RAF ASR Badge - Printed

[wright241]

I can't find the post where I mentioned this, but here is a picture of the front of a printed ASR badge that I believe to be absolutely genuine and which is in lovely nick.

David

[ASR142]

Originally Posted by wright241

I can't find the post where I mentioned this, but here is a picture of the front of a printed ASR badge that I believe to be absolutely genuine and which is in lovely nick.

David

HI David
NICE ORIGINAL BADGE GOOD FIND !!!
the post where I did the history etc of this badge is this http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ead.php?t=9940
cheers for showing steve

[SAS1]

Nice badge, I have an unissued one too.

The ASR badge history isnt 100% accurate though. Originally, men at No. 27 ASR Unit at Dover designed a badge in the style of a pilots wing, but with a lifebelt in the centre (instead of a wreath) and the letters 'HSL' for 'High Speed Launche' within that. These were made up locally, by a tailors in the town called 'Falconers' at a cost of half a crown each (just over 12 p!), and worn for a few months in 1941 until aircrew who were rescued began to complain as those wearing it were not aircrew. In another case a bloke was seen in London wearing the badge (either Oxford Street or Regent Street I cant recall) and reported. As it reached higher levels, the unit were told to stop wearing the badge immediately as it had not been authorised (regardless of the fact it was an 'aircrew' style badge).

As such, calls were made for a badge to be designed and authorised, and three designs were produced. The first was a side view of a boat, of block design with the letters 'ASR', the second a circular badge with an Eagle within a rope border and the letters 'A' above and 'S R' below, and the third a launche speeding through the waves with the 'ASR' lettering above. This last design was chosen and first produced as a printed badge (one of the only ones I have found specifically noted in regs as a printed badge only). A woven version was later produced (both being on dark blue) before a third version was introduced on blue/grey in 1944, the date of introduction being confirmed by their use in the film 'For Those in Peril' made that year. All being abolished in 1948.

Although I have not seen any photos of the 'HSL' wing being worn, there are several references in books and the IWM has an example. They are about a third the size of standard pilots wings and extremely rare. If you are ever offered one, grab it with both hands, as only a small number were ever produced and worn before the order was given to remove them.

[Danny]

Hi,
There was a HSL wing on display at the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum last time I visited it. They have two large Porta Cabins covering ASR.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area. A whole range of items on display in the museum, not just Air Force, including a lot of insignia.

Regards

Danny

DSCF3628edit.jpg DSCF3466edit.jpg

http://aviationmuseum.net/

[SAS1]

Thanks for that, Superb! Thats three I know of now!

[wright241]

Originally Posted by ASR142

HI David
NICE ORIGINAL BADGE GOOD FIND !!!
the post where I did the history etc of this badge is this http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ead.php?t=9940
cheers for showing steve

Thanks Steve. It was a very good find and I was extremely lucky to get it.
Rgds, David

[tedwardland]

Hello guys! Nice to see the HSL wing. I recently had one which I moved on. Didn't realise they are that rare! Thought I did well to get 10GBP

[SAS1]

10 GBP! Ted, I would have bitten both of your arms off for that!! I have been searching for one for about 30 years, ever since I met a vet who had one, and some photos of him wearing it at No 27 ASRU (See above). At the time he wouldnt part with it, and I was a bit young and had too little money to get the photos copied.

It was certainly worn, probably the rarest RAF Trade badge of the war! (Kicking myself!)