HUNGARY
Magyar Légierő
101. Vadászrepülő Század 'Puma' (1 MAY 1944 - 5 MAY 1945)
59/1. Harcászati Repülőszázad' (01 NOV 1957 - 1988)
59/1. Harcászati Repülőszázad 'Puma' (1988 - 31 DEC 2022)
101/1. Harcászati Repülőszázad 'Puma' (1 JAN 2023 - present)
Patch worn by former "Dongo" Squadron members when they joined "Puma" Squadron after their disbandment.
The red, roaring puma head first appeared in the Hungarian Air Force in 1938. It was designed by Aladár Heppes (1904 - 1988) when he was deputy commander in the 1/3. Vadászrepülő Század (Fighter Squadron). It was drawn by László Baráth. The puma head, unlike other insignia, was not tied to a certain unit, but to Aladár Heppes. So the puma head followed him to his new commands. It was first used by the 1/3. (later renamed 2/2.) Vadászrepülő Század and then the 5/I. Vadászosztály (Fighter Group) on the Eastern front. Ultimately, it was the unit insignia of the 101. Honi Légvédelmi Vadászrepülő Osztály (Home Air Defense Fighter Division) and later, the 101. Honi Légvédelmi Vadászezred (Home Air Defense Fighter Regiment). When Aladár Heppes became commander of the newly formed 101st the puma head became its official insignia. The motto, "Vezérünk a bátorság, kísérőnk a szerencse!" (Courage leads, luck escorts us) is credited to Nagy Mihály, the commanding officer of the 1/3. Vadászrepülő Század. Illustrated Heppes bio
Jak-52 Vegyes Kiképző Repülőszázad (Tigriskölykök)
