Group Captain Carol Vorderman
Ref Sir Hoy, at the time I felt exactly the same way but couldn't be bothered to comment. I was just following the crowd this time and offering my 2-penneth. Let's face it, the thread probably started because she looked great in rig, rather than the fact that she was in rig.
I seem to recall a certain prime minister who held the appointment between 1940 and 1945 who was fond of wearing light blue, dark blue or green uniform as he felt necessary.
Gentleman Aviator
And of course the interest in her, and through her into the Air Cadets, is exactly why she has been appointed.
And - judging by this thread - it seems to have worked!!
And - judging by this thread - it seems to have worked!!
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Really doesn't matter what rank these honorary appointments have, but it has to be senior enough to mean something for the work they do and the levels they move at.
Not certain about this but doesn't CV have two children who may well be cadets themselves?
I draw the line at honorary wings, brevets, etc. If the person hasn't done the full course and passed then they should, in my opinion, be worn on the opposite side to denote that they are honorary.
Not certain about this but doesn't CV have two children who may well be cadets themselves?
I draw the line at honorary wings, brevets, etc. If the person hasn't done the full course and passed then they should, in my opinion, be worn on the opposite side to denote that they are honorary.
So if they haven't done a flying course an honorary brevet isn't appropriate, but senior rank is appropriate even if they haven't done the commissioning course?
By the same token of an honorary brevet being worn on the opposite side, there should be some differentiator to the badges of rank as worn to indicate an honorary appointment.
By the same token of an honorary brevet being worn on the opposite side, there should be some differentiator to the badges of rank as worn to indicate an honorary appointment.
Last edited by Melchett01; 22nd Nov 2014 at 21:59.
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I've always wanted to get in touch again.
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There doesn't seem to have been the same issues when Gp Capt Sir Chris Hoy was given the same role in 2013......
honestly get a fecking grip she could learn how to fly for under 500 euro but raf pish we are looking at 5-6k
Perhaps you are unaware that Carol already holds a PPL(A)?
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"I seem to recall a certain prime minister who held the appointment between 1940 and 1945 who was fond of wearing light blue, dark blue or green uniform as he felt necessary"
But he did serve.......
cornet (second lieutenant) in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars on 20 February 1895.
1897, three brigades of the British Army were going to fight against a Pashtun tribe in the North West Frontier of India and he asked his superior officer if he could join the fight.[40] He fought under the command of General Jeffery, the commander of the second brigade operating in Malakand, in the Frontier region of British India
1898. on attachment 21st Lancers serving in the Sudan under the command of General Herbert Kitchener. While in the Sudan, he participated in what has been described as the last meaningful British cavalry charge, at the Battle of Omdurman in September 1898
In 1900 he retired from the regular army, and in 1902 joined the Imperial Yeomanry, commissioned as a Captain in the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars on 4 January 1902.[56] In April 1905, he was promoted to Major and appointed to command of the Henley Squadron of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars.
After his resignation from the government in 1915, Churchill rejoined the British Army, After spending some time as a Major with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (part of the 9th (Scottish) Division), on 1 January 1916. During his period of command, Ploegsteert was a "quiet sector," and the battalion did not take part in any set battle. , he exposed himself to danger by making excursions to the front line or into No Man's Land.[60]
Plus of course he was First Lord of the Admiralty, learnt to fly BEFORE WW1 and was a great supporter to of the RNAS
But he did serve.......
cornet (second lieutenant) in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars on 20 February 1895.
1897, three brigades of the British Army were going to fight against a Pashtun tribe in the North West Frontier of India and he asked his superior officer if he could join the fight.[40] He fought under the command of General Jeffery, the commander of the second brigade operating in Malakand, in the Frontier region of British India
1898. on attachment 21st Lancers serving in the Sudan under the command of General Herbert Kitchener. While in the Sudan, he participated in what has been described as the last meaningful British cavalry charge, at the Battle of Omdurman in September 1898
In 1900 he retired from the regular army, and in 1902 joined the Imperial Yeomanry, commissioned as a Captain in the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars on 4 January 1902.[56] In April 1905, he was promoted to Major and appointed to command of the Henley Squadron of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars.
