RAF civilian Batman cap badge
 

Gents, a new one on me. This came recently amongst some anodised stuff. Not something I've heard of before - RAF civilian Batman cap badge in anodised alluminium..

Its an anodised crown with two horizontal folding blades.

I do have a spare which I'm happy to move on. Do PM me with any interest.

PMed

A new one for me, and I was in the RAF. I had one of those, thought it was a Flt Sgt crown - if you hadn't shown the packet I'd have said you were shooting a line. You live and learn.

Graham

Well, my Dad was RAF and he had a mate in the stores, so as a boy I literally got carrier bags of all sorts of badges from the storeman. . . but likewise, this is a new one on me!

Sorry Phil, got there before you....:D
Jerry

Sold chaps. There was another without the packaging, so had 2 spare in the end.

Still never heard of it before. Came in a bag of anodised odds and sods. Still sorting it all out.

RAF CIVILIAN BATMAN BADGES
 

They have been around for quite a while. AP1086 (1 Apr 1937) lists Cap:-Crown, 335, Gilt, Messengers and Civilian Batmen. Collar:- Crown, 336, Gilt with plate and pin, Messengers and Civilian Batmen

RAF Civilian Batman badge
 

Thanks to bess55, Mine arrived today. Anodised badge named FIRMIN on back.
Again sorry Phil.
Jerry

Amazing. Inhabited Officers' Messes as follows
Leeming, Topcliffe, Acklington, Church Fenton, Linton, Gutersloh, Bruggen, Rheindahlen, Brize Norton ......missed a few ..........

Never saw one. Batwomen with a massive mug of tea and wrenching the curtains, stewards in the Mess ..........

April 1st perhaps?

Good try.

Chaps, it would be a great April fools, but unfortunately- they appear genuine ��

A nice photo or two of batman [or Robin] wearing a cap, let alone the badge, might go some way towards the suspension of disbelief.

A quote from the RAF equivalent of PVCN or COSA or whatever might also help.

I suggest an enquiry on PPRUNE would be a good thing ..... I am a member but I fear the derision and scorn if I were to politely ask.

The NSN is listed in the Stock list, but, like all the others no specific title. Not in the JSP.

Marc

Not a precise science but NSN 8455-99-122-2909 is in the correct sequence for cap badges:

8455-99-122-2904 is the anodised airman’s cap badge

8455-99-122-2907 is the anodised (small size) WO cap badge

Tim

The badge has been listed in AP 1086 for years, under section 22H (badges).
In the 1966 edition as 22H 1271696: Badges, Cap and Collar, Crown, Gilt, with prongs, Civilian Batman. and also as 22H 1222909: Badges, Cap and Collar, Crown, Anodised, with prongs, Civilian Batman.

It is later listed in (Army Code 63824, 1998) COSA, Section VO83, RN/RM/RAF Badges and Shoulder Slides on page 4 as follows:-
NSN 8455-99-122-2909, Badge, Organisation, UK/SC/5126, Pattern No 35R/1595. RAF. Civilian Batman; Aluminium Anodised; Gold; St Edwards Crown with prongs; Cap and Collar.
George

From Hansard - Volume 387: debated on Wednesday 10 March 1943

Prior to 1936 an officer was allowed the services of a batman or batmen according to his rank, if he was living in an official residence or official quarters. At many of the Royal Air Force stations built since then, official residences have not been provided for the Commanding Officer and because of this and of the difficulty in many areas of obtaining domestic help, Commanding Officers of Stations or of Groups have been allowed the services of batmen at their private houses if the circumstances were held to justify it.

In 1941 in pursuance of the general policy of substituting women for men wherever possible, the employment of W.A.A.F.'s as batwomen was authorised subject to certain provisos of which the main were that definite hours of duty would be laid down and that the working conditions satisfied the responsible W.A.A.F. officer.



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