New Squadron Patch Advice

[Bear Walling]

Hello everyone,

I am the commander of a "reborn" squadron (Squadron that shutdown and I am getting the charter reinstated). And I am designing a patch for the unit kind of as a new beginning sort of thing. I was hoping ya'll could give me some feedback about my designs (attached below).

The first is the full color patch that we will wear with the blues uniform. The second is subdued to be worn with the BDUs. I am still unsure whether or not I want to add SAR or a II behind the squadron name.

Thomas "Bear" Walling, Commander
Eagle Composite Squadron (Reborn)
Morehead, Kentucky  GLR-KY-121

[mikeylikey]

The Eagle looks like it is ready to Kill something!  I like it.  However, I would think about moving the Eagle to the other side of the patch (the colors would then contrast each other, and it would stand out better).

I would also think about whether you really need the charter on the thing.  Personal decision, but I never liked any numbers on CAP patches.

I would not add anything more to the patch itself.  If you add numerals behind anything, it becomes "too busy".

Remember, just my opinions, what really matters is you will have to wear it. 

Did you have a previous unit patch before they went "under"?  Is it similar to or different from the one you made?

[Bear Walling]

The previous unit didnt have a patch. Sadly we weren't that close of a group.

I hope to change that.

[mikeylikey]

^ Good luck to you!  I hope you get an initial good group of people to get things running.  Either way, the patch looks good, I am a dork when it comes to Eagles!  Can't get enough of them.

[davidsinn]

Mind if I jump in on this? Here's my unit's patch. It's not even a week old. Been up to the Wing Commander and back. It's so new in fact that we haven't even looked at production yet so it might change slightly once we get the real thing made.

Per INWG-M39-1Sup I had to come up with a Heraldry :

The Wild Mustang that is bucking to the upper right is a wild and untamable beast; as is our passion and determination to our duty.

The P-51D at the bottom center is one of the most reconizable symbols of WWII and so is a reminder of the birth of Civil Air Patrol.

The TriProp inside the Civil Defense triangle represents the three missions of Civil Air Patrol, namely: Cadet Programs, Emergency Services, and Aerospace Education.

Red reminds us of the blood that was spilled by the earliest sub-hunters.
Blue represents the sky where we perform our duty.
White is the purity of selfless service.
Gold is dedication to duty.
Black is the unknown and reminds us to seek it out and learn always.

Our Motto is Acta non Verba: "Actions not words" which is also the motto of the US Merchant Marine Academy.


Patch and Heraldry by Lt. David Sinn (c) 2007

[pixelwonk]

Having designed unit patches and not a small number of other CAP graphics, I can appreciate the effort you probably put into this, and I commend you for sticking to your wing's heraldry guidelines.
Still though, It's way crowded.  The motto might as well be "eviscero equinum" because the P51 looks like it is going to disembowel the horse.  Gives a new meaning to Vertical Stab.    You can't tell it's a P51 either.

All in all, neither mustang tells anything about your unit, nor do they speak to the motto.  Not sayin they shouldn't be there, but I'd like to see this emblem again once the design elements and the colors have been reworked some.

[jimmydeanno]

Our Motto is Acta non Verba: "Actions not words" which is also the motto of the US Merchant Marine Academy.

As well as the motto of the Langley (AFB) Composite Squadron in Virginia MER-VA-025, chartered in 1957.  Not sure when they adopted the motto though.

[brasda91]

I can't find any guidance in the reg's on wear of squadron patches on blues.  You may want to look through the reg's and ensure squadron patches are authorized on blues.  We have a squadron patch that we only wear on our bdu's.

Welcome back!

[RiverAux]

Usually you see it as "Deeds not words" and it is a very common motto.  Personally, I think it is out of place for us to put AF aircraft on our patches.  After all, CAP never flew P-51s.  Why not the plucky little C-182?

[Eclipse]

I can't find any guidance in the reg's on wear of squadron patches on blues.  You may want to look through the reg's and ensure squadron patches are authorized on blues.  We have a squadron patch that we only wear on our bdu's.

