This series focuses primarily on aircraft markings for the post World War I period through World War II.  Of interest to USAF patch collector are the full color plates with a limited number of Army Air Corps and Army Air Forces squadron insignia. While not necessarily worth the investment for the full color plates, if you have any interest in aircraft markings this series may be of interest to you.

This book contain the lineage, honors and approved emblem information for Air Force combat groups, wings, divisions, commands and air forces active during World War II.  For each emblem the book provides the blazon (heraldic description) and the organization's motto with translation. Unfortunately, there are two shortcomings in regards to emblems: 1) it does not include emblem significance statements and 2) the it only shows the organization's approved emblem as of 1961 and does not depict previous emblems. Regardless of these issues, this is a must have for the USAF patch collector’s or organizational history buff’s reference shelf. (Note - There are four other companion books that follow the same format: Combat Squadrons of the Air Force in World War II, Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947-1977, Active USAF Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space and Missile Squadron as of 1 October 1995.)

This book contain the lineage, honors and approved emblem information for Air Force combat wings from 1947-1977.  For each emblem the book provides the blazon (heraldic description) and the organization's motto with translation. Unfortunately, there are two shortcomings in regards to emblems: 1) it does not include emblem significance statements and 2) the it only shows the organization's approved emblem as of 1977 and does not depict previous emblems. Regardless of these issues, this is a must have for the USAF patch collector’s or organizational history buff’s reference shelf. (Note - There are four other companion books that follow the same format: Combat Squadrons of the Air Force in World War II, Air Force Combat Units of World War II, Active USAF Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space and Missile Squadron as of 1 October 1995.)

This pamphlet was issued as part of General Merrill A. McPeak's efforts to preserve the legacy of the Air Force's oldest wings. It provides the brief history and original heraldry of the 13 oldest wings. Worth the free download to keep in your reference folder.

An excellent work that is a must-have reference source for USAF patch collectors.

An excellent work that is a must-have reference source for USAF patch collectors.

Excellent reference work providing information on organizations that were a part of the Air Training Command from 1943-1974. Includes detailed lineage information. A special thanks to Michael Brown for providing a scanned copy.

Excellent book detailing the history of the Air Weather Service. Includes lineage, honors and emblem pictures of weather units up to 1987.

"This new comprehensive look at the evolution of the American flight jacket from World War I to Desert Storm addresses not only the types worn, but focuses primarily on the art and adornment applied to the jackets. The most colorful and creative period for flight jacket art was World War II, and it is this era that comprises a major portion of this book. Additionally, many of the pieces are attributed to the original owner with biographical information, contemporary photographs of the individual, and the aircraft on which he served. Personal combat accounts are also included. Also covered are other military jackets used by flyers.American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft was compiled over a number of years by Jon Maguire and John Conway. The authors became friends through a mutual passion for aviation history and collecting. This book provides a valuable reference for the historians and collectors alike, and includes over 1000 photographs."

"Volume VI of the Battle Colors series covers the unit emblems and tactical markings of the 48 USAAF combat groups and eight squadrons that served in the China-Burma-India Theater and Western Pacific Area of Operations during WWII. Additional units covered include the Chinese-American Composite Wing and special AAF Air Task Froces that also served within the CBI. The three main Army Air Forces contained within this work are represented by over 1,200 images that include 272 unit insignia, both approved and unofficial designs, including any known variants. Both group and squadron tactical aircraft markings are presented, using 203 full color illustrations, including 143 wartime era photographs, accompanied by historical and descriptive background text."

"A Cold War Legacy is a tribute to Strategic Air Command spanning the years of 1946-1992 when the command was disestablished. Each chapter sets the stage for what is to follow, describes the significant events during that period, and concludes with an overview. From the second chapter on, there are tables at the end which list the first and last deliveries for each new weapons system, phase-outs of the weapons systems, and combat unit gains and losses during that period. Numerous appendices provide biographies of the 13 leaders of SAC, listings of top-level staff officers and senior enlisted advisors, alert rates, weapons systems inventories throughout the years, combat unit and equipment, competition winners, major awards, Hot War statistics, and base locations."

