Big wooden shitehawk
 

I saw this advertised on a local community website (Cheltenham/Gloucester area) and, recognising it as probably being off an RAF badge, snapped it up for £30. The seller got it from his parents and said it had been in his family for just over 40 years. He remembers it being painted gold at one point and the back of the thing has evidence of gold paint on it. He has no family connection with the RAF.

It clearly was part of a large RAF badge at some point as evidenced by the grooves on the back where it was attached to the circular part of the badge but I can't think where such a large badge would've been situated. I might drop the RAF Museum a line with the same query but in the meantime does anyone have any ideas where it might've come from?

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2773.jpg

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...f17aa89469.jpg

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...orce_Badge.png

No idea what I'm going to do with it mind. Perhaps mount it on the front of the car, Boss Hogg stylee.

Actually, having looked at a few more pics online I'm wondering if its maybe off an RCAF badge...? Splayed wingtips.

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...orig-badge.jpg

Splayed claws and head not projecting past the wings, i'd agree, Canadian.

I'd agree with the RCAF bird - wings, tail feathers, beak and shoulders all look correct.

How will you attach it to your Calibra though ;) ??

It should hide the Vauxhall badge

Ah the mighty Calibra.... 'Twas nearly 20 years ago now. God I'm getting old...

Have emailed the Canadian Aor Force museum for their opinion. Was there a big Canadian base in Glos/Wilts during WWII?

What kind of wood is it? Looks like cherry wood? Loads of wooden eagles on google but none like that. You've got yourself a pretty unique bargain there.

Looks absolutely brilliant

Big wooden shitehawk
 

Err - is the description "****ehawk" some reverse RAF ironic humour that I have never previously encountered, or is it another sad example of PPRune "ironic humour" (e.g. Land Rover consistently "corrected" to "Trabant"?).

The RAF eagle was/is frequently irreverently called a "****ehawk", probably originally referring to the kites (avian variety!) which were seen all over Egypt and the Middle East when the RAF had a presence in the region. You may often hear it argued that it is an albatross, probably from some association with the RAF's predecessor the RNAS, but it is quite definitely an eagle, as the College of Heralds will confirm!

Great find StopStart - and what a bargain!

Here's where they flew from Stopstart, I'm sure a little research will bring forward the Gloucestershire bases. Best of luck but like others, I reckon it's more Canadian "****ehawk" than RAF bird. As TTN says, great find;

Canadian Air Force United Kingdom operating locations England 1939-45;

RAF Acklington
RAF Andover
RAF Ashford
RAF Baginton
RAF Balderton
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Beaulieu
RAF Biggin Hill
RAF Bircham Newton
RAF Blakehill Farm
RAF Bournemouth
RAF Bradwell Bay
RAF Burn
RAF Castle Camps
RAF Catterick
RAF Charmy Down
RAF Chivenor
RAF Coleby Grange
RAF Colerne
RAF Croft
RAF Croydon
RAF Dalton
RAF Davidstow Moor
RAF Debden
RAF Digby
RAF Dishforth
RAF Docking
RAF Down Ampney
RAF Driffield
RAF Dunsfold
RAF East Moor
RAF Eastchurch
RAF Exeter
RAF Ford
RAF Friston
RAF Funtington
RAF Gatwick
RAF Gransden Lodge
RAF Gravesend
RAF Hartford Bridge
RAF Harrowbeer
RAF Halton
RAF Hawkinge
RAF Headcorn
RAF High Post
RAF Holmsley South
RAF Hornchurch
RAF Horne
RAF Hunsdon
RAF Hurn
RAF Kenley
RAF Lashenden
RAF Leeming
RAF Lindholme
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
RAF Lympne
RAF Manston
RAF Martlesham Heath
RAF Merston
RAF Middle Wallop
RAF Middleton St. George
RAF Mildenhall
RAF Molesworth
RAF North Coates
RAF North Luffenham
RAF North Weald
RAF Odiham
RAF Old Sarum
RAF Penshurst
RAF Perranporth
RAF Pocklington
RAF Portreath
RAF Predannack
RAF Redhill
RAF Scorton
RAF Skipton-on-Swale
RAF Southend
RAF St Eval
RAF Staplehurst
RAF Strubby
RAF Syerston
RAF Tangmere
RAF Topcliffe
RAF Tempsford
RAF Ternhill
RAF Tholthorpe
RAF Thorney Island
RAF Trebulzue
RAF Waddington
RAF Warmwood
RAF Wellingore
RAF West Malling
RAF Westhampnett
RAF Weston Zoyland
RAF Winkleigh
RAF Wittering
RAF Wombleton
RAF Woodchurch
RAF Zeals

Smudge :ok:

That's just the Wikipedia list and has little relevance....

How dare you! :mad:

:)

Err - is the description "****ehawk" some reverse RAF ironic humour that I have never previously encountered, or is it another sad example of PPRuNe "ironic humour" (e.g. Land Rover consistently "corrected" to "Trabant"?). - Trim Stab

It may very well be, but it is also the latter day adoption of a generic expression used by the Royal Navy since time immemorial to describe any seabird sighted - even when its precise variety is known!:confused: - as well as by the Army, allegedly in relation to experience with marauding kites in the days of the Raj.

Jack

StopStart,

In our little Nissen hut at Valley in '50 we had an old two-blade propellor over the anteroom mantelpiece as an ornament - I have seen the same in other messes. This may well have been carved by some wartime Canadian (or American, for their "bald eagle" looks much the same bird) for that purpose.

****ehawks are everywhere in India; they are a menace in the air, but are esteemed (and, I believe, were protected by law in the days of the Raj) for their hygienic value as scavengers of dead animals (and humans, on the Parsee "Towers of Silence").

They have unlovely table manners, always starting at the anus as the best bit. :* Almost certainly they got the name from the British troops out there on that account.

Danny42C

ISTR that propeller over the "fireplace" in the new OM at valley in 66

Beagle, if you have better info you can always correct it by signing up as a moderator on the site. I noticed an ommission in RAF Feltwell's entry and signed up just so I could correct it. The ease of doing this is probably the main reason that some of Wiki's entries are not entirely reliable!

As an aside, Wikipedia has been proven more accurate than Encyclopaedia Brittanica.

Just sayin'

and any RAF web page

Just sayin

As an aside, Wikipedia has been proven more accurate than Encyclopaedia Brittanica. .

But what about the Encyclopaedia Britannica?:D

Jack