skybear45
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Squadron Insignia
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08/30/2007 11:26:14 AM
I am currently doing research into the 321stBG(M), 12thUSAAF and I'm looking for some help in determining the image of the squadron insignia of the 448thBS(M) which was assigned to this group during the war. I'm am attaching the only visual I have and would greatly appreciate any assistance I can get in this matter. Thanks, Bob Watkins
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martyjhawk
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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08/30/2007 12:20:06 PM
I don't know if this is where you got the image you posted, but the one on this web site is also very indistinct: http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/321st.html The insignias from the other 3 squadrons in this group appear to have had a common theme, the 445th has an eagle dropping bombs, the 446th has a rabbit riding a bomb, anf the 447th has a skeleton riding a bomb. The 448th is too indistict for me to make out what it was. Here is another link to the 448th Missle Squadron, with their insignias. This squadron was the decendent of the 448th BS. The center insignia looks like it may have been a revision to the WWII insignia: http://www.ranger95.com/airforce/missle_sq/448th_ms.htm Good luck figuring this out. Marty
<message edited by martyjhawk on 08/30/2007 01:16:20 PM >
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skybear45
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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08/30/2007 04:03:42 PM
Thanks Marty,
The web site you cited plus a grainy black & white 4x5 print showing this insignia
on an A-2 jacket is all I have to go on with this image. If you come up with anything
I'll be happy to hear about it.
Bob
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333helo
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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08/30/2007 06:41:03 PM
Bob,
Not much help here but my 1st impression looking at the pic was a Python or snake wrapped around the Island of Corsica until I read Marty's reply and started looking at the other Insignia then started 2nd guessing that thought big time! anyway just thought I'd put it in here just in case....good luck with your project!
Regards,
Clint
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skybear45
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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08/30/2007 08:47:37 PM
Clint,
Acting upon your message I superimposed an outline of Corsica over the 448thBS insignia
and you just may be on to something here. The large central mass does indeed bear a close
resemblance to that island but I'm at a loss figuring out what might be encircling it.
At any rate, thanks! I think I might be one step closer to unraveling this image.
Best regards,
Bob
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333helo
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/01/2007 02:44:59 AM
Bob,
Glad to have helped in some form...thought you'd read that and say whoa he's seeing things! Anyway good luck with the rest of the puzzle!!!!!!!!!!
Clint
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333helo
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/02/2007 07:07:28 AM
Bob,
New idea going here as I haven't been able to just let this go.If you will look at the original patch then compare it to the patch from the 2nd website marty listed especially the center patch where the man is heaving the missile. To me its a striking resemblence in overall shape etc.. almost thinking an eagle heaving a bomb but I'm still not seeing it(the eagle that is) not really sure yet. Don't know if it's the quality of the original piece in clarity or what but it's quite hard to get a distinct thing out of it i.e. eagle, man or otherwise, maybe the newer is just their interpretation of the original...gonna keep playing with it it's quite the challenge!!!!
Regards
Clint
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333helo
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/02/2007 07:16:25 AM
Bob,
Adding one more see what you think. Top part of original, eagle or some kind of bird yellow part is beek maybe, then overall it is supposed to be in O.D. green flight suit other brown parts are legs or wings far left yellow is the bomb thinking the top of it is rounded with line near center supposed to be fuse? just a 2nd thought
Clint
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-vjw-
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/07/2007 07:09:12 PM
I've been asking friends of the 57th BW this queston. Christian Gloor indicated the image may be derived from a comic book character of the 1920s or 1930s. Christian painted the attached image based on a sketch he received from Robert "Bob" T. Silliman (310th, 380th) some years ago.
As an aside, I've previously seen a 57th B-25 that seemed to have Green Arrow nose art. Can anyone identify a comic book character that might be the subject of the 448th insignia? V/R -vjw- [image]local://upfiles/3990/AF3BAF111C0D45CFA43609F36A51DD1D.jpg[/image]
<message edited by -vjw- on 09/09/2007 07:25:12 AM >
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333helo
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/10/2007 01:56:29 AM
vjw,
Cannot identify the comic book reference you speak of but the artwork is a striking resemblence to the reproduction Marty referenced in his post with the more modern patch. Figures look nearly identical....nice work!
Clint
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-vjw-
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/10/2007 09:55:39 AM
Still collecting info. Here's a picture comparing the subject images ... [image]local://upfiles/3990/2BFDCCD2801E47CEA85D50D5E86B4233.jpg[/image]
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-vjw-
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/26/2007 08:41:04 AM
According to 448th pilot Col A.A. (Bud) West (USAF ret), the 448th Squadron was unofficially known as "the Bomb Slingers." The "slinger" on the insignia is Al Capp's detective character Fearless Fosdick. Mystery solved. V/R VJ White
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333helo
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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09/26/2007 08:52:38 PM
VJ, I was going back over this thread and boy was I way off!!!!!But I must say it was fun and very interesting to say the least. The link to the piece on Fearless Fosdick, interesting also, knew of Lil Abner all though it was before my time but good DETECTIVE work!  hated to use that but nice ending!!!!! Regards Clint
<message edited by 333helo on 09/26/2007 08:54:27 PM >
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corsica
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RE: Squadron Insignia
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10/03/2007 02:19:41 AM
I was told be one veteran that the 448th insignia is an image of one crewman rescuing another crewman from an airplane. One of them is wearing a parachute. That's what it looks like to me. And apparently there is a real-life situation behind this event but I do not know what it is. Another vet told me it was a bear with a bomb but I don't see it myself. Nice images there. Thanks for posting them. [image]local://upfiles/3470/3B07CCE1A94B46D4A2EDEAD321AE8FC1.jpg[/image]
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