The 8^th Air Force shoulder sleeve insignia is presented as a study in variations that exist for a given shoulder sleeve insignia. I do not claim that I show all existing variations. The United States Army Air 8^th Air Force was established on January 28, 1942 with a headquarters originally in Savannah, Georgia. By February elements were in England and by August the first missions were flown against occupied France. The 8^th was the major strategic bomber force directed against Germany and operating from England during the war.

The shoulder sleeve insignia of the Eight Air Force was approved May 20, 1943.

Machine Embroidered U.S. Made

Highly Scalopped Wing Tips	Blunt Wing Tips	Single open scalop at bottom (1)

English Made

Machine Embroidered Smaller Wings than U.S. made ones (Most Common English Type)	Embroidered in Silk Tread
Embroidered (2)	Embroidered in Heavy Cotton on Felt

Printed on Rubber

Similar to English Made

Several patches, including Headquarters, U.S. Army European Theater of Operations Communication Zone, can be found in this rubberized version. Many theories exist why they might have been produced.

Embroidered in Bullion

Embroidered Heavy Bullion (3)	Embroidered Lighter Bullion (4)

Reproduction

Front (5)	Back	Black (Ultraviolet) Light

This reproduction was produced and sold has such in the 1970s. Ordinary shoulder sleeve insignia are not so valuable that reproductions are common, but the equipment to manufacture patches exist and it can be easily done at low cost. There is little to distinguish this patch from an original. The wings do not extend almost to the edge of the border like the originals. It is unknown if any original ones also have this characteristic. This patch also is florescent under black (ultraviolet) light. Many other reproductions made in third world nations are not florescent.

NOTES

1. Courtesy of Jay Graybeal
2. Courtesy of Jay Graybeal
3. Courtesy of Jay Graybeal
4. Courtesy of Lars Kleine
5. Courtesy of Jay Graybeal