T O P I C R E V I E W |
Kevin T. Randall | I think this is the first example of one of these STS-53 DoD, 'Lone Star' or 'Death Star' mission patches to be listed on eBay. Dose anyone know who manufactured these patches, how many were produced, and for who? Many thanks. |
Robert Pearlman | Is there any reason to suspect this is not just an invention by the seller? The seller has a number of fantasy (e.g. the "launch team" STS-135 patch) and unauthorized knockoff (e.g. one of Tim Gagnon's STS-62A designs) patches for sale. |
Kevin T. Randall | I've known about this patch for about a year or so, and I have two images of two other examples of this same patch. This eBay listed one (I would say looking at all three), is almost identical to the other two images I have, which came from an independent source. |
Robert Pearlman | Okay, but is there anything to suggest this isn't a fantasy patch? It would seem odd that a seller dealing in mostly fakes would have a rarity to offer... |
JBoe | Looking at the original design, it looks like the one star in the "Lone Star" or "Death Star" patch on eBay could have been left over from the star in the flag of the official design. I believe this is a "fantasy" or alternative design. Usually "sensitive" or classified missions wouldn't use an official design and a separate patch design would be issued, correct? |
p51 | I've also been told by a friend of mine in Florida law enforcement that some of their cop patches are fantasy patches as well, if that makes any difference. I agree, this would be a strong indictation that the patch in question is also a fantasy one... |
Kevin T. Randall | We hope to have an answer sometime soon, as Robert has e-mailed Jim Voss asking him if he knows anything about this version of the STS-53 mission patch. If we don't hear from Jim then Robert will e-mail Bob Cabana. |
Robert Pearlman | quote: Originally posted by JBoe: Usually "sensitive" or classified missions wouldn't use an official design...
There are examples of the crew emblem art being modified for the DoD version. For example, there is the STS-38 "secret" patch, which reversed the color layout.As Kevin wrote, I have contacted Voss in hopes of confirming (or dispelling) the STS-53 patch as being official. |
Joel Katzowitz | Just as a point of interest, the STS-53 crew nicked named themselves "The Dogs of War". That mission was the last DoD shuttle mission flown. Several members of that original crew reunited for STS-69 and called themselves "The Dog Crew II". And again some resurfaced for STS-88 and called themselves "The Stealth Dog Crew III". |
Robert Pearlman | Jim Voss replied: I have never seen this version of our patch. We never did an alternate version. The version with the US flag in the middle of the patch is the only one we did. It was designed by Brandon Clifford, the son of my crew mate Rich Clifford. |
Kevin T. Randall | Many thanks for this information Robert. |
p51 | Isn't it great that Robert can get to the bottom of things like this? Thanks for checking for all of us! |
Kevin T. Randall | Despite that information this patch still sold for $70.00 with 7 bids from 5 bidders. I wonder how many more of these patches this seller has? |
BlueHalo | Did anyone notice that another seller has a decal of that DoD patch for sale? |
Robert Pearlman | It's a print-on-demand sale (you can select the size) so clearly just someone trying to benefit from the interest in the earlier questionable patch sale. |
mach3valkyrie | quote: Originally posted by Kevin T. Randall: I wonder how many more of these patches this seller has?
The original seller has listed another patch for sale with a starting price of $9.00. |