Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

posted 01-30-2015 01:54 PM               

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On the heels of last year's successful Kickstarter campaign for four commemorative patches, Retrorocket Emblems is launching an additional campaign to fund the production of a commemorative patch for the original prime crew of Gemini IX: Elliot See, Jr and Charles Bassett II who lost their lives in a T-38 trainer crash before they could take flight.

2015 is the 50th anniversary of their selection to the Gemini IX prime crew.

Only 50 patches will be produced. You can pledge here.

Like the previous Kickstarter, funds are only collected if the funding goal is met. It is a simple way to make sure that production of a patch occurs if sufficient interest is there to warrant it.

Posts: 28
From: Winnipeg, Canada
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 01-30-2015 09:28 PM               

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I'm in!

I was really happy with the previous Kickstarter patches, and this one looks even better!

Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000

Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012

Posts: 62
From: Pataskala, Ohio
Registered: Nov 2005

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

posted 02-02-2015 07:36 PM               

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The goal is to try to meet the funding needed to produce the patches, which has been reached. So as soon as the campaign ends on the site (Feb. 22) I can order the patches from the manufacturer and ship them out. The project, as of today, is officially a "GO," so anyone who orders one will receive one. The credit card charges will be made after the close of the campaign. You can still order them with the kickstarter until Feb 22.

If it had not been funded (goal not reached) no one would be out of any money in the end, including myself, for producing the items.

I went low with the funding goal on this one expecting to cover the difference of actually producing the items myself because I wasn't sure what the reception would be, so I am very happy to see the value exceeded. I wasn't sure if I raised the goal value to the full cost, if it would make it to the end, so I am delighted.

Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 02-03-2015 09:58 AM               

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I'm on board with this project as I was last time out.

Looks like a great patch.

Posts: 224
From: Riner, Virginia USA
Registered: Sep 2011

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

posted 02-16-2015 03:51 PM               

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The support for the See-Bassett patch has been incredible. In fact, if the funding reaches $350, I will add a second patch design to the project, which means that when the campaign ends, you will receive two unique patches for your support.

I don't have a secondary design yet but you can vote for a concept here:

Vote here.

If you have your own idea for a patch, email me at liem@retrorocketemblems.com and I will add it to the poll.

You can vote without being a part of the campaign, too.

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

Posts: 62
From: Pataskala, Ohio
Registered: Nov 2005

posted 02-18-2015 07:25 AM               

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Wow, that is really outstanding artwork — especially the Apollo/Pegasus; simple and elegant! It almost makes me want to change my vote.

Frankly, I'd like to see all those designs made as a patch.

Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006

Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

posted 02-18-2015 10:49 AM               

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I want to do the right thing with the extra funds from the campaign so if it doesn't make the $350 mark, I'll cover it myself. So at this time its fair to say that pledgers will receive two patches.

Does it make sense to release See-Bassett with the Pegasus patch and do another campaign for a double Mercury set? (Delta 7 / updated Freedom 7-II). The current votes are overwhelmingly for a "Delta 7" patch. AS-103's 50th anniversary is also 2015, like the See-Bassett selection as prime crew.

The Mercury patches are designed to complement the Eagle One Aerospace set. The Freedom 7-II patch is an update of someone else's version of that patch. I've only see photos of one example, but not on the open market. I tried to replicate the artwork on the capsule at Ames Research Center so it does differ from the other patch. The "Delta 7" is an original fantasy design that I hope best complements the other artwork of the program.

Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 02-18-2015 04:29 PM               

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quote:

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Originally posted by Liembo:
Does it make sense to release See-Bassett with the Pegasus patch and do another campaign for a double Mercury set?

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Yes, I think that's a great idea. We just passed the 50th anniversary of the first Pegasus flight launched aboard Saturn SA-9 on February 16. Remember, they were out of sequence — 9, then SA-8 on May 25 (first Saturn night launch), then 10 on July 30, closing out the Saturn I program.

Since the Project Highwater patch is not doing too well, maybe a Saturn I Program patch would fare better. There's not many collectibles out there in the way of commemorating those 10 successful launches.

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

Posts: 224
From: Riner, Virginia USA
Registered: Sep 2011

Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011

Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006

Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013

posted 05-05-2015 07:04 PM               

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Thank you for your feedback, I appareciate it.

Are you finding the double stick tape I used to secure the patches to backing board to be problematic? If so, I'll see about finding an alternate method in the future.

Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006