Royal Air Force Uniform Caps, Hats and Helmets

[Michael Ryan]

And some more RAF Officer's. Please view L to R and T to B.

1. Standard current pattern cap badge of issue style with very narrow winged RAF Eagle.
2. Ditto but with far thicker winged RAF Eagle.
3. Cap visor worn by RAF Group Captains with a black polished finish and gold oak leaf embellishment. The single arc of embroidery around the visor's outer edge is of similar pattern to that worn by Substantive Colonels and Brigadiers of the Army. Similar embellishment, but of a far flatter profile, is employed by the Royal Navy for officers in the ranks of Commander, Captain and Commodore.
4. Ditto but of a far narrower pattern.

cap badges.

5. Detail as per Item 2. However, when assembled, the incorrect RAF Eagle has been fitted. The eagle is infact a right arm rank eagle for airmen aircrew use
6. Detail as per Item 2.
7. Detail as per Item 1.
8. Detail as per Item 2. However, this very unusual cap badge is executed with all metal parts rather than the standard pattern of gold embroidery and metal eagle.
9. Uniform cloth covered officer's cap vizor worn by all Officer Cadets and other Officers up to Wing Commander inclusive.
10. Detail as per Item 2.

[Mgn040]

Hi, as always really good to see the different badges and all the info to go with it! Mgn

[Michael Ryan]

And some more.

JO 401 All ranks ceremonial Busby. When worn by all commissioned ranks of the RAF Established Bands up to Wing Commander inclusive, the busby is furnished with the standard pattern RAF Officer's cap badge, a red plume and a gold metallic fore strap. The chain and body are of all ranks pattern.

JO 412 Standard current pattern SD cap with a QC badge and named to FO AE Sulsh, an unusual surname, possibly of German extraction?

JO 432 As has already been stated earlier in this thread, Ceremonial Caps of this pattern, worn by all commissioned ranks of the RAF Established Bands, are to be found with either black or blue/grey crown piping, in this case the latter.





JO 433 Similar cap to the above item, this cap has black piping which in my opinion gives the cap greater character. These caps, whilst a Service supplied item, are procured through civilian tailors and the piping colour appears to have no other logic than a preference on behalf of the officer for whom it is tailored?

[Michael Ryan]

And a few more badges. All officer pattern worn by Officer Cadets to Group Captain inclusive.

Board 5/53

1. Very early pattern badge on a vertical blue/black field. The badge is unusual in that all elements are executed in pressed brass with gilded finish.
2. Very similar in style to the above but of the more traditional standard style make up with gold wire embroidered crown and part wreath.
3. Later period badge with a square cut shoulder field and of standard style make up.
4. Very early "Australian" RAAF pattern cap badge with all metal fitments as per Item 1 above but with dark blue vertical oval field.
5. Very similar in style to the above but executed on a blue/black field of RAF pattern. Although almost certainly manufactured by the same firm, the RAF Eagles have distinct differences in style?

[Michael Ryan]

Continued:

Board 5/53 Cont.

6. Standard pattern later produced cap badge.
7. Ditto but of modern manufacture for the re enactment market.
8. Early pattern badge on a tear drop shaped fiel with gold wire embroidery and metal RAF Eagle.
9. The crown and eagle are slight variations, however this is a very similar badge to the above.

[Michael Ryan]

Continued:

Board 5/53 Cont.

10. RNAS cap badge. Probably a copy.
11. Standard pattern WWII and Pre 1953 cap badge.
12. All metal two part RAF Busby badge.
13. Standard pattern WWII and Pre 1953 cap badge.
14. RNAS cap badge. Probably a copy.

All of the badges in these three posts are obsolete and all are surmounted by the King's or Imperial Crown.

[Mgn040]

1. ww2 WAAF enlisted visor cap complete with owners name inside. The cap still has its makers label and the date of 1944 and its completely untouched.

2. ww2 RAF officers visor cap named to the owner. The makers are very unusual being made in Johannesburg and the side buttons are a very different variant but totally original.

[Michael Ryan]

The RAF headdress collection is looking good Mike!! Keep posting.


Regards Michael

[Michael Ryan]

After a bit of a break, a few more items of RAF headdress, all of current pattern and bearing QC cap badges.

JO 461 Standard blue/grey piped dress cap for a Director of Music with the RAF Established bands.



JO 476 Other Ranks JT72 pattern hat badged and worn as a No2 Dress Hat by an officer of the WRAF.





JO 480 WRAF hat worn by all commissioned ranks of the WRAF.







JO 676 Spectacular slouch hat worn by officers of the RAAF. This particular hat was owned and worn by an Engineering Wing Commander. The differences in the styl of the RAAF eagle and the RAF Eagle is well illustrated when compared in Items JO 480 and JO 676

[Michael Ryan]

A few more RAF Officer's badges for both caps and berets etc.

Board 5/54



1. As used by both the Pattern Room and by contractors supplying RAF badges and insignia, this is a Standard Pattern for the current issue RAF Officer's beret and FSC (Group Captains only) badge.