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  #1  
Old 18-09-16, 05:23 PM
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zorgon zorgon is offline
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Default RCAF Aerobatic team patches circa 1960

The Golden Hawks were formed in 1959 and celebrated anniversaries of Powered flight and the RCAF. Aircraft flown at this time were Sabre 5’s. The first group of pilots were McCombe, Rozdeba, Kerr, Annis, Price, Stewart and Holt under the lead pilot, Fern Villeneuve and their shoulder patch, designed by F/L Ken Roberts, is quite rare and highly prized by collectors. It shows a group of hawks diving to the 8:00 o'clock position (attached 1).
In 1960, a new patch design for the Golden Hawks was introduced. This 2nd issue of this patch consisted of a blue felt circle over a white felt base over which was superimposed the stylized hawk’s head diving in the 4:00 o'clock position. The hawk extended beyond the circular image. I believe it was used for a year at which point it was complimented with a 3rd issue in 1961. You can find a mixture of the 2nd and 3rd issue of the patches on jackets, uniforms and tech’s coveralls during the period 1961-64. The 2nd issue patch is usually (but not always) back-stamped with the manufacturer, “Dominion Regalia” a Toronto based company, and measures 5 3/8” at the maximum diameter in an unwashed patch. I have one example of this version that is without the hawk’s mouth – probably a manufacturing slip-up. In the 3rd issue of this era, the hawk was reduced in size to fit within the outer, circular stitched patch. One can occasionally come across another smaller “Golden Hawks” patch of simplified design in red and white on a yellow felt base that was used on squadron (baseball) caps. The Hawks were officially disbanded on Feb 7th, 1964.
Another demonstration aircraft existed contemporary to the Golden Hawks. The Red Knight started out in 1958 as with F/L Roy Windover flying a solo T-33 #21057 painted in bright red. I am fortunate enough to own a few patches from the period of the Red Knight and ‘64, ‘67 and ‘69 are illustrated here. The 1964 issue of the patch was entirely done in chenille whereas by ’67, only the plume was done in that manner. If anyone would care to sell me the years missing here, I would be most grateful! The program was cancelled in 1969 amidst controversy after the 3rd pilot died flying the Red Knight in that decade.
I would refer the reader to Dan Dempsey’s excellent, high quality book, “A Tradition of Excellence” for detail on Canada’s military aerobatic aircraft history. Larry Milberry also has a great deal of information in his publications on the RCAF.
As always, corrections or comments about dates, design, etc. would be appreciated.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Golden Hawks, 1959 1st issue, designed by FL Ken Roberts..jpg (115.6 KB, 23 views)
File Type: jpg Golden Hawks, 2nd issue, 1960.jpg (69.5 KB, 15 views)
File Type: jpg Red Knight, 1964.jpg (82.6 KB, 17 views)
File Type: jpg Red Knight 1967.jpg (89.1 KB, 17 views)
File Type: jpg Red Knight, 1969.jpg (40.5 KB, 26 views)
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  #2  
Old 02-02-21, 10:11 PM
tborlowski tborlowski is offline
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Default 1964-ish RCAF Aerobatic Team -unk Team Badge

I picked this up today...a Canadian Stealth Maple Leaf , a friend of mine got it from a lady who told him that it was from 1964 Golden Hawks.....I really don't believe that it is , and, that's why I didn't buy the first time that it was posted for sale on e-baie - it's actually a nice quality badge (9.5" x 5.5"), however I am unable to find anything that looks like this beauty ?!

- I was thinking maybe 1954 Fireballs RCAF Sabre Team...what do you think ?
- any powerful and handsome men out there who may know this badge? Or any individual for that matter ?! Thanks - Ted O
Attached Images
File Type: jpg FIREBALL Red 1954.jpg (38.8 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg 1964 -ish Vintage Stealth Maple Leaf.jpg (62.7 KB, 14 views)
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  #3  
Old 03-02-21, 03:59 PM
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zorgon zorgon is offline
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Hi Ted.
I saw this patch too but didn't recognize it as being Golden Hawks or anything else from the RCAF but new things always pop up. It could be from a Commercial Airline firm.

