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

[Riverkilt]

My 16oz strome RAF Kilt from Lochcarron, hand sewn by Kathy Lare, is on the way.

I'd thought that I'd be able to find an Royal Air Force related kilt pin while I was waiting. No joy.

Maybe the wisdom and knowledge of the board can tell me if I've missed an RAF kilt pin, or provide other ideas.

My father served as a fighter pilot with the RAF in 1942 and the kilt is to honor his service.

I have an RAF 1942 pin that he wore on his Army Air Corps uniform after he transfered over, but as you can see its as small as a U.S. quarter.



Its also too precious to risk. And, the back is a cotter key that goes through two loops on posts that wouldn't work for a kilt.

Have thought maybe an artist could cast it, or even enlarge it. Local Hopi artisans do a lot of silver work, but guessing it'd be a very expensive kilt pin.

Know I can locate USMC etc. kilt pins for U.S. forces. Just totally unable to find anything similar for the RAF.

Thanks for any help.

Ron

[O'Neille]

I remember seeing some nice aircraft pins some time ago. I'm thinking they may have been at the fighter Museum in Phoenix.

[beloitpiper]

I remember seeing some nice aircraft pins some time ago. I'm thinking they may have been at the fighter Museum in Phoenix.

I was thinking the same thing. Bonus points if you get a pin of the same type of plane he flew.

[cessna152towser]

At present I'm using a Cunningham clan crest pin on my RAF kilt which passes muster but I'd like to find a kilt pin with the RAF crest and the motto Per Ardua and Astra.

[macwilkin]

http://www.rafmuseumshop.com

They have a number of different badges that might do the trick.

They have a pair of RAF Roundel cufflinks I have admired for some time!

The other option would be Ron, a simple "safety pin", a la the British Army issue kilt pin.

Cheers,

Todd

[PiobBear]

Personally, I'd pass on the kilt pin (why poke holes in your new kilt anyway?), and go with a cap badge for your bonnet, like the 3.5 cm enameled "collectors" crest from the RAF museum;


I wear an enameled Legion crest on my uniform glen, and quite like it.

I avoid military issue insignia myself, but if that's what you're after, you might try this one from Robin Finnegan,
.

I'd also contact Ms. Lare and see if she can send you a swatch of RAF tartan big enough for a badge backing for your tam or balmoral, especially if you go with the sta-brite type badge; much cooler than the standard, run-of-the-mill black grosgrain ribbon.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks guys, just what I needed.

PiobBear - got excited about that badge until I saw it has the same cotter key back as the original...dang.

Maybe its time to look at headwear and the saftey pin option.

Dad flew Hurricanes and Spits.

Ron

[wsk]

...I have an RAF 1942 pin that he wore on his Army Air Corps uniform after he transfered over, but as you can see its as small as a U.S. quarter. ...

Have thought maybe an artist could cast it, or even enlarge it. Local Hopi artisans do a lot of silver work, but guessing it'd be a very expensive kilt pin. ...

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. So, I am having a local jeweler make replicas of them in sterling for wear on my kilt. The technique is to make a silicon cast into which the jeweler pours wax. From that point it is simply a lost wax process. It ain't cheap but for me this is a better way than just going out and buying replacement devices which can be had on the internet for twenty bucks. The connection is the important bit.

Were the choice mine, I would have your RAF pin duplicated at size and perhaps wear it with a similarly sized USMC pin.

[Planopiper]

My uncle was a flight seargent in the RAF. He took me on a tour of the base in Munchengladbach when I was there a long time ago. All I can remember now are the Jaguar recon planes. And the noise they made. I stayed with his family on the base around Christmas for a week or so. Oh, and I got to drink beer at 15. Pretty cool. I may have to give some thought to an RAF tartan kilt.

[PiobBear]

PiobBear - got excited about that badge until I saw it has the same cotter key back as the original...dang.

Maybe its time to look at headwear and the saftey pin option.

Another alternative to perforating your apron would be to mount the badge on a plain belt buckle; not hard to do if you're handy, or you could take it to a jewler. Personally, I wouldn't use a blanket pin; they're made for very heavy weight fabric, are nearly as big 'round as pencils, and serve no practical purpose at all.