US Air Force Tartan

[Prester John]

Hey Guys

My son is soon to enter the Air Force, and I notice that, as I search the net, I see 2 similar, but not identical, unofficial Air Force Tartans.

I'd like to ask any of you in the USAF, or who know better that I (which is all of you)...

what is the difference?
Which is used by whom?
Why the difference?
Recommendations?

All help gratefully appreciated.

[Riverkilt]

Google was full of info...just put in US Air Force Tartan


This seems to explain some of the confusion

http://www.houseoftartan.co.uk/news/...2.htm#airforce

[macwilkin]

Before the USAF Reserve Pipe Band adopted the "Lady Jane" tartan, they wore the Mitchell tartan in honour of General William "Billy" Mitchell, an American officer of Scottish heritage who adovcated the use of modern air power and was court-martialed for insubordination.

I have a book from the Company of Military Historians that has some info on the Air Force Pipe Band -- I'll see if I can't dig that up...

Cheers,

Todd

[Prester John]

Once again, thanks guys. It's a great help!

[Barb T]

Hi Prester John

Strathmore weaves the unofficial Air Force tartan (the "Lady Jane" referred to in an earlier post), and you can see it at http://www.tartanbystrathmore.co.uk/..._usforces.html. Part of the confusion arises because the US Air Force tartan and the US Forces tartan are quite similar. Identical undercheck but different overcheck. Easy to confuse.

Unfortunately, Strathmore only weaves the US Air Force tartan in 11 oz. weight. Knowing that it might be a bit light, I ordered some anyway to make a kilt for my daughter, who is a piper and in Air Force ROTC in college. I was disappointed in the weight of the fabric. The kilt is light and wrinkles easily (it's noticeably lighter than D.C. Dalglieh's 11-12 oz fabric that I've made many dancer's kilts from). The tartan would make a great shirt, but it's light for a kilt. So, I had a custom length woven at D.C. Dalgliesh in 16 oz, and it is really beautiful. Made a terrific kilt.

Barb

[JackK]

John,

This is the page from Alexis Malcolm with the military kilts, http://tinyurl.com/dgkt4


Jack

[F16WarBird]

I have a USAF tartan kilt.



I got mine from http://www.scottishclansman.com/ when they were at a Celtic fest last year in my area.

I've yet to wear it with my mess dress uniform (not exactly IAW 36-2903, but who's watching? ;) )

I'd love to get a matching plaid to wear with a Prince Charlie. It's a very sharp looking tartan. :grin:

[Barb T]

It is a beautiful tartan. I pleated my daughter's to the stripe, and it is particularly sharp-looking.

Barb

[richardljohnson]

Hay F16WarBird, I don't know which I am more jealous of, The kilt or the SW Imperial Tee Shirt!

Also, I'm Campbell on mothers side and like the avatar.

Richard-

[Prester John]

Ok, so I've gone to this location:

http://www.tartanbystrathmore.co.uk/..._usforces.html

and I see I think the air force, and the "thurso" for US Forces.

What is "thurso?" if anyone knows.

BTW, F16, I must confess that is a sharp looking tartan kilt. Much better than I thought it would look. A+.