Royal New Zealand Air Force
New Zealand, like many of the other Commonwealth countries of the time. looked to England for guidance with regards to forming its own Air Force.
Throughout the First World War, Kiwi's served with distinction in the Royal Flying Corps, but it wasn't until 1923 and the offer of planes from the UK that they took initially reluctant steps to set up their own Air Force.
On the 14th of June, 1923, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force was gazetted, as part of the New Zealand Army, consisting of 4 Officers and 2 other ranks full time, while 102 Officers were assigned as part of the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial), as reservists.
The first base was located outside Christchurch, at Sockburn, using the gifted planes from the UK. Later, this airfield was to be renamed "RNZAF Station Wigram" after Sir Henry Wigram, a New Zealand businessman and politician of the time, who donated both the land and money to purchase better planes.
In 1934 the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) was renamed the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
In 1937 the RNZAF became a interdependent organisation within the New Zealand Defence Force.
Throughout the First World War, Kiwi's served with distinction in the Royal Flying Corps, but it wasn't until 1923 and the offer of planes from the UK that they took initially reluctant steps to set up their own Air Force.
On the 14th of June, 1923, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force was gazetted, as part of the New Zealand Army, consisting of 4 Officers and 2 other ranks full time, while 102 Officers were assigned as part of the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial), as reservists.
The first base was located outside Christchurch, at Sockburn, using the gifted planes from the UK. Later, this airfield was to be renamed "RNZAF Station Wigram" after Sir Henry Wigram, a New Zealand businessman and politician of the time, who donated both the land and money to purchase better planes.
In 1934 the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) was renamed the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
In 1937 the RNZAF became a interdependent organisation within the New Zealand Defence Force.
RNZAF Hats
- Above: A named New Zealand Officers hat of WW2 vintage, made by Burberrys of London. Kings crowned bullion and cloth insignia to front, with a gilt brass eagle to center on a black mohair band. Sadly the leather chin-strap is missing
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- Above: The interior of this British made hat. As a Officer, Kiwi's were expected to outfit themselves, so it is common for British made items to be within a New Zealand Officers kit.
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- Above: A other rank side cap to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This has a single piece, RNZAF Cap badge in gilt brass to side and 2 small black Bakelite buttons to front with eagle and "NZ" to front.
Note the white peak to front, which was introduced in December 1940 to indicate the airman was under training as a Pilot, Air Gunner or Observer. |
- Above: The inside of the hat has no name or markings other than a white label with "R.N.Z.A.F", "Size" and a ink stamped "7 1/3" in inches. Note the black velvet band at the base of the label acting as a sweatband.
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- Above: A 1944 image of the trainee Pilots at Ashburton's RNZAF No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School. Note the white peak to front of their side hats, which indicates they are under training.
- Above: A other rank side cap to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This has a single piece, RNZAF Cap badge in gilt brass to side and 2 small gilt brass buttons to front with eagle and "NZ" to front.
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- Above: The inside of the hat has a white label with "R.N.Z.A.F", "Size" and a ink stamped with "7 1/3" in inches. Named to "Amber" in ink.
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- Opposite and Above: A very faded Pacific theater side hat to a Warrant Officer in the RNZAF. Light blue/grey material with a white cotton liner (sadly no markings), which is mildew marked.
The Cap badge is single piece, die stamped, with lugs removed and a brooch fitting to back. The two brass buttons to front, are kings crowned, with eagle and "NZ". They appear to be "J R Gaunt" made. |
- Opposite: A very faded Pacific theater side hat to a Warrant Officer. Light blue/grey material with a white cotton liner (sadly no markings), which is mildew marked.
The Cap badge is single piece, die stamped, with lugs removed and a brooch fitting to back.
The two brass buttons to front, are kings crowned, with eagle and "NZ". They appear to be "J R Gaunt" made.
The Cap badge is single piece, die stamped, with lugs removed and a brooch fitting to back.
