|
Author
|
Topic: Gemini U.S. Navy Recovery Force patches
|
dtemple
Member Posts: 754
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
|
posted 03-30-2009 01:40 PM
   
If you have an original Project Gemini U.S. Navy Recovery Force patch could you provide a scan of it? |
perineau
Member Posts: 335
From: FRANCE
Registered: Jul 2007
|
posted 01-12-2017 12:18 PM
I've heard that different Gemini 3 recovery ship patches exist as there were several ships involved. Does anyone happen to have scans/photos? This would help me (for illustrations, etc) as I'm doing a history project on the first manned Gemini flight. Any help would be most appreciated! Thanks! |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3457
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 01-12-2017 05:57 PM
I'd have to look through my photos, but have you contacted the Intrepid Museum? |
perineau
Member Posts: 335
From: FRANCE
Registered: Jul 2007
|
posted 01-13-2017 02:55 AM
Yes I did, thank you, but they only have pics of the Intrepid patch itself. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 562
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 01-13-2017 06:34 PM
Chris Spain's Crew Patches website shows a Gemini 3 recovery patch "seen in the USS Intrepid ship museum." |
perineau
Member Posts: 335
From: FRANCE
Registered: Jul 2007
|
posted 01-14-2017 02:54 AM
Thanks for the tip. I hope that maybe one day some of our fine patch artists will produce reproductions of some of the Gemini recovery ship patches. Would be sad to see that artwork, which is a tribute to the Navy's vast contribution to the space program, disappear! |
Liembo
Member Posts: 793
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted 01-14-2017 03:31 AM
Most of the Gemini recovery fleet patches I've seen have the appearance of being "theater produced," that is, made by Japanese/Asian embroidery companies in an unofficial capacity which would explain their crude detail and low production numbers. It's usually the character embroidery that gives them away, the style often associated with "Tiger Embroidery," but I have seen the same lettering from other overseas companies as well. Having never seen an official version produced for most of them, it's not fair to call these patches reproductions, rather they're just small run, on-demand patches sourced from Asian companies. You can see a lot of these style patches produced for USAF squadrons in Vietnam as well. |
Eddie Bizub
Member Posts: 116
From: Kissimmee, FL USA
Registered: Aug 2010
|
posted 01-15-2017 03:49 PM
There were upwards of 20 ships involved in the recovery fleet for Gemini-3. |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 10-16-2021 04:21 PM
I recently started corresponding with a man about the Gemini recovery force patches he is selling. It turns out he is retired Navy and a patch collector. He desires to collect hard-to-find Gemini, Apollo, ASTP, Skylab and other USN recovery force patches. After waiting/watching for way too long for these patches to come to market, he resigned to produce quality reproductions for himself and sell the surplus inventory. Other Gemini recovery team patches are forthcoming.  |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 10-16-2021 04:49 PM
I will post a photo of each patch as I receive them. I personally appreciate Jim's attention to detail, and I am pleased to add them to my collection in support of my personal passion project. 
|
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 261
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 10-17-2021 11:58 AM
Although these modern "replicas" look nice, I have to ask are they really replicas? According to crewpatches.com some of these were produced by Randy Hunt years ago and it is unknown if they were truly a replica of an original or simply a "fantasy patch." I do not have issues of actual replicas in my personal collection as the originals of any space related patch are scarce and pricey. Does the gentleman who is producing these have any proof that these replicas were once truly an original patch or at least a decal produced at the time of the flights? I do know there are some shown that might have actually been produced according to crewpatches.com. Any information would be helpful. Thanks for sharing these and getting the word out as I have had a couple of these saved in my "watch list." |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 10-17-2021 01:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by J Blackburn:
Does the gentleman who is producing these have any proof that these replicas were once truly an original patch or at least a decal produced at the time of the flights?
