Rhodesia - BSA Police Reserve Air Wing

[guBulawayo]

I thought the attached might be of interest, this is my collection of British South Africa Police Reserve Air Wing Insignia (PRAW), still a few items missing - I have also included a pic of a Zimbabwe Police Reserve Air Wing Observers Wing and fake metal badge, I had purchased it hoping it may have been something made up to order by an Air Wing member but I think now that it was someone hoping to make a few quid as I have heard another was noted on eBay. Last two pics are Air Wing uniforms that belonged to the only female Pilot in the Air Wing.

I would be interested in hearing from others who have PRAW insignia or who have any info on the Air Wing - I wrote an article on the subject which was published in Medal News Feb 08.

Wayne


Pilot and Observer Wings and shoulder title



Air Wing Patches (others are known to exist)



ZRP Air Wing Observer



Fake made up air wing badge


Flying Overalls


PRAW Dress Tunic ex Mrs. Shelagh Anderson

[7923BSAP]

Very nice collection Wayne, I have still a long way to go
All the best
Bill Braine

[guBulawayo]

Hi Bill, good to hear from you, I trust that you are keeping well - There are still a few items I need to get this collection closer to being complete

Wayne

[badgeman]

Nice collection mate, I particularly like the fake/made up one!
BM

[rhodesianmilitaria]

The fake one has been around for quite some time.

[Nichollg]

Great collection, mate
Thanks for sharing

[Loski]

Here are my PRAW items given to me by a mate
Inspectors eppuletts and observers half wing both for the filght suit the wing has had black velcro sewn on the back.
The guy who gave them to me served the BSAP PRAW as an inspector observer and in the ZRP PRAW as a cheif inspector pilot he kept both his Bullion observers and pilot wings and his flight suit name tape and gave me the embroidered half wing and epps.

[Alex Rice]

Great collection, that's impressive.
Can you tell me why the embroidered half wings have the lion going to the left but the half wings with a metal badge have the lion facing right?
Cheers,
Alex

[Loski]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Great collection, that's impressive.
Can you tell me why the embroidered half wings have the lion going to the left but the half wings with a metal badge have the lion facing right?
Cheers,
Alex

Hi Alex
All bullion PRAW wings should have a left facing BSAP mess dress collar badge in the center but at times there was a shortage of left facing mess dress collar badges so right facing badges were used.

[Defendersoftheempire]

Outstanding collection Wayne thanks for sharing pictures. Regards, Greg