This book contain the lineage, honors and approved emblem information for Air Force combat squadrons that were active during World War II.  For each emblem the book provides the blazon (heraldic description) and the organization's motto with translation. Unfortunately, there are two shortcomings in regards to emblems: 1) it does not include emblem significance statements and 2) the it only shows the organization's approved emblem as of 1962 and does not depict previous emblems. Regardless of these issues, this is a must have for the USAF patch collector’s or organizational history buff’s reference shelf. (Note - There are four other companion books that follow the same format:  Air Force Combat Units of World War II, Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947-1977, Active USAF Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space and Missile Squadron as of 1 October 1995.)

"The Motto books contain over 4,000 USAF mottos with the correct identification and over 2,000 USAF unit terms and abbreviations with proper designations. Plus much more: Trophy insignia; Pilot & Navigation Class insignia; Aircraft, Rocket, and Missile names and identifier designations; Korean "K" site numbers and base locations; PAVE Series insignia with brief descriptions; and over 1,000 Latin, French and German USAF unit mottos translated into English."

"Volume VI of the Battle Colors series covers the unit emblems and tactical markings of the 48 USAAF combat groups and eight squadrons that served in the China-Burma-India Theater and Western Pacific Area of Operations during WWII. Additional units covered include the Chinese-American Composite Wing and special AAF Air Task Froces that also served within the CBI. The three main Army Air Forces contained within this work are represented by over 1,200 images that include 272 unit insignia, both approved and unofficial designs, including any known variants. Both group and squadron tactical aircraft markings are presented, using 203 full color illustrations, including 143 wartime era photographs, accompanied by historical and descriptive background text."

"By combining over 500 images of patches collected over the course of ten years with mottoes, motto translations and base assignments, Defender: An Illustrated Guide to United States Air Force Air Police, Security Police and Security Forces Patch Insignia chronicles the evolution of the United AStates Air Force police career field and the individual police units themselves. From the creation of the Air Force as its own branch of service in 1947, Defender simultaneously resurrects forgotten bases from far-flung corners of the globe while visually traveling from the era of Air Police, through Combat Defense Squadron, then Security Police and into the realm of today's Security Forces."

Series of posters that displays organization, aircraft and mission patches for USAF, ANG and AFRES operators of the following aircraft:

• USAF F-4 Phantom
• USAF F-15 Eagle
• USAF F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart

These posters are not comprehensive as they do not picture patch variations; only a single example for each organization is depicted. They are great for display on your wall but I would not consider it a "must have" for a collector.

"This book brings a unique perspective to this previously unexplored topic of desert combat uniforms and patches with the authors’ extensive knowledge of military history combined with a total of over 50 years of military experience. In this extraordinary comprehensive reference book, they provide a detailed picture of desert uniforms, patches, and insignia worn by the US Armed Forces in combat from Desert Storm, through Somalia and in the more recent hard fought campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan. The sum of the extensive information gathered here on Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard units that wore the desert uniform is not available anywhere else. Calling upon original source documents and extensive public and private collections, the authors have painstakingly assembled detailed research that will serve veterans, historians, collectors, and reenactors for years to come as the definitive reference on this topic."

"Swamped in World War II with requests from the military to use the world-famous Disney characters in creating distinctive unit insignia, the Disney Studio had to set up a special five-man crew of artists to meet the demand for designs. 'They meant a lot to the men who were fighting,' said Walt Disney. 'How could you turn them down?' Imaginative, colorful, and well-executed, these insignia occupy a unique place in Disney history.

