RAF silk ties

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Does anyone know of a supplier of RAF navigators ties in silk?
I wear my polyester thing only occasionally (when this diagram helps!) but I would prefer a silk jobby.
http://nb9.stumbleupon.netdna-cdn.com/8DDwOfEmHkFSDwt4YbE-ZQ
Thanks

[Wander00]

My RAF tie is about the only one I wear, living in France, and then only when attending commemorations with RAFA

[Herod]

Surely a NAVIGATOR wouldn't have to ask where to FIND one. As an aside, I wore my 2FTS (silk) tie a few days ago, at the 50th anniversary of a "Wings" graduation. It had been sitting in the loft for over 45 years, but cleaned up well. I hadn't realised though, how short the ties were in those days.

[ian16th]

I hadn't realised though, how short the ties were in those days.

..........and beer stained!

[Herod]

I'm not sure that what we called beer in those days really was. No names, no pack-drill (or law suits), but thank heaven for CAMRA.

[Wander00]

What, you mean Watneys Red Barrel, and Carling

[FantomZorbin]

... Tiger??

[ian16th]

Steward & Pattersons and Bullards.

[ExSp33db1rd]

Tie ? Whoever wears a tie these days ? One of my friends died suddenly last week and I had to speak at his memorial service. Fortunately, and after a few hours searching, I unearthed my old black uniform tie. Buttoning the jacket of the accompanying "suits funereal" was another matter tho'

I don't think that the deceased complained.

Off topic but it reminds me of a visit I made to a retired one-time British airline colleague in Sydney, when I was working. I noticed an invitation to a local club ceremony, to be graced by the Governor of New South Wales and with the dress code shown as "Black Tie"

My hosts suggested that I accompany them, but I demurred on the grounds that I didn't carry a Dinner Jacket ensemble around with me when I was working.

No matter, said the wife, that's only there so that not too many Australians turn up in swimming togs.

My British friend was the ONLY one to wear a Dinner Jacket and "Black Tie" outfit, not even the Governor.

One does have to have standards, one knows.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

ExSp:
T shirts and shorts weather now.. but when I need a tie for a civic ceremony here about once or twice a year, my nav one fits the bill. It seems that they're no longer available in silk though.
For funerals, tie-wearers are definitely in the minority these days.

[Wander00]

With RAFA Sud Ouest France we attend a number of commemorations for crews lost in WW2. The Brits turn up in blazers and ties, the French "Portes Drapeaux" usually wear blazer tie and their old military cap (one we see frequently has a naval cap with the tally "Mers El Kebir"). The Mayors frequently turn up in windcheater or polo shirt according to season, surmounted by mayoral sash. Back end of last year one mayor had been a bit casual with putting on his sash and during La Marseillaise the sash descended round his body to the deck like a pair of elastic-less knickers, to the suppressed mirth of all.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Yes, having been to a few I recognise much of that!
Here, we have one of those discordant marching bands that leads the party from the Town Hall to the Monument aux Morts.. which always seems slightly inappropriate to me.
Some of the 'porte drapeaux' have spectacularly coloured noses!
They're all very good humoured though.. and we always wind up with a vin d'honneur.

[ian16th]

Which one is over half a century old?

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz108/ian16th/32a1b31a-1c4c-4659-b54a-99ace0323d74.jpg

[Herod]

My guess is the blue one; nice and narrow. I can't get the definition up, but is that a Dhow?

[ian16th]

Err no.
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz108/ian16th/884b9d34-838d-4290-8bad-40bda2e59d23.jpg

It is a Nightjar.

As in:

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz108/ian16th/214Squadron.gif

[Herod]

Thanks Ian. I stand corrected. "Avenging in the Shadows" I gather.

[ian16th]

Thanks Ian. I stand corrected. "Avenging in the Shadows" I gather.I'm no Latin scholar, but it is something like that.

Popular versions were 'We strike from darkness' or 'We strike in the dark'.

TTN my be able to give the definitive translation.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

I've found a specialist supplier who is willing to make a batch of silk ties with the Navigator brevet for a minimum order of 24.

Cost? The retail price for their military silk ties sold singly is £29.95 plus £2.25 postage in the UK. For overseas orders, add a further £2.50 .

