Rhodesian Officer Cap Badge

[RichardP]

Hello Forum,
Hope you have some ideas on this one. Seen on website Warstore, a Rhodesian Air Force badge. Standard pattern officer badge, gold bullion fronds and metal eagle but replacing the crown a bullion lion and tusk. It states WW2 issue but l cannot find any history or photos of it in service.
I would include a photo but frustratingly l cannot work out how to attach it from a l phone to a thread.
Thanks for any assistance.

Richard

[Arthur R]

From your description, it sounds like a UDI-period badge. Can you provide a link to the image on Warstore?

[irishhorse]

Is this it?

[Alex Rice]

Hi Richard
Yes, that is an early Southern Rhodesia AF officer cap badge, my example shown here for reference. Warstore is not shy with prices but if you collect WWII air-force badges, any Rhodesian AF badges would be among the rarest of allied badges and there are a few which I would consider to be amongst the rarest badges of WWII overall, such as the half wings with the lion & tusk which were only worn by one squadron, No.44 (Rhodesia) Squadron.
Cheers,
Alex

[RichardP]

Thanks Alex, Arthur for your quick replies. lt is the badge l was wondering about. Can you confirm it worn in WW2, post war or post UDI? I’ve had a good trawl through 44 Squadron photos but could not positively ID it although l did notice what appeared to be a Air Marshals Badge with a crown and Rhodesian eagle/vulture in the background. The price is a little too steep for me at present but still a interesting item.
Thanks again for your help.
Richard

[Alex Rice]

I really don't know the dates that this badge was worn but all the WWII photos I have seen seem to show the standard RAF crowned badge being worn. I suspect this badge post-dates WWII.
Cheers,
Alex

[Madziro]

I believe that your wire embroidered RhAF officers cap badge was worn 1947 - 1956. I have not seen any photo evidence of this badge being worn though. (I have been collecting Rhodesian insignia since school days in Rhodesia (1969). Having said that, I have seen evidence of all ranks wearing the metal badge, (attached) that some publications claim to be worn only by Warrant Officers Class 2. Some RhAF officers wore the side cap eagle badge on peaked caps. Photo attached. Hope this helps.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Dudley
Great photos, thanks. Is that photo with the officer wearing the 2-part badge part of a bigger pic, and if so, could you possibly show the whole photo?
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

[Madziro]

Hello Alex

The photo of the chap wearing the 2 part badge is from a course photo, but unfortunately I do not have it. I will have to go through the photos I have to try and find a better quality version / type. Glad the scans are of some help.

[Alex Rice]

Thanks Dudley, would just be interesting to see if there are other patterns of badge being worn.
Cheetrs,
Alex

[Madziro]

Hello Alex

I have found a couple of RhAF officers photos showing cap badges and thought that they may be of interest. The time periods vary from WW2 on. Sadly some are rather small as they come from a website on the RhAF.

Regards

Dudley

[RichardP]

I did acquire the two part side cap badge several years ago (Madizero second photo) for a fairly hefty price taking a chance that it was Pre UDI as l only collect British and commonwealth Air Force badges. Unsure on the Warstore item especially as the plunging pound against the dollar.
Thanks gents for the input over this badge, an education!
Richard

[tonyfs]

Hi guys, some of the badges I have in my collection. I hope you enjoy.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Tony
Great collection, thanks for showing them. Annoying though, because I haven't seen the AM badge with a metal/anodised eagle before, so another badge I need to look for!
Cheers,
Alex

[bess55]

Gents, very interesting thread, thanks all.

Attached for interest from my anodised Rhodesian sets.

Regards all

Bess