SAAF Coloured Cap Bands and Peak Flashes in WW2

[Padre]

In the Royal Air Force in WW2 aircrew trainees wore a white peak flash to the field service cap (side cap), while officer cadets wore a white band around the bottom edge of the cap and a white armband. This was replicated in the RCAF, RAAF and RNZAF. Cadets of the Air Training Corps in the UK, Canadian Air League and Australian ATC also wore a white peak flash if accepted for aircrew training, while the NZ ATC wore a blue peak flash.

I have seen photographs of South African Air Force trainees who are also wearing a coloured peak flash to the side cap, and a band around the peaked cap. I believe they were a light or mid blue colour.

Does anyone have any further information on these bands and peak flashes used in the SAAF during WW2? The colour, or colours used, exactly what for and if they have any photos (I cant seem to find one at the moment)?

Thank you

[David191]

Hi Padre,

I found your post while trying to learn more about a SAAF cap band that I have in my collection. I 'think' the light blue cap bands were worn by SAAF personnel when classed as Air Pupils & then they wore white cap bands when they had progressed to Pupil Pilots. The cap band I have on the loose has a light & dark blue striped band with a Kings crown SAAF cap badge attached & may signify a connection to SAAF Gymnasia (Gymnasium) training from approximately 1950 onwards? (Certainly 'WW2'SAAF cap badges would have been worn well into the 50s also). This is all by no means definitive but the search for more information on SAAF cap bands continues...

I'm sorry but I cannot load a photo of my cap band to show you but it has a dark blue wool backing with three evenly spaced light blue wool stripes sewn along it horizontally & for the full circumference of the cap band. This results in a d/blue, l/blue, d/blue, l/blue, d/blue, l/blue & d/blue combination from the top to the bottom of the cap band. I hope this helps.

Best regards,
David

[Milmed]

Originally Posted by David191

Hi Padre,

I found your post while trying to learn more about a SAAF cap band that I have in my collection. I 'think' the light blue cap bands were worn by SAAF personnel when classed as Air Pupils & then they wore white cap bands when they had progressed to Pupil Pilots. The cap band I have on the loose has a light & dark blue striped band with a Kings crown SAAF cap badge attached & may signify a connection to SAAF Gymnasia (Gymnasium) training from approximately 1950 onwards? (Certainly 'WW2'SAAF cap badges would have been worn well into the 50s also). This is all by no means definitive but the search for more information on SAAF cap bands continues...

I'm sorry but I cannot load a photo of my cap band to show you but it has a dark blue wool backing with three evenly spaced light blue wool stripes sewn along it horizontally & for the full circumference of the cap band. This results in a d/blue, l/blue, d/blue, l/blue, d/blue, l/blue & d/blue combination from the top to the bottom of the cap band. I hope this helps.

Best regards,
David

David, you are correct regarding your bi-colour cap band. This was used by Cadets in the SAAF Gymnasium. Also the WWII pattern cap badge was worn until 1959 when replaced with the Eagle and motto SAAF cap badge.

Steven

[David191]

Hi Steven,

Thank you for your reply.
Were the bi-coloured cap bands definitely from 1950 onwards or were they ever worn during WW2 that you know of please?

Best regards,
David

[Milmed]

As far as I am aware it was only worn by the Airforce Gymnasium and they were formed post war.

The Air Force Gymnasium was founded on 1 December 1951 at AFS Lyttleton, with the first intake of 133 recruits on 3 February 1952

[David191]

Thank you very much Milmed. Much appreciated.

[David191]

I finally worked out how to load up a picture
This is the photo I have handy of my cap band with badge attached.

Best regards,
David

[Flyingspringbok]

Originally Posted by David191

I finally worked out how to load up a picture
This is the photo I have handy of my cap band with badge attached.

Best regards,
David

This band was worn by recruits while undergoing training at the Air Force Gymnasium and only worn with the blue uniform introduced in 1952.