Airmen - Beware of Sportkilt!

[kiltedsawyer]

I have often believed that there are two types of suppliers of things Scottish. Those who market to the unknowing newbies and play fast and loose with things like proper tartans (you can probably make your own list of such vendors if you're experienced) and those vendors who market to experienced customers.

Ron

That why we newbies count on you guys so much! Thanks!
David

[Spartan]

I realized Sportkilt wasn't selling the correct USAF tartan, though I didn't know it was the Thurso tartan. I assumed it was a fashion tartan produced for Sportkilt.

It appears to be the Thurso Tartan. Thurso, or U.S. Forces Thurso, is identified in The Scottish Register of Tartans as a variation of the USAF Pipe Band Tartan. The best info is found in the notes at the Register for each tartan. The history given in the notes is interesting.

See their notes here: http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4180 for USAF Pipe Band Tartan

and here http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4185 for the U.S. Forces Thurso

Observation: Neither one is official for the USAF, except the first for the USAF Pipe Band, which is its registered name.

Another observation: when in doubt, check the one of the official registers.

Has anyone asked Seamus?

[george7]

Maybe they just didn't know that... benefit of the doubt?

[DTrain]

So any tartan can become "de facto" tartan if adopted by its use? Beware, the impending "shortbread" tartan! I guess Blackwatch is the de facto "newbie" tartan. Oh, and Irish National could be coined the "plastic paddy" tartan.

It doesn't have to be OFFICIAL to be worn and enjoyed, but a standard helps keep it uniform. I would think this important especially with military use.

[Colonel MacNeal]

So any tartan can become "de facto" tartan if adopted by its use? Beware, the impending "shortbread" tartan! I guess Blackwatch is the de facto "newbie" tartan. Oh, and Irish National could be coined the "plastic paddy" tartan.

It doesn't have to be OFFICIAL to be worn and enjoyed, but a standard helps keep it uniform. I would think this important especially with military use.

Also of note is that Sportkilt sells Anderson which is the basis of the Royal Canadian Air Force tartan. But at least they don't make any false claims about Anderson.

Mitchell could also be used as a USAF tartan, based on its history.

[macwilkin]

It appears to be the Thurso Tartan. Thurso, or U.S. Forces Thurso, is identified in The Scottish Register of Tartans as a variation of the USAF Pipe Band Tartan. The best info is found in the notes at the Register for each tartan. The history given in the notes is interesting.

See their notes here: http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4180 for USAF Pipe Band Tartan

and here http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=4185 for the U.S. Forces Thurso

Observation: Neither one is official for the USAF, except the first for the USAF Pipe Band, which is its registered name.

Another observation: when in doubt, check the one of the official registers.

Has anyone asked Seamus?

Or read my article on the USAF & USAFR tartans, Frank.

And btw, the first USAF tartan was the "Mitchell" tartan, in honour of General Billy Mitchell.

T.

[macwilkin]

Also of note is that Sportkilt sells Anderson which is the basis of the Royal Canadian Air Force tartan. But at least they don't make any false claims about Anderson.

Mitchell could also be used as a USAF tartan, based on its history.

That's because Mitchell was the tartan the USAF tartan, worn by the USAF Pipes & Drums.

And, the RCAF tartan was based on the Anderson Tartan. It was designed during WWII in Nova Scotia.

Regards,

Todd

[macwilkin]

So any tartan can become "de facto" tartan if adopted by its use? Beware, the impending "shortbread" tartan! I guess Blackwatch is the de facto "newbie" tartan. Oh, and Irish National could be coined the "plastic paddy" tartan.

It doesn't have to be OFFICIAL to be worn and enjoyed, but a standard helps keep it uniform. I would think this important especially with military use.

There is no "Blackwatch" tartan, but there is the Black Watch (two words!) tartan, also known as the Government Sett, Campbell Old Sett, etc.



T.

[Spartan]

Or read my article on the USAF & USAFR tartans, Frank.

T.

Yes, you've got the whole history. Colonel MacNeal had the tartan identified in the first post. In spite of what I've said, the issue remains, Sport Kilt could do a better job of identifying their tartans.

[Phogfan86]

Maybe they just didn't know that... benefit of the doubt?

Make any more rational, reasoned posts like this and I'll see you banned from this conspiracy thread! Good day, sir!