RAF KC Anodised cap badge

[cga00]

Morning!

Could I ask, does anyone know if there was ever an anodised aluminium issue of the RAF other ranks cap badge with a kings crown?
Has anyone seen an order introducing one or perhaps a pattern card?

I have a pattern card with an anodised KC button on, and a few years ago saw what may have been (albeit very badly damaged) an RAF KC A/A sell for a ridiculous amount on ebay. Just wondered if anyone had a definitive answer.

Regards, Craig

[Anodisedbob]

Originally Posted by cga00

Morning!

Could I ask, does anyone know if there was ever an anodised aluminium issue of the RAF other ranks cap badge with a kings crown?
Has anyone seen an order introducing one or perhaps a pattern card?

I have a pattern card with an anodised KC button on, and a few years ago saw what may have been (albeit very badly damaged) an RAF KC A/A sell for a ridiculous amount on ebay. Just wondered if anyone had a definitive answer.

Regards, Craig

Never seen cap badge, but there are plenty of KC a/a buttons. My father was RAF joined at 16, 1943 lied about his age! he continued in service until 1976. Only ever saw amongst his bits and peices brass KC & QC andQC a/a
Bob

[engr9266]

As a collector of A/A badges I have not come across any reference to one.
Jerry

[bess55]

My Dad served in the RAF (Far East air force in Singapore) from the mid 50's until the late 60's. I have all of his badges including cloth. There is not a single AA badge or emblem amongst them. He would say he wore brass Kings Crown cap badges up until he left over 10 years after the Queens coronation. He does however recall a sergeant having anodised Queens crown cap badge which was somewhat of a curio at the time apparently.

So in addition to the posts above, I would concur that I have never seen an RAF Kings Crown AA cap badge. As Bob states you can find many Kings Crown AA buttons where there is no corresponding cap badge in AA with a Kings Crown. If such a badge did exist, one would expect that it shouldn't be too scarce. The RAF is a big firm!

All the best chaps

Bess

[Mike H]

I have no information to say that it was produced in a/a . I do have a cart load of KC buttons if anyone wants some

[fougasse1940]

There are QC gilding metal badges, why would these officially exist if there would already have been a previous KC A/A badge?

Rgds, Thomas.

[cga00]

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

There are QC gilding metal badges, why would these officially exist if there would already have been a previous KC A/A badge?

Rgds, Thomas.

So why can we find KC A/A buttons when there are also QC gilding metal buttons?
I thought maybe just a trial run or something similar - one of the reasons for my question.
Many thanks to everyone that has replied, I'm going with the majority on this then - a big fat 'No'.
I have recently purchased a reproduction KC A/A (sold as such), and at first glance it's pretty good. The body is an exact copy of the current QC A/A but the crown has been replaced with the kings. The crown however just doesn't have the definition of the rest of the badge plus the loops on the back are all wrong. I was going to use it as a gap filler but will leave it with my other copies as reference.
Regards, Craig

[blueboy684]

I have been thinking about this very same subject off an on since the early 1990's!!

I wrote to the Air Historical Branch on this subject and on 16 Jun 93 received the following reply
"Thank you for your note about anodised badges forwarded by Air Historical Branch. These items were first introduced by Air Ministry Order A928 of November 1953. This type was withdrawn by AMOA322 of December 19567 as sub-standard. The date of their re-introduction is at present unknown to me. I suspect that they filtered back into use without a specific announcement."

Signed by A E Cormack.

My father was a RAF sgt and he used to wear a No1 Jacket as working dress which had anodised KC buttons and buckle right up to his demob in 1968. I have his old well polished brass KC badge but there is no sign of an anodised one!

I have been fortunate enough to view the Reserve Collection on several occasions but have never seen any inkling of such a badge.

I also bought one of the current crop of anodised KC badge purely as a representation of what was.

[cga00]

Hi blueboy, interesting. Also, out of interest, what was your dad's job?
(and, can you pse clarify the date on that last AMO A322 for me).
Cheers, Craig

[blueboy684]

Hi there,
My dad was a Coppersmith/Sheet Metalworker and the period I remember him wearing the No1 jacket (which I still have) was when he was at RAF Cosford between 1966 to 1968 when he was de-mobbed and I seem to remember him being on Instructor duties as he used to come home with pocketfuls of the coloured beret backings - how I wish I had kept them!!

The date of AMO A322 should have read 1956 - my apologies - I should really proof read what I post!!

I would be interested to see what the AMO actually says!!

Regards.

[Alan O]

I have seen an example of a well worn RAF cap badge in a/a with a tudor crown for sale. However it was in fact a well-worn QC badge whose crown was distorted into a flat sided crown shape to look like a King's Crown

[cga00]

Originally Posted by Alan O

I have seen an example of a well worn RAF cap badge in a/a with a tudor crown for sale. However it was in fact a well-worn QC badge whose crown was distorted into a flat sided crown shape to look like a King's Crown

That may well be what I saw Alan. It was in such bad shape that I couldn't be sure but at the price it sold for I assumed that someone knew better than me & must be correct.
Craig