RAF silk ties
 

Does anyone know of a supplier of RAF navigators ties in silk?
I wear my polyester thing only occasionally (when this diagram helps!) but I would prefer a silk jobby.
http://nb9.stumbleupon.netdna-cdn.co...HkFSDwt4YbE-ZQ
Thanks

My RAF tie is about the only one I wear, living in France, and then only when attending commemorations with RAFA

Surely a NAVIGATOR wouldn't have to ask where to FIND one. As an aside, I wore my 2FTS (silk) tie a few days ago, at the 50th anniversary of a "Wings" graduation. It had been sitting in the loft for over 45 years, but cleaned up well. I hadn't realised though, how short the ties were in those days.

..........and beer stained!

I'm not sure that what we called beer in those days really was. No names, no pack-drill (or law suits), but thank heaven for CAMRA.

What, you mean Watneys Red Barrel, and Carling

... Tiger??

Steward & Pattersons and Bullards.

Tie ? Whoever wears a tie these days ? One of my friends died suddenly last week and I had to speak at his memorial service. Fortunately, and after a few hours searching, I unearthed my old black uniform tie. Buttoning the jacket of the accompanying "suits funereal" was another matter tho'

I don't think that the deceased complained.

Off topic but it reminds me of a visit I made to a retired one-time British airline colleague in Sydney, when I was working. I noticed an invitation to a local club ceremony, to be graced by the Governor of New South Wales and with the dress code shown as "Black Tie"

My hosts suggested that I accompany them, but I demurred on the grounds that I didn't carry a Dinner Jacket ensemble around with me when I was working.

No matter, said the wife, that's only there so that not too many Australians turn up in swimming togs.

My British friend was the ONLY one to wear a Dinner Jacket and "Black Tie" outfit, not even the Governor.

One does have to have standards, one knows.

ExSp:
T shirts and shorts weather now.. but when I need a tie for a civic ceremony here about once or twice a year, my nav one fits the bill. It seems that they're no longer available in silk though.
For funerals, tie-wearers are definitely in the minority these days.

With RAFA Sud Ouest France we attend a number of commemorations for crews lost in WW2. The Brits turn up in blazers and ties, the French "Portes Drapeaux" usually wear blazer tie and their old military cap (one we see frequently has a naval cap with the tally "Mers El Kebir"). The Mayors frequently turn up in windcheater or polo shirt according to season, surmounted by mayoral sash. Back end of last year one mayor had been a bit casual with putting on his sash and during La Marseillaise the sash descended round his body to the deck like a pair of elastic-less knickers, to the suppressed mirth of all.

Yes, having been to a few I recognise much of that!
Here, we have one of those discordant marching bands that leads the party from the Town Hall to the Monument aux Morts.. which always seems slightly inappropriate to me.
Some of the 'porte drapeaux' have spectacularly coloured noses!
They're all very good humoured though.. and we always wind up with a vin d'honneur.

Which one is over half a century old?

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...ace0323d74.jpg

My guess is the blue one; nice and narrow. I can't get the definition up, but is that a Dhow?

Err no.
http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...bda2e59d23.jpg

It is a Nightjar.

As in:

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/z...14Squadron.gif

Thanks Ian. I stand corrected. "Avenging in the Shadows" I gather.

I'm no Latin scholar, but it is something like that.

Popular versions were 'We strike from darkness' or 'We strike in the dark'.

TTN my be able to give the definitive translation.

I've found a specialist supplier who is willing to make a batch of silk ties with the Navigator brevet for a minimum order of 24.

Cost? The retail price for their military silk ties sold singly is £29.95 plus £2.25 postage in the UK. For overseas orders, add a further £2.50 .

If you wish to order one, then please let me know via a PM.

When/if I receive orders for a bulk buy of 24, I'll contact the company to establish the final price - including a bulk order discount.

I'll then request your contact details (name, postal address & email address) and payment - either by UK sterling cheque or via direct banking - I'll send out my bank details/home address via PM/email as required.

Once all monies are received I'll submit the order.

Here in France the Dud Ouest Branch of RAFA is frequently represented at commemorations of Allied airmen lost in the war. We attend in jacket and RAF tie, with the ladies, and our Branch President, Beryl DS, always immaculately attired. The French appear in anything from a suit (infrequent) to jeans and tee-shirt, which with the tricolour Mayoral sash, can look a little odd. Prefect and Sub -Prefects are, however, always immaculately turned out in uniform with lots of gold braid. The French on these occasions are brilliant and generous hosts, and effusive in their thanks for Allied support which eventually gave them liberation. So what's in a difference in sartorial standards. Never seen them in swim-shorts though!

Sidevalve,

Thanks for sourcing a supplier. Put me down for a tie.

Have sent you a PM.

Regards

CC