Classified Patches and other Commemorative Items

Ninja said:
Found this on ebay, I think this coincides with the "Silence behind the green door" patch.
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It's "just what it says on the tin." The emblem on the obverse side of the coin is for 25th Air Force, Special Analysis Branch (25AF/ZQ), Operating Location Wright-Patterson (OL-WP). I think this may have eventually become the Special Analysis Squadron, part of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The squadron is part of NASIC's Space and Missile Analysis Group, which produces integrated, predictive space, counterspace, and ballistic missile intelligence to enable military operations, force modernization, and policy-making decisions. A similar coin for the Special Analysis Squadron also features a dragon towering over the Earth on the obverse side. Similarly, the reverse side has the A LIFETIME OF SILENCE BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR emblem.
 
I have found plenty of other challenge coins online, I'll try to watch out for fake/non-official coins. Ill also try not to post too many replicas.
 
Interesting patch lot from Worthpoint, note the bottom middle white patch with 6 red stars. The 6 stars typically represent Area 51, however I've never seen this one or variation before. It looks like the same patch/decal used for the Tacit Blue flight test. In the Tacit Blue's cockpit, a very similar patch/symbol can be seen. However the phrase "more with less" seems to indicate it belongs to the Red Hats, since that is their phrase/motto.

Link to Worthpoint patch: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/lot-area-51-patches-1990406637
 

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Yeah, it is a Red Hats emblem variant. It's based on the squadron's flight helmet decal. The original version on the helmet was bilaterally symmetrical and specifically designed to look good on a curved surface. In newer versions (like on the patch and the decal in TACIT BLUE"s cockpit), the stars are distorted as if someone traced the design off a photo of the flight helmet.
 
Whisperstream said:
Yeah, it is a Red Hats emblem variant. It's based on the squadron's flight helmet decal. The original version on the helmet was bilaterally symmetrical and specifically designed to look good on a curved surface. In newer versions (like on the patch and the decal in TACIT BLUE"s cockpit), the stars are distorted as if someone traced the design off a photo of the flight helmet.
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Found another listing of it, the seller claims it belongs to the 413th EW group, but they're most likely wrong.
Link: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/original-413th-area-51-electronic-428324175
 

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another group
 

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Ninja said:
Got no idea how this ended up in the hands of an French seller...or if it's even real in the first place...I know its a bit off topic but the listing is unique even if its fake.
www.ebay.com

puce composant electronique RQ 170 sentinel Iran dec 2011 Lockheed Martin | eBay

Puce RQ 170 sentinel. Iran décembre 2011. Ich kann Deutsch.
www.ebay.com
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The seller acquired these at a garage sale, of all things, in Paris. It's a point in the seller's favor that he's not overselling the item. While I don't see anything that absolutely guarantees its authenticity, I'm inclined to believe that it is authentic. This reminds me of the time a museum in Belgrade was selling small bits of the F-117A that got shot down in 1999.
 
Whisperstream said:
The seller acquired these at a garage sale, of all things, in Paris. It's a point in the seller's favor that he's not overselling the item. While I don't see anything that absolutely guarantees its authenticity, I'm inclined to believe that it is authentic. This reminds me of the time a museum in Belgrade was selling small bits of the F-117A that got shot down in 1999.
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Also do you mind if I shoot you a PM about something in another thread I made?
 
Byeman said:
Can't say much about them.
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I know. I wasn't asking you to say much about them, just the little bit that you can say. I'm familiar with the NROL-19 mission patch (dragon curled around a jewel). I have a drinking glass with the middle emblem (the one with the dragon and eagle), and I just wondered about the mission number and launch date. The same for the black dragon patch, which I also have.

I have a large collection of NRO mission and unit patches, many from launches I attended at Vandenberg. The last one I saw was NROL-71. There were so many delays, I began to wonder if it would ever launch. It all paid off in the end. The weather on launch day was spectacular and we were a lot closer to the launch pad than I had expected based on prior experience.
 
