Applying an original Air Apaches Patch to a Repro...

[Lignemaginot]

I had asked in an early post if someone could point me in the direction of decent repro squadron patches for my GW size 46 27753, and I received a helpful response.

It then occurred to me that I actually have an original Air Apaches Squadron Patch (at least, I bought it as real some years ago - I don't know diddly about squadron patches, so feel free to tell me). Assuming it is real, what's your opinion on applying it to a repro jacket? I personally think it's looks good, but am I committing heresy by applying an original to a repro? On the financial end, if I ever have to sell the set, am I destroying the value of each individual piece (the patch has already been applied at one time - the jacket doesn't yet have any holes in it)? What's the value on the patch these days, anyway? Which side of the jacket would the Air Apaches patch go on, given that it's the Bomb Grouup, not the squadron? So many questions, so little time, enquiring minds want to know, etc, etc.

At the very bottom are several photos of the original Air Apaches jacket (Bats Out-o-Hell squadron, the 499th) I had at one time - the patch came with that set.

Clive

Here are the photos of the original:

 

[TankBuster]

Hey Clive,
I put a original patch on my ELC B-10 jacket. I don't see anything wrong with it.
As for value, I would say you would be around $300-$400 for your Air Apaches
patch. It deifinitely looks to be a good one to me.
Jeff

 

[Stony]

USAAF regulations state that the group patch goes on the right breast and the squadron patch goes on the left breast. For shoulder patches, the current assignment goes on the left arm and the previous or AAF general HQ patch goes on the right arm. Hope this helps.


By the way, really nice patch in really good condition.

 

[Lignemaginot]

Many thanks. I'm now actually thinking of sending the jacket to the artist recommended in another thread to see if he can't recreate the superb Indian Head on the back of that original.... we shall see.

 

[Andrew]

Clive, just my opinion- if i were you i'd keep the patch un-molested to save its value and get a good painted one done for the repro jacket and let it get bashed around a bit. It would be terrible if you snagged a loop of that patch on something....

 

[CBI]

If its a real Air Apaches patch, it might go for as high as $800!!!!!! Have something painted on the repro and save the original. Cool stuff you have

 

[deeb7]

Clive, just my opinion- if i were you i'd keep the patch un-molested to save its value and get a good painted one done for the repro jacket and let it get bashed around a bit. It would be terrible if you snagged a loop of that patch on something....

Exactly ..... this plan gets my vote too.

 

[dujardin]

helloooo,

following my PM and the answer of the other members, i think you have a 'treasure' in your hand.
and after reflexion , i join the other to this idea of a repro to place on your jacket.
i have this in my file, if it can help

byeeeeeeeeee and hope to see you one of these days in Ciney

marcel

 

[jeroen]

Marcel,

when is the next Ciney happening?
I'd like to go. Havent been there in ages.

 

[dujardin]

on 26th april 2009

here is a small link

http://www.cineyexpo.be/agenda/evenement.php?id=129

why don't we make a list of forum member who will be there ????????????

1. me

who's next ?????????????

byeeeeeeeeeee marcel

 

[Lignemaginot]

Yep, I tend to agree; no harm in putting a high quality repro patch/painting on a high quality repro jacket. Perhaps I'll unload the Air Apaches patch to finance it....

Marcel, je voulais te dire que je n'habite plus au Luxembourg - j'etais la-bas pendant cinq ans, jusqu'a 2005. Je suis d'origine Britannique, mais ma famille est emigre aux EU quand j'etais jeune (desole, il n'y a pas d'accents sur ce clavier!). So as much as I'd love to go to Ciney again, I can't envision a special trip from Rhode Island....

Clive

 

[TankBuster]

If its a real Air Apaches patch, it might go for as high as $800!!!!!! Have something painted on the repro and save the original. Cool stuff you have

Here's the same patch at $475 from a dealers site. His prices tend to be pretty high.
A more realistic value is probably closer to $300, but it just takes a couple of dummies
on Ebay I guess to maybe get more.
Love the original that you once owned by the way. Great painting! I remember taking a run
at that one myself about 4 years ago. Maybe you're the guy I drove the price up on

http://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/mm5/ ... de=03afsq2

 

[Lignemaginot]

If its a real Air Apaches patch, it might go for as high as $800!!!!!! Have something painted on the repro and save the original. Cool stuff you have

Here's the same patch at $475 from a dealers site. His prices tend to be pretty high.
A more realistic value is probably closer to $300, but it just takes a couple of dummies
on Ebay I guess to maybe get more.
Love the original that you once owned by the way. Great painting! I remember taking a run
at that one myself about 4 years ago. Maybe you're the guy I drove the price up on

http://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/mm5/ ... de=03afsq2

Ah, so that was you! Yep, it was a beautiful set, but the collar had dry rot and would eventually start crumbling.

And yes, thanks for searching for that patch - It looks like, based on that price, your estimate would be about right (although I think mine has more character!).

Clive

 

[TankBuster]

If its a real Air Apaches patch, it might go for as high as $800!!!!!! Have something painted on the repro and save the original. Cool stuff you have

Here's the same patch at $475 from a dealers site. His prices tend to be pretty high.
A more realistic value is probably closer to $300, but it just takes a couple of dummies
on Ebay I guess to maybe get more.
Love the original that you once owned by the way. Great painting! I remember taking a run
at that one myself about 4 years ago. Maybe you're the guy I drove the price up on

http://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/mm5/ ... de=03afsq2

Ah, so that was you! Yep, it was a beautiful set, but the collar had dry rot and would eventually start crumbling.

And yes, thanks for searching for that patch - It looks like, based on that price, your estimate would be about right (although I think mine has more character!).

Clive

I agree about the character ! Best of luck with the patch! Too bad about the collar!
That was a awesome painting!!

 

[Lignemaginot]

Would it indicate advanced senility if I'm seriously considering trying to do the Air Apache artwork on the back by myself? What kind of paint should I use?

 

[Tim P]

it is a straightforward design which requires little artistic skill. acrylics will work well and are flexible. Enamels are less flexible and will craze and may flake as the jacket ages.

 

[Lignemaginot]

it is a straightforward design which requires little artistic skill. acrylics will work well and are flexible. Enamels are less flexible and will craze and may flake as the jacket ages.

I guess the original paints would have had lead in them - unobtainable now. Acrylic it is....

 

[jeroen]

April will be fine

Put me on the list Marcel, ill probably go down there with a couple of mates. Always a good way to spent a sunday!

p.s. There also used to be quite a good one in Arlon. Is that still happening?

later,

jeroen

 

[CBI]

I see, for $475. I am thinking of all of those famous unit patches (from WWII) that have been fetching very high prices (as much as $2,000) on the bay this past year.

 

[dujardin]

April will be fine

Put me on the list Marcel, ill probably go down there with a couple of mates. Always a good way to spent a sunday!

p.s. There also used to be quite a good one in Arlon. Is that still happening?

later,

jeroen

hello Jeroen,

great news...
Arlon still alive; i have to search info about the event; i don't go often there due to the distance but one time a year i visit the ''market''. if i remember well it's something like the first sunday of each month.... i check and give infos... see you soon

byeeeeeeeeee marcel

bye the way, where are you from ???