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  #1  
Old 02-06-14, 04:12 PM
natal01 natal01 is offline
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Default air observation wing

Eddie T lives in an Old Age Home on the Natal South Coast. He has been retired since the 80s, having been an Air Traffic Controller at various SA airports for over 20 years. Prior to that he was a Captain in the Natal Field Artillery and had been part of a rather short-lived experiment to train Artillery Officers how to fly so that they could become effective air observers for the artillery. According to Eddie , who has a remarkably clear memory, the first training course was held at 42 Sqn. starting in 1952. Apart from Eddie, there were 3 ACF artillery officers ( one from 22 Field and 2 from the THA) and 1 PF who rose to the rank of Brigadier. At the end of the course they were awarded a special wing . As far as he knew , their course was the first and last.
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  #2  
Old 02-06-14, 05:32 PM
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54Bty 54Bty is offline
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Very, very nice I had heard of this but never seen the badge, Thank you very much.

Marc
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  #3  
Old 02-06-14, 06:09 PM
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Brian Conyngham Brian Conyngham is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by natal01 View Post
Eddie T lives in an Old Age Home on the Natal South Coast. He has been retired since the 80s, having been an Air Traffic Controller at various SA airports for over 20 years. Prior to that he was a Captain in the Natal Field Artillery and had been part of a rather short-lived experiment to train Artillery Officers how to fly so that they could become effective air observers for the artillery. According to Eddie , who has a remarkably clear memory, the first training course was held at 42 Sqn. starting in 1952. Apart from Eddie, there were 3 ACF artillery officers ( one from 22 Field and 2 from the THA) and 1 PF who rose to the rank of Brigadier. At the end of the course they were awarded a special wing . As far as he knew , their course was the first and last.
Mike I always knew you would find one of these for me , it will look great in my display!

I do believe these are also known as Army co-operation wings. There was a brass version which can be found in Cursons 2nd issue page 34, badge 7a.

Regards
Brian

Last edited by Brian Conyngham; 02-06-14 at 06:22 PM.
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  #4  
Old 02-06-14, 06:35 PM
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Not being completely conversant with SA abbreviations can you please explain, ACF and PF.

Marc
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  #5  
Old 02-06-14, 07:02 PM
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Brian Conyngham Brian Conyngham is offline
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Marc

ACF= Active Citizen Force (Territorials)

PF= Permanent Force

Regards
Brian
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  #6  
Old 02-06-14, 07:18 PM
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Many Thanks, I got the PF in the end, but 'Army Cadet Force' did not seem right.

Marc
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  #7  
Old 03-06-14, 09:18 AM
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Great find Mike, thank you for posting the picture. Andrew
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Old 15-04-18, 07:34 AM
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Frank Kelley Frank Kelley is offline
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I missed this thread, but, what a lovely wing, I was particularly interested by the mention of the two Transvaal Horse Artillery officers as well as the course.


Quote:
Originally Posted by natal01 View Post
Eddie T lives in an Old Age Home on the Natal South Coast. He has been retired since the 80s, having been an Air Traffic Controller at various SA airports for over 20 years. Prior to that he was a Captain in the Natal Field Artillery and had been part of a rather short-lived experiment to train Artillery Officers how to fly so that they could become effective air observers for the artillery. According to Eddie , who has a remarkably clear memory, the first training course was held at 42 Sqn. starting in 1952. Apart from Eddie, there were 3 ACF artillery officers ( one from 22 Field and 2 from the THA) and 1 PF who rose to the rank of Brigadier. At the end of the course they were awarded a special wing . As far as he knew , their course was the first and last.
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