RAF FLIGHT JACKET

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by pettinger93

The outrage about wrongly worn badges also extends to submariners in the Royal Navy. The 'dolphin' badge awarded to those who have qualified as such is highly regarded in the RN, as its a long and arduous process to earn one. Some, though not all, get quite upset when its worn as by those not entitled, even as jewellery. However, I am told that, in real life, the RN does sell extra ones to any submariner, and many of which end up being worn by wives and girlfriends, as they are quite decorative. I seem to remember the Duchess of Cambridge has been seen wearing one.

I think there is a case for 'wife of' wearing a badge though in the RAF wives generally have a silver or gold miniature, and RFC before that. Problem for the Dolphin is it is attractive as it is.

Before women became submariners or aircrew you knew what they were, and given the risk of their spouse's job, and deserved such recognition.

[alfred_the_great]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

I think there is a case for 'wife of' wearing a badge though in the RAF wives generally have a silver or gold miniature, and RFC before that. Problem for the Dolphin is it is attractive as it is.

Before women became submariners or aircrew you knew what they were, and given the risk of their spouse's job, and deserved such recognition.

i know at least three civvies who were awarded dolphins for their administrative assistance in various things.

[Reverserbucket]

That must be Barnes Wallis surely, not Kilroy-Silk? Incidentally, the chap with the dog appears to be wearing a Luftwaffe uniform.

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by alfred_the_great

i know at least three civvies who were awarded dolphins for their administrative assistance in various things.

Male or Female?

I also know an RNVR Lt Cdr who wore a special forces dagger. The story is fascinating, I am not sure if he had been given authority to wear it.

I was told he had saved the life of a Belgian special forces man while he was a cadet. They awarded him the emblem.

[alfred_the_great]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

Male or Female?

I also know an RNVR Lt Cdr who wore a special forces dagger. The story is fascinating, I am not sure if he had been given authority to wear it.

I was told he had saved the life of a Belgian special forces man while he was a cadet. They awarded him the emblem.

two men and one woman.

[ex82watcher]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

Male or Female?

I also know an RNVR Lt Cdr who wore a special forces dagger. The story is fascinating, I am not sure if he had been given authority to wear it.

I was told he had saved the life of a Belgian special forces man while he was a cadet. They awarded him the emblem.

When I was at Eastern Radar in the early 80s,there was a RN controller,Lt,subsequently LtCdr,who always wore a green commando beret,rather than the standard RN cap.Oddly enough,his initials were SF.

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by ex82watcher

When I was at Eastern Radar in the early 80s,there was a RN controller,Lt,subsequently LtCdr,who always wore a green commando beret,rather than the standard RN cap.Oddly enough,his initials were SF.

The RAF was, I think, odd in not permitting red or other SF berets but I suppose it would have looked odd in the RAF Regt.

[olddog]

As awarded Feb 1968

[olddog]

Wives with "Wings"

( slight thread drift) No objection to wives wearing wings or dolphins . I presented Mrs Old Dog with daiamante and siver wings on our 25th wedding anniversary. After 25 years married to me, she had earned them! She wears them with pride on appropriate occasions on her RIGHT breast. She has also inherited wings from an uncle who served in Bomber Command in WW2 which she wears on Rememberence Sunday in his memory.

[Lima Juliet]

Originally Posted by olddog

As awarded Feb 1968

QR770 was re-numbered to QRJ727 when QRs were re-written. However it basically states:

The term "flying badge" is used to include all badges worn by personnel who have successfully completed a prescribed course of flying training. The initial award of a flying badge is on a provisional basis. It is not deemed to be fully earned until the holder has successfully completed an operational conversion or equivalent course and has joined an operational or nonoperational unit in the capacity for which the provisional badge has been awarded.

So if you “successfully completed” the “prescribed course of flying training” for Pilots then you were awarded the Pilot’s Flying Badge. If you did so as a Navigator, then you got the Navigator’s Flying Badge. Etc...etc... The versions of Flying Badges are described in my previous post which is QR206:

206. Flying Badges - wearing of.
Flying badges are divided into two categories, those in current issue, for which aircrew are qualified under the terms of paras J727 and 728 and those no longer issued, for which members of the RAF qualified under regulations in force from time to time.

These badges are:
(a) Current issued: Pilot, Weapons Systems Officer (WSO), Weapons Systems Operator (WSOp), Fighter Controller (FC), Airborne Technician (AT), The Preliminary Flying Badge (Pilot), UAS personnel only. See para 728.

​​(b) Previously in issue: Navigator(N), Air Electronics Officer(AE), Air Electronics Operator(AE), Air Engineer(E), Air Signaller(S), Air Loadmaster(LM), Air Observer (O), Air Bomber (B), Wireless Operator (air) (S), Wireless Operator Mechanic (air) (S), Meteorological Air Observer (M), Observer (radio) (RO), Air Gunner (AG), The Preliminary Flying Badge (Navigator), The Preliminary Flying Badge (Signaller), The Preliminary Flying Badge (Engineer), The Preliminary Flying Badge (Gunner)

[chopper2004]

Interesting the Vice Chief of Surface Operations has authorised Surface Warfare Officers to wear leather jacket, at first glance it’s a USN G-1 Leather flight jacket sans the furry collar.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-...News%20Roundup

[ROC man]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

The RAF was, I think, odd in not permitting red or other SF berets but I suppose it would have looked odd in the RAF Regt.

I believe the green beret awarded on successful completion of the All Arms Commando Course has been worn by successful RAF personnel.

[Sloppy Link]

If in a Commando unit.

[Bob Viking]

The Green Lid

...Or those that don’t wish to follow the rules to the letter.

BV

[Herod]

OK. Some Walt is swanning around at an air show, wearing, say, Wing Commander rings. A regular airman passes him and salutes THE QUEEN'S COMMISSION. Reactions, anyone?

[Captain Radar....]

Originally Posted by chopper2004

Interesting the Vice Chief of Surface Operations has authorised Surface Warfare Officers to wear leather jacket, at first glance it’s a USN G-1 Leather flight jacket sans the furry collar.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-...News%20Roundup

It's black though. USN flight jackets are brown.

[Maxibon]

Originally Posted by Herod

OK. Some Walt is swanning around at an air show, wearing, say, Wing Commander rings. A regular airman passes him and salutes THE QUEEN'S COMMISSION. Reactions, anyone?

Claim damages for the broken man-made fibres in the RAF woolly pully; that said it’s probably summer, so claim for the broken threads of the poly-cotton shirt. Wait a minute, being the RAF, it’s probably short-sleeved. How about not giving a **** because the walt is a walt and to be honest, I’ve saluted enough officers senior to me who were complete strikers, as indeed, I imagine some airmen and soldiers have had a similar opinion of me. FFS what a load of contrived crap. I know I earned my flying badge and to use a hackneyed old phrase: what other people think of you is none of your business. I suppose combat stress would happily give you a course of therapy for low self-esteem issues.

[Herod]

No self-esteem issue at all. If you read my post properly, I was referring to deference to, and recognition of, the Queen's Commission, not to the man (good, bad or complete t*sser) who is wearing the uniform. Yes, put a flying badge on a wool pully if it makes you feel like a real aviator, just don't start trying to look like a real officer.

[campbeex]

Now in leather with added fur...

https://www.bradford.co.uk/rafaviatorjacketbge.html

A snip at £299.95

[57mm]

Cool! Will go well with my Red Arrows watch........