RAF flag on Alpe d'Huez - TdeF Stage 18
Thread Starter
RAF flag on Alpe d'Huez - TdeF Stage 18
Quick bz for the person waiving the RAF flag on TdeF Stage 18 - made it on the telly live coverage..
Unless it was a Mod shouting for Bradley Wiggins?
Unless it was a Mod shouting for Bradley Wiggins?
Last edited by Trim Stab; 18th Jul 2013 at 18:01.
Thread Starter
'RAF Flag' ? Is that the same as the RAF Ensign?
RAF calling their flag an "Ensign" is as ridiculous as RAF officers wearing ceremonial spurs and swords. Oh wait, they do that too...
Last edited by Trim Stab; 19th Jul 2013 at 07:51.
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as ridiculous as RAF officers wearing ceremonial spurs and swords
And why is a sword ridiculous? RAF has its roots in the RFC & RNAS & many of its early personnel transferred over from the cavalry, it's no more ridiculous than anyone (apart from the Household Cavalry) wearing such traditional accoutrements in today's military.
What should the RAF officer carry on parade? It would look a little ridiculous leading a flight carrying a pistol.......
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What should the RAF officer carry on parade?
Modern army regiments - eg the Chav Cav - don't once around with swords on the grounds that a sword is naff all use inside a tank.
the Chav Cav - don't ponce around with swords
http://www.1rtr.net/sp08/Standards_Parade_027.jpg
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Also saw the Yorkshire flag in attendance. Getting off thread, but with the opening stage of next year's tour passing through the hallowed ground of Hawes, I wonder how the peloton will cope with the cattle grids of the dales together with sheep wandering into the unfenced roads! I predict carnage!
No, because it was not on an RAF boat...
RAF calling their flag an "Ensign" is as ridiculous...
RAF calling their flag an "Ensign" is as ridiculous...
The Royal Air Force Ensign. The Royal Air Force Ensign was introduced in 1920 amid much controversy. This was because it involved the Admiralty, The War Office and the Air Ministry. The Air Council had decided that the newly formed Royal Air Force should fly its own flag from its stations. This did not find much favour with the Admiralty who have the right to veto the introduction of any new flag intended for use either on land or at sea anywhere within the British territories.
The Air Council though, were most insistent and so the Admiralty reluctantly conceded, stating that if the Royal Air Force was intent on having its own flag, then it should adopt the Union Flag with some appropriate device attached to it.
The Air Council did not like this idea and sent a sketch of its proposed design to the Admiralty, which was a White Ensign minus the St George's Cross. Although the War Office had no objection to this, the Admiralty did and rejected the submission on the grounds that the White Ensign, along with the Blue and Red Ensigns, were reserved for the Royal Naval Service exclusively and any use of them not connected with the Royal Navy was to be forbidden.
The Air Council though, were most insistent and so the Admiralty reluctantly conceded, stating that if the Royal Air Force was intent on having its own flag, then it should adopt the Union Flag with some appropriate device attached to it.
The Air Council did not like this idea and sent a sketch of its proposed design to the Admiralty, which was a White Ensign minus the St George's Cross. Although the War Office had no objection to this, the Admiralty did and rejected the submission on the grounds that the White Ensign, along with the Blue and Red Ensigns, were reserved for the Royal Naval Service exclusively and any use of them not connected with the Royal Navy was to be forbidden.
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The Royal Air Force Ensign was introduced in 1920 amid much controversy
Did I read correctly that the full (pre-war) Ceremonial Dress, complete with the rather ridiculous Busby, was worn with spurs? Also, I understand that Mess Dress trousers ('overalls') had a rather natty gold strip down the seam, akin to senior Naval officers, and spurs (without rowels) were also worn.
There are 3 patterns of RAF Sword. The every-day Officers' sword was authorised in 1926, I believe, but Air Officers' swords have different billets on the scabbard. There are a few pre-1926 pattern 'RAF' swords lurking around; they do not have the gilt basket hilt and the blades seem to be less ornately etched - perhaps they were a private purchase item?
One little know fact is that CAS has his own sword, presented to the Office in the mid 1950s. It is sans basket, and has a much longer grip that the 1926 pattern, as was presented by (IIRC) the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, or somesuch. No amount of googling turns up a picture of it.
There are 3 patterns of RAF Sword. The every-day Officers' sword was authorised in 1926, I believe, but Air Officers' swords have different billets on the scabbard. There are a few pre-1926 pattern 'RAF' swords lurking around; they do not have the gilt basket hilt and the blades seem to be less ornately etched - perhaps they were a private purchase item?
One little know fact is that CAS has his own sword, presented to the Office in the mid 1950s. It is sans basket, and has a much longer grip that the 1926 pattern, as was presented by (IIRC) the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, or somesuch. No amount of googling turns up a picture of it.
