triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Share #1 Posted January 7, 2019 In addition to the five previously posted Cuban Parachute badges by Pride and again shown here on the left below, I came across a few others that I will post for review and comment. The Maestro or master parachutist variation with red added. Not sure of the meaning. The five levels of Cuban parachuting proficiency badges are illustrated in the Bragg and Turner Book, PARACHUTE WINGS. B&T 1186 is the Basic Parachutist, B&T 1887 is Tercera or 3rd Class Parachutist, B&T 1888 is Segunda or 2nd class Parachutist, B&T 1889 is Primera or 1st Class Parachutist and Maestro or Master Parachutist is B&T 1890. I am not sure if they are still in use since the reference states pre-1981. These have obvious similarities to Soviet Parachute badges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted January 7, 2019 Here are variations of the five shown above. The same five levels of proficiency are retained with the addition of small rings at the bottom presumably for jump tags. These are not illustrated in the Bragg & Turner books, so they must be more recent. Anyone else have information on these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted January 7, 2019 These are Cuban Parachute Badges that I have no details about. I believe that they are possibly the current style in use. Any information is appreciated. I will post the back side below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted January 7, 2019 Reverse sides of the two above. The bottom badge is almost new while the one on top shows some extensive wear on the front side. Anyone else have these or know anything about them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted January 7, 2019 And now we come to this rarely seen beauty. This is a Pre-Castro Parachutist Badge from the 1950's when Cuba was ruled by Batista. This one is identified in Bragg & Turner's Book, Parachute Badges and Insignia of the World as B&T 901. There was also a Master level with a wreath and star that was rumored to be made of 18 carat gold. Any one have that one? If so, PM me and I'll send you my address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted January 7, 2019 Share #6 Posted January 7, 2019 Interesting badge Robert. Thanks for posting. Almost looks like it was made from a US jump wing (parachute) and air force wing (wings) . Is it cast or struck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted January 7, 2019 Good question Eric. I had to get a glass and look. It must be cast. I don't believe that the CUBA letters could survive a stamping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pride Posted January 7, 2019 Share #8 Posted January 7, 2019 In addition to the five previously posted Cuban Parachute badges by Pride and again shown here on the left below, I came across a few others that I will post for review and comment. The Maestro or master parachutist variation with red added. Not sure of the meaning. The five levels of Cuban parachuting proficiency badges are illustrated in the Bragg and Turner Book, PARACHUTE WINGS. B&T 1186 is the Basic Parachutist, B&T 1887 is Tercera or 3rd Class Parachutist, B&T 1888 is Segunda or 2nd class Parachutist, B&T 1889 is Primera or 1st Class Parachutist and Maestro or Master Parachutist is B&T 1890. I am not sure if they are still in use since the reference states pre-1981. These have obvious similarities to Soviet Parachute badges. Hello Robert, i'm pretty sure that this Maestro badge was painted by a genious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pride Posted January 7, 2019 Share #9 Posted January 7, 2019 Here are variations of the five shown above. The same five levels of proficiency are retained with the addition of small rings at the bottom presumably for jump tags. These are not illustrated in the Bragg & Turner books, so they must be more recent. Anyone else have information on these? Nice! i've never seen this types; on next days i'll write to a cuban friend and try to have some news This is a pics from 2018 and the badge is like your first post: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pride Posted January 7, 2019 Share #10 Posted January 7, 2019 These are Cuban Parachute Badges that I have no details about. I believe that they are possibly the current style in use. Any information is appreciated. I will post the back side below. I'm working on them, thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted January 7, 2019 Great! I am always interested in world wide parachute badges and who wore them, what they mean and when they were in use. I will look forward to learning what you find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted January 8, 2019 Share #12 Posted January 8, 2019 Interesting, thanks for posting them. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted January 8, 2019 Share #13 Posted January 8, 2019 Thanks for posting the pic of the pre-Castro badge! That is super, super cool! Sadly, Dad's family didn't serve, so there is no military history in our Cuban family. Not that I know of anyway! I have Cuban money that they smuggled out in the early years of Castro! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pride Posted January 9, 2019 Share #14 Posted January 9, 2019 Robert, this is the answer that i've received from Cuba just few minutes ago. Unfortunately the interlocutor makes no difference between the two different types and answers me overall. Maybe he only refers to your set of 5 with the numbers and the small circles at the bottom. Let me know if the translation is needed: "Estas insignias son las que usaban en la antiguabrigada de desembarco aéreo (BDA), y se fabricaban en la antigua URSS paranuestras tropas, ya después se comenzaron a hacer aquí mismo y los númerossignificaban la categoría del paracaidista, por ejemplo:M: Categoría de Maestro paracaidista o Master1: Paracaidista de primera2; Paracaidista de segunda3; Paracaidista de terceraY la sin numero es la que le entregan a los soldados cuando realizaban suprimer salto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted January 10, 2019 Thanks Pride. Looks like it confirms the five levels and ratings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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