Crew Patch reference guide

What is a
Crew Patch?

Embroidered
Patches

Beta Cloth
Patches

Lion Brothers
Space Patches

< STS-1	STS-2	STS-3 >
	The STS-2 crew wore the standard AB Emblem embroidered mission emblems on their escape suits and on their in-flight clothing, thus there is no rare 'crew patch' for this mission.

Embroidered Mission Patches


Patch id:	STS-2 AB Emblem patch

Worn by crew?	Yes.
Flown?	Yes.

Manufacturer:	AB Emblem
Distribution:	Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions:	4½" / 115mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Stitched border with cut edge.
Scarcity:	Common.
Value:	Minimal value.

Notes:	The AB Emblem patch was the version used by the crew.


Patch id:	STS-2 Lion Brothers bare cloth back patch

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Lion Brothers
Distribution:	Was available commercially.
Dimensions:	4⅛" / 105mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Stitched border with cut edge.
Scarcity:	Scarce.
Value:	Examples sell for around $15-$30.

Notes:	This version of the Lion Brothers STS-2 mission patch has a bare cloth back.


Patch id:	STS-2 Swissartex patch c. 1981 [previously STS2UNK1]

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Swissartex Emblem Inc.
Distribution:	Sold as souvenirs
Dimensions:	4½" / 116mm across
Type:	Partially embroidered on blue twill. Merrowed edge with tail.
Scarcity:	Uncommon.
Value:	Unknown.

Notes:	This distinctive bare cloth backed patch has recently been identified by Kevin Randall as the earliest Swissartex design, produced around the time of the mission itself in 1981. By around 1983 Swissartex had changed production methods and begun producing the coated-back version shown below.


Patch id:	STS-2 Lion Brothers plastic backed patch

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Lion Brothers.
Distribution:	Unknown.
Dimensions:	4" / 100mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Stitched border with cut edge.
Scarcity:	Scarce.
Value:	Examples sell for around $15-$30.

Notes:	This version of the STS-2 Lion Brothers patch has a plastic coating on the reverse.


Patch id:	STS-2 Lion Brothers plastic backed patch

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Lion Brothers.
Distribution:	Unknown.
Dimensions:	4" / 100mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Stitched border with cut edge.
Scarcity:	Very rare.
Value:	Unknown.

Notes:	This version of the STS-2 mission patch, apparently produced by Lion Brothers, has a unique canvas coating on the reverse. As only a couple of examples have been seen it may have been a prototype for a new backing type that was not adpoted.


Patch id:	STS-2 Swissartex patch (c. 1983+)

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Swissartex Emblem Inc.
Distribution:	Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions:	Approx. 4½" / 114 mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merowed border with tail.
Scarcity:	Uncommon.
Value:	Vintage examples sell for $10-$15.

Notes:	Originally thought to be the oldest Swissartex STS-2 mission patch, this design was actually introduced around 1983 when the company switched production methods to produce coated backed patches. Since it was produced only a couple of years after the mission this can still be considered a vintage patch. This design of the Swissartex STS-2 mission patch exists both with a waxy plastic backing and with a vacuum sealed clear plastic coating on the reverse. The fronts of the two versions are virtually identical.


Footnotes



< STS-1	[ Back to Top ]	STS-3 >