Parachutist Badges.

[roy]

Here are a couple of Cuban badges that I have had in my collection that I would like to share with everybody. The screws on the backs of the Guards and airborne badge have the star hallmark that I have seen on Soviet badges.

Hopefully, more stuff from Cuba will become more readily available for collectors.

[Nota Bene]

Here's a complete set of Cuban paratrooper badges. Obviously made in the USSR. Brass and high quality enamel with Soviet screwplates.

Alexei

[Taz]

600 Jump Cuban Para badge. Seems to be of a lesser quality than the normal ones made in the USSR.
This also brings up the question has the number of jumps anything to do with the class awarded. 600 jumps is a lot for what is in effect the 3rd class jump badge.

Primera ?-?
Segunda ?-?
Tercera 500-?
Unclassed 1-500

[medals73]

A family group.

[CtahhR]

Here is the standard Parachutist Badge. Soviet production.

With the quality and quantity of these on the market, many in the original packaging, I doubt many of these ever made it to Cuba.

[CtahhR]

The bog standard Soviet distribution case.

[CtahhR]

This example seems to have some genuine wear (and was also sourced from Cuba).

[pride]

Originally Posted by Taz

600 Jump Cuban Para badge. Seems to be of a lesser quality than the normal ones made in the USSR.
This also brings up the question has the number of jumps anything to do with the class awarded. 600 jumps is a lot for what is in effect the 3rd class jump badge.

Primera ?-?
Segunda ?-?
Tercera 500-?
Unclassed 1-500

Eddie, i've asked to a cuban friend who served in paratroopers and SF and he confirm that this specific design was adopted since 1990

He wrote:

"Estas insignias son las que usaban en la antigua
brigada de desembarco aéreo (BDA), y se fabricaban en la antigua URSS para
nuestras tropas, ya después se comenzaron a hacer aquí mismo y los números
significaban la categoría del paracaidista, por ejemplo:

M: Categoría de Maestro paracaidista o Master
1: Paracaidista de primera
2; Paracaidista de segunda
3; Paracaidista de tercera

Y la sin numero es la que le entregan a los soldados cuando realizaban su
primer salto"