Rare WWII USAAF 501st Bomb Squadron "Black Panthers" 345th Bombardment Group "Air Apaches" 5th AF Ja

ARTIFACT: This is a Rare WWII Aussie Made flight jacket patch for the United States Army Air Forces 501st Bombardment Squadron, aka Black Panthers. The 501st was in the 5th Air Force as part of the 345th Bombardment group, also known as the famous Air Apaches. The 501st flew B-25 aircraft and was in combat in the southwest and western pacific from 21 June, 1943 until 1 September, 1945. The patch shows a muscular black panther leaping in attack in front of a crescent moon. The patch is Australian Made hand embroidered in thick thread on wool felt

VINTAGE: Circa 1943.

SIZE: Approximately 4-3/4" diameter.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Heavy Silk embroidered on wool felt with a heavy cotton gauze backing.

ATTACHMENT: To be sewn onto Flight Clothing.

MARKINGS: N/A

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Army Air Forces collection of squadron patches, wings, etc. which we will be listing more of over the next few months. PBEJM20 LGGEX10/27/20

CONDITION:  7- (Very Fine-): The patch shows that it was removed from a Flight Jacket or Flight Suit, and does have a few small moth trails & nips.