A kitten or an osprey?

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Arthur Radburn
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A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Arthur Radburn » 18 Mar 2020, 12:23

For some years, 52 (Aviemore) Squadron of the Air Training Corps used this unofficial badge :

52 Aviemore Sqn 1.jpg

A few months ago, in November 2019, Garter King of Arms assigned them this official badge, to take its place :

52 Aviemore Sqn 2.jpg

Aviemore, by the way, is in Scotland, not in England, but as Garter regulates air force heraldry throughout the UK, he can cross the border in these circumstances.

I know which of the two badges I like, but which do you prefer? The "kitten on the skis" (for want of a better description), or the flying osprey?
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Arthur Radburn

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Cameron Campbell
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Location: United States

Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Cameron Campbell » 18 Mar 2020, 13:06

The "kitten on skis" is cartoonish. I much prefer the osprey.

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Chris Green
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Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Chris Green » 18 Mar 2020, 13:51

Got to be the Osprey.
Chris Green
IAAH President

Bertilak de Hautdesert

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JMcMillan
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Location: United States

Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby JMcMillan » 18 Mar 2020, 14:46

The osprey is bland and boring. It could belong to any unit near a coastline. This is a youth organization; let them have some fun.
Joseph McMillan
Alexandra, Virginia, USA

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Jeremy Fox
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Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Jeremy Fox » 18 Mar 2020, 16:25

Definitely the cat, presumably a Scottish wildcat or mountain cat, on skis because Aviemore is a noted ski resort.

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Chris Green
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Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Chris Green » 18 Mar 2020, 21:12

We are talking about the official heraldic RAF badge here. By all means let the cadets have a fun badge. But this is a proper military unit not a Summer camp.
Chris Green
IAAH President

Bertilak de Hautdesert

Iain Boyd
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Joined: 15 Jul 2012, 01:48
Location: New Zealand

Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Iain Boyd » 18 Mar 2020, 21:39

I think the College of Arms could have come up with something more original.

Perhaps it could have charged the roundel with a Scottish wildcat proper on a pair of skis creating a design closer to the original unofficial badge.

I am sure that a good heraldic artist could have made the design less comical and more official!

Regards,

Iain Boyd

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Michael F. McCartney
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Re: A kitten or an osprey?

Postby Michael F. McCartney » 21 Mar 2020, 09:13

I like the kitty on skis! And the Scottish saltire. The osprey version is quite prim and proper, but as Joe says somewhat generic and boring...
Michael F. McCartney
Fremont, California


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