WW1 RE8 prop-boss carving

A few weeks ago I bid in an auction on what I think is a piece of “trench art” from c.1918. My paltry bid was soon seen off by others with deeper pockets.

The item is a very nice carving made from a prop-boss off an RE.8

After the auction I approached the lucky buyer who, after hearing my initial thoughts on the item, offered to loan it to me for a short while. He may eventually sell it on (as I would have had to do anyway) or he might pass it on to a suitable museum.

These are my observations and thoughts so far:

It has been carved with some skill from the propeller from an R.E.8 – on it is stamped:
“12 CYL R.A.F. 4A” “R E 8” “2971D” “3170P” “G 754 N 14” “T6296” “A.I.D. 31A”

There are four figures – one at each blade root.
1. One has a tunic, flying helmet, goggles and a flying brevet – a pilot
2. One has a forage cap plus a shirt and tie – an American (or Canadian) airman?
3. One has a beret and a large cuff on his jacket – a French airman?
4. One has a British-style helmet – a British “tommy”?

Between 1 & 2 are, at the top, some form of chicken(?) – meant to be a cockerel for France? Below that are some laurel leaves and at the bottom a pair of wings with a crown and RFC between them – an RFC brevet?

Between 2 & 3 are, at the top, a lion’s head – a symbol for Britain? Below are two flags (no pattern) and, between the flagpoles, the King’s head?

Between 3 & 4 is a bat – see comments below. Below that are leaves and flowers (poppies?) the stems and foliage surround “RAF”

Between 4 & 1 is a long-necked bird – a goose for Canada? Below that is a circular laurel wreath with “FRC” in it – see comments below

Comments:
All four figures are carved having a left arm but no right – significant or not?
The bat intrigued me. If one takes the lion to represent Gt. Britain, the chicken/cockerel to represent France, the goose to represent Canada then where does the bat represent?. I wonder if it is actually a flying fox which are native to Australia (amongst other countries) – how long has the kangaroo been the major representative symbol of Australia?
The letters “FRC” must certainly mean to be for Royal Flying Corps but why were they put in that order (prominent R in the centre)?
Date-wise I think the inclusion of both RFC and RAF is significant and was probably carved in the latter stage of WW1
The majority of RE8s were constructed in Coventry (which is where the auction was held). It is conceivable that it is not a military piece but carved by a worker at one of the Coventry factories.

Attached should be some photos taken by my son – sorry if any are sideways.

Be pleased if anyone can make any further comment.

Roger Smith.