Badge identification!
 

Hi,

I am trying to identify the trade badge in the attached photo from WW2, and the rank.

I think it is Fleet Air Arm, Airframe Mechanic but I have only ever seen it with an A below. I also believe the uniform to be for an Artificer.

Any ideas?

Hello MarkB.S, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

The badge is for a Air Fitter (Ordnance).

regards

Thanks Simon,

You wouldn’t know what the job entailed?

Thanks

Hi Mark

A couple of years ago I had a lady come into the military museum where I volunteer in the run up to Anzac Day, it flushes out some nice items each year, with a relatives paper work and badges etc. He was in the RN, Fleet Air Arm, he was a Chief Petty Officer, that was easy, however he had a 4 bladed propeller in light blue on a white back ground. Whilst I knew what a 3 bladed propeller was the 4 bladed one had me tossed. However I rang a contact at the HMAS Cerberus museum who advised me that it was an air mechanic. This chap was RN but was posted to Brisbane.

I hope that this helps, but I don't have a photo of the badge.

Regards

Phil.

I guess the fitting n maintenance of the aircrafts aerial dropped bombs, torpedoes and mines. Regards

From Churchill's Navy by Brian Lavery :

"As senior electrical and ordnance maintenance rating in Fleet Air Arm , takes charge of workshop and junior maintenance ratings on repair ,overhaul,modification and inspection of electrical and ordnance equipment of aircraft.

Services ,repairs and overhauls electrical gear controlling the firing of guns and cannons , operation of gun turrets , torpedo, bomb , depth charge settings and torpedo dropping gear . Services and installs magnetos and ignition harnesses , electrical generators , starters , batteries , cameras , oxygen equipment , sights and all aircraft instruments , gauges and dials."

Mike Vee,
Perfect. Thank you.
M

Yes indeed, the gent on the photo is wearing a bullion version of the trade patch for FAA Air Fitter 'O' (Ordnance), working on maintenance and repair of aircraft armaments/weaponry.

My grandfather was a FAA Air Fitter 'L' (Electrical), who ended-up with the British Pacific Fleet, at various stations in Australia and with some of the aircraft carriers.

Attached some examples of the trade patch for Air Fitters and Leading Air Fitters - 'A' Airframes, 'E' Engines, 'L' Electrical, and 'O' Ordnance. They were in use during 1940-48. The Leading Air Fitters adding the star above.

Thanks DougSA,
That is exactly what I was after. The gent is my Grandfather and looks like he followed the same career path, only once he got to Australia the war finished (luckily for him).
Cheers
Mark