posted 06-26-2001 12:42 PM               

...not available to the general public. Not even all astronauts qualify to wear this patch, since a ride in the Shuttle is a prerequisite to ownership.

posted 08-03-2004 06:18 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by sts205cdr:
Also, I've heard that this patch was created by Rick Hauck...

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posted 08-07-2004 05:10 PM               

I believe it is an original, though "early" because it has very thick, early AB Emblem style thread. Never seen it anywhere else in this form, the Space Realm seen more often version is of "Taiwan-quality."

I can vaguely remember discussing this patch with another collector some 10 years ago and he told me that another souvenir also existed, cannot remember who this collector was and cannot remember the source of the patch. I did see a version with a large white outer border (was it you, Hart?), so that probably was the second version he referred to.

Donnis Willis also has an original. His is attached to a Overmyer suit he won in an auction, so it is definitely original. I think his patch is a little "finer" than what you usually see in the NASA pictures, especially in the red embroidery, but is also more heavily used and washed.

Since I noticed my patch was a little different, I did some research some time ago using photographs, and believe the patches were made in several batches.

A way to see if it was made using at the same artwork, is to look for imperfections. I do see some similarities between Donnis' version and mine — probably they simply used thinner or less red thread, or another machine.

I also have a picture somewhere of Randy Wagner's version, I will try to locate it. Must have been "a couple of computers back," so I will have to dig for it.

To round things up: the earliest NASA photograph I have found showing the patch, is Bob Crippen aboard a KC-135 during training for 41G. Next picture I believe is Brandenstein with T-38 training for original 51A or 51D, which later became 51G. So I guess the patch was introduced somewhere in the summer of 1984.

Hope this info helps.

posted 08-08-2004 12:44 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by hoorenz:
I did see a version with a large white outer border (was it you, Hart?), so that probably was the second version he referred to.

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posted 03-25-2011 05:20 PM               

These were made in such small quantities, there are many different variations. I have images of at least six different ones.

posted 03-28-2011 05:44 PM               

• EARLIEST IMAGES — The earliest portrait image I've found was of Loren Shriver (NASA Photo ID: S86-36394). Note the blue on his patch is much lighter than later versions. The earliest crew photo I've found that shows the Mach 25 patch is from STS-50 (NASA Photo ID: STS050(S)002) on 25 June 1992. Mission Commander Dick Richards is wearing one above his name plate on his blue flight suit. I expect there are more candid photos out there. What is the earliest image of the Mach 25 patch?

• SIZE — In the above group photo, the patch looks to be smaller than today's version. Compare it to the size of the 2x4 inch embroidered name tag. Did the size of the patch change at some point? In the earliest images, the patch seems slightly smaller. Why?

• HISTORY — This patch has been attributed to Hauck, Brandenstein, and Buchli. All these guys are still around. Any thoughts on who best to ask? I'm planning on asking them all.

• TODAY — Now it's hard to find a crew portrait without a couple astronauts wearing them. There is a group photo of the STS-133 crew in front of T-38s at KSC and they each have a Mach 25 or 100 Days patch. Nicole Stott has both!

posted 12-20-2011 08:13 PM               

I have no provenance as it was from a case in a mall where dealers aren't always present.

posted 03-21-2012 12:26 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by JLR1:
Picked this up recently at an antique mall...

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posted 04-04-2012 11:43 AM               

I remember getting the letter in the mail from Dan (the owner of E1A) telling me that one of his "buddies," a shuttle pilot, was cleaning his dresser had donated six of them to him. Dan then sent letters to his frequent customers. I was one and bought it the same day via a check and USPS (no email back then). I paid $35 for it.

posted 04-04-2012 01:11 PM               

The first pic at the top appears to show an embroidered light blue background. It's kind of hard to tell due to the pic being light.

The second set of pics, those that show the front and back, appear to have a cloth light blue background. Mine is embroidered.

posted 04-04-2012 02:32 PM               

So, from all I've seen (and considering the documents I have from when I got it), mine should be confirmed to be an original. Cool!

posted 05-26-2012 07:22 PM               

The image of the orbiter also seems to just barely vary on different patches. The orbiter is obviously taken from the STS-2 patch, but the artwork was highly simplified so that it would fit on a very small scale. Most of the details on the orbiter look like they are made up of two or so layers of thread and nothing more.

posted 05-27-2012 08:56 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by hoorenz:
Produced by Bill Grush of Star Realm.

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I was offered the Mach 25 as an extension order of one being produced for another 'customer.' I believe that customer to be NASA or whoever orders them for the astronauts! I ordered them in total blind faith and was never sorry; as no one other than myself has ever had them available to the public to my knowledge. I was fearful enough of their genuineness that I never advertised or offered very often and even limited distribution of my catalog in the early 1990s for that reason. I have only circumstantial and anecdotal information but nothing has contradicted my assertions. It also appears that soon thereafter sometime in the 1990s that NASA increased the size of the Mach 25 as they realized that some legit ones had gotten out and the patch had always been jealously guarded!

posted 05-28-2012 08:40 PM               

These are patches belonging to a club of people who flew Mach 25. Note also a Mach 26 patch and an ISS 100 days patch similarly designed.

posted 05-29-2012 08:46 AM               

You are correct that there are differing sizes and also a Mach 26 badge as well. (Although, most of these are a standard size, 2.25" x 3".) It depends on which crew and when they received their badge.

However, what I was trying to differentiate was the "official" badges from the reproductions. The "official" ones are only available from NASA, the reproductions can be obtained from a lot of sources.