If you wish to order one, then please let me know via a PM.

When/if I receive orders for a bulk buy of 24, I'll contact the company to establish the final price - including a bulk order discount.

I'll then request your contact details (name, postal address & email address) and payment - either by UK sterling cheque or via direct banking - I'll send out my bank details/home address via PM/email as required.

Once all monies are received I'll submit the order.

[Wander00]

Here in France the Dud Ouest Branch of RAFA is frequently represented at commemorations of Allied airmen lost in the war. We attend in jacket and RAF tie, with the ladies, and our Branch President, Beryl DS, always immaculately attired. The French appear in anything from a suit (infrequent) to jeans and tee-shirt, which with the tricolour Mayoral sash, can look a little odd. Prefect and Sub -Prefects are, however, always immaculately turned out in uniform with lots of gold braid. The French on these occasions are brilliant and generous hosts, and effusive in their thanks for Allied support which eventually gave them liberation. So what's in a difference in sartorial standards. Never seen them in swim-shorts though!

[caped crusader]

Sidevalve,

Thanks for sourcing a supplier. Put me down for a tie.

Have sent you a PM.

Regards

CC

[PPRuNeUser0139]

I've asked the supplier how long their ties are - as the polyester version is a tad short. I'll post their reply here.

3 ordered so far..:ok:

Edited to add: make that 7..

[ian16th]

The RAF Boy Entrants Association is planning on closing down. We are all dying off.:uhoh:

We had our own tie, the RAF one with a winged wheel. It was available in polyester and silk. Dunno if they have any left.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

From the supplier, their silk ties are just over 55" long.
So far, I've had provisional orders for 7 RAF Navigator silk ties.. Just need another 17 and then I can submit the order.
Nav ties in silk aren't available from anywhere else and needless to say, there's no profit for me in this!
If we're quick, they could be available for Christmas.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Bump..
For the Navs out there.. Pse sign up if you'd like a silk RAF Nav tie..

[Wander00]

Anyone know where I might get a 360 tie and or cummerbund, just asking

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Have you tried here?
360 Squadron Association Leslie Stephens, Bramble Cottage, Moditonham, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6NN: tel 01752 [29413] 842976: lstephens AT madasafish.com
Or here:
http://www.terrane.co.uk/Cummerunds-and-Ties/list/cat

[BEagle]

Perhaps the shortness of the polyester tie is because the assumption was that it would be tied with a simple knot? This requires less length of tie material than if a Windsor knot is used.

When I was at school, we were forbidden from using a Windsor knot due to the stigma still associated with the abdication 30 years earlier of Edward VIII (who invented the knot) and 'that woman', who became his wife after he was styled 'Duke of Windsor'. But as soon as we received a uniform at RAFC, the converse applied - Windsor knots were henceforth mandatory.

Nowadays a Windsor knot is the RAF uniform standard. But look at any of the Royals wearing RAF uniform and you won't see any Windsor knot - their tradition appears more important to the Family than being 'correctly' dressed.

[Wander00]

SV - thanks - good thought

[binbrook]

Half-Windsor in my time BEagle! With a Van Heusen collar of course.

[Basil]

My RAFC silk tie is too thick for a full Windsor.
I've four now anyway: silk, poly, 25 & 50 :sad:

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Bump!
Update: RAF Navigator ties in silk have, up until now, been unobtainium.. However, I've found a supplier who is willing to complete a batch for a minimum order of 24.
Thanks to those who have already put in a provisional order, we just need orders for 14 more make that 13 12 more and then we're in business (in time for Christmas at this rate!)
Please pass the word around the bazaars.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Bump!
Update: RAF Navigator ties in silk have, up until now, been unobtainium.. However, I've found a supplier who is willing to complete a batch for a minimum order of 24.
Thanks to those who have already put in a provisional order, we just need orders for 14 more make that 13 12 more and then we're in business (in time for Christmas at this rate!)
Please pass the word around the bazaars.
Only 11 10 9 8 more orders needed now and then we've cracked it.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Bump..
Surely I can't be the only one with a polyester Nav tie that's showing all of its 40-odd years of service?
Silk Nav ties have been unobtainium for years - but I've managed to find a UK supplier who is willing to make up a batch - provided we can meet his minimum order requirement of 24.. At the moment, we're just 8 short of that. Give yourself a treat.. The price is subject to a bulk order discount which I'll find out once I confirm the order.
PM me if you need more details.

