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?

'RAF Flag' ? Is that the same as the RAF Ensign?:ok:

No, because it was not on an RAF boat, and Alpe d'Huez is a big mountain, not a sea.

RAF calling their flag an "Ensign" is as ridiculous as RAF officers wearing ceremonial spurs and swords. Oh wait, they do that too...

Swords yes but never seen anyone light blue in spurs.

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.......

Well if they must insist on dressing up, how about leather hat and goggles? Ceremonial handkerchief with map of Germany on it?

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.

Except when escorting the colour of course

http://www.1rtr.net/sp08/Standards_Parade_027.jpg

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!

Well according to this it is an ensign and its all the Admiralty's fault. :E

If we had tried this today, would the chair of the meeting insist that we "run it up a flag pole and see if it flies"? B*llsh*t bingo has its uses occasionally.

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.

"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'?

Off Topic

Perhaps this is the Sword in Question.

Trenchard Painting while Chief of Air Staff, 1927 - 1930

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...full_dress.jpg

On Topic

Imagegear

I'll see your three patterns and raise you to four...... WO sword with black whale bone handle. In a past life I had cause to wear it many times.

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

Oh how very patronising Trim Stab! Anti-RAF banter....are you sure you're in the right place, I thought this was a Military thread?

'Air' flags are refered to as ensigns.

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.

Said ensign also spotted by Le Louvre during last night's laps

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).