The two brass buttons to front, are kings crowned, with eagle and "NZ". They appear to be "J R Gaunt" made.
- Above: A modern, other rank side cap to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This has a single piece, Queens crown RNZAF Cap badge in anodised aluminium to side and 2 small anodised aluminium buttons to front with Queens crown, eagle and "NZ" to front in a silver tone.
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- Above: The side hat has a clear maker mark of "Hills Hats Ltd", is dated 1973 and is a size "7" in inches.
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- Above: A modern, Officers Side Hat to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Bullion thread and material badge to side with a Gilt brass Eagle to center. Two anodised aluminium buttons to front with Queens crown, Eagle and "NZ" to front in a silver tone.
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- Above: Faint names to inside in ink, with the maker label of "Made by Kaiapoi" to inside of sweatband.
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RNZAF Metal Badges
Much of the Royal New Zealand Air Force uniform and insignia is based on what the British Royal Air Force wore at the time. There are some exceptions.
Kiwi's fought during WW2 as part of the Royal Air Force, as part of New Zealand squadrons attached to the Royal Air Force, or as the war in the pacific expanded, as stand-alone New Zealand Air Force units.
Officers during WW2, provided their own uniforms, and New Zealand Air Force Officers wore the same insignia as their British counter-parts (except for shoulder titles).
Other ranks, wore the Royal New Zealand Air Force Cap badge on their side hats.
Opposite Top Center: A gilt brass Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This is marked to back to "W Scully Ltd, Montreal", and is probably made for Kiwi members of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), which was held in Canada (among other places/countries) to train Pilots and Air Crews before moving them to theaters of war. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Britain and Canada took part in this plan, along with other countries.
Opposite Left: A subdued brass example of the Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Long copper looped lugs to back, but with no maker mark.
Opposite Right: A chromed, Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was mentioned that members of J Force (Occupation Japan) chromed their badges to give them more "bling". Two long looped lugs to back, no maker mark.
Opposite Bottom Center: A darkened copper Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Long copper loops to back and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington, to bottom, back edge.
Kiwi's fought during WW2 as part of the Royal Air Force, as part of New Zealand squadrons attached to the Royal Air Force, or as the war in the pacific expanded, as stand-alone New Zealand Air Force units.
Officers during WW2, provided their own uniforms, and New Zealand Air Force Officers wore the same insignia as their British counter-parts (except for shoulder titles).
Other ranks, wore the Royal New Zealand Air Force Cap badge on their side hats.
Opposite Top Center: A gilt brass Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This is marked to back to "W Scully Ltd, Montreal", and is probably made for Kiwi members of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), which was held in Canada (among other places/countries) to train Pilots and Air Crews before moving them to theaters of war. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Britain and Canada took part in this plan, along with other countries.
Opposite Left: A subdued brass example of the Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Long copper looped lugs to back, but with no maker mark.
Opposite Right: A chromed, Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was mentioned that members of J Force (Occupation Japan) chromed their badges to give them more "bling". Two long looped lugs to back, no maker mark.
Opposite Bottom Center: A darkened copper Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Long copper loops to back and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington, to bottom, back edge.
New Zealand, since the beginning of the war had always maintained a small Air Force due to the presents of German raiders in the Pacific. From 1941 with Japans entry into WW2 and its conquest of vast area's to the north of New Zealand, the government, with the help of the British Government, rapidly expanded its Air Force to defend against what it though was imminent invasion by Japanese Forces. From 1943, its allies shifted from a defense to a attacking roll, and New Zealand Air Force was deployed in tropical area's, taking the fight to the enemy.
At its peak, the Royal New Zealand Air Force has 34 squadrons, 25 were based outside NZ in the pacific.
Due to high humidity, cloth material was found rot at high rates, to counter this, in 1944, the NZ Government authorised the wearing of metal qualification insignia.
