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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

RNAS/RAF flashes


PhilB

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The photo below shows both sides of a pair of flashes. These were given to me by ex-A.Mech J.Hustings, RNAS & RAF. He said they were the flashes he was issued on 1/4/18 when the RNAS became the RAF. The problem is, they look identical to those issued much later. Is there anything that would indicate that they are of 1918 vintage? Phil B

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;)

Phil,

the flashes may be a variant of those for the newly formed RAF after 1918. If they are K.D thin cotton (embroidered & silk screen printed), then they are probably early 20's/30's. The silk screen printed ones were typical WW2.

However, getting back to the main point, the Army Air Corps museum has a nice setup of dummys with period uniforms on, and one shows the following photie. The photie shows the eagle, which is embroidered onto khaki cloth. I can't remember wether it was onto cotton or wool type material, but the badge itself was a 'v' shape. a friend of mine emailed me a load of photies, but when my old hard-drive went 'tits up', i lost most of the images!

You can always write to their archives department but you'll have to wait for a reply as it is done by one gentleman on a part time basis, or you can always visit them. What about the RAF museum at Hendon?

Hope this helps a bit!

tim w

(gwrco)

post-25-1086514141.jpg

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Thanks, Tim. I`m no expert on screen printing or embroidery, but mine look to be just embroidered. Where does that place them? The material looks to me like khaki drill. Phil B

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Phil,

the only thing i can suggest is that you put a question mark beside them!!!!

If you are going to display them on a 1902ptn S.D jacket, then u probably wouldn't be too far out, as there were lots of contractors making the new kit up for the new service, including insiginia.

A oblong patch would have been easier and quicker to produce than the 'v' shaped one, so saying it's a manufacturers variant would fit the description.

However, if it's a sand coloured (one of the many variants of Khaki) cotton 'drill' or smooth thin and plain cotton, then it's probably the K.D issue one for overseas use.

tim

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GWRCo,

your photograph was taken at the Fleet Air Arm Museum - unless the Army Air Corps Museum also has a replica of Rochford's Nasval 3 camel (which they haven't).

Mike

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:D

Hi guys!

just found some images from the part 2 Men at Arms book 'British Air Forces 1914 - 1918 (2) by the Cormack brothers.

It shows off the images of the RAF eagle a lot better! The eagles were also worn only by ranks below WO1.

Hope this helps a bit more, and my apologies over the confusion of the museums! It's been one of those weekends!!

tim w

post-25-1086524007.jpg

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Another RAF eagle image

tim w

post-25-1086524073.jpg

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Last one - i promise!!

tim w

post-25-1086524120.jpg

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