Ext. Rare Ca Early 1948 USN VF-10A Jacket Patch<p>Prototype of VF-74 Bedevilers

Wonderful and rare circa early 1948 United States Navy VF-10A Jacket Patch. Reportedly a prototype that came from the designer of the patch, Ensign John P. Humphries. VF-74 was established on 16 April 1945 as VBF-20 flying the F4U-1 Corsair from NAS Wildwood in New Jersey. After six months they transitioned to the F6F Hellcat but soon changed to F8F Bearcat. In 15 November 1946 their designation was changed to VF-10A and was part of Carrier Air Group 9 on board USS Philippine Sea and made their first deployment to the Mediterranean between February and June 194Before the cruise VF-10A had shifted to their new shore base - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown, Rhode Island. At the same time, the squadron had adopted their devil's insignia created by Ensign John P. Humphries. On 12 August 1948 the squadron became VF-92 and became part of CAG-7, moving to Naval Air Station Quonset Point and their final re-designation happened on 15 January 1950 when they became VF-7They transitioned to the F4U-4 Corsair in 1951 and returned to the Mediterranean on board the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.[1]
It looks as though my patch probably dates to 1948 when the squadron was VF-10A. Here is a link to the source website, which pinpoints the time frame for the patch:
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf074.htm

Circa early 1948.

About 5" in width by 5-3/4" in height.

Cotton embroidery thread on felt.

To be sewn onto garment.

None.

This is from a US Navy collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. RAAJV93 SDJJX5/09 SLGGEX6/15

7- (Very Fine-): Minor-to-moderate wear and aging; surface soiling of felt and embroidery, wear to edges and a few moth nips.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.