WW2 RAF Observer Brevet and another cloth badge

[Ludford101]

Picked these up a few weeks ago.



The Observer type used before the introduction of the N brevet for the specific role of the navigator.

But any ideas what the other cloth badge is ? Anti Aircraft perhaps.



The brevet appears to be genuine war time issue but not sure about the other badge

Regards

Gary

[bananamafia]

the "spitfire" badge is royal observer corps.
It is a post 1972 badge for 1 test.
for 5 tests the badge has a red "spitfire"

[paulp4180]

Bananamafia nailed it and beat me to it

ROC proficiency badges

Gold Spitfire proficiency badge awarded for 25 master test passes with a score of 90% or more. Spitfire badges also appeared in pale Blue and Red versions.
All ROC ranks below that of Observer Officer were entitled to wear a Spitfire proficiency badge to mark success in the annual ROC Master Test examination. The first version of this test was introduced during the Second World War as a measure of competency in the field of aircraft recognition, with candidates required to correctly identify a set of aircraft silhouette cards in order to be judged proficient. (Results and names of those observers who had met the required standard were published at the rear of the ROC magazine). The insignia awarded to those who had been successful was a printed badge depicting a white Spitfire on blue/grey material. The test cards were later replaced by photographic slides projected onto a screen using a "Flash Trainer" projector. Between 1956 and 1966 the test became a mix of aircraft recognition and written answers to questions relating to the nuclear detection role. Latterly, the master test was a 100 question multiple-choice test, and separate specialist papers were provided for post and NRC observers.

The five levels of test result ranged from Failure to Basic Pass to Intermediate Pass, a First Class Pass and finally Master Pass. A score of 90% or above was required for the award of a Master Pass. On the first occasion a Master Pass was achieved, a Blue Spitfire badge would be awarded, with each subsequent pass rated as a Blue Star badge until the fifth pass when a Red Spitfire badge replaced the combined Blue Spitfire and 3 Blue Stars. After the award of the Red Spitfire, each subsequent five master passes were awarded with a Red Star badge until the twenty fifth pass, when the combined Red Spitfire and 3 Red Stars were replaced with a Gold Spitfire. (The Gold Spitfire badge was first introduced in 1988, although it could be awarded retrospectively).

The age limits of ROC service meant that in order to achieve the coveted Gold Spitfire and 3 Gold Stars a master level pass was required during almost every year of an observer’s service, assuming having joined at the minimum age. As a result, very few Gold Spitfire badges were awarded, and yet fewer Gold Stars.

Latterly in 1987 it was announced that a First Class pass in the master test would be recognised by the award of a stand-alone blue star, for those observers who had not previously achieved a master pass and the award of a spitfire badge.

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

https://www.kellybadges.co.uk/aviati...-insignia.html

[Ludford101]

Many thanks chaps .. I should have applied a little more thought .. but the detailed explanation of the award criteria was very informative 😊
Cheers
Gary