Over a five-year period, as a contribution to the war effort, the Studio created some 1,200 insignia, the best of which have been selected for this volume - the first comprehensive survey of this relatively unknown body of Disney art. For the most part, these delightful designs exist today only as fifty-year-old color transparencies or black-and-white photos in the Disney Archives, the originals having been sent directly to their respective units during the war. Nevertheless, period reproductions of the originals can still be found in wartime Disney comic books, on matchbook covers, poster stamps, and, indeed, the leather and woven patches that were inspired by the art - all of which are now very collectible.

It is a tribute to the success of the Disney animators in giving believable personalities to 'drawings that move' that some well-known cartoon figures were suitable for military service while others were not. For instance, Donald Duck appeared in more than two hundred designs - his famous temper fit him for militant postures - while the lovable, bashful Mickey Mouse was rarely called upon except for home front causes. Where no Disney character quite fit the bill, the studio happily created new ones, as in the case of the well-known symbols for the Flying Tigers, the Mosquito Fleet, and the Seabees.

In addition to being of interest to Disney enthusiasts and collectors - imagine, after all these years, opening a treasure trove of forgotten Disney artwork - this book definitely will appeal to military buffs and veterans, especially during the marking of World War II's fiftieth anniversary."

"Disney During World War II encompasses the full range of material created by the Disney studio during the war, including ground-breaking training and educational films for the military and defense industries, propaganda and war-themed shorts and features, home front poster art, and the stunning military unit insignia that provided those serving the in the armed forces with a morale-boosting reminder of home. The book makes it clear how deeply Walt invested himself in the cause by patriotically placing his studio at the disposal of Uncle Sam. Replete with period graphics, Disney During World War II showcases Walt Disney's largely unheralded sacrifices in the pursuit of Allied victory, showing the inner workings of a wholesome family entertainment studio transformed almost overnight into a war plant where even the studio's stable of established characters were temporarily reinvented as warriors and team-oriented, patriotic American citizens."

Excellent book on U.S. Army Air Forces distinctive insignias (DIs). The book includes a history of USAAF DIs, black and white photos of DIs and complete descriptions to include heraldic descriptions, approval dates and manufacturing information. While this work does not picture any patches, it serves as an excellent reference work that can be used to help a patch collector identify patches from this era. While out-of-print, I recommend you consider adding it to your reference material if you can find a copy.

"With rising prices in the collectors market, reproduction militaria from the Vietnam era have flooded the market. This book documents some of the more common reproductions of cloth insignia made by US repro artists during the 1980's and 1990's. Over 400 patches are illustrated. Included is an examination of techniques used by reproduction artists, a discussion about authenticating material from the Vietnam era, and general tips on how to guard against reproductions."

"Military patches have played a role in constantly boosting and controlling the morale of soldiers who carry the heavy task of national defense. A lot of unique ones of each country and each army are recorded. Contains various designs with pride where you can get a glimpse of the pride and history in each of them."

"Jon Maguire’s book Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens was a tremendous success and set a new standard for American uniform and insignia references. Following its publication there still remained among collectors and historians a desire for more information. There was also an outpouring from many serious collectors who made available a wealth of items-the result, More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens. This book of all new material greatly expands on the wing qualification bagdes, uniforms, and patches presented in the first book. Additionally, this work covers totally new areas including Civil Air Patrol, W.A.S.P.s, Air Transport Command, Factory Technical Representatives, and 'Yanks' in the RAF an RCAF. Other new areas presented are uniforms and insignia of the First World War era, and the 'Golden Age' of the 1920s-1930s. There is also a large section on Aviation Cadets and civilian contract flying schools and instructors. The book is presented in the detailed and thorough style typical of Jon Maguire’s work. Original items are shown in over 1000 color photographs, as well as numerous unpublished period photographs showing the items as they were worn."

"This book details the heraldry of the Stealth Fighter beginning 10 years prior to its history-making flights over Baghdad during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It includes actual photos of many rare F-117A patches produced only for those intimately involved in the F-117A Program. Information dealing with the development of these patches and explaining their symbology are provided. It’s also about the people and comaraderie involved. As a bonus, this book contains history and lineage of patches produced during the Lockheed Product Excellence Program’s existence for the Engineering and Manufacturing organizations concealed deep within the walls of the highly secretive Skunk Works."

