RFC Brevets for Review

[DaveG]

With time on my hands and many long neglected drawers and boxes to root through, I found the following wings. I have not now nor ever been a wing collector so exactly how I acquired these over the decades is a bit of a mystery to me. I would be much obliged if one or more of you might vet this lot. Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,

[3battalion]

Hi Dave,

I don't know much about pilot's wings but from the construction these look good to me.

I'm sure a RFC collector will reply shortly with more information.

Good collecting

Paul

[arrestingu]

Hi Dave ,
First photo both pilot brevets I believe are period, the bullion is copied but the wings on this seem smaller so I consider it ok , bullion was not widely used on wings many were produced post war for full dress for those discharged out of the RFC as pilot qualified , but not rejoining RAF for service .Shoulder title is correct but would have been s pair WW1. The RFC pilot with Green Wreath is sadly a copy.
The Observers wing to left is WW2, the one on right is WW1 period into 1920s
If you decide to sell let me know I have a large RFC wing collection .
Cheers
Steve

[Frank Kelley]

I particularly like the pre 1939 RAF Officers Full Dress example, they were also made with a red central jewel on the crown, scarce things to see these days.

Originally Posted by DaveG

With time on my hands and many long neglected drawers and boxes to root through, I found the following wings. I have not now nor ever been a wing collector so exactly how I acquired these over the decades is a bit of a mystery to me. I would be much obliged if one or more of you might vet this lot. Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,

[DaveG]

I very much appreciate all of your comments. I'd be happy to sell them for a fair price but I live in the U.S. and international shipping is iffy in terms of delivery times just now and I'm not sure when the situation will improve. I recently sent via Priority Mail a small padded envelope to Taiwan and it took just over a month to arrive. The buyer hounded me every couple of days asking me where it was like I held some sway with the U.S. postal service. Not an experience I wish to repeat.

Best Regards,

Dave
Austin, Texas

[Frank Kelley]

I don't blame you, I think that I'd sit on them for a while if I were you.

Originally Posted by DaveG

I very much appreciate all of your comments. I'd be happy to sell them for a fair price but I live in the U.S. and international shipping is iffy in terms of delivery times just now and I'm not sure when the situation will improve. I recently sent via Priority Mail a small padded envelope to Taiwan and it took just over a month to arrive. The buyer hounded me every couple of days asking me where it was like I held some sway with the U.S. postal service. Not an experience I wish to repeat.

Best Regards,

Dave
Austin, Texas

[grumpy]

Gentlemen, do please note that the badges, all of them, were and are called Flying Badges.

They are not brevets. The RAF have very recently revised designs and they continue to be called flying badges.

[Frank Kelley]

Commonly referred to (not by me) as bevets by both their wearers and the Air Ministry as well as the RAF over the decades.

Originally Posted by grumpy

Gentlemen, do please note that the badges, all of them, were and are called Flying Badges.

They are not brevets. The RAF have very recently revised designs and they continue to be called flying badges.

[dragon166]

This is a quote from the official briefing note re new Flying Badges;

"Use of the term ‘Flying Badge’.
With acknowledgement to the work of the RAF Historical Society, it appears that sometimes the word ‘Brevet’ has been incorrectly used. Ever since the 1912 report on Aerial Navigation, and a subsequent King’s Order, the correct term has been ‘Flying Badge’ and not the incorrect term ‘Brevet’. The word ‘brevet’ is, in fact, French and means a ‘diploma’ or ‘certificate’. It is thought that the error crept in through the years via the confusion when aircrew were presented with a brevet (a certificate) at the same time as a flying badge. All documentation with erroneous use of the word ‘Brevet’ shall be corrected forthwith."

This should put it to bed for good!!
Dave

[grumpy]

Thank you, I totally agree but I fear that the b word will hang on for a while ....

[DaveG]

At least I didn't use the "W" word .

[Frank Kelley]

I don't think it really matters as everyone knows what you are talking about.

Originally Posted by DaveG

At least I didn't use the "W" word .

[grumpy]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

I don't think it really matters as everyone knows what you are talking about.

Frank, what do YOU call it? I used to use the B word but now am a convert to the FB brotherhood.

[lifeochil]

Originally Posted by grumpy

Gentlemen, do please note that the badges, all of them, were and are called Flying Badges.

They are not brevets. The RAF have very recently revised designs and they continue to be called flying badges.

Airborne Forces Badge (official).
Arm Badge Parachutist.
Paratrooper Wing.
All of the above are referred to by the men that qualified for them as para wings.

Parachute Jumping Instructors Badge (official).
The above referred to by the men that qualified for them as PJI brevets.

I suppose it depends on what country you're in.

[Frank Kelley]

They are merely badges, nothing more.

Originally Posted by grumpy

Frank, what do YOU call it? I used to use the B word but now am a convert to the FB brotherhood.