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 during WW2
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.
Opposite: 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.
Top badge has two tangs to back, but is not maker marked.
Left and Right 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.
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.
Top badge has two tangs to back, but is not maker marked.
Left and Right 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.
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.
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 buy 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 buy 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 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.
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 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 Buttons.
New Zealand Royal NZ Air Force wears its own distinct buttons. Here are a few variations
- Opposite Left: A gilt brass, Kings Crown, 3 piece 19mm Mess Dress button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to back to "Smith & Wright Ltd, Bham".
- Opposite Right: A pair of 12.5mm, Kings crown, gilt brass hat buttons, in three piece to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to back to "Gaunt, London, Eng".
- Opposite Left: A gilt brass, Kings Crown, 3 piece 19mm Mess Dress button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to back to "Smith & Wright Ltd, Bham".
- Opposite Right: A pair of 12.5mm, Kings crown, gilt brass hat buttons, in three piece to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to back to "Gaunt, London, Eng".
During WW2, to conserve scarce resources, such as Brass, the RNZAF used Bakelite, a early form of plastic.
- Opposite Left: A flat back, with brass loop, black 23mm plastic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. No maker mark.
- Opposite Middle: A 23mm Bakelite button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to "MP" with a integrated loop to back.
- Opposite Right: Same again, a 23mm Bakelite button to the Royal NZ Air Force. No maker mark with a integrated loop to back.
- Opposite Left: A flat back, with brass loop, black 23mm plastic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. No maker mark.
- Opposite Middle: A 23mm Bakelite button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Maker mark to "MP" with a integrated loop to back.
- Opposite Right: Same again, a 23mm Bakelite button to the Royal NZ Air Force. No maker mark with a integrated loop to back.
- Opposite Top Left: A Kings crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons, Melbourne".
- Opposite Top Right: A Queens crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons, Victoria".
- Opposite Bottom Center: A Kings crown, 17mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons".
- Opposite Top Right: A Queens crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons, Victoria".
- Opposite Bottom Center: A Kings crown, 17mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "Stokes & Sons".
- Opposite Left: A Kings crown, 23mm, gilt brass button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank, with maker mark of "J R Gaunt, Montreal".
- Opposite 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.
- Opposite 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.
A selection of J R Gaunt of London made buttons:
- Top Left: A 23mm gilt brass, Kings Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "J R Gaunt & Sons Ltd, London".
- Top Middle: A 23mm anodised aluminium and brass, Gold tone, Kings Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Top Right: A 23mm gilt brass, Kings Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Bottom Left: A 23mm anodised aluminium and brass, Gold tone, Queens Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Bottom Middle: A 17mm anodised aluminium and brass, Gold tone, Queens Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Bottom Middle: A 13mm anodised aluminium and brass, Silver tone, Queens Crown hat button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Top Left: A 23mm gilt brass, Kings Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "J R Gaunt & Sons Ltd, London".
- Top Middle: A 23mm anodised aluminium and brass, Gold tone, Kings Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Top Right: A 23mm gilt brass, Kings Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Bottom Left: A 23mm anodised aluminium and brass, Gold tone, Queens Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Bottom Middle: A 17mm anodised aluminium and brass, Gold tone, Queens Crown button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Bottom Middle: A 13mm anodised aluminium and brass, Silver tone, Queens Crown hat button to the RNZAF. Maker marked "Gaunt, London".
- Opposite Left: A gilt brass, 23mm Kings crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London"
- Opposite Middle: A anodised aluminium 23mm, Queens crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London". Two vent holes to back.
- Opposite Right: A anodised aluminium 17mm, Queens crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London". Two vent holes to back.
- Opposite Middle: A anodised aluminium 23mm, Queens crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London". Two vent holes to back.
- Opposite Right: A anodised aluminium 17mm, Queens crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London". Two vent holes to back.
- Opposite Left: A anodised aluminium 17mm, Queens crown tunic button to the Royal NZ Air Force. Fixed shank and maker marked to "Firmin, London".
- Opposite Middle: A chromed metal blazer button, 17mm with Queens crown to a RNZAF Veterans Association. Fixed shank to back, and maker marked to "Gaunt London".
- Opposite Right: A black plastic 18mm button, with Queens crown and integrated shank to back. No maker mark.
- Opposite Middle: A chromed metal blazer button, 17mm with Queens crown to a RNZAF Veterans Association. Fixed shank to back, and maker marked to "Gaunt London".
- Opposite Right: A black plastic 18mm button, with Queens crown and integrated shank to back. No maker mark.