RAF AE half wing: WW2 or post-war?

[dyse]

Could I ask your opinion please? I am not too clued up on RAF wings, especially dating them, but this one (to me) looks wartime despite the fact it's an AE wing. If it is wartime, it would of course be Air Engineer (or aero engineer?)... What do you think?

[SAS1]

The AE wing was reputedly worn during the war, although I have never seen a photo.

When the new aircrew trade of Flight Engineer was created in, I think, 1942, it was variously described as Aero Engineer, or Flight Engineer. As such, tailors manufactured the FE wing, and apparently the AE. I have an FE and photos of it being worn.

Neither was authorised by the Air Ministry, the official wing bearing just an 'E'. I don't have my notes to hand, but the AE wing (Air Electronics) was introduced I think in the late 50s or early 60s.

Is yours wartime? Impossible to tell without provenance. Looks wartime, but might well be 50s.

[David Tremain]

It's Air Electronics Officer (or Operator) worn by aircrew on V-Bombers as well as possibly Shackletons and then Nimrods. As SAS1 says, it's 1950's -1960's, possibly into 1970's. It's no longer issued, being replaced by the 'RAF' half wing for all rear aircrew other than pilots, although those already issued with it still wear it. As was also mentioned, the wartime Flight Engineer's brevet was issued, largely to assist pilots on four-engined bombers, such as the Sterling, Halifax and Lancaster. It was simply an 'E', although I've seen pictures of 'FE' as well. Just have to find the reference book - I think it's in Carroll's book on wings of the RCAF and RAF. The backing on yours looks to be 1950's -1960's as any wartime brevets I've seen have a canvas backing.
David

[dyse]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

It was a gamble: saw it in a charity shop for a fiver. If it had been a 40s brevet I would have kept it but it is now going up for sale.

Cheers,
Mike