Royal Australian Air Force air-sea rescue launch at sea
Art ART92436 Second World War, 1939-1945Depicts a Torres Strait Island church plane on a Royal Australian Air Force air-sea rescue launch at sea.
Air-Sea Rescue Launch pennant : Royal Air Force Accession Number: REL31576
Description
Triangular cotton pennant as flown by Royal Air Force Air-Sea Rescue Launches during the Second World War. The light blue pennant features a printed dark blue vertical stripe with narrow red borders. Superimposed upon the stripe are four rows of light blue waves and a red and yellow life ring. Above the ring is a yellow RAF eagle with outstretched wings. The hoist is of heavy white cotton drill, and has a sewn-in cord halyard with steel fittings.
Contextual Description
The Royal Air Force Air-Sea Rescue service was established in 1941 to attempt to reduce the high losses suffered among aircrew who were forced to land in the ocean for any reason. A number of RAF squadrons were raised, equipped with aircraft such as the Supermarine Walrus, the Avro Anson and the Westland Lysander. These units were augmented by waterborne rescue craft, primarily the purpose-built RAF 'High Speed Launches' (HSLs) and Fairmile launches loaned by the Royal Navy. All vessels flew the ASR pennant, and their crews were supplied with RAF uniforms and equipment. The ASR service eventually expanded to cover all of the main regions of conflict. The organisation was wound down at the end of the Second World War, and was officially absorbed into the new 'RAF Marine Branch' in 1948.
Details
Accession Number
REL31576
Maker
Unknown
Classification
Heraldry
Object Type
Flag
Physical Description
Material: Cotton
Material: Cotton drill
Material: Steel
Material: Cotton drill
Material: Steel
Measurement
Overall: 200 mm Height x 355 mm Width x 10 mm Depth (Pennant only)
Date Made
c. 1939-1945
Place Made
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Copyright
Copyright not applicable
Conflicts
Places
Units
Tags
More like this
RAAF souvenir pennant
Heraldry RELAWM31841 Second World War, 1939-1945Triangular, RAAF blue felt souvenir pennant with two pairs of suspension ties on the hoist end. There is a length of pale blue felt applied down the length of the hoist. The pennant is screen printed
Embroidered badge : Royal Australian Air Force
Heraldry REL30551 Second World War, 1939-1945Royal Australian Air Force insignia made of felt pieces. The badge depicts a yellow eagle with wings outstretched surrounded by a blue circle. The circle contains the words 'PER ARDUA AD ASTRA' embroi
Souvenir pennant : HMAS Albatross
Heraldry REL36721 Period 1940-1949Triangular blue felt souvenir pennant with loops at hoist. Screen printed in yellow, grey, light blue, white and red the ships badge shows a white albatross flying north east, with a pail blue backgro
Souvenir pennant, C Flight, No 2 Air Observers' School (AOS) : Flying Officer J J Allen, 41 Squadron, RAF
Heraldry REL31789 Second World War, 1939-1945Triangular blue and yellow RAAF pennant flag with two blue and yellow tied loops on the hoist. The pennant features a yellow felt circle with the words 'ROYAL AUSTRALIAN' stitched in blue felt above a
Trumpet pennant : 4 Company, 6 Regiment Algerian Colonial Infantry, Vichy France
Heraldry REL25389 Second World War, 1939-1945Triangular light blue felt pennant used for Vichy French trumpets. The pennant has blue ribbons for attachment to the trumpet, and is double sided pennant with a light blue background and a gold cotto
