Hi Mark,
Some of the finer levels of discernment which should be used in detecting a copy from an original printed Pegasus patch. These include (but are not limited to):
• Compare the tail part from the original with the reproduction.
The reproduction version has a thicker tail coming out of the body than the original!
And the curves in the tail differ from the original!
• Compare the spear-point from the original with the reproduction.
The repro version has a triangle like point, the originals have more of a harpoon point, and note the ribbons on spear’s shaft end from the original and the repro.
• Compare the wing tips with each other, the original has better outlines in the small segments.
• Compare Bellerophon’s foot sticking out under the horse’s body, they are much thicker in the reproduction than the original.
• Compare on printed patches whether the cloth weave runs diagonally to the print (WWII) versus horizontally (post WWII).
• Compare where the spear shaft passes through the feathers of Pegasus’s wing. On the original between feather 4 and 5, counting from where the wing starts to curve back, and on the copy directly through feather 4.
• Compare the weight of the cloth. Originals tend to be stiffer (thicker) than reproductions. The print should also be slightly visible on the backside of the cloth.
As you can see I did not mention the application of forensic science in total jest. And all this is applicable to a single formation badge. Refer to this author's companion guide describing WWII British Combined Operations (Commandos) formation badges. Per the theme song of "Monk"(the television detective program), “It’s a jungle out there.” To help navigate that jungle there are three excellent web sites that I have discovered. The first is The British Military Badge Forum (
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com, Truly an exceptional site!) and the second is the Australian Military Reference (
http://auspfor.tripod.com) which includes the Special Air Service Insignia of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and a third on Australian Army Badges and Patches (
http://www.military-badge.com). All three of sites provide a broad range of expert knowledge, including detailed photographs and extensive discussions. In addition, for an extremely detailed set of excellent color photographs and discussion of RAF, Army Air Corps (AAC), Glider Pilot Regiment and Fleet Air Arm (FAA), as well as Commonwealth wings and insignia, see; Aviation Wings and Badges of World War II (
http://www.ww2wings.com/main.shtml).
Am also including an attachment of what I believe to be a duplicate of your patch.
Hope this helps,
Jim