A valid question Jason. He has registered to join cS, so I expect him to offer a direct response. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 261
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 10-17-2021 01:53 PM
Sounds great and looking forward to him joining!! Hopefully he can spread a little more light on these. I know there are Apollo recovery patches in this same category and I have all but some might still be considered "fantasy." I do like these Gemini patches he has had produced. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 10-20-2021 11:46 AM
My name is Jim Schultz. I am the person reproducing the recovery force patches posted here. To answer questions regarding the authenticity of the designs, yes, I have researched each emblem thoroughly through books, photographs, museum collections, veterans and reunion groups, official US Navy websites, and even the National Archives. The designs were all real. Having retired from forensics, I apply the age old "Frye Standard" to my research, which is to say that it can be replicated with similar results. So please, if you've any doubts about any emblem produced by me or anyone else, I encourage everyone to become informed collectors before they buy. I also wanted to mention that an earlier post is correct; many of the early Gemini recovery patches were one and two off theater made patches, produced by local shops for sailors who walked in with a copy of the US Navy cachet and a few bucks in their pocket. I have slowly been restoring images of these emblems for reproduction. Recovery patch reproductions for Gemini 3 and Gemini 4 are now in production. |
GT76
Member Posts: 56
From: New Orleans, La. USA
Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 10-21-2021 12:32 PM
On the Gemini X patch Guadalcanal is missing the first 'L'. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 10-21-2021 08:59 PM
Yes it is. It was missing on the original patch. A veteran from the ship told me that a sailor on the ship designed the patch, and the store keeper sent it off as drawn without really checking it. It was made as ordered. When it came in, it was quite a while before anyone aboard noticed it. After that, it became a big joke on board. |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 10-22-2021 12:24 PM
I appreciate the back story of the patches you are reproducing. I am interested in preserving the provenance and crediting you as the designer of the reproductions when I publish scans of your patches.Thank you adding to the collective knowledge of these lesser known and unknown emblems. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 10-23-2021 02:13 AM
I appreciate the support of collectors in my efforts to reproduce the various recovery force emblems. What started out as a list of four or five patches grew immediately into 14, and now has passed two dozen. The support of fellow collectors has turned what could have been a very expensive endeavor into a self-sustaining one.As for the Gemini 10 recovery patch. upon learning the story of the typo, I decided to reproduce the patch that way. In hindsight, that was probably a better choice for myself than the collector community. Therefore, I've decided to remake the patch and send everyone a copy of the new version. |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 10-23-2021 04:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Schultz:
I've decided to remake the patch and send everyone a copy of the new version.
A very kind gesture! You deserve credit for preserving history by staying true to the original. Reissuing a new patch that corrects a typo is doing what the original designer most likely would have wanted to do if given the chance. I'm sure designers today would love a "do over" at times too. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 10-29-2021 02:38 PM
The remakes are scheduled to be here between November 5-8. In the meantime, new patches keep arriving. Today's delivery was the Gemini 3 USS Intrepid recovery patch. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 261
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 10-30-2021 10:44 AM
Jim, I know you stated you are producing another batch of the Gemini X recovery patches with the correct spelling. Will these be for sale and will you be producing another batch of the USS Boxer Gemini 8 / Apollo 1 recovery patches that recently sold out? Thanks! |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 10-30-2021 03:56 PM
I did not realize that the USS Boxer patch had sold out. I still have some, so I've relisted it. The Gemini X will be here between November 5-8. As I stated earlier, everyone who bought my "best intention" version gets a new one free. I think I'm going to give everyone else who buys a Gemini X patch both versions. After all, what else am I going to do with the others? Throw them out? Use them as coasters? |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 10-31-2021 08:18 PM
And yes, the remakes of the Gemini X patch will be for sale when they arrive. |
ddrwilli
Member Posts: 79
From: Pataskala, Ohio
Registered: Nov 2005
|
posted 11-02-2021 06:23 PM
