Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the UK Armed Forces.

Symbols, Flags and Emblems

Following the tradition of the other British fighting services, the RAF has adopted various symbols to represent it and act as a rallying point for its members http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/histories.html.

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The RAF Ensign is flown from the flagstaff on every RAF station during daylight hours. It is hoisted and hauled down by station duty staff daily. The design was approved by King George V in 1921, after much opposition from the Admiralty, who have the right to approve or veto any flag flown ashore or on board ship.

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British aircraft in the early stages of the First World War carried the Union Flag as an identifying feature, however this was easy to confuse with the German Iron Cross motif. Therefore in October 1914 the French system of three concentric rings was adopted, with the colours reversed to a red surrounded by a white and finally a blue ring. The relative sizes of the rings have changed over the years and when camouflage patterns on aircraft were introduced an outer yellow ring was added. Aircraft serving in the Far East during World War II had the red ring removed to prevent confusion with Japanese aircraft. Modern day aircraft carry low-visibility, washed-out pink and light blue roundels; the exception being training and VIP transport aircraft, which retain the traditional red-white-blue roundel.

Related Topics:
Union Flag - Far East

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The Latin motto of the RAF, "Per Ardua ad Astra", is usually translated as "Through Adversity to the Stars". The choice of motto is attributed to a junior officer by the name of J S Yule, in response to a request from the first Commander of the RFC, Colonel Sykes, for suggestions.

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The badge of the RAF, shown at the top of this article, is in heraldic terms: "In front of a circle inscribed with the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra and ensigned by the Imperial Crown an eagle volant and affronty Head lowered and to the sinister." It was approved in 1923 based on a design by a tailor at Gieves Ltd of Savile Row, although the original had an albatross rather than the eagle and was surrounded by a garter belt rather than the plain circle.

Related Topics:
Tailor - Savile Row

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The RAF also has its own Scottish tartan. Designed in 1988 it was only officially recognised by the Ministry of Defence in 2001. It is used by the RAF Pipes Band and may be worn by Officers serving at Scottish units with their No.5 HD Mess Dress.

Related Topics:
Scottish - Tartan - 1988 - Ministry of Defence - Officers

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