I did know Chuck Keating (Team Leader) and visited him several times in his latter years. The only item he had from the Fireball days was a copy of the photo with the 4 red aircraft, taken at Baden I recall by Jeannie Hallowell. I don't think he had any additional stories that haven't already been written about. I also don't believe there were any patches associated with the short history of the Fireballs but again, I may be mistaken.
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Old 03-02-21, 04:49 PM
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Awesome paint scheme on the Sabre

Mike
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  #5  
Old 03-02-21, 05:17 PM
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I hadn't seen that pic of the lone red, #415 Sabre before today but I'll go out on a limb and say it wasn't one of the original Fireball aircraft. In looking around online, I see a photo of maybe 10 Sabres painted in the red scheme but I think the 1954 Fireballs only had the four aircraft painted, did they not? Was the entire squadron painted red at Zweibrucken?

Does anybody know where the red Sabre Squadron came from and when they were painted red? Note the difference in the relative location of the aircraft number vs. the Roundel to the Baden pic of the four Fireball aircraft.
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Old 03-02-21, 06:33 PM
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A quick google search shows that a red Sabre was at the 1955 Toronto Air Show.

Mike
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  #7  
Old 04-02-21, 01:21 AM
RCAF_Mike RCAF_Mike is offline
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In awe at the 1967 and 1969 Red Knight patches. Two I'd love to have!!
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Collecting RCAF Wings Uniforms Badges and Insignia
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  #8  
Old 05-02-21, 01:30 AM
Artynut Artynut is offline
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RCAF Mike, I sent you a PM but thought you might like to see this. I still wear it the odd day, had it over 25 years. Regards, D.J.
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File Type: jpg 9789F36B-5172-46AC-ABF5-8B3A0E521876.jpg (62.0 KB, 17 views)
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  #9  
Old 06-02-21, 12:21 AM
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zorgon zorgon is offline
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Thanks to the tips presented above, I think I've answered my own question.
The Fireballs flew Sabre 2's and those are the 4 planes that were in the only know photo at Baden. The red Sabre 5's (including 415) came out of Chatham I believe and were painted specifically for the Sept. 1955 Toronto Air show as mentioned by Tanker Mike. Pics from Trenton and Toronto exist on-line.
Perhaps Jack Frazer flew the 23415 Sabre in a solo capacity at that show? He was with the Fireballs and later in 1961, the Golden Hawks aerobatic team. For those of you interested in patches, attached is one of his uniform name tags.
For clarification, the initial Red Knight aircraft was a Canadair CT-133 Silver Star T-33 (T-Bird), later replaced by a CT-144 Tutor.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Jack Frazer name tag sm.jpg (42.7 KB, 14 views)

Last edited by zorgon; 06-02-21 at 12:27 AM. Reason: redundant to previous entry
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  #10  
Old 16-02-21, 10:31 PM
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Default Fireballs, 19450, 19415?

I came across the photo given to me by Chuck Keating. As mentioned above, I think he received this from Jeannie Hallowell. Since this image is the only known colour photo of the Fireballs team, I though it worth reproducing here. I'm not sure if it was a print from her initial negative but I don't think it is clearly an improvement over published versions. It never was a sharp image.
The serial number (19)450 is fairly clear but even in the expanded blow-up, one can't be certain of the 2nd aircraft with a visible number. I'm going to guess it was Jack Frazer's (19)415. A better image of 19415 can be found in Dan Dempsey's book.

If anyone wants a higher res image, just PM me and I'll send it along.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Firebirds photo from Chuck sm.jpg (64.4 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg Firebirds serial nos. sm.jpg (44.1 KB, 14 views)

Last edited by zorgon; 16-02-21 at 10:42 PM.
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