USAF 48th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW Patch F-100D Super Sabre Crest RAF Lakenheath 1964 (4 Inch) – Variant D1

USAFE Patch 48th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW Crest USAF F-100D Super Sabre 13 Stars RAF Lakenheath UK 1964 (4 Inch) Variant D1

USAFE Patch 48th Tactical Fighter Wing Patch 48th TFW Fighter Wing Crest

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacturer – US Made Schiffli Machined

Manufacture – factory machine fully embroidered through light khaki twill and white synthetic guaze stiffener with the rear locking threads white synthetic partly snowy, motto scroll with gold lettering and edges

Visibility – colour

Condition – very good has not been sewn to uniform

Size – 110mm by 98mm

Approximate imperial size – four and one quarter inches by three and seven eighth inches

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USAF 48th TFW Patch

F-100D Super Sabre fighter aircraft

Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base France

This original 48th Tactical Fighter Wing crest patch represents the famous F-100D Super Sabre period. The 13-star Variant D1 patch dates from the RAF Lakenheath years.

Activating at Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base France on 10 July 1952 the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing flying element comprised 492nd, 493rd and 494th Fighter Bomber Squadrons. The Wing upgraded from F-84G Thunderjet to F-86F Sabre aircraft during November 1953.

A new insignia design strengthened Franco-American relations during the Cold War period. Chaumont was located near Frederic Bartholdi’s workshops designer of 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”.

In late 1956 the Wing converted from F-86F Sabre aircraft to F-100D Super Sabre fighter aircraft. The F-100D became one of USAFE’s principal NATO tactical fighter aircraft. The Wing assumed direct control of combat squadrons on 8 December 1957 when the 48th Fighter Bomber Group was inactivated. The Wing became the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958. Flying squadrons were redesignated Tactical Fighter Squadrons following the name change.

RAF Lakenheath United Kingdom

Rising political tensions forced USAFE units to leave France during the late 1950s. Under Project Red Richard the Wing redeployed to RAF Lakenheath, England, during January 1960. RAF Lakenheath became a major NATO fighter base during the Cold War years. The Wing supported NATO exercises and tactical evaluations throughout Europe. Deployments included Turkey, Italy, Spain and bases across the United Kingdom. The Wing earned its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award between 1961 and 1964.

During 1972 the Wing began conversion to the F-4D Phantom II aircraft. The final F-100D Super Sabre departed RAF Lakenheath during August 1974.

This 4-inch patch is highly collectible among USAFE and Cold War aviation 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”

This USAF Patch 48th TFW dates from 1964.