25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Homemade Repro

[deanglen]

Since I got that vintage red ballcap, I knew I wanted to make it one of those caps the F-86 Sabre pilots wore in the Korean War period, 1950-53. A little research at the local Borders library and some tireless on-line work gave me a clear enough idea to reproduce a cap very similar to those worn by some of the pilots of the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, the Checkertails. Not being able locate a source for an actual patch, I decided to use some acylic paints on felt. I'm pleased with the result.

dean

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Very cool, Dean! I always loved the 'do-it-yourself' approach to those unavailable things!

 

[Tango Yankee]

:eusa_clap Good work, Dean! :eusa_clap

Thought you'd like to know (if you didn't already) that there is still a 51st Fighter Wing in Korea, at Osan Air Base.

Osan Air Base has a special meaning for Rhonda and I as it was there that we met in 1986.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Razzman]

Nice job Dean. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

Great work as always Mr D!!!!!
:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[deanglen]

Thank you, boys, another atypical lid for the Lounge from me. Here's a shot taken outside that shows the color of the hat better, and a close up of the patch I made.

dean

 

[Colby Jack]

Great Hat Dean

:eusa_clap Good work, Dean! :eusa_clap

Thought you'd like to know (if you didn't already) that there is still a 51st Fighter Wing in Korea, at Osan Air Base.

Osan Air Base has a special meaning for Rhonda and I as it was there that we met in 1986.

Cheers,
Tom

I was stationed at Camp Casey in 90. Got down to Osan on occasion. I was part of AFKN. Would love to go back and visit....

 

[deanglen]

REVISED PATCH ARTWORK

The first 25thFIS patch I did from memory, not bothering to work from an image on line. This one is much more accurate and what I should have done the first time.
First, the model I worked from, which I modified slightly

The patch as I rendered it a second time:
dean

 

[Feraud]

I like d.i.y. projects and this is one of them.

Did the acrylic easily wash off the cap?

 

[deanglen]

I like d.i.y. projects and this is one of them.

Did the acrylic easily wash off the cap?

The acrylic was on a piece of felt that I hand stitched to the cap. I simply worked on a new piece of felt and changed it out.



dean

 

[Feraud]

The acrylic was on a piece of felt that I hand stitched to the cap. I simply worked on a new piece of felt and changed it out.



dean

Great job!

 

[deanglen]

Great job!

Thank you, Feraud.




dean

 

[Edward]

Nicely done - you're obviously good with a brush.

 

[deanglen]

Nicely done - you're obviously good with a brush.

Thank you, Edward. Painted a lot of tin soldiers in my day.





dean

 

[deanglen]

Final tweaking of the hat patch. Been putting ever finer touches on it over the last three days. Must stop...now...can't keep messing with...it.

I wish I knew. a) who designed it, and b) what the symbolism of the details of it is. It is one of the more unique patches I've looked at lately. One reason I chose to put it on the hat, plus the photo eveidence I ran across showed the patch on pilots with red caps. They had red T-shirts with larger versions on, under their leather jackets. LOVE to get one of those shirts, and wonder what technology they used to imprint the design on the shirt in the era, 1950-53. Some had the emblem on their jackets. Strangely, I haven't found any actual patches available from vendors. I know some people have embroidering machines that can reproduce anything. Wish I had one, I switch it on the cap in an instant. But it was fun to make this one.





dean

 

[Boris K]

.

That is fantastic work, Dean.

 

[deanglen]

Thank you, Boris. Much appreciate your interest.







dean