Army transfer to RFC

[davec]

Hi,
My grandfather transferred to the RFC in Feb 1918 and then into the RAF.
Could anyone tell me whether he would have carried on wearing his old uniform, or would he have new stuff, specifically cap badges.
If he had new, would he have had both the RFC and then RAF badges, and which ones would they be?
He was an Air Mechanic at Scampton.

Thanks,
Dave

[Alan O]

These are the 2 badges. I would guess he would have worn both.
If he transfered then he would probably have worn the same uniform (but with a new badge and titles) as the standard ORs uniforms were the same as standard issue (unless he was a Scot or something oddly dressed in the first place).

The RAF adopted their blue uniform in 1918 but I don't know how long it would have taken to be issued so he was probably in khaki. I once attended a talk on the history of the RAF given by a serving RAF Officer. According to him the original uniform was to be sky blue (same colour as their shirts) but there was a shortage of cloth in 1918 so the RAF recieved a large order of darker blue cloth that had been ordered by the Imperial Russian Cavalry but not delivered due to the revolution. They have stuck to that colour ever since.

Hope this helps

[davec]

Thanks - it seems fairly clear cut, unlike other badges I've had to research.
I will just have to redo my medal display - again.

Cheers,
Dave

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by davec

Hi,
My grandfather transferred to the RFC in Feb 1918 and then into the RAF.
Could anyone tell me whether he would have carried on wearing his old uniform, or would he have new stuff, specifically cap badges.
If he had new, would he have had both the RFC and then RAF badges, and which ones would they be?
He was an Air Mechanic at Scampton.

Thanks,
Dave

Ground crew always wore the badges of the RFC whereas aircrew would wear their original regiment's insignia unless and until they had formally transferred on to the regular cadre at which point they would adopt RFC insignia. This is the same with the modern Army Air Corps (AAC) which has very many similarities with the old RFC.

[davec]

OK - thanks

Dave