The International Association of Amateur Heralds

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


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


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?

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

Got to be the Osprey.

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.

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

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.

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

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...