The new ‘wings’, modelled on the earlier observer’s brevet, were individually introduced throughout the war, beginning with the Air Gunner’s in December 1939 and ending with Meteorological Officer, signified by an ‘M’, in April 1945. The new heavy four-engined bombers required a large and diverse range of crewmembers, each with their specially trained skillset and therefore deserving of recognition through their unique brevet. With the increasing size of bombers, the typical aircrew was no longer simply a pilot and his observer. (Source: © IWM (INS 4909))ĭuring the Second World War, a wider variety of ‘wings’ brevets specific to aircrew roles were produced, and their symbolic value increased exponentially, thanks in part to their promotion by the Air Ministry. The Air Gunner ‘wings’ that were introduced in December 1939. Īlthough this reference to the brevet’s form indicated public knowledge of the insignia, it was during the Second World War that the brevet became truly famous within the British public consciousness. ![]() Punch recommends the above method of distinguishing between an observer and a pilot. The growth of decorations, badges and honorific chevrons makes it advisable that fresh space should be found for them. Depicting two aviators, one with a full handlebar moustache and the other with similar facial hair on only the left half of his top lip, Somerfield quipped that: ![]() Named for their shape, ‘wings’ brevets received a modicum of public recognition before the Second World War, evidenced by their appearances in popular culture, including Thomas Somerfield likening them to RAF officers’ moustaches in Punch, August 1918. Contained within these laurels were white letters indicating the wearer’s service in the case of pilots or their role in acronym form for non-pilots. Both forms of brevet were embroidered in white silk for the wings, and bronze silk for the laurels from which they emanated. These took the form of either two outstretched bird’s wings for a pilot or a single wing denoting non-pilot roles in multi-person aircraft. (Source: © IWM (INS 7330))įollowing the traditions of the RFC, the RAF recognised individual aircrew roles through brevet patches worn on the service dress and war service dress jackets’ left breast. An example of a pilot’s ‘wings’ brevet as used during the Second World War. However, the ‘wings’ brevets were foremost among these symbols, coming to represent not just individual aviators, but the service as a whole. Indeed, their recognition often transcended the uniforms to which they were irrevocably attached in reality - virtually every piece of uniform, insignia, and flying equipment featured in aviators’ propaganda representations. Although an intrinsic component of RAF aviators’ uniforms, ‘wings’ brevets were frequently depicted independently from their associated clothing sets. Much of this recognition is either evidenced in the products, or due to the efforts, of Britain’s propagandists, who frequently included the ‘wings’ brevets in their material. However, it was during the Second World War that – thanks to the RAF’s actions and resulting fame – the recognition of the insignia was catapulted beyond military circles into the wider public. ![]() The Royal Air Force (RAF) has used various ‘wings’ brevets as identifying symbols for aircrew since its formation, with hotly-contested political debates within the service over their symbolic value dating back to the time of their introduction by the Royal Flying Corps.
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