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Author
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Topic: Availability of NASA astronaut class patches
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Kevin T. Randall
Member Posts: 1704
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 12-14-2025 08:06 AM
   
Four of the ASCAN patches are currently available to buy from A-B Emblem's website, they are:- 20 : 2009 : The Chumps 161156 A-B Emblem Made In China 08/23 40
- 21 : 2013 : The 8 Balls 219011 A-B Emblem Made In China 08/23 40
- 22 : 2017 : The Turtles 297362 A-B Emblem Made In USA 02/23 20
- 23 : 2022 : The Flies 450328 A-B Emblem (Made In USA) 06/2306
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dcfowler1
Member Posts: 171
From: Eugene, OR
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-14-2025 10:09 PM
This 1985 patch that was auctioned purportedly belonged to Brian Duffy. |
Paul J. Brennan
Member Posts: 309
From: Linden, CA
Registered: May 2019
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posted 12-16-2025 12:15 AM
Thank you. That's the same one posted in the 9-5-14 post. Looks like the official version to me. |
Kevin T. Randall
Member Posts: 1704
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 12-17-2025 04:06 PM
A-B Emblem have just released for sale the remaining 16 ASCAN patches for sale on their website. Starting with Group 8 through to Group 19. Some groups have two different patch designs like: 10, 13, 14, and 16. All these patches are Made in China and all have the same date code 12/2540- Group 8 (1978): 480183 "35 New Guys"
(orange version not yellow)
- Group 9 (1980): 480182 19+80 (no nicknames)
- Group 10 (1984): 480181 "Maggots" (spear shaped)
- 480238 MAGGOTS Quando Edamus (special) (oval shaped)
- Group 11 (1985): 480176
(first version without black background behind "Thorne")
- Group 12 (1987) 480170 "The Gaffers"
- Group 13 (1990) 480237 "Hairballs"
- 480169 (Hairballs special)
- Group 14 (1992): 480168 "The Hogs"
- 480236 XIV (Hogs special 92 arrow shaped)
- Group 15 (1995): 480164 "The Flying Escargot"
- Group 16 (1996): 475976 "The Sardines"
- 480235 For Sardines Space Is No Problem packed with pride Group XVI (special)
- Group 17 (1998): 480163 "The Penguins"
- Group 18 (2000): 475975 "The Bugs"
- Group 19 (2004): 475974 "The Peacocks"
No patches were produced for Groups 1 through to 7.All these patches are being sold individually, not as a complete or part set. There are group numbering errors on A-B Emblem's site. The special Sardines is Group 16, not 11. 1985 is 11. Hairballs is 13 not 11. Maggots is 10 not 11. |
MajTom7
Member Posts: 187
From: Cocoa, FL USA
Registered: Aug 2011
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posted 12-18-2025 06:53 AM
Thank you for the head's up Kevin. I see that they've bolded a few of the lines and the type on the Orbiter on the Special Sardines patch. I've ordered one to compare to the original. I still have four left, waiting for Sardines to pass through the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 1058
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 12-18-2025 04:27 PM
A pity they did not have a good look at the originals first. Especially 1984. Shuttle has much more detail in the original and stars should be of different sizes. Have a look at this Flickr set (also posted earlier in this thread) to see the original patches. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 55713
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-18-2025 05:23 PM
Maybe it is for the best that there are differences so to keep the originals something special? I know that even the use of modern embroidery machines introduce differences, but clear design departures makes sure these are only seen as souvenir tributes, never to be mistaken for those created by and for the astronauts. |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 1058
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 12-18-2025 05:56 PM
Overall, it is a nice set! |
DeepSea
Member Posts: 76
From:
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 12-20-2025 06:06 PM
Ordered the 1978 and 1980 patches as soon as I saw the email. Excited to see them! quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Maybe it is for the best that there are differences so to keep the originals something special?
Agreed! |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1381
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 12-27-2025 06:24 PM
I received the set of astronaut group patches today; ordered a dozen from Class 8 to 19. They're very attractively rendered, and I'm glad to add them to my collection.Anyone considering purchase should be advised that the website illustrations are misleading in one respect. These patches are all full plastic backed and cut edged. They do not have fully merrowed edges. Just FYI. |
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