Byeman said:
In the past, some on here said I was likely just a janitor.
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Well im taking that as a yes. It must be so cool working at the NRO! It's my second favorite intelligence agency. I know you cant go into detail of what you do, but I know it must be cool.
 
Ninja said:
Well im taking that as a yes. It must be so cool working at the NRO! It's my second favorite intelligence agency. I know you cant go into detail of what you do, but I know it must be cool.
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I supported the NRO, I was not assigned to the NRO. I provided launch base support.
 

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Ninja said:
RQ-3 desk model alongside it's program patch.
www.worthpoint.com

1/48 Lockheed RQ-3a Darkstar UAV desk model contractor i believe skunk works | #1856092681

Recieved model from guy in cia outta virginia. He gave me a patch to put where there was and emblem that went missing. Believed to measure to 1/48 scale. Actual aircraft flew test flights at area 51 d
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com
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I've got one of those DarkStar models, unpainted and without a stand. I keep meaning to finish it up sometime. I've got the past, too, and a few others.

The Worthpoint description is wrong. There were no test flights of the RQ-3A at Area 51. Only two DarkStar vehicles were ever flown, both at Edwards AFB with support from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC). The first air vehicle (article number 695) arrived at DFRC on 6 September 1995. It made a successful maiden flight, but was destroyed on takeoff during its second flight. The second air vehicle (article number 696) arrived at DFRC on 16 October 1997. Following five successful flights, the program was cancelled on 28 January 1999.

I had a grand view of the first flight of the second air vehicle from an observation platform near the runway. That thing was basically a "flying saucer" with wings.
 
Whisperstream said:
I've got one of those DarkStar models, unpainted and without a stand. I keep meaning to finish it up sometime. I've got the past, too, and a few others.

The Worthpoint description is wrong. There were no test flights of the RQ-3A at Area 51. Only two DarkStar vehicles were ever flown, both at Edwards AFB with support from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC). The first air vehicle (article number 695) arrived at DFRC on 6 September 1995. It made a successful maiden flight, but was destroyed on takeoff during its second flight. The second air vehicle (article number 696) arrived at DFRC on 16 October 1997. Following five successful flights, the program was cancelled on 28 January 1999.

I had a grand view of the first flight of the second air vehicle from an observation platform near the runway. That thing was basically a "flying saucer" with wings.
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I thought the RQ-3 did fly at ol' Groom Lake? I thought it was secret, but I guess it wasn't considering you mentioned watching it fly at Edwards.
 
Ill try to avoid fakes but this seems interesting. Description: Auction is for (1) patch for a USAF/Boeing/AFLCMC Black Project Office Flight Test Squadron patch. 4" patch, with hook loop on the back.This patch is for a Clandestine Project Test Force. Its Im guessing something LO, Observables, a stealth platform flying out of Area 51 Det 3 AFTC, or one of the test sites. I was told it is a Phantom Works Project. Seen a few other patches and coins associated with.

www.worthpoint.com

Usaf Classified Combined Flight Test Squadron patch | #4589078686

Auction is for (1) patch for a USAF/Boeing/AFLCMC Black Project Office Flight Test Squadron patch. 4 patch, with hook loop on the back.This patch is for a Clandestine Project Test Force. Its Im guess
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com
 

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Ninja said:
Ill try to avoid fakes but this seems interesting. Description: Auction is for (1) patch for a USAF/Boeing/AFLCMC Black Project Office Flight Test Squadron patch. 4" patch, with hook loop on the back.This patch is for a Clandestine Project Test Force. Its Im guessing something LO, Observables, a stealth platform flying out of Area 51 Det 3 AFTC, or one of the test sites. I was told it is a Phantom Works Project. Seen a few other patches and coins associated with.

www.worthpoint.com

Usaf Classified Combined Flight Test Squadron patch | #4589078686

Auction is for (1) patch for a USAF/Boeing/AFLCMC Black Project Office Flight Test Squadron patch. 4 patch, with hook loop on the back.This patch is for a Clandestine Project Test Force. Its Im guess
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com
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The seller's description looks a bit like "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks," which is a bit of a disservice to the buyer. Sadly, I see this sort of conduct a lot on eBay.

