Update 12/20/24: SEASON'S GREETINGS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS from FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES!!
WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH CREDIT CARD PURCHASES!! Using your PayPal accounts solves this issue fastest!
If you would like to PAY for a $100.00 or MORE Artifact with a CREDIT CARD, please email and I will get an invoice emailed to you as Soon as Possible!
We will be OUT OF THE OFFICE from FRIDAY 12/20 until SUNDAY 01/05/25, Returning to the Office on MONDAY 01/06/25!!
And, as always, we are HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR ORDERS during our time AWAY, and we will promptly mark any ordered Artifacts as SOLD.
We will be UNABLE TO SHIP as of 12/20, and REGULAR SHIPPING will resume on MONDAY, JANUARY 6th, 2025!
As always, if funding your order of $100.00 or more from a Bank that offers ZELLE, ASK ABOUT our ZELLE DISCOUNT!!
That DISCOUNT also applies to PayPal GIFT (Fee-Free), Check, and Money Order payments!!
Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs! Happy Holidays, Ron & Kana.
ARTIFACT:
What we have here is a Fabulous WWII circa 1943 Italian Made Hand Embroidered USAAF 85th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force Flight Jacket Patch in Silk and TINSEL BULLION on Woven Wool.
The 85th Fighter Squadron was Activated on 9 February 1942. Moved to Egypt, October-November 1942, and became part of Ninth Air Force.
Trained with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya to Tunisia. Although many of the unit's pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin operations until March 1943. By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa, captured Pantelleria, and conquered Sicily.
Assigned to Twelfth Air Force in August 1943 and continued to support British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy. Operated in the area of the Anzio beachhead, January-March 1944. Participated in the drive on Rome, March-June 1944, and converted to P-47 Thunderbolts during that time. Flew escort and strafing missions in southern France during August and September 1944, and afterward engaged in air interdiction and close air support operations in northern Italy.
A huge, thick, exquisitely made patch, this was actually worn on the flight jacket of the pilot who originally owned it. Sadly his name has been lost to time.
Luckily, given the delicate nature of the patch, it has remained in Very Fine+ condition, with only light overall wear, some small areas of moderate wear, and only one tiny moth nip in the wool that the moths always love so much!
A squadron that traces its history back to North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force in 1942 an early 1943, this patch was made mid-late 1943 once the squadron ad reached mainland Italy.
One of the most beautiful examples of this patch that we have owned, even with the combat wear. A welcome addition to any WWII USAAF collection.
VINTAGE:
World War II.
SIZE:
Approximately 5" in height x 5-1/8" in width.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Bullion & Silk on Wool.
ATTACHMENT:
To be sewn on.
MARKINGS:
N/A.
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a United States Air Forces collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. TRVDEJX/VGIEX TRBAJX24 LABGEX11/11/24 SABGEX11/11/24
CONDITION:
7+ (Very Fine): The patch shows only light overall wear, some small areas of moderate wear, and only one tiny moth nip in the wool that the moths always love so much!
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