[Tankertrashnav]

I have so far refrained from commenting as I do in fact sell RAF and Regimental ties as a (very) small business venture, and didnt want to be accused of advertising. I did ask my own supplier/manufacturer who confirmed that they stopped doing the nav tie some years ago, although they do still supply the "standard pattern" and pilot's tie in silk.

Incidentally there are some optimists out there. I have on several occasions been asked to confirm that the polyester ties which I retail at £9.99 are made of pure silk! Don't know what you've been quoted sidevalve, but if it's under £25 you are getting a good deal For myself, I reckon my polyester nav tie which I've had for about 30 years will see me out!

[PPRuNeUser0139]

The unit price quoted was £29.95 - but then there's a bulk order discount (unknown as yet) to come off that.

[threeputt]

Bump!
Update: RAF Navigator ties in silk have, up until now, been unobtainium.. However, I've found a supplier who is willing to complete a batch for a minimum order of 24.
Thanks to those who have already put in a provisional order, we just need orders for 14 more make that 13 12 more and then we're in business (in time for Christmas at this rate!)
Please pass the word around the bazaars.

One for me please.
JG

[Dougie M]

Sidevalve. I'll take one too
Rgds
Dougie m

[Tankertrashnav]

Sounds like you've got a good deal there sidevalve.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Many thanks threeputt and Dougie M - only six needed now to hit the magic number required..

Thanks TTN :ok: - my supplier is the only one out there willing to make up a number of silk Nav ties and I think the price - once he's quoted me the bulk order discount - will be competitive.

Mme SV and I are going away tomorrow for a few days - back on 8th June.

Thanks again,

SV

[MBoswell]

Sidevalve,

I’m new to posting on here so I’m still trying to ‘navigate’ my way around to PM you. Could you put me down for a tie too please?

I’ll sort out my credentials once we’ve established contact.

Thanks

[Timelord]

And one for me please.

TL

[insty66]

Did you try HERE? (https://www.mycollectors.co.uk/content/ties/ties-raf.aspx)

[PPRuNeUser0139]

And one for me please.
TL

Many thanks for your order Timelord.. only need five more now..

For Insty66 - this is the supplier I'm dealing with.
I wrote to them earlier today to ask what the discounted bulk order price will be.. I'm hoping it's going to be close to the price of their generic RAF silk tie (£24.95).
SV

[ICM]

OK - only 4 now, count me in.

[Nimrodhasbeen]

Sidevalve,
I have pm’d you. Please count me in.

NHB

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Brilliant - many thanks ICM and NHB!

Three Only Two to go now..

[MBoswell]

Sidevalve,

Are you able to PM me as I don’t seem to be able to access that functionality yet?

thanks

You can’t use the Private Messaging system, add url links or images until you have an established posting history.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Sidevalve,
Are you able to PM me as I don’t seem to be able to access that functionality yet?
thanks
No - but I've emailed you..
SV

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Only one to go now..

I'll be offline from tomorrow until Friday, 8th June.. and assuming we'll have hit the min order requirement, I'll be confirming the order next weekend and finding out what the bulk order discount amounts to..

Regards

SV

[PPRuNeUser0139]

I'm pleased to be able to tell all those who kindly made a provisional order for an RAF navigator silk tie that you will soon be able to throw your beer- and egg-stained polyester jobby on top of the wardrobe as we've now reached the minimum order of 24 required by the company.
I've just written to them to ask for their volume discount and I'll let you all know the final price by email as soon as I know it.
Thanks again to all concerned! :ok:

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Update: I'm just waiting on one tardy payer and then I can submit the order.

[Tankertrashnav]

There's always one sidevalve! I'm still waiting for the pest who ordered a silk pilot's tie from me 3 years ago to come up with the money :*

(Mind you the tie has long gone)!

[MG]

Go on, I’ll make it the magic number! Count me in.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Thanks MG - check your PMs!

sv

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Order submitted! :ok: (phew!)