RAF uniform

Evening all.

Does anybody know when the RAF adopted its blue uniform? Was it on April 1st, 1918?

[Vin]

From 1918 but not from 1 April. At first the amalgamated RFC and RNAS, particularly the latter, continued to wear their own uniforms and only gradually changed to the Blue as the original uniform wore out or had to be otherwise replaced. The blue was apparently chosen because of an excess of cloth of that colour in stock at the time. There is a bit on it at

http://www.flags-by-swi.com/fotw/flags/gb-raf.html

[PeterL]

The colour was not originally the familiar blue grey but a sky blue. There is an example in the upper gallery of the RAF museum and it's a very "french" hue indeed; quite startling in fact. However, it was the availability of vast stocks intended for Russia (I believe it was for the cavalry) which led to the change. At least that's what I was told by Hendon's resident expert when I worked there in '73. As Vin says, it was introduced piecemeal. Then, as I think still now, officers had their uniforms made by their tailors, and I doubt very much that you would have seen many, if any, wearing the new pattern from day one.

[Boom]

Stocks on hand, hmmm. Sounds very much like the story about Scottish tartans. Some big festival or t'other, and enterprising cloth merchant said let's pick patterns to belong to the various clans.

Always loved the group shots of WW I aviators. Not just the Brits, but all nations had collections of motely uniforms.

cheers, Boom

[Vin]

Why on earth they ever changed from the boots, jodhpurs and Sam Brown is beyond me. Far more aesthetically pleasing. The current RAAF hue is terrible.

I have also come across the story that the first RAF dress uniform was made up of cloth originally intended for the Russian cavalry. I rather like the colour myself, but I suppose I can understand how it might not have found much favour at the time.

Speaking of uniforms made up of what was available, the first uniforms issued to the New Army ("Kitchener") battalions in late '14 and early '15 were of blue serge. The only cloth available in quantity at the time was cloth intended for making up postmens' uniforms...

[Vin]

Originally posted by Michael Skeet@May 9 2004, 03:09 PM
[b]
Speaking of uniforms made up of what was available, the first uniforms issued to the New Army ("Kitchener") battalions in late '14 and early '15 were of blue serge. The only cloth available in quantity at the time was cloth intended for making up postmens' uniforms...

Another was the uniform of the infamous Black and Tans. The uniform was intended to be a black, policeman’s uniform. The trousers were so made up but the jackets were ex-army tops in khaki, used because of the abundance of WW 1 surplus. Sometimes the reverse was teh case. I have never seen a reference to RAF aircraft used in the Anglo-Irish war. I would have thought that observation would have been helpful in fighting Collins’ guerilla warriors. Is anyone aware of any ex WW 1 aircraft used ?

[Michael]

Originally posted by Vin@May 10 2004, 02:45 AM
[b] I have never seen a reference to RAF aircraft used in the Anglo-Irish war. I would have thought that observation would have been helpful in fighting Collins’ guerilla warriors. Is anyone aware of any ex WW 1 aircraft used ?

That would depend on whether any R.A.F. squadrons were stationed in Ireland.

At that time there was a fairly urgent need for squadrons on the North West Frontier of India and in Iraq/Persia.

[Graeme]

Ones I can think of:

No 105 Sqn was stationed at Omagh in May 1918 and moved to Oranmore in July 1919

No 100 Sqn was at Baldonnel from January 1920 to February 1922

No 106 Sqn was at Fermoy from May 1918 to October 1919

A Flight of No 4 Sqn was at Aldergrove and Baldonnel between November 1920 and January 1921

Graeme

[Vin]

Is there any record of any of them taking part in the hostilities, Graeme ?