New RAAF uniform
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Not sure when the RAAF ended up with metal wings. I believe however the RAF don't wear wings on there blues shirt, but do on their jumper (or "Wooly Pully"). I'm sure some poms will correct me if I'm wrong!
My theory on how the wings thing will go:
Everyone EXCEPT pilots will have wings, and when you graduate pilots course, you pass your wings over to a new recruit
My theory on how the wings thing will go:
Everyone EXCEPT pilots will have wings, and when you graduate pilots course, you pass your wings over to a new recruit
Join Date: May 2002
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badges
the yanks have a confusing system with aircrew badges , believe it or not they all were the same flying badge! dont know about anyone else but surely there should be some difference between a pilot and a navigator/wsos badge? i get even more annoyed with the yanks for not allowing their ncos to wear rank badges on flying suits. as regards to metal wings i have seen some aircrew wearing them on shirts, but i dont think dress regs allow it. the army wear flying badges on shirts, but not on jumpers, not sure about navy.
not quite correct Canberra. The USAF wings are the same shape but the difference is what is in the middle. The pilots wings have a shield, WSO's have a fist grapping what looks like lightning bolts. Other categories have different symbols again. (It is impossible to tell until you are about 2 feet away).
The RAAF Nav full wing was introduced mainly as a recruiting measure, there was too much feedback that the single wing was seen as a big negative. The only RAAF navigators at the time who rushed to get one were WGCDRS and above in Canberra (desk jobs!). We had a petition running around as well but were basically told it was supported by the chief so dont bother fighting it.
As far as blues and drabs, drabs have always been optional.
The reason I thought the RAF dont wear wings on their blues shirts was so they could comfortably wear a flying suit over their uniform
Saved time on a shower when time to go to the bar!
The RAAF Nav full wing was introduced mainly as a recruiting measure, there was too much feedback that the single wing was seen as a big negative. The only RAAF navigators at the time who rushed to get one were WGCDRS and above in Canberra (desk jobs!). We had a petition running around as well but were basically told it was supported by the chief so dont bother fighting it.
As far as blues and drabs, drabs have always been optional.
The reason I thought the RAF dont wear wings on their blues shirts was so they could comfortably wear a flying suit over their uniform
Saved time on a shower when time to go to the bar!
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Canada's the same, with the same wing but the centre symbol being different: maple leaf for pilots, globe and lightning bolt for nav's, 3 bolts for AESOps, and the rest. Unlike the USAF, at least you can see the difference from 10 feet.
I can see the recruiting argument, nobody actually joins to be a Nav...including me ! But the old eyeballs didn't pass muster. Helluva lot better being a Nav, than commanding tanks.
Kinda makes you wonder though, when such a seemingly small matter can cause such an uproar. When our SARTechs were 'upgraded' to a full wing, there was an uproar as well...except from the pilots in SAR work.
By the way, the new RAAF nav wing, is that the one with the southern cross in the centre?
I can see the recruiting argument, nobody actually joins to be a Nav...including me
! But the old eyeballs didn't pass muster. Helluva lot better being a Nav, than commanding tanks.Kinda makes you wonder though, when such a seemingly small matter can cause such an uproar. When our SARTechs were 'upgraded' to a full wing, there was an uproar as well...except from the pilots in SAR work.
By the way, the new RAAF nav wing, is that the one with the southern cross in the centre?
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yank wings
sorry to tell you that yank wings are the same for all aircrew! i spoke to a usaf loadie a couple of years ago and he confirmed that all yank wings are the same. he said that he preferred the dare i say"imperial" system!
Join Date: Nov 2001
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USAF wings
I was told by a USAF guy here that the central part of the badge gives the spec of the wearer- there is one with a vertical rocket, for example, worn by silo officers, navigators have a compass or something like that. For pilots, there is quite a distinctive set of wings with a star above it which designates "command pilot"status
I was told by a USAF guy here that the central part of the badge gives the spec of the wearer- there is one with a vertical rocket, for example, worn by silo officers, navigators have a compass or something like that. For pilots, there is quite a distinctive set of wings with a star above it which designates "command pilot"status
Join Date: May 2002
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survey says..? BOMP BOWWWW!!!!!
Canberra, you're way off mate - as stated by (several) people previously USAF wings ARE different based on qualifications & experience/seniority.
The only problem is you need a websters dictionary, electron microscope & gas chromatograph to decipher the differences (ie anything outside of 2 feet in range renders all the badges the same).
The only problem is you need a websters dictionary, electron microscope & gas chromatograph to decipher the differences (ie anything outside of 2 feet in range renders all the badges the same).
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Gee Canberra, in the 2 1/2 years I spent flying in a USAF fast jet SQN my eyes must have been lying to me.
Im glad you are able to clear it up for me. Thanks.
Me thinks your USAF loadie mate hasnt got close enough to the front end guys to notice a difference.
Im glad you are able to clear it up for me. Thanks.
Me thinks your USAF loadie mate hasnt got close enough to the front end guys to notice a difference.
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On the recruiting arguement..
If Joe Bloggs civy doesn't want to join as a NAV because he doesn't want a half wing, is he really motivated for the job?? Surely we are not changing a 15 cm badge for just plain recruiting purposes. I suspect that was the arguement advanced, however it is based not on logic!!
If Joe Bloggs civy doesn't want to join as a NAV because he doesn't want a half wing, is he really motivated for the job?? Surely we are not changing a 15 cm badge for just plain recruiting purposes. I suspect that was the arguement advanced, however it is based not on logic!!
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Left the RAAF in 95, the best 7 years off my life...after which worked in NZ and in the RNZAF Territoral Air Force (when there was an Air Attack Force!!).
Q. What is with Nav's wearing full Breve (wingy thing!!) or a similar word in French, it breaks all tradition and leaves the gates open for......FLGOFF Goopter the transport officer wearing a set of wings because his trucks refuel the odd C130 in Learmonth.......
Grip it up boys....and gals, we are not yanks and don't need to be walking around with so much medal and insignia palava on our uniforms that we need to call TNT worldwide removals every time we need to go on parade!!!!
Viper 10, 8 in the circuit, Report Initial......
Q. What is with Nav's wearing full Breve (wingy thing!!) or a similar word in French, it breaks all tradition and leaves the gates open for......FLGOFF Goopter the transport officer wearing a set of wings because his trucks refuel the odd C130 in Learmonth.......
Grip it up boys....and gals, we are not yanks and don't need to be walking around with so much medal and insignia palava on our uniforms that we need to call TNT worldwide removals every time we need to go on parade!!!!
Viper 10, 8 in the circuit, Report Initial......
