Irwin "Jump-Badges" - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

billy · #1 27-10-12, 10:42 AM

Hi all! can I ask about Irwin (G-Q) badge for completeing a jump course did these also have another type by a maker named Pioneer? single chute with little man dangling beneath one in silver / White metal and another similar but with Red-White Enamalling to the chute? may have an oportunity to buy these but need to know something about them and also an honest price so I don,t rip myself off or rip off the bloke who owns them! thanks billy

Mike_2817 · #2 27-10-12, 07:33 PM

I think you mean IRVIN not IRWIN

Is not the 'little man' with parachute the Polish Brigade Collar badge?

Not really my area...

SAS1 · #3 27-10-12, 08:05 PM

Yes there was a Pioneer Parachute Company, its American. There was a badge recently on eBay that went for about $22, but I'm not sure if it was genuine. A web search should find it.

billy · #4 27-10-12, 10:13 PM

Yes sorry! Irvin as you say, yes thought I had seen Polish collars similar again not in any way knowlegable on these but have bought them now and when these turn up I will post on this site! thanks for your help and will get back when these arrive with a makers mark (only seen photo of one!) they ought to be the real deal! cheers billy

billy · #5 03-11-12, 04:47 PM

Here at last are the badges IRWIN and the two which I think are American? arrived today cheers billy

plang876 · #6 26-04-13, 08:15 PM

Hi Billy,

What you have there is the GQ badge produced by the parachute manufacturer of the same name. Not sure how old it'll be but iirc the British Armys current LLP (Low Level Parachute) is made by them - fairly current though.
The Irvin badge is a white parachute, blue showing through the rigging lines on top of gold wings. Leslie Irvin pioneered the parachutes that were, from the earliest origins, adopted by the British and was still producing the PX4 which I did my BPC (Basic Para Course) with in 1994.
I have one on my bike jacket which I bought from Aviation Leathercraft in the 90's. They're still produced and I saw a RAF PJI give some out as gifts to some French Officer Cadets circa 2000.
Rare ones to look for are Caterpillar Club (awarded to anyone using an Irvin Airchute to escape stricken aircraft) and I believe there's also a Goldfish Club but not sure if they have a badge or whether it's just for survivors of bailouts over the sea.
Regards, Paddy