raf uniforms

[dortmund]

Taken from 'Military Illustrated' aug 1997.

Trevor

[bobbyg]

Yeah thats quite right mate, in 1936/37 the entire RAF went into the open collar tunic formerly the sole preserve of Sgts and above, BUT until then they wore the 1919 Pattern blue/grey tunic with the stand and fall collar. Incidently the old 1919 Pattern tunic continued to be worn by Air Cadets and also the foreign air force personal who fled to this country after the fall of their own homelands.

Like I said this photo is probably from the 1920's, have seen many similar photos like this. Now the really awkward uniforms to ID are the last khaki types worn after the formation of the RAF in April 1918, now they are fun to ID. Also strangely enough Lawrence mentions that the khaki uniforms were still issued when he was in for rough work etc and that they were loathed due to the Army connotations.

[poppysmum]

Hi
Thanks for all this great advice.  Does anyone know why he would have been in the raf between wars?  All I know is that he was a bus and then a vandriver i later life which is why I assumed this photo was a wartime one.
caroline

[bobbyg]

Well yes, it is and still is a very popular career choice. Offered a decent living and often a good trade. He would most likely have volunteered for the RAF as conscription was not around at this time. Possibly he learnt to drive with the RAF ?

[scrimnet]

The food is still better on RAF camps.....