Honourable Company of Air Pilots
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There was a thread some time ago concerning the wearing of miniatures at formal functions by those in civilian dress. The answer seems to be when military personnel are present in mess kit.
At Old Cranwellian Reunion dinners, the dress for all, serving and retired, is black tie, no medals or neck decorations. At Test Pilot Dinners at Boscombe, where serving and retired guests are present, dress is mess kit or black tie, miniatures to be worn.
At Old Cranwellian Reunion dinners, the dress for all, serving and retired, is black tie, no medals or neck decorations. At Test Pilot Dinners at Boscombe, where serving and retired guests are present, dress is mess kit or black tie, miniatures to be worn.
Gentleman Aviator
Dalton was appointed as Honorary Air Commodore to the RAF Regiment on 21 September 2013
.... but still wrong weskit and tie!
If it is Dalton to whom you refer to as CAS then you're a bit behind the times as he hasn't been CAS (or in the RAF) since 31 July 2013.
I'm indebted to you, Wrathmonk, especially since on mature reflection I do indeed recall the interest in Air Chief Marshal Pulford's rotary wing background on the announcement of his elevation to CAS.
However (with apologies to FL for thread drift), I am now further intrigued by the fact that Air Chief Marshal Dalton is wearing an aiguillette despite no longer being either Air Aide-de-Camp to HM The Queen or a member of the Air Force Board. I am aware that a former Air Aide-de-Camp is permitted to continue to wear the Royal Cypher itself but, by comparison with the Chaplain-in-Chief's Royal aiguillette as a QHC, I suspect that it is the Type 4 aiguillette which is still being worn.
If only Ben Bathurst had worn uniform perhaps we could have had a straight comparison!
Jack
I'm indebted to you, Wrathmonk, especially since on mature reflection I do indeed recall the interest in Air Chief Marshal Pulford's rotary wing background on the announcement of his elevation to CAS.
However (with apologies to FL for thread drift), I am now further intrigued by the fact that Air Chief Marshal Dalton is wearing an aiguillette despite no longer being either Air Aide-de-Camp to HM The Queen or a member of the Air Force Board. I am aware that a former Air Aide-de-Camp is permitted to continue to wear the Royal Cypher itself but, by comparison with the Chaplain-in-Chief's Royal aiguillette as a QHC, I suspect that it is the Type 4 aiguillette which is still being worn.
If only Ben Bathurst had worn uniform perhaps we could have had a straight comparison!
Jack
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AVM Stringer & Ewan Lister Senior Student ULAS
ULAS Guard of Honour
AM Baz North & ULAS Cadet
'Post Horn Gallop'
Capt Peter Horton & Cdre Chris Palmer in foreground
Andrew Morgan Prime Warden Fishmongers’ Company
AVM Stringer ACAS
Christopher McLean-May Master Clothworkers’ Company
Mrs Maria Evans & Col Andrew Cash Regimental Colonel Army Air Corps
Capt Peter Benn & Lt Cdr Graeme Spence OC 847 Naval Air Squadron
Gp Capt & Mrs Simon Brailsford
Gp Capt David Bentley Commandant CFS & Gp Capt Richard Allen
Union Jack
This is very sad I know but according to AP1358 chapter 9
I assume with the Royal Cypher go the Aiguillettes.
And as a strange co-incidence the officer modelling how to wear such Aiguillettes in the AP features in the second photo down in Heliports post below.
Good to see some fine medal racks as well! Even from the non-RW/ME fleets!
This is very sad I know but according to AP1358 chapter 9
.... an air aide-de-camp may, on relinquishing the appointment continue to wear the small size Royal Cypher of each Sovereign under whom he has served and been appointed. The Royal Cypher of the reigning Sovereign is to be worn above any other Royal Cypher. With the exception of personal and air aides-decamp, Royal Cyphers are not worn after the appointment is relinquished
And as a strange co-incidence the officer modelling how to wear such Aiguillettes in the AP features in the second photo down in Heliports post below.
Good to see some fine medal racks as well! Even from the non-RW/ME fleets!
Gentleman Aviator
Another idiosyncracy of ADCs' Royal Cyphers will - as I understand it - sadly need to be addressed in the next few decades.
My understanding is that technically for all Royal ADCs - including Nurse, Doctor and Padre equivalents - HM gives and only the same HM can take away.
So - on change of Monarch to put it delicately - those who had the "big" cyphers of the previous Monarch would retain "small" ones in perpetuity, as the "awarding" Monarch is no longer around to "remove". If subsequently made ADC or equivalent by the new Monarch, they would also wear the "big" version of the new Royal Cypher.
I believe that was what was done in 1952 - I must search for photographic evidence, as there should be some in the 1950s with small GVIR and big EIIR.
My understanding is that technically for all Royal ADCs - including Nurse, Doctor and Padre equivalents - HM gives and only the same HM can take away.
So - on change of Monarch to put it delicately - those who had the "big" cyphers of the previous Monarch would retain "small" ones in perpetuity, as the "awarding" Monarch is no longer around to "remove". If subsequently made ADC or equivalent by the new Monarch, they would also wear the "big" version of the new Royal Cypher.
I believe that was what was done in 1952 - I must search for photographic evidence, as there should be some in the 1950s with small GVIR and big EIIR.
Old Bricks,
At the risk of lowering the tone of this august thread, ISTR that the stiff front, wing collar and bow tie (NEVER a ready tied) did make going for a summer ball musical interlude a bit of a kerfuffle but, nevertheless, worthwhile 
once you had your 5A on it functioned better than the average chastity belt
I assume with the Royal Cypher go the Aiguillettes.
Thank you for your further comments, Wrathmonk. I was aware of the article you quote, but my reading of it was that the Royal Cypher alone continued to be worn. I also liked your last two comments.
That said, I will cease concerning myself who did or did not wear the correct rig, and my compliments to FL and all those concerned with what was clearly an excellent evening, all the more so for the "all inclusiveness" of the occasion.
Jack
Thank you for your further comments, Wrathmonk. I was aware of the article you quote, but my reading of it was that the Royal Cypher alone continued to be worn. I also liked your last two comments.
That said, I will cease concerning myself who did or did not wear the correct rig, and my compliments to FL and all those concerned with what was clearly an excellent evening, all the more so for the "all inclusiveness" of the occasion.
Jack
Gp Capt David Bentley Commandant CFS & Gp Capt Richard Allen
I suppose you have to be of a certain age.
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Re the wings on the sleeve of "Lt Cdr Graeme Spence OC 847 Naval Air Squadron".
Interesting place to wear wings ?
Anyone know why on the sleeve and not above the medals ?
Interesting place to wear wings ?
Anyone know why on the sleeve and not above the medals ?
Good to see some fine medal racks as well! Even from the non-RW/ME fleets!