"This book is the most comprehensive and detailed treatment of the origins, designs, and symbolism for each organizational shoulder sleeve insignia of the American Army in World War I ever published. Covered are: the organization, combat history/battle participation of the combat forces (Armies, Corps, and the Regular, National Guard and National Army Divisions), supporting organizations of the Services of Supply, and the special troops including the Army Air Service and the Army of Occupation."

"This book chronicles the story of the A-10, including program history, aircraft paint schemes, all units operating the aircraft and their markings, and selected nose art and ladder door art. Over 100 colorful official and unofficial patches of the units and combat operations involving the A-10 are included. The book also includes a description of the aircraft, its systems, and weapons."

"Walt never shot a Nazi. But he and his artists did shoot countless feet of film for the armed forces about subjects ranging from the care of psychotic soldiers and the Burma campaign to Donald Duck setting an example for Americans by paying his income tax (when he wasn't throwing a tomato in the Fuehrer's face).

In Service with Character, you'll learn about the dozens of little-known but strategically important short films that the Disney Studio made for all branches of the U.S. military, and how Walt's patriotic service to his country put his studio in dire straits.

On the heels of the infamous Strike of 1941, the Disney Studio found itself besieged not by disgruntled animators holding signs but by U.S. soldiers holding guns. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 galvanized the nation, and none were more on edge than the residents of California and the West Cost. Fearing an attack, the Army took up strategic positions-and one of them was the Disney Studio.

David Lesjak tells why even Walt needed identification to enter Studio property, and what the Army was doing there in the first place.

Walt did much more than make training and propaganda films. Few people know that he assigned one of his best artists to create, for free, Disney-designed insignia for any servicemen who asked. These morale boosters were displayed by American military units around the world, giving soldiers a taste of home and scaring the pants off the enemy with such designs as Bambi's Flower wielding a mortar, Mickey throwing bombs from a plane, and hundreds more.

In Service with Character, you'll not only hear the untold story of Disney's war-time insignias, but also::

• The crucial importance of Walt's famous propaganda films, including Victory Through Air Power and Der Fuehrer's Face
• Why the war was bad for Disney character films but great for Disney character merchandise
• How Walt almost made a film about the gremlins who enjoyed sabotaging Royal Air Force planes
• The inspiring story of Disney artist Henry 'Hank' Porter, who designed hundreds of Disney-themed insignia for servicemen - despite being color-blind
• Whether there's any truth to the story that 'Mickey Mouse' was the password for the D-Day landings in Normandy
• Annotated lists of hundreds of Disney war-time collectibles

Get your kit together because we're marching off to war-together with Disney-in David Lesjak's Service with Character!"

"This new look at the uniforms and insignia of the USAAF during the World War II years covers a broad range of clothing, collar insignia, rank insignia, shoulder/sleeve insignia and squadron patches. Additionally, there is an in-depth examination of wing qualification badges. Actual items are presented in nearly 600 illustrations in full color, and also as they appeared in actual war-era photos. Actual uniform regulations and illustrations from the 1943 and 1944 Officers Guides are also provided. Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens will be a useful addition to the libraries of collectors, historians, modelers and veterans alike."

"Each poster in this 3-title set commemorates the bombardment and reconnaissance wings that flew an individual aircraft.  They are designed as a matched set so each can be displayed individually, or they can be combined for an attractive wall grouping. All follow the same format.  There is a magnificent illustration of the aircraft accompanied by a brief operational history.  The bulk of the poster is patches worn by the wings during the time they flew the aircraft.  Below each, a caption cites the longest used name (some wings changed names over the years), its primary base, the years it flew the aircraft, and its flying squadrons.  Great reference source for military buffs and patch collectors."