That said, it is a fine patch and not a reproduction. This and the "Whatever It Takes" patch are both from Boeing Phantom Works projects at Groom Lake. Still quite a mystery with activities going back to 2009.
 

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Found this pretty rad patch that according to listing descriptions, it has do to with Northrop. The second image contains the same patch alongside other mysterious ones.

www.worthpoint.com

Northrop Grumman Patch, Full Scale Test Stealth LO Advanced programs Hook Loop | #4659576239

Origional Patch from Northrop Grumman. Patch is 4 with a hook loop reverse.Lo observables, Tonopah Test Range, Advanced Development Projects and Programs Flight Test, isr, Groom Lake, Area 51, federa
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com

www.worthpoint.com

Limited# Northrop Grumman Full Scale Flight Test, Beyond Limits Patch Area 51 | #4633196873

Feel free to send a offer..limited# on hand, and a Current issue patch for Noethrop Grumman Projects, Full Scale Test. Patch is 4 , and has a hook loop backing.Stealth, lo observables, blk ops, black
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com

www.worthpoint.com

(10 Patches) Lot Flight Test, Area 51, Classified Projects | #4632725082

Feel free to send a offer.. had a limited# on hand, and at last of what I have avail for most of these Hard to find patches. They all have a hook loop backing.If your into collecting patches from flig
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com
 

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Interesting find ob ebay. This looks like a patch from the 4450th tactical group when their cover story was that they were flying A-6's.

www.ebay.com

superb A-6 INTRUDER PATCH GHOSTRIDERS - 4450 th Tactical Group | eBay

FOR AN A-6 INTRUDER PATCH -GHOSTRIDERS - possibly the 4450 th Tactical Group. This item is a SINGLE of cloth inverted triangle SHAPED patch -plastic backed EYES, over swooping Eagle silhouette on a sand /desert background.
www.ebay.com
 

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Ninja said:
Found this pretty rad patch that according to listing descriptions, it has do to with Northrop. The second image contains the same patch alongside other mysterious ones.
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Again, some pretty horrible descriptions. The Full-Scale Test patch is for the B-21 Raider structural test article. The group of patches is a real mixed bag. There are four B-2 patches at upper left and two RQ-180 patches at upper right. At lower left is a patch for the Special Projects Division ("Space Pigs") of the Security Directorate at Groom Lake. At middle right is the Range Group (formerly Range Directorate) patch from Groom Lake. The grey patch at lower right is for a "black" project from Aurora Flight Sciences.
 
Ninja said:
Interesting find on eBay. This looks like a patch from the 4450th tactical group when their cover story was that they were flying A-6's.
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Nope. Not even close. This patch is from the US Army 1st Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the 4450th Tactical Group.
 
Justo Miranda said:
In my opinion, this section should be reserved for announcing the publication of new books on aviation.:(:(
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Well this section does say related products. It doesnt fit into other sections because it isn't a related aircraft or program. And I don't think the admins have a problem with this thread being here. But I do agree, it should mostly be for books.
 
Going through some stuff and found these, the B-2 FCHIL (Flight Controls Hydraulic Integration Lab) lab patch and the ASD Support Team decal are rare, mainly only the folks (including myself) who worked in the iron bird lab during the FCHIL development, build and operation got these to my knowledge. To all, ENJOY!
 

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Since these are making the rounds now, and will probably be reproduced soon enough...
 

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Hydroman said:
Going through some stuff and found these, the B-2 FCHIL (Flight Controls Hydraulic Integration Lab) lab patch and the ASD Support Team decal are rare, mainly only the folks (including myself) who worked in the iron bird lab during the FCHIL development, build and operation got these to my knowledge. To all, ENJOY!
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I've never seen that ASD test... "logo". Very cool.
 
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