I received my second batch of patches from Mr. Schultz today — thank you! The replica patches are excellent! I appreciate the quality put into them, also the stories behind them, especially about the missing "L" in the Gemini X recovery patch. From now on every time I'll look at the patch, I will grin and think about the hapless sailor and storekeeper from the USS Guadalcanal. |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 11-02-2021 07:48 PM
I concur. I appreciate the attention to detail and the quality of the reproduction. Employing modern embroidery makes the design brilliant while setting it apart from the original production. Choosing to use embroidery for the Apollo TV recovery patch resulted in a beautiful outcome compared with the silk screen original. The release of these patches is renewing my interest and educating me on recovery operations that I just didn't know anything about. |
thisismills
Member Posts: 474
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
|
posted 11-03-2021 05:33 PM
These patches are great.I've ordered and received several already and must say they are wonderful in hand. The attention to detail is superb. I'm grateful to finally have these designs as part of my collection. Keep up the good work! |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 261
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 11-03-2021 07:28 PM
Received my patches today and I echo all the others with these patches are great. Modern replicas that are worthy of adding to any patch collection. Jim has showed very fine detail in reproducing these patches. I salute you Jim, job well done!!! |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 11-06-2021 08:20 PM
I do appreciate the accolades. Admittedly, I've put a great deal of effort-and yes, money- into restoring details that have long been lost through multiple, less than stellar, reproductions of some of these emblems over the years. In the case of some, the originals themselves were of such poor quality that making a reproduction from the original alone was not possible. Fortunately, digitally cleaning up such images is a skill I have.The bottom line is that I'm glad you're all happy. FYI, the remakes of Gemini X should be here Monday. I've already printed out labels for everyone that bought one, so I can send them out as soon as they arrive. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 11-08-2021 02:07 PM
The remakes of the Gemini X recovery patch came in this morning and immediately went out today to everyone that purchased one.The Gemini 4 recovery patch also arrived today and is posted on eBay. |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 11-10-2021 09:49 PM
I love the new production of the Gemini X patch with the typo fixed. I actually enjoy have both versions you produced. It tells a good story thanks to you.My sincere appreciation to the technical artistry involved with bringing these emblems out of the shadows and into the light. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3633
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted 11-13-2021 02:07 AM
Lovell and Aldrin wore what looks like a different USS Wasp recovery patch on their blue coveralls after the Gemini 12 splashdown. Not a helicopter, but a wasp on their patch? |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3633
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted 11-14-2021 02:10 AM
The USS Wasp (CVS-18) insignia from 1958 1958 looks like the recovery patch that Lovell and Aldrin were wearing. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 11-15-2021 10:57 PM
That is correct. The one with the helicopter was worn only by the HS-11 detachment aircrew and support personnel. The Wasp patch the Gemini crew is wearing was the standard WASP patch at the time. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 261
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 11-18-2021 05:19 PM
Jim now has the Skylab 2 and Skylab 3 recovery replicas along with an ASTP Recovery Team patch available. Each time I receive the latest one I am amazed at the detail. These patches are a great addition to my collection! |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 169
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
|
posted 11-21-2021 05:33 PM
I completely agree Jason. Oddly, I find the detail to be better defined when viewed directly. Again, thank you Jim. I feel spoiled with the frequency I am receiving patches from you. |
Jim Schultz
Member Posts: 12
From: Grove City, Ohio 43123
Registered: Sep 2021
|
posted 12-03-2021 11:32 AM
I appreciate everyone's support. The money that I make on patches just goes right back in to making more of these long-forgotten designs! |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 261
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
|
posted 07-01-2022 08:29 PM
It has been a while since anyone has posted concerning this topic of "Recovery Force" patches. In case there are new members out there Jim continues to produce these great replicas and has produced several over the past months. Just this week the Project Gemini US Navy Recovery Force and the USCGC Diligence Gemini 3 patches arrived and are up for sale on his eBay store. Mine arrived yesterday and are another great addition to my collection. For any new members or those viewing this topic for the first time Jim is a stickler for detail and really does his research to produce a great replica of the original patch. |
_insignia,_in_1958.png)
advertisement