Royal Australian Air Force Pilot, King's Crown

The Australian Air Force came into being March 21st 1921, replacing the Australian Flying Corps. In August 1923 King George V approved the addition of ROYAL to the title and 1st September 1923 the Royal Australian Air Force came to be. From 1923 until the early 1950's the "King's" crown was in use, not being changed in 1953 despite the accession of Queen Elizabeth. It is understood that the crown was finally changed to the "Queen's" crown by 1956 in time for a Royal visit.




Click on the images to see a larger version and the back of the wing/badge, if available





#1 WW2 Standard Australian issue
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    August 25th 2004
    Chris Langley
    sewn




    This is a representative example of a standard Australian made WW2 issue wing

#2 WW2 Thick lettering variant
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    August 25th 2004
    John Macdonald
    sewn




    Note the heavy RAAF lettering in this variant

#3 WW2 "heavy/thin" variant
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    August 25th 2004
    John Macdonald
    sewn




    Note the heavy crown detail and much thinner lettering in this variant.

#4 WW2 Bronze wing variant
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    August 25th 2004
    Chris Langley
    sewn




    This remarkable wing is completely standard, front and back, all materials correct, its major variance being that it was sewn entirely in bronze coloured silk. It was aquired in Australia, has clearly been used and came off an old uniform. The significance of the bronze detail is unknown. It is known that a very small number were made this way, from records, but this is the first one that has been seen. Clicking on the image to obtain detail will also bring up a digitally lightened front so that detail can be seen.

#5 A WW2 veteran of Europe
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    August 25th 2004
    John Macdonald
    sewn




    this used wing came from a uniform of a pilot who served in the European Theatre of WW2

#6 WW2 Heavily picked detail variant
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    August 25th 2004
    Anon
    sewn




    In this variant the wings show considerable heavyness in the wing detailing threads.