RAF Pipe Band.

[Mel1721L]

I didn't even know the RAF had a pipe band, I came across this on Youtube quite by accident, so thought I'd share it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSulVq4mnp0

[kilted redleg]

Good job Mel!!
Jim Ramsay always, always has the best piping videos on YouTube!

[The Q]

There are 5 RAF pipe bands, though as you noted the age of those in the video, the bands have their numbers made up with ex RAF members and the odd civilian. As the RAF is just too small to support the bands alone these days

[Mel1721L]

There are 5 RAF pipe bands, though as you noted the age of those in the video, the bands have their numbers made up with ex RAF members and the odd civilian. As the RAF is just too small to support the bands alone these days

Not just the RAF. My 250 year old regiment has gone. There were 19 Royal Armoured Corps regiments when I joined up in 1973, now there are 8.

[The Q]

In my trade (Radar) there were 10 radar stations most staffed by about 600 men and women. Now there are 3 radar stations and 5 Remote Radar Heads.. The RRHs are manned by just 25 - 30 people...

MY connection with the R.A.C. is...

Granddad Was CSM 4th RTR, then RSM 7th RTR, during WW2, having joined up in 1919 retiring in 1953..

[Blaidd]

I really like the RAF tartan (as displayed by the Pipes), but even as a serving member we are not permitted to wear it (well, officially anyway....).
''Only members of the Scottish-based RAuxAF Sqns, whilst serving on those Sqns, may, at the discretion of the Station Commander, wear kilts of grey Douglas tartan with No 5B SD (mess dress/black tie/tuxedo). No other tartan is permitted. Kilts are not to be worn outside the confines of the Squadron/Station/Unit function and no other member of the RAF or RAuxAF may wear this or any other kilt with No 5B SD uniform at any occasion''.

Of course, we all follow that rule......

For those interested, the RAF Tartan shown by the Pipes was first designed in 1989 by Arthur Mackie an ex Royal Air Force pilot of Forfar, Angus. The original intention was a design for the Royal Air Force but was adopted by the Women's Auxillary Air Force Association as part of their uniform in 1990 when the tartan name was Air Force. Members of the WAAF's Association have worn this distinctive uniform at the annual Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph in London with great pride. In 2002 Arthur was contacted by the Air Ministry to enquire if the tartan could be adopted as the "Royal Air Force tartan" to equip the Royal Air Force pipe bands which was initially displayed for the first time at the Edinburgh Military tattoo in Edinburgh in 2003. The particular colours can be interpreted in many ways, light and dark blues reflect the changing moods of the sky, white stripes for the clouds and a red stripe in recognition of all those who gave their lives while serving in the RAF. Even as a serving officer, they are like the proverbial rocking horse 'stuff' and only available for private purchase. Even then, we're not allowed to wear them...** whistle**

[OC Richard]

From the perspective of an American civilian, who has played in Pipe Bands for over 40 years, I will say that I'm impressed by the high level of piping in that band. The pipes are well tuned and there's good clean fingerwork.

There's one thing odd about the uniforms, something that I've only previously seen in civilian Pipe Bands: every piper is wearing a Pipe Major's doublet!

In the military, pipers have, since the modern military piper's uniform was introduced in the 1840s, had doublets trimmed with white piping, while the Pipe Major's doublet is edged with gold (sometimes silver) 1/2 inch metallic lace in addition to the white piping.

Civilian pipe bands have long followed this custom.

For whatever reason, at some point (by the 1970s anyhow) some civilian Pipe Bands began using the ornate laced Pipe Major's doublets for the entire band. But I can't recall having seen a military Pipe Band do that, before seeing this RAF band.

A modern Scottish military Pipe Band showing the Pipe Major wearing a fully laced doublet, while the pipers have narrow white piping trim



A civilian Pipe Band in the 1970s with all pipers wearing fully laced doublets

[Mel1721L]

In my trade (Radar) there were 10 radar stations most staffed by about 600 men and women. Now there are 3 radar stations and 5 Remote Radar Heads.. The RRHs are manned by just 25 - 30 people...

MY connection with the R.A.C. is...

Granddad Was CSM 4th RTR, then RSM 7th RTR, during WW2, having joined up in 1919 retiring in 1953..

I started as an RAF Apprentice Electronic Fitter Ground Radar, but I wasn't good enough at maths and failed an exam. The other trades they offered me had no appeal, so later I joined the Army. 4RTR was the training regiment when I did my basic at Catterick. We call them Chav Cav.

[Mel1721L]

From the perspective of an American civilian, who has played in Pipe Bands for over 40 years, I will say that I'm impressed by the high level of piping in that band. The pipes are well tuned and there's good clean fingerwork.

There's one thing odd about the uniforms, something that I've only previously seen in civilian Pipe Bands: every piper is wearing a Pipe Major's doublet!

In the military, pipers have, since the modern military piper's uniform was introduced in the 1840s, had doublets trimmed with white piping, while the Pipe Major's doublet is edged with gold (sometimes silver) 1/2 inch metallic lace in addition to the white piping.

Civilian pipe bands have long followed this custom.

For whatever reason, at some point (by the 1970s anyhow) some civilian Pipe Bands began using the ornate laced Pipe Major's doublets for the entire band. But I can't recall having seen a military Pipe Band do that, before seeing this RAF band.

A modern Scottish military Pipe Band showing the Pipe Major wearing a fully laced doublet, while the pipers have narrow white piping trim



A civilian Pipe Band in the 1970s with all pipers wearing fully laced doublets

Gold is standard trim for RAF bands, non kilted, so that'll be the reason they have gold trim.

[The Q]

I started as an RAF Apprentice Electronic Fitter Ground Radar, but I wasn't good enough at maths and failed an exam. The other trades they offered me had no appeal, so later I joined the Army. 4RTR was the training regiment when I did my basic at Catterick. We call them Chav Cav.

Post war Granddad was WO IC training at a base near Barnard Castle..

So had you qualified you'd have been an LfitGR, as I was, this was later changed to LtechAD, neither exist anymore, as the reduced size of the RAF has combined the GR /AD and the Airfield AF trades.
Number 1 Radio School RAF Locking has closed and moved to RAF Cosford with the Airfield trades

As for Catterick I went to the Army base once but only as far as the guard room to pick up some equipment. later I also went to RAF Catterick, which is now part of the Army Catterick. Our range was closed so we went to use theirs, I had the wonderful pleasure of marching about 50 men across the airfield to the range..
Many baby officers from the place, suddenly decided it would be the right time to go for a walk around the peri track, all on alternate sides of the road so I kept having to change sides of the troop, salute and give the eye right or left as required..