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  #1  
Old 07-05-16, 11:19 AM
seaeagle25 seaeagle25 is offline
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Default Malayan Volunteer Air Force (MVAF) vs MAAF

Hi there guys

Can someone separate these two air force titles : Malayan Volunteer Air Force and Malayan Auxiliary Air Force.

Some books and articles have the MAAF starting in 1934 as part of the RAF and then changing to MVAF in 1940. In 1950 the MVAF was resurrected after WWII and lasted until 1958.

Another version of the story has the MAAF only starting in 1950 with the merging of the Singapore, Penang and KL Squadrons. No mention of the MVAF in the 1950s in this version.

Can anyone give me a definitive answer and source for the answer?

Regards

Doug
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  #2  
Old 08-05-16, 10:55 PM
SAS1 SAS1 is offline
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Default

I've found the same but would like to know too as I have an MAAF cap badge..
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  #3  
Old 08-05-16, 11:38 PM
seaeagle25 seaeagle25 is offline
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Default Malayan Volunteer Air Force (MVAF) vs MAAF

Thanks SAS1

I have seen the MAAF badge advertised for auction many years ago as a 1934-35 badge. I looked up the origins of the MAAF and Wikipedia reared its head and that is where the confusion began!
"The Malaysian air forces trace their lineage to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the Royal Air Force (RAF) raised in 1934. They later transformed into the Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force (SSVAF) and the Malaya Volunteer Air Force (MVAF) formed in 1940 and dissolved in 1942....The latter was re-established in 1950 in time for the Malayan Emergency and contributed very much to the war effort. On 2 June 1958, the MVAF finally became the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (RFMAF)" from Wikipedia. Numerous other sources also quote this lineage including Jeremy Black in his book "Air Power: A Global History" and I would guess this is what Wikipedia is quoting from.
Another author, Vic Flintham, in his book, "High Stakes - Britain's Air Arms in action 1945 - 1990" uses the term MAAF as a formation from 1950 to 1958 rather than MVAF. Other sources also concur with his writing.

So the question is: did the MAAF exist in 1934 or did it only start in 1950 with the merging of the Singapore Sqn, Penang Sqn and the Kuala Lumpur Sqn OR did it exist in both eras. I think people may be confusing the terms MAAF and MVAF as the same thing.

I am going to write to Vic Flintham to try and get his thoughts.
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  #4  
Old 31-07-19, 08:06 PM
Charlie2 Charlie2 is offline
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Default Malayan Vols Air Force WW2

Finally plucked up the courage to ask a question !

I have been reading today about a remarkable man named Henry Dane of the Malayan Volunteers Air Force, who flew a Tiger Moth against the Japanese during their invasion of Malaya in 1942. It hadn't occurred to me that such an aeroplane could hope to last 2 minutes against monoplane fighters, let alone be used as a bomber.

Apparently the pre-war Straits Settlement Volunteer Air Force was largely absorbed into the RAF in 1939/40, the MVAF replacing it. I can't find any mention anywhere of either organisation having its own insignia - would they have just worn ordinary RAF badges ? Given that the MVAF's existence was cut short by the Japanese occupation I wonder if they had time to adopt any, or even considered it a priority ? Apparently there was also something called the Burma Volunteer Air Force, but I haven't found mention of them having their own badges either.

Thanks !

Charlie
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