Last modified: 2018-11-10 by rob raeside
Keywords: royal air force sailing association |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
See also:
Light blue ensign defaced with RAF crown and eagle on the roundel. Granted 11 June
1986.
David Prothero, 7 June 2014
image by Clay Moss, 18 April 2015
image by Clay Moss, 18 April 2015
I ran across a photo of an old Royal Air Force Sailing Association burgee,
probably from the 1960s or 1970s. David Prothero was able through connections to
verify the burgee in the photo. Here is my gif image.
Clay Moss, 22
April 2015
image from Mattias Hansson, 17 October 2018
This flag may have been a test piece (hence the amateurish construction of the
star) of a proposed ensign, that was not adopted:
"RAF Sailing
Association.
12 February 1969. Air Commodore D.E.Hawkins requested a defaced
RAF ensign for the RAF Sailing Association.
Proposed a five pointed gold
star, set behind the roundel, with only the arms showing. Warrant would be in
name of vessel which would be over 2 tons. Coloured sketch. Roundel reduced in
size, compared with that on RAF ensign, with large red bullseye and narrow white
and blue rings. Star badly proportioned in order to fit behind the roundel.
"27 March 1969. Loose minute. Defaced RAF ensign would not be an RAF ensign.
Actual legality in considerable doubt. Inclined to think that Merchant Shipping
Act forbids one, except under warrant from the Admiralty, of any national colour
other than the Red Ensign. Wearing of colours as national colours contrary to
the Act. An altered ensign would not be the RAF ensign, "and not therefore
covered by the Order in Council, nor, by itself, could it have any legal
recognition."
"It was noted that the RAF ensign was introduced by Order
in Council which might complicate any variation of it. Order in Council of 24
March 1921 was signed by Almeric Fitzroy. The inclusion of a clause prohibiting
unauthorised flying of the ensign was considered, but not pursued on the advice
of parliamentary counsel. It had not been done for the White Ensign, and it was
therefore unnecessary for the RAF Ensign.
"24 April 1969. Naval Law, NL
600/69.
Colours of the RAF, as approved by Order in Council 1921, relate to
that Service in a general way, no mention being made of maritime use as national
colours. Even if such use is so accepted by custom, the colours may only be worn
by the RAF proper. No power in Order in Council to permit defacement, and
delegation of power to the Air Council is not read as intended to permit it.
"22 May 1969. Wheatley-Smith, Wing-Commander (retired), Adastral House. Navy
would not contemplate defacement of the White Ensign, which is equivalent to RAF
Ensign. Suggest adopting RAF Sailing Association proposal without the Union
canton; to be used in addition to Red Ensign."
National Archives, AIR
2/18233.
The adopted RAFSA Ensign, crown and eagle superimposed on RAF
roundel, was introduced 11 June 1986.
David Prothero, 28 October
2018