Opposite Top: A set of Royal New Zealand Pilots wings in plated brass (they also come in white metal only) with its backing plate and long white metal pin. Maker marked to "44, M & K, W" for 1944, Mayer & Kean, Wellington.
Opposite Left: A Royal New Zealand Air Gunners half wing. Missing its backing plate, but white metal, with two looped lugs to back, and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington.
Opposite Right: A Royal New Zealand Engineers half wing. Missing its backing plate, but white metal, with two looped lugs to back, and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington.
Opposite Bottom: A Royal New Zealand Navigators half wing. With backing plate, in white metal, with two looped lugs to back, and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington.
I also believe that there is a "S" half wing for Signaler in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but these are rather scarce if its a WW2 era one. They seem to have been made from excess "N" or Navigators half wings, with a "S" added to the front, but you can still see the impression of the "N" to back.
At its peak, the Royal New Zealand Air Force has 34 squadrons, 25 were based outside NZ in the pacific.
Due to high humidity, cloth material was found rot at high rates, to counter this, in 1944, the NZ Government authorised the wearing of metal qualification insignia.
Opposite Top: A set of Royal New Zealand Pilots wings in plated brass (they also come in white metal only) with its backing plate and long white metal pin. Maker marked to "44, M & K, W" for 1944, Mayer & Kean, Wellington.
Opposite Left: A Royal New Zealand Air Gunners half wing. Missing its backing plate, but white metal, with two looped lugs to back, and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington.
Opposite Right: A Royal New Zealand Engineers half wing. Missing its backing plate, but white metal, with two looped lugs to back, and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington.
Opposite Bottom: A Royal New Zealand Navigators half wing. With backing plate, in white metal, with two looped lugs to back, and maker marked to "M & K, W" for Mayer and Kean, Wellington.
I also believe that there is a "S" half wing for Signaler in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but these are rather scarce if its a WW2 era one. They seem to have been made from excess "N" or Navigators half wings, with a "S" added to the front, but you can still see the impression of the "N" to back.
Post 1952, the Royal New Zealand Air Force updated its insignia with a Queens crown. It continues to also wear metal insignia to its Summer uniforms. So care need to be taken when collecting the metal half-wings as they only started to add a crown to the top post 1985. Between 1952 and 1985, the half wings tend to be chromed metal, rather than white metal or plated brass, which seems to be a feature of the 1944 to 1952 versions only.
Opposite Top: A set of Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilot wings, with large backing plate. Chromed metal and worn from 1952 to 1985. The post 1985 set have a small crown, and wider wings. Semi-solid to back, with no maker mark.
1952 to 1985 half wings come in "E", "LM", "AO", "HC", "N", "AE", "S", "QM" and Para.
1985 to current half wings, with crown, come in "AW", "E", "LM", "AO", "HC", "FS", "N", "AE" and Para.
Opposite Left: A gilt brass, Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, with Queens crown. Two copper lugs to back, no maker mark.
Opposite Right: Same as above, a gilt brass, Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, with Queens crown. Just some variation in crown and width of wreath. Two copper lugs to back, no maker mark.
Opposite Top: A set of Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilot wings, with large backing plate. Chromed metal and worn from 1952 to 1985. The post 1985 set have a small crown, and wider wings. Semi-solid to back, with no maker mark.
1952 to 1985 half wings come in "E", "LM", "AO", "HC", "N", "AE", "S", "QM" and Para.
1985 to current half wings, with crown, come in "AW", "E", "LM", "AO", "HC", "FS", "N", "AE" and Para.
Opposite Left: A gilt brass, Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, with Queens crown. Two copper lugs to back, no maker mark.
Opposite Right: Same as above, a gilt brass, Other ranks Cap badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, with Queens crown. Just some variation in crown and width of wreath. Two copper lugs to back, no maker mark.
Prior to WW2, no Chaplains were permanently allocated to the RNZAF. Instead they served on a voluntary basis. It wasn't until 1940, and the greatly expanded RNZAF, did the RNZAF have permanently appointed members to the branch.
