Eagle badge to be identified

[Jean-Loup]

Can anybody help me identify this badge? I was thinking perhaps 4th Indian Division?

Jean-Loup

[engr9266]

It looks to me a ARMY AIR CORPS metal arm badge. Not sure if they did wear it in metal.

[Jean-Loup]

That was also my first impression, but I was told it is not airforce linked, and didn't manage to find anything identical that is airforce related for the moment.

[wright241]

I wasn't aware that the AAC ever wore a metal arm badge as such. Maybe there is a Polish Airforce connection?

[Jean-Loup]

No other ideas or confirmations?

[Unknownsoldier]

Early Swedish parachute wings??

[Jean-Loup]

Any other suggestions on this? I brought the badge back from a vacation in Egypt, so IMO it is either something from a Commonwealth country, or an Egyptian badge.

[Jean-Loup]

I was finaly able to take some better pics of this badge. Is anybody able to identify the country and/or unit?

[Home Guard]

Not the expert, but it looks cast and hand made to me so maybe a one of a kind copy of some badge. Maybe the British Army Air Corps?

Terry

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Jean-Loup

I was finaly able to take some better pics of this badge. Is anybody able to identify the country and/or unit?

8 years for better photos may well be a forum record Jean-Loup . I admire your persistence.

To my eyes those flat loops look typical of Middle Eastern manufacture.

I’m not aware of any AAC badge which looks like that.

Of interest perhaps member Luc has an theatre made Army Air Corps cap badge in his album:
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ictureid=10641

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks for the responses.
Everyone is mentioning AAC, but this eagle does not seem to match any of their known badges. Under these conditions, how could it be a theater made copy.
What about my 4th Indian Division theory. Could it be imaginable the divisional HQ had a badge like this made for them?

JL

[Mike B]

As mentioned by Luke H - the lugs are of the type associated with Middle East manufacture - very much in line with your post on 17 March 2017 at 4.57 Jean-Loup. As to identity, I can see where you are coming from re 4 India Div, (raised in Egypt) but no idea really. Is the direction of flight relevant re 4th Indian Div (ie did they come in facing pairs) I don't think you would generally expect to see a bird etc flying to the reverse in military heraldry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_In...ivision_(India)

[mike_vee]

From IWM :

The Division was nicknamed the 'Red Eagles' as a consequence of the distinctive emblem of the bird of prey on its badge. The first badges worn in North Africa were given by the women of the Punjab, instigated by the then Prime Minister, Sir Sikander Hyat Khan, who visited the Division in the Middle East.

The War Office, curiously enough, has no record of the origin of the Red Eagle. It was the custom of units at this stage to select their own signs, afterwards submitting them for approval.

.

[Jean-Loup]

"I don't think you would generally expect to see a bird etc flying to the reverse in military heraldry."

A quick google search shows that the 4th Division badge existed facing both ways (presumably one for each shoulder?). Some remind me strongly of my eagle.

JL

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Jean-Loup

"I don't think you would generally expect to see a bird etc flying to the reverse in military heraldry."

A quick google search shows that the 4th Division badge existed facing both ways (presumably one for each shoulder?). Some remind me strongly of my eagle.

JL

Yes in deed - and there is the Egypt / Middle East connection too.
Thanks Mike-Vee and Jean Loup for illustrating facing pairs - I thought that would be the case, but good to see (I did not have time to look earlier).
Mike