Triple Four
Hi Mike.
Attached are my earliest ones. The first two illustrated do in fact seem to be on silk. The first I've called the earliest version - mid 50's during Leap-Frog IV but the 2nd, for reasons I can't recall, I've dated to the 70's. The 1st one was unfortunately trimmed when removed and has slightly raised felt-like numbers. On the reverse, there is a stamp that says, "#3 (F) Wing RCAF" which is odd because I don't believe they were stationed there. Note it is the only one that doesn't have some sort of outer white stitching.
There are two examples (pics 3 and 4) of an early cotton "triple four" with the wider white ring which I believe were made during the Sabre era of the 50's and early 60's by Paul Lang, the tailor at Grostenquin who did many patches for many years for the RCAF Squadrons in Europe. The 2nd patch shows how they were made. This example came from his grandson.
Some later ones too. Check with Darryl, he would have additional insight.
Cheers,
Wayne
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