"One little know fact is that CAS has his own sword, presented to the Office in the mid 1950s. It is sans basket, and has a much longer grip that the 1926 pattern, as was presented by (IIRC) the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, or somesuch. No amount of googling turns up a picture of it."
Would that be to prevent any incumbent in post falling upon it at any stage, no matter how often the government of the day force him to bend to their will?
Anyhoo - back on topic - maybe the 'ensign-waver' had 'borrowed' it from one of the many stations recently closed? Strange how little coverage Mr Froome's efforts have received this year. His misfortune to follow in the wheels of the great 'sidey-face'?
Would that be to prevent any incumbent in post falling upon it at any stage, no matter how often the government of the day force him to bend to their will?
Anyhoo - back on topic - maybe the 'ensign-waver' had 'borrowed' it from one of the many stations recently closed? Strange how little coverage Mr Froome's efforts have received this year. His misfortune to follow in the wheels of the great 'sidey-face'?
RAF flag on Alpe d'Huez - TdeF Stage 18
Sandy Parts.
As an avid road cyclist myself, who's been gripped by every tour for over twenty years, it is fantastic to finally have so much British interest. I have also noticed the apparent lack of coverage of Froome's efforts. I put it down to several factors. Firstly, he is not viewed as an all-British individual because of his foreign up-bringing and he certainly doesn't come across like your average guy from Chippenham (or wherever). He never received as much interest even in his early tours when he rode for minor teams such as Barloworld. Secondly, he is not as interesting in interviews as Bradley. Thirdly, his efforts come after the whole Armstrong affair and amidst the meltdown in athletics. Large swathes of the public are probably, understandably, sceptical about the whole sport at the moment. I was taken in by Lance hook, line and sinker but I fully believe the Team Sky set up is squeaky clean. In fact the whole sport really has cleaned up its act in dramatic form. Apart from Lance (I believe head figures in the UCI should resign over the issue) cycling is a world leader in catching cheats which is why it receives so much adverse publicity.
Anyway, sorry to divert the thread from a classic pprune tangent.
BV
As an avid road cyclist myself, who's been gripped by every tour for over twenty years, it is fantastic to finally have so much British interest. I have also noticed the apparent lack of coverage of Froome's efforts. I put it down to several factors. Firstly, he is not viewed as an all-British individual because of his foreign up-bringing and he certainly doesn't come across like your average guy from Chippenham (or wherever). He never received as much interest even in his early tours when he rode for minor teams such as Barloworld. Secondly, he is not as interesting in interviews as Bradley. Thirdly, his efforts come after the whole Armstrong affair and amidst the meltdown in athletics. Large swathes of the public are probably, understandably, sceptical about the whole sport at the moment. I was taken in by Lance hook, line and sinker but I fully believe the Team Sky set up is squeaky clean. In fact the whole sport really has cleaned up its act in dramatic form. Apart from Lance (I believe head figures in the UCI should resign over the issue) cycling is a world leader in catching cheats which is why it receives so much adverse publicity.
Anyway, sorry to divert the thread from a classic pprune tangent.
BV
Last edited by Bob Viking; 19th Jul 2013 at 15:49.
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Well if they must insist on dressing up, how about leather hat and goggles? Ceremonial handkerchief with map of Germany on it?
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Maillot Jeune.
I have to agree with Bob V,
We're on the eve of something unbelievable, a Brit winning the T de F second year running!!!!
He's as British as Murray, in fact, when he was born there most people still called it Keenyah, so he must be British.
A word of warning, anyone driving to France on hols in the next 2 weeks, the Frogs won't like you, especially the Gendarme, cruise control to 79 kph.
Chop, chop.
We're on the eve of something unbelievable, a Brit winning the T de F second year running!!!!
He's as British as Murray, in fact, when he was born there most people still called it Keenyah, so he must be British.
A word of warning, anyone driving to France on hols in the next 2 weeks, the Frogs won't like you, especially the Gendarme, cruise control to 79 kph.
Chop, chop.
A word of warning, anyone driving to France on hols in the next 2 weeks, the Frogs won't like you, especially the Gendarme(rie), cruise control to 79 kph.
I'm not sure they will really be that bothered, Hatchet, observing that no Frenchman has won since 1985. You might also like to look at:
French Speed Limits
Jack
I'm not sure they will really be that bothered, Hatchet, observing that no Frenchman has won since 1985. You might also like to look at:
French Speed Limits
Jack
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I understand that the gendarmerie are more interesting in confiscating all satnavs that have the capability to hold speed camera positions - even if you have the function disabled. (And woe betide if you don't have a hi-viz vest in the car cabin).
