In a post last year, we published an image of the newly issued 1st Avn, 5th Avn and 6th Aviation Regiment (metal) shoulder titles. On the other hand, this post shows an (updated) image from Volume 2 of “Metal Uniform Embellishments of the Australian Army” Post 1953 (the ‘QEII’ era)… which shows the ADF-approved headdress and collar insignia for the 1st Aviation Regiment.
In this blog, we’ve taken the opportunity to feature images of the ‘Rejected Pattern’ hat badge design. The following comparison images have been taken from the “Rouges, Repros, Regimental-Shop and Rejected-pattern items” (i.e. the ‘RRRR’) section of Volume 2… where the salmon colour-coded pages have been used to catalogue both collectible and questionable ‘4R’ variants.
Referring now to our recent posts covering trial pattern items for both the 5th and 6th Aviation Regiments, this blog now completes that 3 Regiment topic… by providing some commentary on the design revisions and the distinctions between the Trail Pattern and the Production variant insignia for the Australian Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment.
Distinguishing Features: Rejected Pattern Vs the ADF’s ‘On-Issue’ Item
The Griffin’s leg stance revision has already been noted in the image caption above. Having said that… astute observers will see that the rejected pattern item (on the left) shows that the uppermost foreleg talons, are fully separated from the badge body structure. In effect, the same can be seen of the tip of the ‘lion’s’ tail in that trial pattern design. Clearly, both of those structurally weak design elements are not present in the final and ADF-approved item (on the right).
As can be seen from the verso image of the issue item (above, right)… the two weaker design elements of the trial pattern item were revised and ultimately, both features were bought into contact with the badge body design… albeit with careful ‘relief’ work used on the obverse of the badge design. While that revision work, certainly does give the visual appearance of full physical separation of those design features… an examination of the verso image above, does show actual points of structural contact (and therefore support) for those design features in the item which is now on-issue to Unit personnel.
Yours in Collecting and Writing
The Authors
“Metal Uniform Embellishments of the Australian Army” Post 1953 (the QEII era) Volumes 1 & 2
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To quote and old friend:
“If you are able to read this, thank a teacher.
If you are able to read this in English, thank a soldier.”
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