Parachutist Badges

[Taz]

Hi John,
yes that,s right.
Here,s a bit more info hope it helps.

The first Paratroop badge was insituted in 1934.On the 26. June 1930 at the Parachute training School near Woronesh the first two jumps were taken. In the whole year a total of 84 jumps were made.
On the 2. August 1930 at the Moscow area Training ground, for the first time in the world, 12 Paratroops jumped together and the Sowiet Airborn troop was born.
In August 1933 60 Paratroops from the Ossoawiachim Training Schools jumped from a height of 1500m from ANT-9 & ANT-14 transport planes.
The Paratroop Badge was awarded to the Defense Society and the Sowiet army.
In the mid 1930,s two further badges were developed. Best or excellent Paratrooper and Paratroop Instructor. These early badges were awarded up to 1955.
On the 10 November 1955 neu Paratroop badges were formed as orderd by the Defense Ministary( Badges of the DOSAAF differ in shape from those of the Sowiet Army).
In 1968 the award regulations were changed slightly.

Paratroop Badge - After the first jump
Best or Excellent Paratrooper - After 18 jumps and additional tests
Paratroop Instructor - After 50 jumps and additional Instructor
exams/tests.

In the Parachute canopy is written Best/excellent Paratrooper or Paratroop Instructor.
Under the canopy are the numbers of jumps 10-40 on the Best Paratroop Badge and for example 100 -500 on the Instructor Badge.
The small reversable pendant at the bottom shows the additional jumps. For example on the Badge is 10, on the pendant the high number is 3 = 13 jumps.

Since 1968 the Instructors Badge is larger than the other jump Badges.The Parachute canopy has slanting sides instead of being semi-circular and there is an additional Para with a half open canopy pictured on the Badge.

Eddie