FAA patch
 

Hi All, I wonder if I might enlist some help in an attempt to establish the vintage of the pictured bullion Air Gunner/Telegraphist patch.
I understand the patch was worn from the 30's into the 50's. There is partial makers label to the rear which I believe is Griscti Embroidery Malta. Would that perhaps be an indicator of a time frame. Internet search was not helpful.
Cheers.
Len

FAA Patch
 

Morning Len

Firstly this is is not a 'patch' - it's a non-substantive (trade) badge.

This is not the Telegraphist.Air Gunner badge introduced in 1935 - that was similar but the aircraft had a straight wing. This style of badge, with the aircraft having a sloping wing, was first produced in 1939.

It was used as the badge of: -
A Telegraphist Air Gunner, 3rd Class between 1939-44;
a Probationer Pilot between 1945-54;
a Naval Airman, general duties, between 1944-48;
a Rating Observer (during preliminary training) between 1945-48;
a Telegraphist Air Gunner (during preliminary training) between 1945 48;
and a Naval Airman or Naval Air Mechanic (on entry - that is without having qualified for a specialisation) since 1956.

It is still in use today - though since 2004 it has been produced in gold lurex rather than gold wire.

So this badge could date from anywhere between 1939 and 2004. However it is possible to tie it down a bit more accurately - though not much!

The Admiralty stopped production of gold wire badges on the outbreak of war and didn't reintroduce them until the late-1940s. And, to be honest it doesn't look that old. And the backing on the badge is wrong for that early a badge. Simply from looking at it I would date it to the 1960s or 1970s.

When the Royal Navy maintained a large presence in Malta there were several companies engaged in the manufacture of gold wire badges for the Navy. As the Royal Navy presence declined so did the number of companies making badges. The Royal Navy finally left Malta in 1979 and I think this company, Griscti Embroidery, was still in business at that time. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me!

So I would say that this was the badge of a Naval Airman or Naval Air Mechanic from the 1960s or 1970s.

I hope this helps!

Pete

Hi Pete, thank you kindly for the most informative reply regarding this FAA badge.
Certainly helps and the badge would be too modern to fit within my collection parameters. You mentioned the backing would be an indicator of vintage. Since many RN trade badges were long lived is it possible to approximate a vintage i.e. 30's and 40's by the materials used for backing. I have been given to understand that a tan burlap or hessian type material is usually a good indicator of an earlier badge.
Would appreciate any information you may have on this.
Thanks again.
Len.

Relative to the previous post regarding vintage, backs of 2 Shipwright badges.
One with a black material the other with hessian. These trade badges would I understand have been worn from the early 1900's into the 60's

Hi Len

The problems with dating trade badges have already been discussed on this forum. Please try the following link: -

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ead.php?t=3903

Pete

Hi Pete, cheers for that.
Len.

And when the above link refers to burlap, that is simply what North Americans call hessian.

Pete