Admittedly, with Lister's leathers being this blog's main focus, I haven't spared a great deal of time investigating Lister's bomber jacket from the first two series. After all, details from earlier episodes can be particularly tricky to make out, even in upscaled HD. The most glaringly obvious adornments, most likely, were custom embroidered pieces crafted specially for the production (and therefore not even slightly track-downable). However, here we have a real-world patch in plain view, now thirty-four years and counting.
I was tempted to file this one under 'Unconfirmed' as fine details are sparse between the two instalments this iteration of the jacket features (
Better Than Life and
Parallel Universe - and yes, Deb Lister has one, too). Few variants of the patch appear to be available, so, unless I can find a clearer reference image that compels me to reconsider, I'll consider this all-but verified.
For completists’ sake, I cannot find the patch anywhere during The End, Balance of Power, or Waiting For God, though I believe, given the proudly embellished, pin-striped "Red Dwarf" calligraphic design emblazoned upon the jacket's back, the very same article of clothing carries over to the next series, albeit modified.
I believe I may have spotted the patch make a brief return for Series III - during
Polymorph, after Lister loses his fear to the salivating beast [visible during the baseball bat/crotch gag in the opening credits], and
The Last Day, as he hops from the top bunk to retrieve his deconstructed brekkie, later speaking with Kryten regarding the activation of his shut-down disc, and during the confrontation with Hudzen 10 - both episodes, on the screen-right front of Lister's leather short trousers, of all places.
The 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing are an operational support unit that has remained active since 1949 in the United States Air Force, and are based at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Fortunately, I was able to narrow down the patch's design by comparing it to the similarly-shielded US Air Force Space Command patch, identified by yours truly, ooh, ages ago. Not just a handy coincidence, but continuity-friendly, to boot!
Dimensions are approximately 75x80mm, and for Series II, can be found on the jacket's lower-screen left front.
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