Royal Air Force Tartan

[cessna152towser]

There was an Air Training Corps pipe band playing at RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain day on Saturday. I didn't manage to photograph them over the crowds but they were a motley crew with some in their blue serge ATC uniforms and a few wearing kilts in a tartan which I hadn't seen before but which seemed to tone in well with the air force blue unifroms. Been doing a bit of research today and found this link which illustrates the tartan and confirms it is the official Royal Air Force tartan.
http://www.kamrafa.co.uk/
Curiously they have a photo of this band on their website but then they ask if anyone knows the name of the band.
As the son of a former RAF airman and myself a former ATC cadet, guess I'll have to think about getting a kilt in this tartan!!

[O'Neille]

That is very nice. The last wedding I attended at Davis Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson Arizona), was with a bunch of RAF guys and I didn't see it there. Now I know what I'm looking for I'll be on the lookout. O'Neille

[macwilkin]

Moved thread to heraldry & tartans section. Please post all tartan-related threads here.

The Royal Air Force Pipe Band Association, an umbrella group of all RAF Pipe Bands, has an interesting note on its web site that in 1937, the RAF was granted permission by the King to wear the Grey Douglas tartan, although it was never formally adopted:

http://www.rafpba.com/

The Pipes and Drums of RAF Halton wear the Douglas tartan:

http://www.rafhalton.com/

Cheers,

Todd

[cessna152towser]

Well I received a reply from Flight Lieutenant Mackie confirming my eligibility to wear this tartan and samples of the fabric in 13oz and 16oz weights.

All I need to do is place my order. The options are pleated to the sett or pleated to the stripe which is the military style. Although I would be wearing the kilt as a civilian, it is a military tartan so I think it should be pleated to the stripe. That is what I intend to order unless any of you tell me that this would not be appropriate.

[macwilkin]

Very nice tartan, and I would agree -- have it pleated to stripe.

I seem to remember seeing a pair of cufflinks with the RAF aircraft roundel somewhere that would go great with that tartan and formal wear!

Cheers,

Todd

[David Dubh]

Very nice tartan, and I would agree -- have it pleated to stripe.

I seem to remember seeing a pair of cufflinks with the RAF aircraft roundel somewhere that would go great with that tartan and formal wear!

Cheers,

Todd

They would be Ben Sherman cufflinks. My wife bought me a pair by him with a raise rampant lion all pewter type finnish on a rectangle and had them monogramed

[McClef]

Which pleat you choose is for you decide but I guess the military connection might just tip the balance.

We used to get a band from RAF Leuchars at Remembrance Day services when I was at St Andrews but they were only ever in ordinary uniform. Maybe it's different 30 years down the road?

[macwilkin]

Which pleat you choose is for you decide but I guess the military connection might just tip the balance.

We used to get a band from RAF Leuchars at Remembrance Day services when I was at St Andrews but they were only ever in ordinary uniform. Maybe it's different 30 years down the road?

See my previous post "two up", McClef -- I believe RAF Leuchars is listed on the RAF Pipe Band Association's web site.

Cheers,

Todd

[Tattoo Bradley]

That's a beautiful tartan CT. I would definately go with "pleated to the stripe" on that one. I look forward to seeing piccies of the kilt.

[Raftartan]

River kilt Or Ron,

You are certainly qualify to wear the Royal Air Force tartan as we own the intellectual property rights for it. Just come visit us at www.mactartan.co.uk or www.kamrafa.co.uk .

Hope to see you soon.
Brian