RAF Squadron Markings.

By: Ross_McNeill - 1st December 2002 at 13:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Hi Kev,

No. 22 Sqn crest contains the Greek symbol for Pi.

This came from the Great War where the bulk of their patrols were over the trenches of the 7th Brigade.

22 over 7, 22/7 = Pi

Regards
Ross

By: Snapper - 1st December 2002 at 15:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

609 (West Riding) Squadron had the White Rose of Yorkshire, and crossed huntings horns (which replaced the initial idea of a bugle.) The motto 'Tally Ho' replaced 'Scramble' when it was found to be too difficult to translate the latter into latin...

It was designed by Sgt Cloves and Cpl Summerscales in a competition run by the then CO, Michael Robinson, and approved in November 1941.
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By: keithmac - 1st December 2002 at 16:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-12-02 AT 05:49 PM (GMT)]Here's a few more:
12 Sqn - Fox's Face, because they were the only Sqn to operate the Fairey Fox.

27 Sqn - An Elephant, because they were equipped with Martinsyde Elephants during WWI.

45 Sqn - A Winged Camel - They operated in the Middle East and established the airmail route between Cairo and Baghdad.

81 Sqn - Red Star and Sword - They operated in Russia and were given the freedom of Stalingrad.

While Kev's correct with the flying can opener which was carried on their aircraft, the official 6 Sqn badge is an eagle pouncing on a serpent in the shape of a 6. Initially they submitted just a 6 in arabec numerals, but as this would be heraldically unacceptable, they used a snake in the form of a six to get around the ban.

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By: keithmac - 1st December 2002 at 17:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-12-02 AT 05:02 PM (GMT)]The ones that did'nt arrive first time!!
KeithMac
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By: keithmac - 1st December 2002 at 17:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Sorry Chaps - seem to be making a pigs ear of this!! One last go at my old Sqn's badge!!
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By: keithmac - 1st December 2002 at 17:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Ok Here's a few more:

7 Sqn - The constellation Great Bear - 7 Stars.

8 Sqn - Ceremonial Arab Dagger - To show their association with Aden and the middle east where they were based in the 20's and 30's.

33 Sqn - A Hinds head - They were the first sqn to operate the Hawker Hind.

43 Sqn - A Fighting ##### - To commemorate being equipped with the Gloster Gamecock.

208 Sqn - The Sphinx - To commemorate their time in North Africa, particularly while based at Heliopolis.

230 Sqn - Tiger and Palm - For their time in Malaya.
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By: keithmac - 1st December 2002 at 20:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Yes Kev, the origins you came up with pretty well match my knowledge of those particular Sqn badges. I know 8 Sqns Shacks carried "Magic Roundabout" characters for a while, and for a very brief period, 12 Sqn adopted Baxter's soup names! but that was short lived. 16 Sqn's Jaguars carried a strip of Lumsden tartan on their fin mounted RWR aerial while they were Lossie based. They lost an aircraft near the village of Lumsden in Aberdeenshire, and as a tribute to the locals who looked after the pilot, and the boys who went out to guard and recover the wreckage, they painted the tartan on the fin. It pays to keep the locals happy!!

KeithMac

By: DOUGHNUT - 2nd December 2002 at 09:42 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Hi Keith,
The story about 8 Sqd and the Magic Roundabout is well known, but have you got any detail good photo's ? Did the aircraft just carry the name or did they have a cartoon as well, also any ideas as to the serial tie-ups.

Thanks DOUGHNUT

By: Snapper - 2nd December 2002 at 21:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

While we are on the subject, has anyone got a GOOD pic of the 123 Wing badge? I have a really poor b/w copy pic of it on the hard-drive at work, but I really want a decent one, preferably in colour

Also, if any of you want VERY GOOD QUALITY and NOT OVER-PRICED blazer badges - I got a superb one of guess whom - then try this site:

http://www.badgeofpride.com/

I got fast friendly and helpful service from this guy, so I am more than pleased to reccomend him. My badge has a lovely weight to it, is very well made, and was supplied on a square of felt.

