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RAF Officer beret

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RAF Officer beret

Old 8th Oct 2017, 09:45
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RAF Officer beret

Where would one purchase an Officers' beret with the badge sewn on that does not have a ridiculously small amount of beret material? I have tried 2 separate places and they seem to be the small crown variant which looks ridiculous on my (,it would appear, oversized) head!

I have tried Snaith's and the Stn Tailor with no luck.
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 10:53
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Are you looking for the completely covered right ear look?
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 11:06
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As worn in all best TV programmes with a military theme
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 12:08
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Never liked berets - too much of a Frank Spencer or French Onion Seller vibe!

Why not cut a dash in a field service cap like this chap? I’ve seen plenty of RAF vets wearing them.



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Old 8th Oct 2017, 12:13
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Tend to agree. Berets are so 'airman'

I had to acquire a beret, as they became mandatory for Service shooting competitions, thus forcing the retirement of my much-loved and disgraceful SD cap [which kept the sun off my eyes and the rain off my glasses].
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 12:22
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I had a 50+ OTRE beret with proper gold wire badge. Only recently sold it on flee bay.

As the RAF has only the three badges RAFA decided on a forage cap with a uni-rank badge.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-19...-/292243999626

The gent above is wearing a modern forage cap with hi dome stay bright buttons.

Here is the real deal:

RAF WW 2 Officers Side Cap/Hat | eBay
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 12:58
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I have to agree. I was very glad when I was commissioned, and the beret was no more. The "chip bag" though is much more practicable and easier to wear with style (?)
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 13:29
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Not interested in a chip hat and just to be cler my head is not actually the size of the moon. A normal beret from stores fits fine but it doesn’t have a sewn on badge and looks terrible.

Last edited by heights good; 8th Oct 2017 at 14:18.
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 13:38
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These chaps will throw a bespoke one together for a consideration I would imagine. I have an ear warmer beret but it is the correct shade of blue.

Berets - CW Headdress LtdCW Headdress Ltd
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 14:40
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Are you not capable of sewing a badge on yourself?????
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 14:41
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My wife has a lovely officers' beret, gold wire badge, and beautifully weathered by 2 years as an IOT Flt Ldr. Otterburn, Salisbury Plain and Stanford PTA create a shape and patina that no amount of steaming and shaping will ever achieve
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 14:45
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Originally Posted by oldbeefer
Are you not capable of sewing a badge on yourself?????
But why would you?
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 15:11
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Iirc the modern badge is metal and has the same pin fastening as the RAF badge. It is a woven badge you need, not a beret.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RAF-ROYAL-....c100677.m4598
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 15:46
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Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator
Iirc the modern badge is metal and has the same pin fastening as the RAF badge. It is a woven badge you need, not a beret.

RAF ROYAL AIR FORCE OFFICER CAP & BERET BADGES
This is what I am after, but with enough beret material that it at least hang lower than the leather band!

Last edited by heights good; 8th Oct 2017 at 18:55.
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 19:21
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Why would you want it lower than the leather band?
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 19:48
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Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator
Why would you want it lower than the leather band?
Does it really matter? I just want to buy a beret to my spec? So judgemental, have you been talking to my wife?

Last edited by heights good; 9th Oct 2017 at 06:07.
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 19:51
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I seem to remember (a very long time ago !) that, once commissioned, most of us ex-officer cadets who were commissioned from the "ranks" spent a little while "sorting out" our berets ! This was before the (re-)introduction of the forage cap !! I also remember being asked how to do it by other new officers !! Time flies !!!!

Bill
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 21:18
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The last time I saw my beret was when it was going up in flames after I left RAFC!

Awful things - the only officers who should wear one would be those of the RAF Regiment. Aircrew - never! Apart from those who fly those awful clattering devices known as helicopters, that is...
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Old 8th Oct 2017, 23:04
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When I was a Rockape I had a proper officer's beret from Gieves, of the type that I suspect you dislike, heightsgood. If you purchase an airman's beret and sew on an officer's wire badge then you are going to end up with a hybrid, but then as you are a civilian I suppose nobody can stop you.

Lost my beret somewhere along the line, and obviously never wore one as aircrew. Never wore a chipbag either, just a very nice Bates SD cap for best and an old tatty one to take with me when flying.

Incidentally why did the RAF call the sidecap a forage cap? Traditionally in the army a forage cap is what we in the RAF call the SD cap - what we called a forage cap is known as a field service cap in the army. I suppose as they got there first they are right and we are wrong! Strange.
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Old 9th Oct 2017, 01:04
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RAF Officers Beret Royal Air Force Officers Beret RAF + RAF Officers Badge | eBay
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