Royal Australian Navy Observer

The Australian Fleet Air Arm was established in 1947 and until 1968 its badges were identical to those worn by the British and Canadian Fleet Air Arms. The Royal Australian Navy has, since 1968, worn its own distinctive gold metallic observer wing.




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

#1 Royal Australian Navy Observer First type, bullion 1953-68

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    September 1st 2004
    Windrum Collectin
    pin back




    This is a padded pin back dress uniform Australian made issue wing. This badge is identical to the Observer badge used in the British and Canadian Royal Navy Fleet Air Arms and was worn in Australia until 1968 when the gold metallic badges were introduced.

#2 Royal Australian Navy Observer, Second type, metal 1968

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    September 1st 2004
    John Macdonald
    pin




    This is the metal issue wing of 1968

#3 Royal Australian Navy Observer

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    September 1st 2004
    Anon
    twin clutch




    This version is from the change to full wings, still using the dull metal, which later changed to the shiny gold version in use today.

#4 Royal Australian Navy Observer, Current Issue, working and mess dress

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    September 1st 2004

    twin clutch




    This shows the relationship in size between the working use and mess sized versions of the current Observer wing. A near identical badge was used for a time by the Royal New Zealand Navy. See The New Zealand national page to view New Zealand naval wings.