Looking for a Kilt Pin Idea for my New RAF Tartan Kilt

[Riverkilt]

Hey PlanoPiper,

That's what my father was, a Flying Sergeant in the RAF. He and his buddies speculated that they might be made RAF officers, but it never happened.

When the Army Air Corps finally arrived in England they were transferred to the Army Air Corps as 2nd Lts with a whopping pay increase.

Have thought about maybe getting one of those Air Force kilt pins to commemorate his dual service...but there wasn't an Air Force back then and combining the Army pin with the RAF kilt seems a stretch...

Ron

[cessna152towser]

The RAF museum shop has lots more stock which isn't on their website. I don't expect to be back there again until June but I'll certainly be taking a closer look at all their pins and badges next time I visit.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Cessna,

Didn't know that.

I'll email them, tell them what I'm looking for, and see if they have any reccomendations.

Ron

[cessna152towser]

There is an annual open day at RAF Cosford on the Sunday closest to D-day, when other parts of the base as well as the museum and its shop are open. Its a training base where they do everything from ab initio pilot training on Grob Tutors through engineering and IT skills and they even train chefs for the catering service. On the open day you can fly into RAF Cosford in a World War II Dakota (DC-3) from Coventry Airport (35 miles). One of the Dakotas which they use is painted in RAF colours and the other is painted as a post-war civvy airliner. I've done the trip in the Dakota the past two years and already booked for next year, when I shall definitely be wearing my new RAF kilt.

[Riverkilt]

Got an email back from the RAF museum...sadly, they don't carry any RAF kilt pins or any badges that might work, even in their off the website selection.

Seems like there'd be a niche market there for someone what with the RAF tartan being sold now and all...

On to Plan C...

Ron

[Navyguy]

Maybee you could use your fathers rank insignia? I thought of that for when I finely can get my US Navy kilt.

[Navyguy]

This is exactly what I'm doing for my (someday when I have managed to save up enough shekels) Polaris Tartan kilt.

I want to wear my dolphins and FBM detergent patrol pin on my Polaris kilt:

But, I don't want to wear these devices that I wore while in the service - they are too valuable.

When I get back to VA I could pick up a set of new pins for ya', they even have shiny ones, that way you don't have to worry about loosing your originals.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Jason,

Considered that. Dad was a Flying Sergeant in the RAF and the stripes are available. Just three chevrons with the V down...on a kilt they look out of context.

He completed the war as a Captain in the Army Air Corps but Captain's bars seem both too small and out of place on the RAF tartan.

Still mulling. Have one more X Marks kilt pin I can use until I work it out.

Ron

[Kid Cossack]

Ron, are any metal chevrons available?

I've been known to wear my old, old corporal's chevrons (metal insignia) on the PK Marpat. They were my Dad's, when he was in the Corps, and they're the chevrons that were pinned on me when I picked up corporal as well. (Talk about a dusty room for me that day.)

[Riverkilt]

Good idea Kid, thanks, but not sure they'd be large enough.

I did just find and order this World War II Victory medal with wreath at Soldier City. Its the same size as the X Marks pin, just under two inches in diameter. Should show well against the light blue of the tartan. So gonna start with it. Its a U.S. award, but makes the point, and dad sure earned one at Dieppe and Kasserine Pass.



If it doesn't come up for you try https://www.soldiercity.com/images/p.../reg/16219.JPG

Ron