USAF 48th Fighter Bomber Wing FBW Patch F-86F Sabre Crest France 1954 (4 Inch) – Variant A2a

USAF USAFE 48th FBW Patch Fighter Bomber Wing Crest F-86F Sabre 1954 Chaumont AB France 13 Stars (4 Inch) – Variant A2a

USAF 48th FBW Patch is from the early F-86F sabre era in France and just after the new Statue of Liberty emblem was adopted.

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacture – US Made Shifli

Visibility – full colour

Condition – very good uniform removed

Manufacture – Fully embroidered cut edge full cream “snow” cotton rear thread, gold color thread to scroll lettering and edge

Size – 110mm by 101mm

Approximate Imperial size – four and five sixteenth inches by four inches.

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USAF 48th FBW

This original 48th Fighter Bomber Wing crest patch represents the early Cold War years in France. The 48th Fighter Bomber Wing activated at Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base on 10 July 1952. The Wing initially operated the F-84G Thunderjet fighter bomber aircraft. The unit formed from the redesignation of the 137th Fighter Bomber Wing.

The Wing’s flying operations were carried out by the 492nd, 493rd and 494th Fighter Bomber Squadrons. The Wing supported NATO and United States Air Forces in Europe operational readiness throughout Europe. Subsequently training exercises were regularly conducted with the United States Seventh Army.

The Wing also deployed frequently to Wheelus Air Base, Libya, for bombing and gunnery training. In November 1953 the Wing converted to the famous F-86F Sabre fighter aircraft.

A new insignia design strengthened Franco-American relations during the Cold War period. Chaumont was located near Frederic Bartholdi’s workshops in eastern France. Bartholdi designed the famous Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The Wing incorporated the Statue of Liberty into its emblem. On 4 July 1954 the mayor of Chaumont granted the Wing its honorary title Statue de la Liberte subsequently used on its emblem. The Wing became known as “The Statue of Liberty Wing” and “Liberty Wing”.

During late 1956 the Wing converted to the F-100D Super Sabre aircraft.

Therefore this early F-86F Sabre patch from 1954 is highly collectible among USAFE and Cold War aviation memorabilia collectors.

Emblem –

Azure, an orle of mullets Argent, issuant from base overall the bust of the Statue of Liberty facing to dexter Vert, all within a diminished bordure Or. Attached below the shield, a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed “Statue De La Liberte” in Blue letters.

Significance – Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The emblem is symbolic of the Wing and its history. On 10 July 1954, the 178th anniversary of United States independence, the Wing was designated as “The Statue of Liberty Wing” in recognition of the long-standing friendship between the United States and France. The thirteen stars surrounding the Statue of Liberty represent the original colonies of the United States of America. The red edge to the shield denotes the sacrifice to achieve independence.

Used from 1954 Formally approved 5 July 1962, modified on 21 November 1994; replaced emblem approved on 20 March 1953

Motto –

French “Statue De La Liberte”-translates – “Statue of Liberty”

Review the History Hub for 48th Tactical Fighter Wing

This USAF 48th FBW Patch dates from 1954.