Shuttle-era patch list Lion Brothers patch list

The list below attempts to show all known patches from the Shuttle era manufactured by Lion Brothers. For the purposes of comparison, the second column of images shows the AB Emblem version, the third shows the vintage Swissartex version (sometimes sold in Eagle Crest packaging) and the final column shows a patches from Cape Kennedy Medals or unknown manufacturers.

It should be noted that certain patches were produced in multiple versions by a single manufacturer. In the case of Lion Brothers I have tried to list all the versions. Swissartex produced mission patches with waxy-looking plastic coatings on the reverse and versions with vacuum-sealed backings but the fronts look identical so I have not included multiple versions in the list below.

Note that this list was compiled largely based on discussions in this thread on the CollectSpace.com message board.

Lion Brothers

A-B Emblem

Swissartex Emblem

Cape Kennedy Medals / Unknown

U.S. Flag

4" x 2¼" patch seen with bare cloth back and vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

Not strictly-speaking a space patch, but was sold alongside the space mission patches.

U.S. Flag

3" x 2" flag patch seen with bare cloth back and vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

This is a smaller version of the US flag.

Shuttle Program

Seen with plastic backing and vacuum-sealed backing.

Key differences: Dark background has pointed top. Wings & text different.

ALT Program

This patch has been seen both with a bare cloth back and with a vacuum sealed back.

Key differences: Huge US flag on wing.

STS-1
Apr. 1981

Bare back version.

Key differences: Three color flame (yellow-orange-red).

STS-1
Apr. 1981

Version with coated back.

Differences from bare back LB: Black stitching down right side of shuttle fuselage. Cloud patterns different. Stitching on reverse.

STS-1
Apr. 1981

Example with 'canvas' coated back.

Differences from bare back LB: 'canvas' style backing. Only one example seen, so likely a prototype.

STS-2
Nov. 1981

Bare back vesion.

Key differences: Silver border full above shuttle nose.

STS-2
Nov. 1981

Version with coated back.

Differences from bare back LB: Flag stars more pointy. Eagle eye and beak less detailed. Columbia lettering less bold. Stitching on reverse.

STS-2
Nov. 1981

Example with 'canvas' coated back.

Differences from bare back LB: 'canvas' style backing. Only two examples seen, so likely prototypes.

STS-3
Mar. 1982

Only seen with bare back.

Key differences: Blue 'streak' on nose.

STS-4
Jun. 1982

Only seen with bare back.

Key differences: Earth lighter. White trim around shuttle nose.

STS-5
Nov. 1982

Bare back version.

Key differences: No flag on wing.

STS-5
Nov. 1982

Version with coated plastic back.

Key differences: One-piece windscreen. Larger star and fonts. No flag on wing.

STS-6
Apr. 1983

Like the ALT patch this patch has been seen both with a bare cloth back and with a vacuum sealed back. In addition, an odd version with a unique white vacuum-sealed plastic back exists.

STS-6
Apr. 1983

Version with coated plastic back.

Key differences: Subtle differences throughout.

This version is the one usually seen in sets of Lion Brothers patches.

STS-7
Jun. 1983

Coated back.

Key differences: Subtle differences throughout.

STS-8
Aug. 1983

Coated back.

Key differences: Black outline around Challenger lettering. Right SRB points to "U" of Truly. Swissartex version has orange tank, and right SRB points to "R" of Truly.

STS-9
Nov. 1983

Only seen with bare back?

Key differences: Subtle differences throughout. Swissartex version has blue nose.

STS-41B
Feb. 1984

Vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

Key differences: Many small differences.

STS-41C
Apr. 1984

Coated back.

Key differences to AB: Center of 'sun' larger. Swissartex version has orangey-yellow sun. Blue background ribbed.

STS-41D
Aug. 1984

Vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

Key differences: Ship much larger.

STS-41F
Aug. 1984 [CANCELLED]

As this mission was cancelled quite close to the launch date it seems likely that Lion Brothers created a version of this patch, presumably with a vacuum-sealed backing.

AB Emblem and Swissartex apparently re-used their STS-41F patches for the STS-51D mission eight months later by adding a sew-on tab for the payload specialists.

No known
Lion Brothers
version

STS-41D
Aug. 1984 [CANCELLED]

The oversize patch shown here appeared a possible candidate for the missing LB version, but the coating on the reverse does not match those used by Lion Brothers. It was most likely produced by AB Emblem.

STS-41G
Oct. 1984

Vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

Key differences: one piece patch with lettering in capitals.

STS-51A
Nov. 1984

Vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

Subtle design differences to AB.
Swissartex version has radial thread pattern in border, otherwise similar to LB patch.

STS-51C
Jan. 1985

Vacuum-sealed plastic backing.

Key differences: Gold border around wing tips. Silver stripe above shuttle in center. One piece patch.

STS-51E
Mar. 1985 [CANCELLED]

Mission cancelled only a week before launch. If Lion Brothers did produce a version of this patch it would have been widely distributed before the cancellation.

No known
Lion Brothers
version