USAF Thunderbirds patch – specifically for the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, which is the official USAF precision aerobatic display team, founded in 1953.The design elements: ∙ The Thunderbird figure is drawn from Native American (particularly Southwestern) iconography, which is where the team takes its name ∙ The red circle with white star in the centre is based on the early USAF/USAAC national insignia roundel style ∙ The four aircraft depicted inside the star represent the diamond formation the team is famous for – though the Thunderbirds actually fly with up to six aircraft in their showsThe aircraft silhouettes inside the star appear to depict the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which the Thunderbirds have flown since 1983 and still use today. This huge badge is an embroidered on cotton version with a good age so probably 1983 into the 1990s
