Vintage US Navy VAW-11 “Early Elevens” framed Patch Display (Det Mike, Det Echo) For Sale

Original 1960s U.S. Navy VAW-11 framed patch display — three period squadron patches with a detachment reference page.

Not a reproduction.

VAW-11 detachment patches were made in small numbers per cruise and are considerably scarcer than base squadron insignia. Light age toning and one small spot on the face, shown in photos.

VAW-11, the “Early Elevens,” flew airborne early warning out of NAS North Island, San Diego. The squadron traced its origins to a four-plane AEW detachment aboard USS Hornet (CVS-12) in October 1948, and grew to operate detachments off 13 Pacific Fleet attack and antisubmarine carriers flying the E-1B “Fudd” Tracer and later the E-2A Hawkeye. By 1966 it was the Navy’s largest carrier-based squadron. On 20 April 1967 it was reorganized as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing 11, and its detachments were established as VAW-111 through VAW-116.

Because each detachment deployed independently on its own cruise, detachment patches were produced in small numbers and are considerably scarcer than the base squadron insignia.

The three patches:

1. VAW-11 squadron patch — the black dragon on yellow with the “VAW 11” banner tab. White merrowed edge.

2. VAW-11 Early Warning Det Mike — “The Bogies Are Coming!”, WestPac 1962–1963, USS Ranger (CVA-61), E-1B Tracer. Faded blue twill, black and white cavalry rider, applied eagle-and-banner top piece. Period hand-embroidered construction.

3. VAW-11 Det Echo 64 — 1964 cruise, USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), E-1B. Reads “DET ECHO 64” with the detachment motto around the border: “Anybody that would go to sea for a living would go to hell for a pastime.”

Authenticity: all three show period construction — raw twill reverses with full design bleed-through and visible bobbin stitching, merrowed edges, separately applied banners. No plastic backing, no heat-seal, no hook-and-loop. These are not reproductions. Reverse photos included.

Reference page: a printed page titled “VAW-11 Detachment Insignia,” illustrating and dating the full run of detachment patches (Charlie, Bravo, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Kilo, Mike and others) with carrier and aircraft assignments. Credited at the bottom to Ron Montgomery, Bob Lawson and F.D. “Gootch” Goetschius — Lawson was a longtime naval aviation photo editor. Useful as a research key for anyone collecting this squadron.

Condition — please read:

• The Det Echo patch is loose and lifts free of the board.

• The VAW-11 squadron patch and the Det Mike patch were adhered to the backing board by the original framer and are not removable without damaging them. Sold as an intact display, as-is.

• Det Echo has a small brown spot on the face, shown in photos.

• Light spotting and handling marks on the mat board, normal for age.

Please review photos carefully before purchase. Sold as is.