A very rare ARF or first RAF WW1 Pilot's Wing

[sabrigade]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2010/post-3034-128428626752.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2010/post-3034-128428627072.jpg

A few months ago I purchased these wings.

I initially thought that it may have had an Australian connection or had been miss-spelt by the manufacturer.

In his excellent book, "Eagles Recalled: Pilot and Aircrew Wings of Canada, Great Britain and the British Commonwealth 1913-1945 "by Warren Carroll, he has a seperate chapter(11) on the first issue wings of the RAF. He has various descriptions and photographs of this very scarce item, including a printed letterhead on a writing block.

Warren Carroll refers to the wing as the "TORONTO WING".

In the relevent chapter, Warren Carroll states that the wing would have been presented/approved by the authorities between May and August 1918.

I believe this another example of the early wing which has ARF and not RAF monograms on it.

Any comments would be welcomed.

Regards,

Will

[Mervyn Mitton]

I suppose that in that period of change-over from RFC to RAF there were a number of designs. I must say that this is the first time I have seen one -good addition ,Will. Now you'll have to find the rest of the uniform....

[sabrigade]

Hi Mervyn,

I actually had a complete uniform a few years back but traded it for a group of medals I was after.

The uniform is still in South Africa.

Regards,

Will

[arrestanddevelopment]

hi, sorry i really dont like the material finnish of this one..i have an original one in my gallery which came direct from family,and had his medals with it..i saw a similiar to yours very recently but left well alone..all the best steve

[Mervyn Mitton]

Steve - there are often problems with early badges for new units. The authorities often seem to make changes. Would it be possible to post a picture of the one you have ? Mervyn