- Opposite Top: A brooched version of the RAF Chaplains Department. Maker marked to "J R Gaunt London".
- Opposite Bottom: A tanged version of the same badge, later as its marked "J R Gaunt Bham" to back.
- Opposite Top: A brooched version of the RAF Chaplains Department. Maker marked to "J R Gaunt London".
- Opposite Bottom: A tanged version of the same badge, later as its marked "J R Gaunt Bham" to back.
- Opposite: In 1956, a specific badge was introduced for the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains Branch. Prior to this date they wore the same badge but with "RAF to center".
These "NZ" versions formed part of a Cap, side hat and/or collar badge in gilt fired brass and darkened silver or silver like (not marked) metal, to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains Branch.
- Opposite Top: A post 1956 Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains Branch Cap badge which has two tangs to back, but is not maker marked.
- Above, Middle Row: Both badges have a broach fittings and are maker marked to "J R Gaunt, Bham". There also appears to be a number or digits below the Gaunt maker mark, like "18" or "19" on both broached badges.
- Above Bottom: A slightly different version of the RNZAF Chaplains badge, with a thick wire sprung clip to back. Again marked "J R Gaunt, Bham"
It has been mentioned that there was also a winged "Star of David" badge for RNZAF Jewish Chaplains, introduced at the same time as the above badge, in 1956. I have yet to see one.
These "NZ" versions formed part of a Cap, side hat and/or collar badge in gilt fired brass and darkened silver or silver like (not marked) metal, to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains Branch.
- Opposite Top: A post 1956 Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains Branch Cap badge which has two tangs to back, but is not maker marked.
- Above, Middle Row: Both badges have a broach fittings and are maker marked to "J R Gaunt, Bham". There also appears to be a number or digits below the Gaunt maker mark, like "18" or "19" on both broached badges.
- Above Bottom: A slightly different version of the RNZAF Chaplains badge, with a thick wire sprung clip to back. Again marked "J R Gaunt, Bham"
It has been mentioned that there was also a winged "Star of David" badge for RNZAF Jewish Chaplains, introduced at the same time as the above badge, in 1956. I have yet to see one.
- Above: A modern, Queens crown badge for attachment to the peaked Officers Cap to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains. The metal badge to center has two screw posts to back, which go through the padded cloth badge. No maker mark to back.
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- Above: A modern queens crown, multi piece gilt metal and black badge to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chaplains. This is to wear on the side-hat and has the silver metal backing plate. No maker mark to back.
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RNZAF Cloth Insignia
The Royal New Zealand Air Force based much of its uniform on the British Royal Air Force style of the time. Here are some of the cloth and material exceptions to insignia the RNZAF wore.
Opposite are a selection of non-padded Pilot wings, worn by member of the RNZAF during WW2. This type seems to have a yellow or light tan wreath to center.
All three have a hessian piece of backing cloth to the back of the crown only, while none have any traces of backing to the wings and body of the badge. The bottom pair of wings also has two poppers to back, to allow for easy attachment and removal from a tunic.
None are maker marked.
Opposite are a selection of non-padded Pilot wings, worn by member of the RNZAF during WW2. This type seems to have a yellow or light tan wreath to center.
All three have a hessian piece of backing cloth to the back of the crown only, while none have any traces of backing to the wings and body of the badge. The bottom pair of wings also has two poppers to back, to allow for easy attachment and removal from a tunic.
None are maker marked.
- Above: A photo of NZ436179 Rex Keith Niederer of Invercargill. Sadly Rex was killed while flying a Mosquito in France as part of 488 Squadron, on the 8th of January 1945. Note Rex appears to be wearing a slightly padded version of the New Zealand Pilots wings to his tunic.
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Above: The 2nd type of Cloth RNZAF style of wing which was produced, that of the padded Pilots wing.
