fully embroidered, blue patch depicting a winged cogged gear with the winged WW2 AAF white star with red center disk. Activated March 1946, it was the AAF agency for research, development procurement and modification of Air Force equipment; working with manufacturing and performing quality control of Air Force procured equipment and supplies. Unused. Excellent.  $12.00 

3AFP-33. A complete set of five different, approximately, 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high, fully embroidered triangle shaped blue patches, each depicting a different embroidered logo of an AAF specialist job function. Specialist patches were designed, mostly, to increase moral by identifying those people who were qualified to perform specific technical duties.1) Armament Specialist, light age and minor soil form handling and possible use, vg; 2) Communications Specialist, insignificant age from handling, unused, excellent; 3) Engineering Specialist, unused, excellent; 4) Photography Specialist, (the most difficult to find), heavy embroidered camera with a slight three-dimensional look, insignificant age from handling, possible use, excellent; 5) Weather Specialist, unused, excellent. A very nice set with some nice variations. $35.00  for the set of 5 pieces. SOLD

3AFP-33a. A complete set of five different, approximately, 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high, fully embroidered triangle shaped blue patches, each depicting a different embroidered logo of an AAF specialist job function. Specialist patches were designed, mostly, to increase moral by identifying those people who were qualified to perform specific technical duties.1) Armament Specialist, light and insignificant age, appears to have been used, vg+; 2) Communications Specialist, light use, excellent; 3) Engineering Specialist, unused, excellent; 4) Photography Specialist, (the most difficult to find), heavy embroidered camera with distinctly detailed bellows, light age from handling, unused, near excellent; 5) Weather Specialist, very light age from handling, may possibly have been used, vg+. A very nice set with some nice variations. $35.00  for the set of 5 pieces. SOLD

3AFP-33b. A complete set of five different, approximately, 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high, fully embroidered triangle shaped blue patches, each depicting a different embroidered logo of an AAF specialist job function. Specialist patches were designed, mostly, to increase moral by identifying those people who were qualified to perform specific technical duties.1) Armament Specialist, the bomb is very heavily embroidered providing a three-dimensional look and the blue background had diagonal lines of embroidery, excellent; 2) Communications Specialist, very heavy embroidery, insignificant age from handling, paper from scrapbook on backside, minor signs of use, vg+; 3) Engineering Specialist, short lines of embroidery below the piston heads, light age from handling, backside aged, near excellent; 4) Photography Specialist, (the most difficult to find), a flat, slightly larger, embroidered camera with no detail on the bellows, light to moderate age from handling and use, about vg; 5) Weather Specialist, very thin embroidered pole and arrow shaft, very light age from handling, near excellent. A very nice set with some nice variations. $35.00  for the set of 5 pieces. SOLD

3AFP-33c. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high, fully embroidered patch depicting a gold colored weathervane embroidered on a blue embroidered background. Specialist patches were designed to increase moral by identifying those people who were qualified to perform certain specific technical duties. Light age, as well as insignificant soil from handling and shortage. Unused. Near excellent. $7.00 

3AFP-33d. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high patch, same description as above, except, this example exhibits light to moderate signs of age, as well as minor light soil from handling and possible use. Vg. $6.00 

3AFP-33e. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high patch, same description as above, except, this example exhibits  moderate signs of age, as well as light soil from handling and use. About Vg. $5.00 

3AFP-33f. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high patch depicting a gold colored weather vane embroidered on blue cotton twill. The backside of this example has white cheesecloth backing. The patch exhibits moderate signs of age, light wear, as well as moderate, even, soil from actual use. The twill version does not often turn up. Scarce. Used. About Vg. $9.00   

3AFP-33g. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/2-inch high patch depicting a gold colored weathervane that is embroidered using a technique that creates distinct vertical lines of embroidery on the front of the patch. The backside of this example has very distinct vertical lines of embroidery. A nice variation.  Unused. Excellent. $8.00   

3AFP-33h. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high, fully embroidered patch depicting a gold embroidered silhouette of a reciprocal aircraft engine on a blue embroidered background. Unused. Overall excellent condition. $7.00 SOLD

3AFP-33i. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high patch, same description as above, except, this example exhibits very light signs of age, as well as very light and insignificant, even, soil from handling and storage. Appears to be unused. Vg+. $6.00 

3AFP-33j. Approximately 2-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/8-inch high patch, same description as above, except, this example exhibits light to moderate signs of age, as well as light to moderate, even, soil from handling, storage and possible use. Vg. $5.00 

3AFP-34. The wing is approximately 3-1/2-inch long; beautiful, large size wing, depicting high quality construction and detail. Hand embroidered, in very high relief, using various types of silver wire, on a 4-inch wide x 5/8-inch high black wool background. The wings exhibit minor age and have tarnished to a, pleasing, dark silver patina. The backside is covered with black cotton twill. The bullion is completely intact, no mothing. A beautiful, very striking, theatre made example. Unused. Vg+. $120.00 SOLD

3AFP-35. 3-1/8-inch wide x 1-5/8-inch high fully embroidered patch, depicting white wings and gold, “MAAF” letters, (Mediterranean Allied Air Force), superimposed on light blue wavy lines that represent the ocean. The MAAF was established in 1943 to combine, under a single command, Allied aircraft operating in the WW2 Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. The MAAF supported ground forces at Anzio, Cassino, Rome, as well as, supporting the Allied invasion of France and generally denying German resistance on land, sea and air in those areas of combat. This specimen appears to have, possibly, seen some light use; it exhibits light signs of age, insignificant wear, as well as a few pieces of blue sewing thread attached to the bottom corners. Very nicely detailed; nice originals, such as this one, are somewhat difficult to acquire. Vg. $24.00