After his resignation from the government in 1915, Churchill rejoined the British Army, After spending some time as a Major with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (part of the 9th (Scottish) Division), on 1 January 1916. During his period of command, Ploegsteert was a "quiet sector," and the battalion did not take part in any set battle. , he exposed himself to danger by making excursions to the front line or into No Man's Land.[60]
Plus of course he was First Lord of the Admiralty, learnt to fly BEFORE WW1 and was a great supporter to of the RNAS
There's a photo in the RAF club of three kings wearing RAF uniform with pilots' wings. As far as I know both Edward VIII and George VI were qualified pilots but I have never heard that George V learned to fly, so in his case I think the wings really were honorary. One day of course we'll have a "proper" RAF pilot on the throne.
Tankertrashnav
Although George V wore the pilots brevet on his uniform he was never trained to fly. The Duke of York (later George VI) served in the RAF 1918-1919, gaining his wings in 1919. He was followed by his brothers Edward Prince of Wales (King Edward VIII, later Duke of Windsor) in 1929 and Prince George (later Duke of Kent) in 1930.
Here's a picture of three kings with wings.
There's a photo in the RAF club of three kings wearing RAF uniform with pilots' wings. As far as I know both Edward VIII and George VI were qualified pilots but I have never heard that George V learned to fly, so in his case I think the wings really were honorary. One day of course we'll have a "proper" RAF pilot on the throne.
Here's a picture of three kings with wings.
Honorary RAF Ranks
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was Honorary Air Commodore of Nos. 600 and 2600 (City of London) Squadrons being appointed to the rank in 1949. I cannot recall ever having seen the Queen Mum wearing an RAF uniform.
I was at Biggin Hill in 1955 when she visited Nos. 600 and 2600 (City of London) Squadrons on Saturday 23rd April 1955. She flew from Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, to Biggin Hill in a Westland WS-55 Whirlwind helicopter of the Fleet Air Arm, making her first helicopter flight. HM was received by AVM H. L. Patch, A.O.C. No. 11 Group. Later she reviewed a parade of both squadrons and watched a formation fly-past of No. 600 Sqn aircraft and a demonstration of Bofors gun-drill by No. 2600 Sqn.
Taken as the Fleet Air Arm Westland WS-55 with the Queen Mother aboard departed from the helicopter pad on the station parade ground on her return to Windsor Great Park. Her visit was not a particularly nice for one airman in the guard of honour when she pointed out to the SWO (Station Warrant Officer) that the airman's shoes were not as shiny as the others with the result that he was confined to camp of 14-days - this "offence" was the talk of the Station and was not received very kindly and left a somewhat bitter taste.
It was also the occasion I believe when the then Under Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, who was present, was seen to be wearing socks of two different colours, one blue and one brown. When this discrepancy was pointed out, he famously commented: "I have another pair with the same colours in my wardrobe at home”!
I was at Biggin Hill in 1955 when she visited Nos. 600 and 2600 (City of London) Squadrons on Saturday 23rd April 1955. She flew from Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, to Biggin Hill in a Westland WS-55 Whirlwind helicopter of the Fleet Air Arm, making her first helicopter flight. HM was received by AVM H. L. Patch, A.O.C. No. 11 Group. Later she reviewed a parade of both squadrons and watched a formation fly-past of No. 600 Sqn aircraft and a demonstration of Bofors gun-drill by No. 2600 Sqn.
Taken as the Fleet Air Arm Westland WS-55 with the Queen Mother aboard departed from the helicopter pad on the station parade ground on her return to Windsor Great Park. Her visit was not a particularly nice for one airman in the guard of honour when she pointed out to the SWO (Station Warrant Officer) that the airman's shoes were not as shiny as the others with the result that he was confined to camp of 14-days - this "offence" was the talk of the Station and was not received very kindly and left a somewhat bitter taste.
It was also the occasion I believe when the then Under Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, who was present, was seen to be wearing socks of two different colours, one blue and one brown. When this discrepancy was pointed out, he famously commented: "I have another pair with the same colours in my wardrobe at home”!