There is some variation in colour of wreath to center, ranging from a tan to a dark brown, also the letters NZ and styles of crown do vary. All come with a black hessian type backing cloth, which contains the padding, behind the wings. The bottom wing, has three poppers attached to back, to allow for easy adding and removal from a tunic. None are maker marked. |
- Opposite: A superbly detailed, padded pair of pilots wings which came with three letters from WW2 NZ415032 Flying Officer Douglas Bertrand Skellon. He enlisted on the 7th of Sept 1941, and did three tours with 15th Squadron, in the Pacific, flying one tour with Corsairs and two with Kittyhawkes.
These wings are well padded, with fine black thread highlighting the feathers on the wings. A reddy brown wreath to center.
A wax paper lining to back over a dark backing cloth.
These wings are well padded, with fine black thread highlighting the feathers on the wings. A reddy brown wreath to center.
A wax paper lining to back over a dark backing cloth.
Opposite is a WW2 variation to the flat type of Royal New Zealand Air Force Pilots wings. Like most Commonwealth countries, New Zealand took advantage of the Wartime British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). Both are often just referred to as "The Plan", which was a massive, joint military aircrew training program which took Kiwi's and trained them as Pilots and Aircrews. New Zealand had its own training stations or bases, but many Kiwi's went to Canada to train in its BCATP scheme.
These wings are unusual in that they have red in the crown, which the Canadian Air Force Regulations allowed. Much metal and cloth insignia was produced by Canadian manufacturers at the time, and these red crowned wings were made for the Kiwi's in Canada, qualifying as Pilots.
These wings are unusual in that they have red in the crown, which the Canadian Air Force Regulations allowed. Much metal and cloth insignia was produced by Canadian manufacturers at the time, and these red crowned wings were made for the Kiwi's in Canada, qualifying as Pilots.
Opposite are items belonging to 4212851 Alan Landers Maclean. Alan was sent to Canada, and trained at the Royal Canadian Air Force's 34 Service Flying Training School, at Medicine Hat, Alberta.
He took part in Course 1, Class 83. and graduated on the 1st of Oct 1943.
According to a relative who I obtained the items from, he flew in England and eventually returned to New Zealand to farm.
Opposite Top: A Officers peaked cap badge of gilt brass and bullion thread. Black paper backing, but not maker marked.
Opposite Left: A New Zealand Silver Returned Services Association badge with paid membership tab for 1982 attached (Alan passed on the 2nd of May 1983). Badge is stamped to back "NZ 4212851".
Opposite Right: A cast silver(? - not marked to back) sweethearts badge to the RNZAF. Broach fitting to back, but no maker mark.
Bottom: A bullion thread and cloth set of Officers New Zealand Pilots wings. Padded, with a black paper backing. No maker mark.
He took part in Course 1, Class 83. and graduated on the 1st of Oct 1943.
According to a relative who I obtained the items from, he flew in England and eventually returned to New Zealand to farm.
Opposite Top: A Officers peaked cap badge of gilt brass and bullion thread. Black paper backing, but not maker marked.
Opposite Left: A New Zealand Silver Returned Services Association badge with paid membership tab for 1982 attached (Alan passed on the 2nd of May 1983). Badge is stamped to back "NZ 4212851".
Opposite Right: A cast silver(? - not marked to back) sweethearts badge to the RNZAF. Broach fitting to back, but no maker mark.
Bottom: A bullion thread and cloth set of Officers New Zealand Pilots wings. Padded, with a black paper backing. No maker mark.
With a change in monarch, the Royal New Zealand Air Force updated its insignia with the new Queens crown. Here are two examples of padded RNZAF pilots wings. The top set has two poppers and some velcro to center to allow for easy adding and removal from a tunic.
No maker mark.
No maker mark.
RNZAF Shoulder Titles.
All RNZAF wore a national title on their upper sleeve's. For Officers, this was just the words "NEW ZEALAND". Other ranks wore the same but with a Eagle beneath.