3AFP-35a. 3-1/2-inch wide x 1-7/8-inch high, dark blue felt patch, depicting white embroidered wings, and the letters “MAAF,” (Mediterranean Allied Air Force), superimposed on light blue wavy lines that represent the ocean. This specimen is used and has been removed from a uniform many remnants of original sewing thread still remain. This patch exhibits light to moderate signs of age, very light wear, as well as light, insignificant, soil that is consistent with a patch that has seen light actual use. The backside of this example has white cheesecloth backing. These theatre made, felt embroidered, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces patches are usually somewhat crudely embroidered; this specimen has nice thick, dark blue, wool felt, nicely defined gold lettering, relatively thick wavy blue lines and the wings are more heavily embroidered than others we have had in the past. A very nice example and a fairly difficult patch to acquire. Vg. $35.00

3AFP-36. This specimen is a fully embroidered, 4-inch diameter, silver/gray patch depicting a red and blue, "futuristic," aircraft, superimposed on the northern hemisphere of the world. Red and blue Morse code symbols are exhibited along the left border of the patch; the code reads, “AFATC,” (Air Force Air Transport Command). The Air Transport Command was established in 1942 and was responsible for ferrying aircraft to U.S., as well as, overseas destinations. Their mission also included transporting War Department personnel, military mail and military cargo.  A beautiful example. The patch has a small frayed spot on the right edge, (a factory blemish, not a major problem), at about three o’clock. Unused.  Excellent. $35.00 SOLD

3AFP-36a. Approximately 5-inch diameter brown leather patch depicting a red and blue, "futuristic," aircraft, superimposed on the northern hemisphere of the world. Red and blue Morse code symbols are exhibited along the left border of the patch; the code reads, “AFATC,” (Air Force Air Transport Command). The design is actually a thin decal that is applied onto the leather circle, which is a very common style of WW2 construction for this particular patch. The unit was established in 1942 and was responsible for ferrying aircraft to US, as well as, overseas destinations. Their mission included transporting War Department Personnel, Military Mail and Cargo. The leather backside has dark spots that looks like water stains, however, I believe it’s just the nature of the leather when it was processed. The patch has not been used; it's been well taken care of throughout the years; the decal is perfect with just a hint of age in the form of slight darkening of the colors. SCARCE. Excellent+. $125.00

3AFP-36b. Approximately 5-inch diameter brown leather patch, approved 26 July 1942, depicting a silver four blade propeller, superimposed on a yellow/gold gear which is on a light blue background bearing eleven silver stars; the design sit on a silver wings on the bottom portion of the patch. The design is actually a thin decal that is applied onto the leather circle; a very common style of construction for this particular patch. The mission of the Air Service Command was to provide aircraft related technical and mechanical services throughout the world for the U.S.A.A.F. The central blue and gold colors are the colors of the Air Force; the gear represents the technical, & mechanical services performed by the unit; the four blade propeller divides the patch into four segments, which represent the four Air Service areas and the stars represent each of the Air Depot Control Area Commands. The backside of the patch is blank leather. The patch has not been used; it has been well taken care of throughout the years; the decal is perfect. Overall excellent+ condition with just a hint of age. SCARCE. $125.00 SOLD

3AFP-37. 2-1/2-inch diameter fully embroidered patch, depicting the letters "AU" superimposed on the AAF winged star design; the lamp of knowledge burns above the letters. The Air University was established in 1946 for continuing the education of selected Air Force officers for important leadership positions. The front of the patch exhibits light and insignificant age from handling and storage; the backside has a large discolored area from glue, as it was once glued in a scrapbook. Unused. Near excellent. $12.00 

3AFP-37a. 2-1/2-inch diameter, fully embroidered patch, same description as above, except, this specimen exhibits very light signs of age and very light and insignificant soil from handling; the backside exhibits a large area of glue residue from being in a scrapbook. Unused. Vg. $9.00

3AFP-38. 2-1/2-inch diameter, fully embroidered, patch. Approved in 1949, this patch replaced the previous, “Air Training Command,” shoulder arc. The Air Training Command Utilized Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training of enlisted personnel and ground force officers. Unused. Excellent. $10.00 

3AFP-38a. 2-1/2-inch diameter, fully embroidered patch, same description as above, except, this specimen is used and had been removed from a uniform; it exhibits light to moderate signs of age and wear, as well as hand stitch marks and minor remnants of original hand sewing thread. Vg. $8.00 SOLD

3AFP-39.  2-3/4-inch wide x 3-3/8-inch high, fully embroidered patch depicting the AAF wing star design and the word, "Air R.O.T.C." The ROTC program trained junior officers for service in the Air Force. Unused. Excellent.  $8.00 SOLD

3AFP-39a. 2-3/4-inch wide x 3-3/8-inch high, fully embroidered patch depicting the AAF wing star design and the word, "Air R.O.T.C." Same description as above, except, this specimen exhibits very light signs of age from handling, as well as remnants of paper, on the backside, from being glued in a scrapbook. Vg+. $7.00 SOLD