RAF Rhodesia Badge question.??

[irish]

Would this Rhodesian AF badge be from the WW2 era? It measures 35mm x 44mm. Would it be a cap or collar?
The rank badge came with it but no way of knowing if they belong together. thanks in advance for any help
Best
Jack

[Alex Rice]

The cap badge is a Southern Rhodesia Air Force O/R's cap badge, used c.1948 to 1956. I can't comment on the rank badge.
Cheers,
Alex

[milhistry]

Cap badge worn by Southern Rhodesia Air Force in 1950s and later worn by other ranks of Royal Rhodesia Air Force until the RRAF badges were issued. The other looks like a Rhodesian BSA Police rank badge to me.

[irish]

Thank you both for the information.

[Madziro]

For info. There is some discrepancy as to which ranks wore this badge and the dates of wear. The war time badge does not have the Lion and Tusk emblem and is slightly different in size. There are also variations of the war time cap badge.

[irish]

Thank you Madziro, wonderful display.
Jack

[Alex Rice]

I had always assumed it was worn by all ranks in some respect because my example is a fire-gilt which I was told years ago was for officers. Obviously some research needed here. Perhaps mine was for WO's??? Unfortunately not the best photo, but you can see the contrast between the cap badge and the GM collars.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Jack,
In a word, no, it is not, there seems to be some confusion in this thread, the Southern Rhodesia Air Force, was, in effect, part of the Royal Air Force in WW2, those rank and file who were not wearing RAF badges simply wore the attached, as well as the usual "staff" corps pattern badges, worn by their officers, that came in a number of interesting variations, some very scarce indeed.
Regards Frank

[QUOTE=irish;361458]Would this Rhodesian AF badge be from the WW2 era? It measures 35mm x 44mm. Would it be a cap or collar?
The rank badge came with it but no way of knowing if they belong together. thanks in advance for any help
Best
Jack

[johnG]

I agree with milhistory, the rank badge is British South Africa Police.

[Frank Kelley]

Well, it's certainly not WW2 SRAF!

Originally Posted by johnG

I agree with milhistory, the rank badge is British South Africa Police.

[milhistry]

The SRAF/RRAF has been a particular interest of mine for several years. Firstly, the Rhodesian Air Force history by Beryl Salt, Peter Cooke etc. has several photos of various badges being worn.The ORAFS website is another great resource on Rhodesian Air Force insignia. These are better sources than most badge books.

BADGE 1 - An eagle surrounded by wreath, surmounted by a lion and tusk

From what I've seen, the eagle surrounded by wreath with lion and tusk above was worn in WWII by SRAF which was soon absorbed into the Rhodesian squadrons of the RAF (237 and later 44 & 266). Rhodesian other ranks in 237 Sqn appeared to continue to wear them whilst officers wore RAF officer cap badges. Some officers also took to wearing Rhodesian general service collar badges on their RAF tunics. Here are some photos (unfortunately I did not record the source). Whether this was officially sanctioned or not I have yet to confirm but several photographs of different people prove that it was worn in this manner.

[milhistry]

BADGE 2 - An eagle surrounded by wreath, surmounted by a lion and tusk and a tudor crown

This one seems to cause the most confusion. My understanding is that it was worn by All Ranks of the SRAF during the 1950s. It should be remembered that the SRAF was reformed post-war initially as the SR Air Unit (wearing Rh. Staff Corps badges) and later renamed SRAF.

Here is a photograph dated 1953 which includes several pilots (commissioned officers) wearing this cap badge.

[milhistry]

The next photograph is quite interesting as it's dated 1956 therefore RRAF era. I have zoomed in a bit and it is clear that officers are wearing RAF pattern cap badges with a lion-and-tusk rather than a crown while other ranks are wearing the eagle in a wreath with lion and tusk and crown above.

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by milhistry

The next photograph is quite interesting as it's dated 1956 therefore RRAF era. I have zoomed in a bit and it is clear that officers are wearing RAF pattern cap badges with a lion-and-tusk rather than a crown while other ranks are wearing the eagle in a wreath with lion and tusk and crown above.

That officers badge is one of the only ones I still want for my RhAF collection
Lovely badge...

[irish]

I must say my inquiry has led to a much better understanding of Rhodesian Air Force cap badges, for myself anyway. The pieces shown by all and the photos have been very helpful. Will now be on the lookout for a WW2 officers badge.
Thanks fellas.
Jack