- Opposite: A bullion threaded Officers shoulder title on fine blue material. Off-white hessian type backing material.
- Opposite: A bullion threaded Officers shoulder title on fine blue material. Off-white hessian type backing material.
Opposite is a selection of national titles worn as a sew-in type on the upper shoulder of the service uniform of RNZAF personnel.
- Top: A light blue threaded national title on dark blue wool background. Dark blue hessian material backing cloth.
- 2nd Row: A matching pair of off-white letters on a dark blue wool background.
- 3rd Row: A matching pair of off-white letters on a dark blue wool background. The letters are very grubby to front. To back only one has a dark blue hessian backing cloth still.
- Bottom Row: A pair of light blue threaded letters on a dark blue wool background. Letters are bleached to front, and also bleaching is evident on the dark blue backing cloth.
- Top: A light blue threaded national title on dark blue wool background. Dark blue hessian material backing cloth.
- 2nd Row: A matching pair of off-white letters on a dark blue wool background.
- 3rd Row: A matching pair of off-white letters on a dark blue wool background. The letters are very grubby to front. To back only one has a dark blue hessian backing cloth still.
- Bottom Row: A pair of light blue threaded letters on a dark blue wool background. Letters are bleached to front, and also bleaching is evident on the dark blue backing cloth.
- Opposite: A Canadian made New Zealand national shoulder title made for RNZAF members training there. Off-white letters on a dark blue background. Grey coloured backing cloth to back.
- Opposite: A unissued pair of RNZAF national shoulder titles with opposing Eagles beneath. Light blue thread on a dark wool backing. Note the extra thread to center, to indicate where to cut when sewing onto a uniform. Black backing cloth to back.
- Above: A RNZAF matching national shoulder title pair for the khaki battle dress. Possibly made in Canada. Old khaki threads showing where it was sewn to a uniform are to edge.
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- Above Top: A RNZAF National shoulder title for the Pacific theater of War. Machine embroidered in red thread on a light khaki material.
- Above Bottom: A RNZAF National shoulder title for the Pacific theater of War. Printed Red on a light khaki material. |
- Above Top: A embroidered in red thread RNZAF national title and eagle on thicker light khaki material backing.
- Above Middle: A embroidered in red thread RNZAF national title on thicker light khaki material backing. - Above Bottom: A slip-on national RNZAF title in red thread on a thick light khaki loop. |
- A slip-on rank slide to that of a Flight Lieutenant (two bars). Well worn, with much fraying and some moth to national title. On a light khaki shoulder loop.
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- Above: A later pair of national shoulder titles to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Light blue and black thread on a dark blue wool background. Backing mesh to back of one of the badges, while the other has a dark blue backing cloth.
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- Above: Much later/modern shoulder titles to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The top two rows are a matching pair, with light blue threaded lettering on a wool background, while the bottom title has a different style and colour of letter thread.
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RNZAF Buttons.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force had its own unique uniform buttons. Here are a few examples with their makers.
- Above Left: A gilt brass, Kings Crown, fixed shank, 3 piece 19mm Mess Dress button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Separate Crown and Eagle applied to front. Maker mark to back to "Smith & Wright Ltd, Bham".
- Above Middle & Right: A pair of 13mm, Kings crown, fixed shank, gilt brass hat buttons, in three piece to the Royal NZ Air Force. Separate Crown and Eagle applied to front. Maker mark to back to "Gaunt, London, Eng". |
- Above Left: A gilt brass, Kings Crown, fixed shank, 23mm button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to back to "Firmin, London".
- Above Middle: A gilt brass, Kings Crown, fixed shank, 23mm button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to back to "Smith & Wright Ltd, Birmingham". |
- Above Left: A Kings crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "J R Gaunt, Montreal".