"This book follows the evolution of the US Air Force, and looks at significant events and campaigns that have shaped its history. Extensive detail begins with current major commands and unit structure and commands that were in place in 1947. Of the almost 50 aircraft types in service or planned for the USAF, each are detailed including development, unit assignments, serial batches, and an explanation of the role of each variant. Bases are examined, with details of the units and types at each facility. A list of current tail codes is presented, along with command assignment, aircraft operated, and home base. For military history enthusiasts."

"This is designed to help aviation historians, photographers, enthusiasts, and history buffs correctly identify the units to which Air Force aircraft have been assigned. Since 1978, the Air Force has been substantially reduced in size and has undergone dramatic reorganizations at every level. These changes in size and organization have been reflected in the Air Force's aircraft and units. Though many aircraft have been retired, units inactivated, and bases closed, the aircraft remaining in service provide a very visible reflection of the restructuring. Many aircraft now wear the insignia of newly-formed major commands, revised tail markings and paint schemes reflecting the assignment of their units to new commands. Still other aircraft, though remaining at the same base and operated by the same crews, carry new markings as the 'flags' of illustrious units displaced by base closures replaced existing units. This book has three major sections. First are 14 'chapters' containing tables covering every USAF wing, group, squadron, and detachment that was active and had assigned aircraft at any time between 30 April 1978 and 1 October 2002. Second is an index of aircraft markings, and then a chronology of major events in this reorganization."

"History of the Guard from World War I through World War II, Vietnam and the Cold War to present day. Aircraft with descriptions, specifications and squadrons. Units of the Guard with history, patches and insignia. 450 rare photographs, mostly in color and artwork."

"Presenting a complete analysis of air assets and organization of all five of America's air-focused military forces--Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Army--this book profiles every aircraft in service today, every unit, every air base, and every carrier. 500 photos; technical diagrams; maps, charts and insignia."

"The most complete and spectacular reference work on today's USAF. Full briefing, every warplane, technical specifications, bases, units, warfighting roles, weapons, order of battle, deployment, organizations, and tailcodes."

"After twenty-five years of service with the USAF, the F-15 is still the most effective air superiority fighter in the world today. In addition, the F-15E Strike Eagle has taken over the F-111′s role as the USAF’s Strike Fighter. This book chronicles, with over 750 color photos, the story of the F-15A, B, C, D, and E. The book includes F-15 program history, prototype and operational aircraft paint schemes, and unit markings of all USAF and Air National Guard units operating the F-15. A section on USAF F-15 MiG killers in both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Allied Force, with photos of all USAF F-15 MiG killers, is included. Over 130 colorful official and unofficial unit patches involving the F-15 are included. The book also includes a description of the aircraft, its systems, and weapons."

On December 8, 1941, the Disney Studio was taken over by the military as part of the war effort. Making the most of the talent that hadn’t shipped out yet, Walt Disney spent the next four years creating and producing training, propaganda, and educational films for the Armed Forces. In addition to these films, this extraordinary volume also includes the full-length feature “Victory Through Air Power.” Released theatrically in 1943, this powerful propaganda film has never been reissued until now. You’ll also see recently discovered on-the-set footage, and get rare firsthand accounts about the work and culture at the Disney Studio in interviews with Disney Legends Joe Grant, John Hench, and Roy Disney. Featuring exclusive introductions by film historian Leonard Maltin, this is a timeless collection from generations past for generations to come.

"This highly detailed reference book is for both novice and experienced collectors, and is focused on the World War II U.S.-made, fully machine-embroidered, cut edge shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI). It provides guidelines that can be considered when determining whether a SSI is original World War II era manufactured or not. Also, the differences in SSI manufacturing are explained in such way as to create a timeline in a patch collection. Knowing these details will add to the personal value of a collection and make it much more than simply just having a group of patches. In addition, the book will help collectors avoid spending money on something that is not what it seems: copies; reproductions of World War I, Interwar, or World War II SSIs; and post-World War II SSIs. This information will add to the experience one builds as a collector and historian."