Skip to content
  • Insignia Books & References
    • Airborne & Special Operations Insignia Reference Books
  • Links & Resources
  • Multimedia
  • Museums & Collections
  • Video & Multimedia
  • Wanted Items
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Articles – Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Wanted Items
  • Insignia Books & References
    • Special Ops Insignia
  • Museums & Collections
  • Links & Resources
    • Multimedia
Battlefields & MuseumsField ReportsThe Indochina Wars

Dropping into the Cu Chi Tunnels

In January 1966, the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), which had been attached to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade...
Read More
The 'juleswings' CollectionThe Indochina Wars

An unidentified French Indochina or 1950’s period Airborne unit badge.

This is an unusual and as yet unidentified early Vietnamese Airborne patch that I have in my collection. It is...
Read More
Medals & AwardsThe 'juleswings' Collection

A WW2 South African Veterinary Corps Medal Group

During a recent visit to my parents in Melbourne, I was given this group which belonged to my father’s uncle,...
Read More
Battlefields & Museums

The Czech Police Museum (Muzeum Policie ČR) – Prague

The Czech Police Museum (Muzeum Policie ČR) is housed in the grounds of a former Augustinian monastery that was founded...
Read More
Battlefields & Museums

The Army Museum of Western Australia Part 1

This is the first of a two part review of the Army Museum of Western Australia. The Army Museum of...
Read More
A selection of items related to the initial deployment of 1RAR to South Vietnam from May 1965 until April 1966 when they were attached to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). The WW2 era Australian Military Forces lighter which has been modified with the addition of the enameled 173 Abn and Viet Cong badges was issued to Corporal Lex McAulay, who was with 1RAR during this time. Collection: Julian Tennant
The 'juleswings' CollectionThe Indochina Wars

An Australian souvenir from Operation CRIMP, South Vietnam, January 1966.

One of my collecting interests is Australian cigarette lighters from the Vietnam War. In recent years I have tended to...
Read More
InsigniaThe 'juleswings' Collection

The Pioneer Parachute Co. pin. Not a Caterpillar!

The Caterpillar Club, started in 1922 by Leslie Irvin’s Irving Air Chute Company, as a way of recording the names...
Read More
Australian Airborne & Special Operations Unit InsigniaThe 'juleswings' Collection

Australian Airborne Insignia #2. The 6RAR Parachute Company Group

In 1974, the Brisbane based 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) under the command of Lt Col Tony Hammett took...
Read More
African Airborne & Special Operations Unit InsigniaInsigniaThe 'juleswings' Collection

The Southern Rhodesia Commando ‘Cobra’ Qualification badge – 1941 – 45

In 1941, fearing that the Japanese may launch an invasion of southern Africa from Vichy French controlled Madagascar, the OC...
Read More
A handful of the World War 2 British Airborne wings and insignia in my collection. Photo: Julian Tennant
Books & ReferencesInsignia

BOOKS: British Airborne Insignia & Airborne Insignia Volume 2 by Oliver Lock

Airborne insignia provides a popular collecting focus for many collectors and as a result has become a lucrative market for...
Read More
Flatbed scan of my two Caterpillar Club pins. The top example is Soviet bomber pilot, AЕВИНСОН's Switlik badge awarded in 1991 in recognition of a jump made in 1941 and the lower pin is the Irvin Caterpillar Club badge awarded to RAAF pilot, Patrick Heffernan for his emergency descent in November 1943. Collection: Julian Tennant
InsigniaMedals & AwardsThe 'juleswings' Collection

A 1992 issue Switlik Caterpillar Club badge for a WW2 Soviet pilot.

Last week’s post featured the Caterpillar Club badge of RAAF pilot Patrick Heffernan who became member number 16000 of Irvin’s...
Read More
Irvin Caterpillar Club pin presented to RAAF pilot Patrick George Heffernan O.B.E, A.F.C after he made an emergency descent on the 6th of November 1943. The pin measures 20mm long, 4mm wide, has ruby eyes and is engraved "G.C. P.G. HEFFERNAN" on the rear. Collection: Julian Tennant
InsigniaMedals & AwardsThe 'juleswings' Collection

WW2 Caterpillar Club pin to RAAF pilot, Group Captain P.G. Heffernan

The Caterpillar Club began in 1922 shortly after an American aviator, LT H.R. Harris, made an emergency descent using an...
Read More
Unidentified Australian parachute patch. Because of the symbolism used here and also with the early Airborne Platoon crest, I wonder if this badge may have been used unofficially on sports wear, jumpsuits etc by members of the Airborne Platoon at some point from the late 50's through 1960's? I don't know the answer and any additional information is welcomed. Collection: Julian Tennant
Australian Airborne & Special Operations Unit InsigniaInsigniaThe 'juleswings' Collection

Australian Airborne Insignia #1 – Airborne Platoon?

This is the first of an ongoing series of articles which will take a closer look at some of the...
Read More
USN Submariner badge, type 2, "deep wave" variation made by Hillborn & Hamburger Inc. and engraved "To Audrey from Sidney Kelf 11.25.42". Collection: Julian Tennant
InsigniaThe 'juleswings' Collection

WW2 USN Submariner ‘Dolphins’ from an officer aboard USS Skipjack (SS-184)

Another item from my collection this week. This time it is a WW2 USN “deep wave” type 2 Submariner badge...
Read More
Medals, insignia, photographs and documents belonging to Hungarian paratrooper, Császár Vilmos. Collection: Julian Tennant
InsigniaMedals & AwardsThe 'juleswings' Collection

A rare WW2 Hungarian Paratrooper’s medal group

Featured this week is a very nice medal group to a WWII Hungarian paratrooper that I hold in my collection....
Read More
News & Events

Gen. Clarence R. Huebner, CO of the “Big Red One” on D-Day. Medals, militaria, firearms and estate items up for auction. 20 November 2019.

Whilst I am not a medal collector, this auction on the 20th of November 2019 caught my eye. It is...
Read More
45678
Nadzab September 1943 - Aussie Gunners Parachute into History. 20 August 1964: 20 August 1964: Australia. 1 SAS Company (RAR), 1963–64 Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), 1966 Australia. Special Air Service Regiment parachutist wings, c. 1964–65 French Indochina. Another piece from my Dien Bien Phu collection. Australian Flying Corps (AFC)

Archives

  • African Airborne & Special Operations Unit Insignia
  • Australian Airborne & Special Operations History
  • Australian Airborne & Special Operations Unit Insignia
  • Aviator Insignia
  • Battlefields & Museums
  • Books & References
  • Collection Conservation & Care
  • Exhibitions & Displays
  • Field Reports
  • Historical and Archive Material
  • Insignia
  • Juleswings Blog
  • Medals & Awards
  • Military Art
  • News
  • News & Events
  • Special Operations Militaria
  • The 'juleswings' Collection
  • The Indochina Wars
  • Uncategorized

© Julian Tennant (2023) - All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website