- Above Center: A Kings crown, 17mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "J R Gaunt, Montreal". - Above Right: A Kings crown, 13mm, gilt brass hat button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "J R Gaunt, Montreal". Like the Canadian maker W Scully Ltd of Montreal", Gaunt would have supplied these buttons to Kiwi members of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), which was held in Canada (among other places/countries) to train Pilots and Air Crews before moving them to theaters of war. |
During WW2, to conserve scarce resources, such as Brass, the RNZAF used Bakelite, an early form of plastic.
- Above Left: A flat back, with brass loop, black 23mm plastic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. No maker mark. - Above Right: A 23mm Bakelite button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to "MP" with a integrated loop to back. |
- Above Left: A Kings crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "J R Gaunt & Sons Ltd, London".
- Above Center: A Kings crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Gaunt, London". - Above Right: A Kings crown, 24mm, anodised aluminium, and brass backed button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Gaunt, London". |
- Above Left: A Kings crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons, Melbourne".
- Above Center: A Kings crown, 17mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons". - Above Right: A Kings crown, 13mm, gilt brass hat button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes Melb". |
- Above Left: A anodised aluminium 23mm, Queens crown button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London". Two vent holes to back.
- Above Right: A anodised aluminium 17mm, Queens crown button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London". |
- Above Left: A anodised aluminium 17mm, Queens crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank to back, with two vent holes, but no maker mark.
- Above Right: A black plastic 18mm button, with Queens crown to the Royal NZ Air Force. Integrated shank to back. No maker mark. |
- Above Left: A 23mm anodised aluminium with brass backing, fixed shank, Queens Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Above Middle: A 17mm anodised aluminium with brass backing, fixed shank, Queens Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London". - Above Right: A 13mm anodised aluminium with brass backing, fixed shank, Queens Crown hat button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London". |
- Above: A 23mm gilt brass, fixed shank, Queens Crown button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker marked "Stokes & Sons, Victoria".
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RNZAF Veterans Association Insignia
- Above and Opposite: Items belonging to 647400 Frank S Plumtree who served with the RNZAF. Sadly I don't know his details yet, with his service file not yet available.
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(continued) He seems to have been a member of the Air Gunners and Observers Association, post WW2, and we have his jacket Brevet in Bullion thread and coloured material. It is quiet faded in colour. His Lapel or Tie pin is marker stamped to back to "M & K Ltd", "Silver" and has number "CD88". "M & K Ltd" are Mayer and Kean Ltd of Wellington New Zealand. The ID bracelet is in chromed metal with the details "Plumtree F.S, R.N.Z.A.F Service, No. 647400".
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- Above: A Blazer pocket badge to RNZAF 14th Squadron.
Period active are April 1942 to Jan 1949, Sept 1951 to Dec 2001 and Jan 2015 to now. Fought in the Pacific (WW2), J-Force (Occupation of Japan), Cyprus (1952 - 1955), Singapore (1955 - 1958 - Malaysia Conflict, then 1964 - 1966 operating in North Borneo, Malaysian Peninsular and Hong Kong). It took up a advance training role from 1972 to its disbandment in 2001. In 2015 it was re-established as a Pilot Training Squadron. |
- Above: A Blazer pocket badge to RNZAF Pilot Training Squadron.
Period active was from 1966 to 2015, and the unit was based at RNZAF base Ohakea. Since WW1 Pilot training was carried out through a number of bases around New Zealand. This was greatly expanded for WW2, but after, many closed, with the Flight Training School 1 or FTS1 moving to RNZAF base Ohakea in 1966, when the Pilot Training Squadron was established. This role was transferred to 14th Squadron in 2015 and the unit disbanded. |
- Opposite: A Blazer badge (still on pocket) to 23 Squadron of the Air Training Corps of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
23 Squadron is based in Nelson, and still going today, as part of the New Zealand Cadet Force.
23 Squadron is based in Nelson, and still going today, as part of the New Zealand Cadet Force.