RAF Help Please

[Postwarden]

I am putting together an RAF 100 Special Edition of The Formation Sign the Journal of the Military Heraldry Society.

I am not well up on modern RAF uniforms and badges so can anyone help we with the following questions please?

When did the combined brevet and name badge patches for flying suits come in to use? Are they official?

When was the RAF half wing for all aircrew other than pilots introduced?

The eagle arm badge disappeared when a new service dress was introduced in the 1970s. When was it readopted?

Any help appreciated.

The Society will be offering a limited number of copies of this Special Edition for sale to non-members, anticipated cost £10. Please PM me if you would like to buy a copy when published, hopefully early next month.

Jon

[dragon166]

Hi Jon

I don't know about the combined badges. When you ask if they are official - they are not issued but provisioned by the Squadrons themselves. They must be sanctioned as they are universal.

The single wing badge first introduced was AG authorised by AMO/547 of December1939, so at the start of the War there were Pilot, Observer and Air Gunner badges. These was followed by N, B and E AMO A/1019 of September 1942. . The other badges followed over the years.

The new Eagle badge appeared about 1996 at the same time as the new Cap Badge (Embroidered).

Hope this helps
Dave

[Postwarden]

Dave,

Thanks for your help. I phrased my enquiry on the single wing badly as I was after the introduction date of the new single wing with RAF at its centre as shown in the picture.

Jon

[Mike Jackson]

An excellent initiative. Will there be room for this from my collection)? Mike
Army Cooperation_RAF.01.jpg

[dragon166]

Hi Jon

The following is a quotation from the 2004 Dress Regulations:

"With effect 1 Apr 03 the range of 5 aircrew brevets for rear crew personnel were replaced by the single rear crew brevet (see below). Those aircrew who were already qualified to wear old style individual brevets can opt to wear the new brevet or retain the old style but there will be no further provisioning of the current brevet."

Dave

[Postwarden]

Dave,

Exactly what I wanted. Many thanks.

Jon

[billy]

Totally off topic here is a poster which at one time was tacked to a wall possibly in France, its Birthday isn't so far off either!

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by Postwarden

Dave,

Thanks for your help. I phrased my enquiry on the single wing badly as I was after the introduction date of the new single wing with RAF at its centre as shown in the picture.

Jon

I like the Christian Name touch.....
Andy