By: Arthur - 3rd December 2002 at 16:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

16sqn originally had (and still has!) two keys, which should have been the originaly symbols of St. Omer. The Saint figure only was added when the TV-series aired.

9 sqn: the bat (love that badge!) was the batch when it still was a wireless radio unit. It has probably something to do with the bat's habit of using inaudible sound to move around.
10 sqn: an arrow, to denote speed and state that the arrow is the predeccessor of the modern air-dropped bomb
15 sqn: a Hind, but who would know? XV!
60 sqn: That gazelle undoubtedly refers to it's African origins.
92 sqn: the snake comes from the squadron's origins in India.

By: keithmac - 3rd December 2002 at 19:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Hi Doughnut, Yes they did carry a painting of the character, but unfortunately I've no close ups, I was in another part of the world when 8 Sqn was at Lossie. As for serial ties ups, here they are:
WL741 "PC Knapweed", WL745 "Sage", WL747 "Florence", WL754 "Paul", WL756 "Mr Rusty", WL757 "Brian", WL790 "Mr McHenry", WL793 "Ermintrude", WL795 "Rosalie" WR960 "Dougal" WR963 "Ermintrude" WR965 "Dill". (Note that 2 Aircraft were called "Ermintrude, but were not on the Sqn at the same time.)

KeithMac

By: EN830 - 3rd December 2002 at 21:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Hi Kev35

A few suggestions for you.

No 1 Squadron had a winged figure one, which is probably self explanatory

No.3 had a Cockatrice stood upon a monolith as a reference to it;s connection to Stonehenge "Upavon !!!"

137 Sqnaudron had a horses head as an association with the county of Kent from where it flew many of it's operations !!!!

263 had a Lion and Flag of Norway as a reference to the units connection with both countries.

131 Sqn had a White Horse as recognition of the Squadron being adopted by the county.

600 Sqn crescent moon crossed by a sword represents the night fighting
role of the Squadron and it's association with the City of London.

Ian

By: sponge60 - 3rd October 2015 at 14:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

16sqn originally had (and still has!) two keys, which should have been the originaly symbols of St. Omer. The Saint figure only was added when the TV-series aired.

9 sqn: the bat (love that badge!) was the batch when it still was a wireless radio unit. It has probably something to do with the bat's habit of using inaudible sound to move around.
10 sqn: an arrow, to denote speed and state that the arrow is the predeccessor of the modern air-dropped bomb
15 sqn: a Hind, but who would know? XV!
60 sqn: That gazelle undoubtedly refers to it's African origins.
92 sqn: the snake comes from the squadron's origins in India.

60 sqn Is an Indian Marker type of gazelle from it time on the Kyber Pass and Chittagon

By: Wokka Bob - 3rd October 2015 at 21:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

If you are still out there Kev, a quick update to confirm that already posted:

No.7 SQUADRON

Badge: On a hurt seven mullets of six points forming a representation of the constellation Ursa Major

The Crest, signed by King George VI was presented in June 1939. The constellation Ursa Major has formed part of a shield used by the Squadron since 1926. The seven star constellation was introduced at the time the Squadron became a night as well as day bomber.

NO. 22 SQUADRON

Badge: On a Torteau, a Maltese Cross throughout, overall a ‘pi’ fimbriated; approved by King Edward V11 in May 1936. The Greek sign for ‘pi’ denotes the Squadron’s service in France with the 7th Wing during the First World War when pilots used to take off over the Wing HQ. Thus 22 over 7, known mathematically as ‘pi’, was subsequently incorporated into the badge; the unit was in Malta when the badge was designed hence the inclusion of the Cross.

By: Maple 01 - 3rd October 2015 at 22:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Sage, Dill and Constable Knapwood came from the Herbs...... ;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Herbs

The Shack T4 on 8 Sqn was called Zebedee because of it's bouncy landings - or so the legend goes......

By: john_txic - 4th October 2015 at 10:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

That's a Markhor, Sponge.

I laughed when reading a pilot's memoir from Sixty sqn when the book publisher referred to it as a macaw...

By: WP840 - 4th October 2015 at 10:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2e/617sqn-600.jpg/200px-617sqn-600.jpg

I think 617 Sqns is self explanatory!