View Full Version : Lapel Pin
Exaviator
1st Apr 2018, 04:54
Does anyone recognise this lapel pin? It dates back to WW2 and is either a Squadron Badge or significant event pin.
http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae22/Exaviator/Air%20Force%20Lapel%20Pin%20-%20RAF%20Sqn_zpsrq1ikhjf.jpg
albatross
1st Apr 2018, 14:59
It is the "You have been screwed by Photobucket" Badge.
India Four Two
1st Apr 2018, 15:11
Interestingly, the picture was briefly available, until Photobucket’s server noticed that PPRuNe was serving this picture.
Exaviator,
I recommend imgur.com for picture hosting.
BEagle
1st Apr 2018, 18:55
If you use Firefox or Edge, it's possible to download an add-on which defeats Photof*ckwit's ransomware for image upoad...
The badge shows the RAF albatreagle over 2 pale blue lines of waves on a dark blue background.
Has anybody else been getting begging e-mails from Photof*ckwit? I've been giving them a stern ignoring....
The idiots brought the problem on themselves!
brakedwell
1st Apr 2018, 19:22
If you use Firefox or Edge, it's possible to download an add-on which defeats Photof*ckwit's ransomware for image upoad...
The badge shows the RAF albatreagle over 2 pale blue lines of waves on a dark blue background.
Has anybody else been getting begging e-mails from Photof*ckwit? I've been giving them a stern ignoring....
The idiots brought the problem on themselves!
I dumped the greedy barstewards when they ransomed my large collection of aviation photos.
Exaviator
2nd Apr 2018, 01:52
Thanks India Four Two, I am trying once more following your advice.
https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZ.jpg
The pilot that wore this lapel pin served on 129 Squadron during WW2 and flew both Spits and susequently Mustangs, but so far I am unable to find any reference to the meaning behind the badge. So any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
https://www.pprune.org/<a href="https://imgur.com/FhUX8FZ"><img src="<a href=https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZb.jpg" target=_blank>https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZb.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
https://www.pprune.org/<a href="https://imgur.com/FhUX8FZ"><img src="<a href=https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZb.jpg" target=_blank>https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZb.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
https://www.pprune.org/<a href="https://imgur.com/FhUX8FZ"><img src="<a href=https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZ.jpg" target=_blank>https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZ.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
https://www.pprune.org/<a href="https://imgur.com/FhUX8FZ"><img src="<a href=https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZ.jpg" target=_blank>https://i.imgur.com/FhUX8FZ.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
https://imgur.com/FhUX8FZ
India Four Two
2nd Apr 2018, 04:10
Exaviator,
I can see the picture of the badge, but the remaining five images just show Question Marks.
You need to make sure that the URLs of these images are similar to the first one.
I did an image search on TinEye and Google Image Search, but came up with zero matches.
During my searching, I did notice some similarity with the waves on the Coastal Command crest:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Coastal_Command#/media/File:Coastal-cmd600.jpg
I42
currawong
3rd Apr 2018, 10:48
Can I make a guess?
How about the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit, operating off CAM ships?
Pretty exclusive club, could be why your pin is so mysterious.
Exaviator
4th Apr 2018, 03:25
Thanks for all the input Guys, and appreciate your interest.
On first seeing the pin I felt that it most certainly referred to a maritime squadron, probably operating flying boats. However, this belied the information that the pilot in question had flown both Spitfires and Mustangs whilst serving with 129 Squadron.
Looking into the squadron’s war time history I notice that in 1943 it was tasked with carrying out maritime operations, including both interdiction of surface ships and escorting fleet convoys.
The Mustang was more suitable than the Spitfire for this role as it had a longer range and carried more suitable firepower.
Whilst unfortunately I have been unable to find any direct reference to the badge I am also certain that it would have been worn by those pilots flying the Mustang and tasked with maritime ops.
Later in the war the squadron reverted back solely to the Spitfire and its original fighter role.
Of course this is mostly conjecture so I continue to seek a more definitive answer...
chevvron
4th Apr 2018, 10:06
Could it possibly signify service with an RAF Marine Craft Unit, or maybe given to pilots who have been rescued by them similar to the 'caterpillar club' badge?
williandavis
2nd Jan 2019, 11:05
Exactly I don't identify the lapel pin. But only I can say it resembles similar to the No. 129 Squadron RAF badge.
The badge was given to aircrew who had been rescued by the RAF Marine Craft Unit.
Alluded to by chevron previously.
grizzled
2nd Jan 2019, 16:30
Hi dook,
For the purpose of related research can you supply a source for that info?
Thanks!
The father of a pilot colleague had one but I don't know what he flew, and I have not personally seen it.
JENKINS
2nd Jan 2019, 16:48
Not quite the Goldfish Club. This seen quite often on flying suits, and a solitary blazer of Close employee at Salisbury. The story of the latter involved a ditching while serving as Groundcrew on 216 in WW2.
Self loading bear
2nd Jan 2019, 18:47
I think dook is correct.
The lapel is identical to the crest of the
Air Sea Rescue Marine Craft Section (Club)
ASR MSC (http://www.asrmcs-club.com/)
This is the club for people who have served in that unit.
I have not read the complete website but I think you can contact them to ask if the lapel was handed out to the people who where rescued.
Homepage (http://www.asrmcs-club.com/welcome.htm)
SLB