RASC air despatch formation sign

[Luc]

As far as I'm aware there are 3 types of this badge:

1) Printed, where the Dakota has a side door and tail tip missing:



2) Printed, no door and intact tail.

3) Embroidered, no door and intact tail:



Can anyone confirm only the first type is of WWII and the other 2 are of post-war manufacture?

[ard-ri]

In Brian L. Davis book " British Army Cloth Insignia 1940 to the present" the patch is listed as #199. His photo shows the Dakota facing right, no door and a clipped tail. Would that make it a fourth varient?

Michael

[Luc]

Yes that must be pattern 4 then!

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Luc

Yes that must be pattern 4 then!

Wasn't there a comment in the embellishments book about the single door being on the wrong side i.e. if it was a facing pair, surely there would be one patch without the door? or have I been drinking too much black bush??

[Luc]

Hang on, I've found more pictures and it seems they were not identical:




So the types are:
1) printed, clipped tail.
2) printed, tail intact
3) embroidered, tail intact.

[ard-ri]

Luc,

The one in Davis book is one of the ones you just posted. Second set, left badge. Back to 3 types then

Cheers, Michael

[Luc]

Correct, back to the issue date question.

[Gurkha]

Well, my dad was an AD in 55 coy in Malaya during the early fifites. I've just had a look at his. they are printed, full tail but faded.
steve

[Jibba Jabba]

Gurkha if its not a lot of trouble could you ask your dad for me why there used to be so many accidents with the Valetta?

[Gurkha]

Sorry JJ,
he passed on a couple of years ago, He flew mostly in Dakota's (which he loved) but I recall him disliking intensly the Valletta, but I dont know why.

steve

[Luc]

I just found this website. It is not conclusive about the dates of introduction:

http://www.air-despatch.co.uk/insignia/daks.htm

[SCOUSE MC]

Originally Posted by Gurkha

Sorry JJ,
he passed on a couple of years ago, He flew mostly in Dakota's (which he loved) but I recall him disliking intensly the Valletta, but I dont know why.

steve

HI Steve I did some flying in valettas as an air despatcher, the wing spar runs through the cabin and to load and unload you have to lift 2 /3 of the weight over the spar which was 18 inchs high, bit tricky coming into the DZ.

[Gurkha]

Hi Scouse,
Now you mention it I recall him mentioning having to heave things over something in that aircraft.
regards
Steve

[signalman]

I think this one is from the 1950's. Phil.