Fairlane*66
3/27/2010 9:57:08 AM | Just came back to the forum after a long absence and it's gratifying to see the amount of traffic still going on here. My best to everyone here, especially our WWII vets. I flew F-16s with the 401 TFW at Torrejon AB, Spain, from 1984-1987 and attended the Deenethorpe reunion in the late 1980s. I retired from the USAF in 2007 but still work for the USAF as a government civilian. I retain an ardent interest in the 401ST BG and all WWII topics, and am currently writing a book on Lt Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner, the first USAAC ace of WWII. Buzz hailed from my hometown, Johnstown, PA, and was killed in a tragic P-40K accident on 29 Nov 42 enroute from Eglin Field, FL, to Maxwell Field, AL. The cause of his fatal mishap was never officially explained, but that's something I hope to rectify in my book. Buzz, like the guys who flew B-17s with the 401st, possessed a character that exceeded even the heroic stature he gained in the press, but he never let that go to his head. Cut down in the prime of his career, the USAF lost one of its future leaders when his P-40 plunged into the ground. If anyone on this forum knew Buzz or remembers anything about him, they can contact me at buzzresearch@aol.com. I am eager to include all firsthand accounts about the man in my book.
Now, for the real reason for this post. There are some interesting 401 BG patches currently up for auction on Ebay. Although they are reproductions, the seller claims they were made for RKO pictures and are so marked on the back. Up for auction are two "Triangle S" group patches (Auction # 110421901959); a 612 BS patch (Auction # 120495065581); a 613 BS patch (Auction # 110484712648), and 2 615 BS patches (Auction #s 110484578974 and 110456232888). No 614 BS patch is depicted. Although the colors are a bit muted, the patches seem to bear a reasonable resemblence to the ones on this site.
Here's what the seller has to say about these patches: "PAINT ON HVY CANVAS, MADE FOR RKO MOVIE STUDIOS AND MARKED FOR STUDIO AND MAX BERMAN COSTUME AND PROPS OF LOS ANGELES , SOLD AS STUDIO PATCH ONLY, PATCH SHOWS MINOR AGE AND WEAR."
Does anyone know why RKO Studios would have 401 BG patches? Was the 401 BG featured in any movies or was there a plan to do so? I'm not sure how long RKO existed, but is there a chance these patches were made up for a television series? This could be a very interesting research topic.
Again, I'm glad to be back with the forum and all of you who are interested in the 401 Bomb Group. My best to all of you. Col Jim M.
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donaldbyers
3/27/2010 11:14:01 AM | Welcome Back, Walt Disney designed a lot of patches for the AAF during WWII including 401st BG patchaes so this may have had something to do with it. Here is a link http://www.fly.to/WWII
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Johnny Signor
5/10/2010 12:07:18 AM | I have seen a fairly large amount of these "RKO" patches for sale on a couple of sites and E-Pay, I think they were made originally (post war) for collectors as all types of them were made, USAAF/USN/USMC ,and if you really compare them to the "original" design and colors specs the RKO's are not at all that great in the detail or the colors,also most WW-2 era patches were made either in cloth or leather forms, very few I have ever seen of "actual" ww2 era were on canvas.
Someone seeking a patch from a specific unit/Squadron if not able to find one, these would be to my opinion a "poor fill in" until a better one could be found or made by a patch artist who would take the time to research the details and colors and produce a better looking example.
This is just my opinion ,but I know of a few patch makers who can do much better, my self included, again take my opinion for what it's worth.
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