RAF Squadron Markings.

29 Sqn has XXX which is 30, supposedly the person painting the badge on was told to paint xx and one x, which he interpreted as XXX.

This is of course a long standing legend and untrue, as is the “Triple X” extra strong myth.
Like many RAF squadrons between the wars, additional bars were added either side of the fuselage ( normally, but not always either side of a roundel) and across the top wings between the roundels. 29 Squadron’s were red diagonal crosses ( not “X”s) . Examination of photos of their aircraft over the years shows variations of 2, 3 and 4 crosses on 29 Squadron aircraft fuselage sides.

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

Discussed with many pictures here

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?113742-8-Squadron-Shackleton-The-Magic-Roundabout-and-The-Herb-s-Characters&highlight=shackleton

The badge for 204 sqdn, a “Cormarant on a buoy” designed by T.E.Lawrence while stationed at RAF Mount Batten.

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

33’s badge IS NOT a Hind it is a HART.

Errr, re the comments above re 230 Sqn, they lifted the badge directly off a popular beer out there, namely tiger beer.
We used to say it was a tiger peeing up against a set of feeler gauges.

Http://was-sg.wascdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/TIGER-FULL-COLOUR.png

http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/230squadron.cfm

29 Sqn has XXX which is 30, supposedly the person painting the badge on was told to paint xx and one x, which he interpreted as XXX.

3 Sqn A cockatrice, The badge of Wessex on a monolith representing Stonehenge (Larkhill).

John

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

I think 617 Sqns is self explanatory!

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…

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……

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.

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

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Thanks everyone. That’s certainly helping to fill the gaps.

Regards,

kev35

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

RE: RAF Squadron Markings.

Snapper,

I should have known I could rely on you for an explanation of 609’s badge, thanks for that.

Keith,

Some wonderful examples there and thank you for finding the artwork to go with them. You mentioned 6 squadron with the can opener emblem being correct. Can you confirm that the others I mentioned are correct? 8 Squadron, while operating Shackletons, named their aircraft after characters from the Magic Roundabout. I wonder whether any Squadron would be bold enough to take on the persona of characters from the ‘Tweenies?’

Thanks again to everyone,

kev35

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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