Swords, Ceremonial, Air Officers, for the use of
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Swords, Ceremonial, Air Officers, for the use of
Right, I know this is a bit geeky so let's get all the p**s-taking out of the way now.....
....Finished? Good. Then here's my query.
As one of Her Majesty's loyal airmen the other week I purchased (ahem!) a copy of The Royal Air Force Yearbook 2009. Perusing said literature I found this picture on page 33 illustrating an article concerning Sir Glenn's tenure as CAS.
Something about it didn't look right. Look at the swords carried by the officers. They appear to be of the Air Officer's pattern - except the Chief's. In fact it doesn't appear to be an RAF officer's sword of any description. So what is it?
Am I missing someting really simple or is Sir Glenn carrying the wrong sword? I know that in times past when officers carried sword's in battle this was a regular occurrence but in 2008 for ceremonial purposes? The only thing I can possibly think of it that it may have something to do with his being a Knight of the Bath.
Can somebody enlighten me? I'm just about the post this on "the Goat", too.
Thanks all.
....Finished? Good. Then here's my query.
As one of Her Majesty's loyal airmen the other week I purchased (ahem!) a copy of The Royal Air Force Yearbook 2009. Perusing said literature I found this picture on page 33 illustrating an article concerning Sir Glenn's tenure as CAS.
Something about it didn't look right. Look at the swords carried by the officers. They appear to be of the Air Officer's pattern - except the Chief's. In fact it doesn't appear to be an RAF officer's sword of any description. So what is it?
Am I missing someting really simple or is Sir Glenn carrying the wrong sword? I know that in times past when officers carried sword's in battle this was a regular occurrence but in 2008 for ceremonial purposes? The only thing I can possibly think of it that it may have something to do with his being a Knight of the Bath.
Can somebody enlighten me? I'm just about the post this on "the Goat", too.
Thanks all.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Away from home Rat
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's his magic wand for cojouring up the biggest thunderstorm he possibly can after he gets off the dias.
Tried it the first time on the closure of 6 Sqn at Coningsby in 2007.
Got the spell right when this picture was taken.
Tried it the first time on the closure of 6 Sqn at Coningsby in 2007.
Got the spell right when this picture was taken.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midlandshire
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Officers have standard swords, but differing scabards I believe, one for officers below Air Rank, and the one for the Airships which is ever so slightly more fancy:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...4A10495884.pdf
Sir Glen must have got his from eBay. Also has he got a false hand or is he out of practice in the fine art of 'throwing one up?'
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...4A10495884.pdf
Sir Glen must have got his from eBay. Also has he got a false hand or is he out of practice in the fine art of 'throwing one up?'
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rather the wrong sword than the wrong trousers.
Perhaps the sword is a family heirloom of great sentimental value?
"Harrumph! Er, Yes. GGGGrandUncle Marmaduke honourably fell upon it after his little indiscretion came to light."
Perhaps the sword is a family heirloom of great sentimental value?
"Harrumph! Er, Yes. GGGGrandUncle Marmaduke honourably fell upon it after his little indiscretion came to light."
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NOTTINGHAM
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And as for how he's holding it (being silver rather than gold-plated it looks like a regimental sword to me)! If I were he, I would have taken my lead from the senior rank (MRAF) present and the Rockape who has been trained to know what to do with his sword when on parade!
Foldie
PS. All RAF swords are gold-plated hilts
Foldie
PS. All RAF swords are gold-plated hilts
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Edinburgh
Age: 45
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think this is it from another angle;
RAF - Queen's Colour Flypast and Parade 2008
Looks to be a silver-hilted smallsword - the suggestion of it being a court sword appropriate to his status as a Knight of the Bath seems likely.
RAF - Queen's Colour Flypast and Parade 2008
Looks to be a silver-hilted smallsword - the suggestion of it being a court sword appropriate to his status as a Knight of the Bath seems likely.