There are currently no patches authorized on the blues, squadron or otherwise.  Previous to this, only the wing patch was authorized.

[Eclipse]

I like the patch in general, however I would suggest the text be on lower scrolls if you stay with the shield and
the rockers on a disc.

If I can I will mock it up later today.

[alamrcn]

KY-121, Eagle Composite Squadron emblem -

First off, a personal thank you for NOT using a phoenix to represent the unit's rebirth. While attractive, it's just way overdone.

It has already been said here or somewhere to minimize the amount of text in the emblem's field, and I agree to moving everything to a lower scroll - "Eagle Comp Sqdn 121" or something. Don't feel a need to fill the emblem's field, but the tri-prop on the blue background in place of the unit's name would work swell.

Leaving only "121" on the bottom of the field would look Ok, but certainly get the unit's name out of there. If only two words are used to describe the unit, "Eagle Squadron" would be better than "Eagle Composite" which doesn't describe what echelon the unit is. The complete name in full or abbreviated in the banner would be optimal.


The other emblem design posted...

It's way crowded.

There are only three features, and although all are very bold, I wouldn't say the field is crowded... Full, maybe.

You can't tell it's a P51 either.

Agree. Thee are some characteristics needed to distinguish the aircraft's silhouette as a P-51, as apposed to Beech Cherokee or other low-wing aircraft. However, more details on the plane might lead to needing more details on the horse also.

neither mustang tells anything about your unit, nor do they speak to the motto.

The blazon is what explains the emblem's symbols, so the images themselves don't have to be literal. They've described what the symbols mean quite well. Not every unit's location has something distinct and appropriate to put on their emblem, so I think they've made a reasonable enough case to use what they've got. I suppose SOME correlation between the motto (since it is displayed) and the emblem's other contents would be nice if possible.

-Ace

[Bear Walling]

I am doing this on paint, so excuse the poor quality.

I still welcome anyone who would like to give my patch design a try. I'm not very original in my design. Plus, I hate to use the shield since it is more for group or wing use... But anyway...

Here's a version with the prop in place of the squadron name.

[Eclipse]

2 first-pass drafts.

Note, the scrolls are bad because its a bear to get them perfect and I wouldn't want to spend the time
until the verbiage was final.





The motto is "let it endure forever".

I thought it would be cool to put a star where the unit is, but couldn't find anything on 121.

[Bear Walling]

Yeah, your a little off with the red star... Morehead is about a half inch to the right. Other than that, those look awesome! what program do you use to make those? And where can I download it? I really like the motto too!

[Eclipse]

Yeah, your a little off with the red star... Morehead is about a half inch to the left. Other than that, those look awesome! what program do you use to make those? And where can I download it?

Is that where you guys are Morehead?  I can move the star.

Its called Photoshop and you can download it from Adobe for about $600.   

If you like the direction, PM me and we can connect via email.  I'm working on another one right now and my SUI, so I might not be able to dedicate time today beyond the above, but this doesn't usually take that long.
Once done you guys can have the layers and also we can render it into grayscale B&W, etc.

[Bear Walling]

Yes, we will be in Morehead.

You probably won't find anything on us, the old unit charter lapsed probably four years ago. The new charter will be reinstated when I return home from Iraq in August.

[alamrcn]

The motto is "let it endure forever".

Now that's an appropriate motto, nice choice!

The disk patch looks GREAT, very slick and modern! Get "Squadron" (or variant) in there, maybe the "121" as well, but no need for "KY" since the map kinda seals the deal.

BTW, is "Eagle" as the name set in stone? I know that National would prefer "Morehead Composite Squadron" as the chartered tittle, but a moniker such as "Eagle" is the members call - thereby represented by Beeker.

The triangle and tri-prop might be just filling space now, but it would still be nice to have it worked in there somewhere if possible - it's what would signify it as a CAP patch. Below the state map maybe?


-Ace

[Eclipse]

We could maybe use the prop and shield on the map instead of a star...

[Bear Walling]

Eagle was the name of the original squadron