mattingly

A version of the A-B Emblem was recently identified as the type as word by the crew after their flight. The patch is identified by having darker thread used for the crater details on the front. While hard to distinguish from the front, it is readily observed on the back side where the two colors of grey are very obvious. This patch was later made in a replica form for the Willabee and Ward patch set, with a plastic back. 

This version of the A-B Emblem was recently identified as the type as word by the crew after their flight. The patch is identified by having darker thread used for the crater details on the front. While hard to distinguish from the front, it is readily observed on the back side where the two colors of grey are very obvious. This patch was later made in a replica form for the Willabee and Ward patch set, with a plastic back.

STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on 24 January 1985, and made the fourth shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 January. STS-51-C was the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense (DoD) payload, and consequently many mission details remain classified.

This patch is distinctive from the regular A-B Emblem STS-4 souvenir version as it was laid down on red twill rather than white. 

This edition of the Apollo 16 patch is 5" in diameter and was issued by Charlie Duke. His initials can be seen below the large crater on the right side. 

This Apollo 16 patch is part of a set of modern reproduction Apollo patches produced by Cape Kennedy Medals. 

STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on 24 January 1985, and made the fourth shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 January. STS-51-C was the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense (DoD) payload, and consequently many mission details remain classified.

STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on 24 January 1985, and made the fourth shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 January. STS-51-C was the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense (DoD) payload, and consequently many mission details remain classified.

This patch has a cut-edge rather than merrowed edge.

STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on 24 January 1985, and made the fourth shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 January. STS-51-C was the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense (DoD) payload, and consequently many mission details remain classified.

The Cape Kennedy Medals version is a one piece patch. 

STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on 24 January 1985, and made the fourth shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 January. STS-51-C was the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense (DoD) payload, and consequently many mission details remain classified.

The Lion Brothers patch has a gold border that extends around the eagle's wing tips, a wider tab (more space on either side of "Payton") and a gray border above the shuttle.

STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on 24 January 1985, and made the fourth shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 January. STS-51-C was the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense (DoD) payload, and consequently many mission details remain classified.

This variation features the astronaut names displayed on a curve rather than a straight line.

Swissartex version of STS-4. The thick red order is a big give away.

Slightly larger than the A-B Emblem crew version, but bears the same light red/pink triangle. Cloth back.

The crew version of the STS-4. Identified by the lighter red/pink triangle in the zag of the trail. The stitching in the Earth has a barred apperance where the slightly larger Lion Brothers version does not.

This Apollo 16 can be idenditifed by the subdued lunar landscape. The other details are fairly nice, though the stars appear overly large. Vacuum-sealed back.

This is one of the frew instances where the common souvenir version is also the crew-worn version. Produced by A-B Emblem. Found in both cloth and plastic back versions. 

Common souviner A-B Emblem version. 3" 

This patch is probably of new construction, it curiously lacks any lunar detail but has a gray background instead. 

Fully-embroidered. Decent detail for a 3" patch.

A second variation has been identified here without a blue border on the yellow delta and lacking a red border on the shield. Ever so slightly oblong vertically. I was not sure if this was intentional, but a second copy was also oblong.

This patch was collected in a set of other 3" patches, also dissimilar from "original" A-B Emblem issues. 

I am going to tag this collection with the "apollounk2" tag.  Leading candidate is Cape Kennedy Medals based on the Apollo 17 patch in this set being a CKM patch.

Fully-embroidered. Decent detail for a 3" patch.

A second variation has been identified here with a blue border on the yellow delta and red border on the shield. Ever so slightly oblong vertically. I was not sure if this was intentional, but a second copy was also oblong.

This patch was collected in a set of other 3" patches, also dissimilar from "original" A-B Emblem issues. 

I am going to tag this collection with the "apollounk2" tag. Leading candidate is Cape Kennedy Medals based on the Apollo 17 patch in this set being a CKM patch.

This patch is a member of a set of Apollo patches that, while closely resemble A-B Emblem's 3" set, have several identifiable differences that set them apart. 
 

The last version is a modern version.

This is the Lions Brothers hallmarked patch for Apollo 16. It features a hidden '16' stitched upside down below the point of the flying vector.

Unknown manufacturer, 3"

Modern reproduction

This patch designates Grumman's 11th Lunar Module.