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Post by pat perry on Dec 28, 2007 7:50:12 GMT 9
456er Bob Justus developed a concept for a 456th FIS Challenge Coin for our May 2008 Reunion. He searched all over for a vendor and consulted with our own Webmaster, Pat McGee. Turns out, Pat had helped the 87th FIS come up with their Challenge Coin and pitched in his graphic arts skills and vendor contacts to help us out. He took Bob's concept and designed the coin you see below. click pictures to enlarge Now, I must admit the coin looks a whole lot better in person than these pictures show. It is 2 inches in diameter and weighs an ounce. Bottom line, if you are looking for some fine design and metal work at very reasonable prices, contact Pat McGee and he can hook you up! Here's the one he did for the 87th FIS Click Here Thanks Pat McGee! Pat Perry 456th FIS PS: USAF Vets attending the 456th Reunion will get one free. They will also be sold to raise money for the Castle Air Museum (probably for about $12 bucks plus postage).
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Bullhunter
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318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
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Post by Bullhunter on Dec 28, 2007 9:55:17 GMT 9
My daughter is assigned to the 712th AMS at Dover AFB. Works on C-17 jet engines. The squadron needed a coin so several submitted designs. Her's was selected and produced. Wish I had a better photo of it.
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Post by Jeff Shannon on Dec 28, 2007 19:38:30 GMT 9
Hey thats cool Bullhunter, She did a great job
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Post by lindel on Dec 28, 2007 21:43:31 GMT 9
What kind of price for the coins?
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Post by Cougar on Dec 29, 2007 4:06:40 GMT 9
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Post by Jeff Shannon on Dec 29, 2007 9:31:22 GMT 9
I might have to look at a designing a 49th coin. I like the back side of the 87th coin. maybe it could have that for the back and the 49th patch for the front.
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Post by Mark O on Jan 4, 2008 7:22:53 GMT 9
Speaking of challenge coins has anyone ever heard this story?
Legend of the Challenge Coin
During World War 1, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons. Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit in mid-term to join the war. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore about his neck.
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the pilot's aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire. He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol. In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal identification.
He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. They sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him. He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.
Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through challenge in the following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them. If the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.
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Post by pat perry on Jan 4, 2008 8:38:09 GMT 9
Speaking of challenge coins has anyone ever heard this story? Legend of the Challenge Coin
During World War 1, American volunteers from all parts of the country filled the newly formed flying squadrons. Some were wealthy scions attending colleges such as Yale and Harvard who quit in mid-term to join the war. In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore about his neck.
Shortly after acquiring the medallions, the pilot's aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire. He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol. In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal identification.
He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man's land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Unfortunately, saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. They sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot's American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him. He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.
Back at his squadron, it became tradition to ensure that all members carried their medallion or coin at all times. This was accomplished through challenge in the following manner - a challenger would ask to see the medallion. If the challenged could not produce a medallion, they were required to buy a drink of choice for the member who challenged them. If the challenged member produced a medallion, then the challenging member was required to pay for the drink. This tradition continued on throughout the war and for many years after the war while surviving members of the squadron were still alive.Hey Mark, I was aware of the challenge at the bar but never knew the origin background story. Thanks, Pat Perry
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az09
F-106 Skilled
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Post by az09 on Apr 30, 2008 23:13:56 GMT 9
I just came to know of the "challenge" coin traditions, what with all the Army guys and gals here in the San Antonio area. I must have been sleeping when the Air Force guys started getting their own coins made. No one I worked around did much to promote unit identinty. I did do coffee mugs and shop jackets at Bentwaters for the troops.
The 84th patch is now a dark shade of blue with the rampant panther twisted into some "corkscrew" shape. It is now the 84th Training Sq.
The middle 15 years of my career assignments were closed by BRACC in the 1990's and the Units deactivated or reassigned to lesser functions. Goose Bay, looks deserted, Hamilton has been turned into a housing / shopping mall, Chanute is now a civilian training complex, Upper Heyford and Bentwaters are storage facilities for new cars and medical records along with chicken hatcheries, Homestead was blown away and no rebuilt.
Oh yeah, this was about unit challenge coins, wish I had some.
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sixerviper
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Post by sixerviper on Jul 15, 2008 12:48:09 GMT 9
Hell--I was scuba diving recently and two of my "buddies" hit me with the challenge coin. Now who in the hell goes scuba diving with his challenge coin? ? I can assure you I will in the future!!
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Post by pat perry on Jul 17, 2008 2:51:45 GMT 9
456er Bob Justus developed a concept for a 456th FIS Challenge Coin for our May 2008 Reunion. He searched all over for a vendor and consulted with our own Webmaster, Pat McGee. Turns out, Pat had helped the 87th FIS come up with their Challenge Coin and pitched in his graphic arts skills and vendor contacts to help us out. He took Bob's concept and designed the coin you see below. click pictures to enlarge Now, I must admit the coin looks a whole lot better in person than these pictures show. It is 2 inches in diameter and weighs an ounce. Bottom line, if you are looking for some fine design and metal work at very reasonable prices, contact Pat McGee and he can hook you up! Here's the one he did for the 87th FIS Click Here Thanks Pat McGee! Pat Perry 456th FIS PS: USAF Vets attending the 456th Reunion will get one free. They will also be sold to raise money for the Castle Air Museum (probably for about $12 bucks plus postage). Speaking of Challenge Coins, I have 68 - 456th FIS coins left from our last reunion. They are $13 each which includes postage if mailed in the US. If anyone is interested, email me at popperry at hotmail dot com. Regards, Pat Perry 456th FIS
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Post by Jeff Shannon on Jul 17, 2008 6:24:58 GMT 9
Pat, do you know of a 49th challenge coin?
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Post by pat perry on Jul 17, 2008 6:50:43 GMT 9
Pat, do you know of a 49th challenge coin? Hi Jeff, I'm not aware of any. I just Googled "49th FIS challenge coin" and got no hits. Thanks, Pat P.
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Post by Jim on Jul 17, 2008 9:16:42 GMT 9
BTW, Those challenge coins make great bola ties and most good craft and hobby shops carry the fittings- they make great gifts....The Old Sarge
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Jul 17, 2008 18:18:45 GMT 9
Pat, do you know of a 49th challenge coin? Hi Jeff, I'm not aware of any. I just Googled "49th FIS challenge coin" and got no hits. Thanks, Pat P. Sounds like it's time for someone to sponsor one. As you know I have the resources to create and produce them. If we could get a sponsor to pay for them we'd be all set. For those who don't know, here are the F-106 coins I've made so far, some you've already seen here, but here they are all at one time including the newest, a 318th FIS for Chris Barni. The photos/scans do not do them justice.
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Post by Mark O on Jul 18, 2008 3:18:34 GMT 9
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Jul 18, 2008 5:07:45 GMT 9
Haha yea that was one of the things that is changing on the production coin. This was the first prototype and the underlined TH is to be removed
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Bullhunter
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318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
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Post by Bullhunter on Feb 27, 2009 6:49:23 GMT 9
I have 2 of those coins and did not notice that until I read this post. :angry you think we can get them replaced?
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Feb 27, 2009 8:30:42 GMT 9
:confused When did the challenge coins come in to being? I never heard of them until the early nineties? :god_bless_usa
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Post by Mark O on Feb 27, 2009 8:39:15 GMT 9
When did the challenge coins come in to being? I never heard of them until the early nineties? Hmmmm....? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coinLooks like the Air Force can actually take credit for it. Well, the predecessor to the Air Force. Me, I just carry my Special Forces coin from my Army days. Sorry guys! Mark
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