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[joppyuk1]

Researching future project - Air Sea Rescue launches of the 1950s, and having difficulty finding out what the crew wore when operational. Would it be similar to navy launches (sweater or reefer jacket) with raf headgear, or raf style uniform?

[raflaunches]

Hi joppyuk


I've done some research into RAF Marine Craft Service/Branch personnel uniforms in last couple of years for the same reason as yourself.
They wore a hotch botch pieces of uniform depending where they were working or what rank they were.
Aircraftsmen to Senior Aircraftsmen (AC to SAC) were the workers so they tended to wear RAF issue blue grey woolen trousers (not much change from the ones I wear day to day being a RAF erk!) with a RAF issue blouse jacket but a submariner (Arun style) wool jumper over the top when at sea or in very cold conditions.
Officers and NCOs tended to wear proper RAF number one style blouse and jacket with either a chip hat or number one issue hat (with a peak) officers have cloth covered peaks NCOs and lower ranks have shiny peaks. However at sea most pictures show them with no head gear except for the odd officer wearing his peaked cap. The fast launch crews also had life jackets issued and it seems that it was up to the crew if they wore them or not.
All crew members including the officers wore standard issue black leather boots in the UK waters and in the tropics some wore plimsols.
Insignia were standard RAF layout for rank but helms men were given another badge showing a fast launch indicating that they were launch pilots or 'helmsmen'. Radio operators had the same insignia as their flying counterparts- a lightning bolt being clutched on the right arm upper sleeve.
If I can remember any more before Friday I post it but I'll get my info out on Friday afternoon for you and upload them.


All the best


Nick

[joppyuk1]

thank you for that detailed reply. It looks like I should be able to convert some of the current crop of figures into reasonable representations.

[cdsc123]

See the picture of RTTL MKI 2742 on the asrmcs boats website too.

[raflaunches]

See the picture of RTTL MKI 2742 on the asrmcs boats website too.

An excellent quality website used by myself on many occasions, thanks Christian for reminding me of it!


I'll take some pictures of some our figures we've converted to give you an idea of what some could look like.