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  #1  
Old 14-10-18, 02:34 PM
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Default 1st Pattern RAF cloth eagles

In shocking condition, but I believe they are the first pattern RAF cloth eagles.
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  #2  
Old 14-10-18, 04:57 PM
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Although unusual for having a curved top I don't believe they are 1st pattern. The early eagles from 1918 to approx 1930 are of a different style to yours. Your pattern of eagle seems to appear in the 1930s and remained the same up to 1972. One thought is that these may have been one of the versions for foreign volunteers where the country identifier has been cut off, leading to the curved top.
Dave
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Old 14-10-18, 05:26 PM
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Having known nothing about these badges before today, I did some reading on the forum before I reached my conclusion.

"The shoulder eagle is not a formation sign. It was worn by all RAF Airmen but not by Officers. Only the very early (1918) eagles had round corners at the top. Throughout the rest of their life they have always been rectangular. However those used by commonwealth air forces were rounded at the top if they also contained the country identifier. All eagle badges were in "handed" pairs ie. one flying right and one flying left. They were worn so that the eagle faced rearwards. Australia was the exception with all eagles flying right.
During the war there were many variations worn by dominion countries according to where they were made which is why the one you have seen is different to the one I illustrated. See my album at for examples of different eagles. https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=1234"

That said, the style of the eagle itself does look very similar to that used during WW2. 50 years collecting and I am still learning.
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Old 14-10-18, 06:07 PM
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Very posh to call them eagles ......... usually referred to as shitehawks.
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Old 14-10-18, 06:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy View Post
Very posh to call them eagles ......... usually referred to as shitehawks.
Well you know, one has to try to maintain standards in these difficult times.
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Old 15-10-18, 07:24 AM
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I think it is certainly better and accurate to refer to RAF eagles as eagles rather than albatross or even geese, as was the case in one recent post.
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Old 15-10-18, 08:13 PM
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No disagreement there!
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Old 15-10-18, 08:22 PM
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I've resisted the urge to post a link to Monty Python's "Albatross".
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Old 20-10-18, 07:33 PM
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Hi, I wondered what to make of this badge. Does not conform to the usual RNAS arm badge, looks more RAF 'eagle'. I got this from my grandmother, my grandfather and his brother were both engine fitters in the RNAS before moving into the RAF in 1918. Can't say for sure that this was one of their badges though. Any thoughts?

Bryan
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