|
Author
|
Topic: 321228114770: STS-53 DoD Patch
|
Kevin T. Randall
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
|
posted 10-14-2013 07:47 AM
   
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
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-14-2013 07:57 AM
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
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
|
posted 10-14-2013 08:16 AM
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
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-14-2013 08:21 AM
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
Member Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 10-14-2013 11:24 AM
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
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 10-14-2013 11:27 AM
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
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
|
posted 10-14-2013 12:02 PM
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
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-14-2013 02:21 PM
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
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 10-14-2013 07:47 PM
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
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-15-2013 11:29 AM
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
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
|
posted 10-15-2013 11:56 AM
Many thanks for this information Robert. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 10-15-2013 01:10 PM
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
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
|
posted 10-21-2013 01:19 AM
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
Member Posts: 21
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Registered: Oct 2013
|
posted 11-03-2013 01:41 PM
Did anyone notice that another seller has a decal of that DoD patch for sale? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-03-2013 01:48 PM
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
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
|
posted 11-11-2013 04:57 PM
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. |
advertisement