The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot's wings are one of the most recognisable symbols of Australian military aviation. Awarded to aircrew who had completed their pilot training, the flying brevet represented professional qualification, skill and the responsibility of operating military aircraft. This COMMANDO patch reproduces the distinctive style of RAAF pilot's wings worn during the Second World War, featuring the traditional King's Crown that identified the wartime pattern.
The History of RAAF Pilot's WingsThe origins of military pilot's wings can be traced to the early years of military aviation. The Royal Flying Corps introduced its pilot's brevet in 1913, establishing the tradition of wearing distinctive wings to identify qualified military pilots. When the Royal Australian Air Force was formed in 1921, it adopted its own flying badge, incorporating the RAAF initials into the established winged-brevet design.
The RAAF pilot's badge developed into a distinctive design featuring outstretched white wings, the letters RAAF enclosed within a laurel wreath and a King's Crown above. The wings represented the pilot's flying qualification, while the laurel wreath was a traditional emblem of achievement and honour. The royal crown reflected the service's status and its association with the Crown.
RAAF Pilots During the Second World WarThe outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 brought an enormous expansion of the RAAF and its flying training system. Australia became a major contributor to the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), established in December 1939 to train aircrew for service with the air forces of Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.
Thousands of Australian airmen undertook training in Australia and overseas before joining operational squadrons. RAAF pilots served in a wide range of theatres, including Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific. They flew aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, Bristol Beaufighter, De Havilland Mosquito, Avro Lancaster and various other Allied combat aircraft.
Australian pilots served both in RAAF squadrons and in Royal Air Force units. Their roles included fighter interception, bomber operations, ground attack, reconnaissance and maritime patrol. The pilot's brevet became a visible representation of the training and qualification required before an airman could undertake these demanding operational duties.
The Wartime King's Crown PatternThe King's Crown is an important feature distinguishing the Second World War RAAF pilot's wings from later versions. Following the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, the crown used on Australian military insignia was progressively changed to reflect the new monarch. The earlier wartime pattern therefore provides a clear historical connection to the RAAF of the 1939–1945 period.
An original example associated with Flying Officer Norman Harold Craig of 43 Squadron is preserved in the Australian War Memorial collection. Craig enlisted in the RAAF in 1941, trained in Australia and Canada through the Empire Air Training Scheme, and received his pilot's wings on 23 October 1942. He subsequently served with 43 Squadron in the Middle East, flying Spitfire Mk IX aircraft, and was killed in action in Italy on 15 November 1943. His original wings provide a personal connection to the Australian pilots who served overseas during the war.
Features
- COMMANDO reproduction of the RAAF Second World War pilot's wings
- Based on the wartime pilot qualification brevet
- Features the traditional King's Crown pattern
- Represents the flying qualifications awarded to RAAF pilots
- Historical connection to Australian aircrew who served during 1939–1945
- Sew-on attachment
- Suitable for RAAF collections, military displays and aviation memorabilia
Specifications
Brand: COMMANDO
Product Code: BD0129
Patch Type: R.A.A.F. WW2 Pilots Wings
Dimensions: 110 x 40 mm
Attachment: Sew-on
Barcode: 9357994009474
The RAAF pilot's wings represent the training, commitment and skill required of the men who took to the skies in Australia's service during the Second World War. Their distinctive wartime design, particularly the King's Crown, connects the badge to an important period in Australian aviation history. This COMMANDO reproduction is a fitting addition to collections of RAAF memorabilia, wartime aviation insignia and Australian military history.