47 NATO Pilots Course, 1953, felt patch
 

This arrived today as I thought it looked interesting: felt patch for 47 NATO Pilots Course, 1953, measuring 11.3 x 12.2cm. I'm guessing the aircraft shown is an F86 Sabre? I'm unable to decipher the writing at the bottom, any ideas please? As always any information will be gratefully received.

Usual caveat that it will be offered for exchange or sale in due course once my curiosity is satisfied.

Thanks for looking

Graham

Hi Graham. An interesting find. I’ll throw out the possibility that it was made for a graduating course in the first half of 1953 when Gimli was designated as No. 2 FTS (Flight Training School). They were using Harvards at the time.

I’m quite certain the patch isn’t made by Crest Craft, based on the quality. A guess on the motto might be, “OCTIMI GIMLITANI”; a sort of a meaningless pig Latin to emulate many other motto's found on Commonwealth Squadron insignia. I don’t have a guess why, “OCT” unless it was the 8th course offered at 2 FTS that year. The “47” might be the number of the course offered since inception of 2FTS at Gimli. There are patches numbered in the 30's in 1952 for example. At 47, it would near to the last course offered there before the Unit moved to Moose Jaw in mid 53.

Perhaps others will have additional insight.

Thank you Zorgon, most interesting and much appreciated.

Graham

Similar patch 1953
 

Hello,

Interesting thread as in December 2021 I purchased a similar kind of patch.

See attached images.

It almost looks if the patch was produced as a test, although handcrafted there will always be differences.

A former pilot who trained in Canada in 1956 told me that sometimes only 3 or 10 patches were created.

Kind regards,
Fred

Thank you Fred, nice to see another, sometimes badges are like buses :).

All the best

Graham