(R)CAF

[Eric M]

I see in the news this morning that they are officially putting the
Royal back into Canadian Air Force. I wonder if this will include
changes to the marking scheme... has anyone heard anything?

Eric

[Clifford,Keith [Ontario]]

I expect they'll keep the current schemes as they are bilingual and fit the Federal Identity Program dictates. I saw the CAS's message and he said there would be little change in the air force organisation other than title changes and some insignia. The current shoulder flashes mimic the RCAF at the time of unification. Rank structure will not revert to the old ways either. I think it's a major move to just reinstate the RCN, CA and RCAF names. Time will really tell how all of this will evolve. I don't see the Air Ops hat badge changing anytime soon. I do see a bilingual version of the old RCAF heraldic crest to replace that of Air Command. It's still the CF with an army general as the CDS. I do like the fact that Nelson's curl was reintroduced to the naval officers last year. I don't see how much would change with current RCAF uniforms.

Per Ardua Ad Astra

Keith

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[jimbruceart]

I recall in 1968, when Paul Hellyer then Minister of Defense,
announced unification, I felt this to be a rather bad idea given the
history of all the individuals who fought and died or were wounded
under the agis of the original service names. I guess you can call it
a loss of tradition.
I recently received an email petition asking for support to have the
service names restored. It had an impressive number of petitioners,
about 50-60,000, I think. I had signed it and was getting ready to
forward it along to various people when I heard the news yesterday.
I couldn't believe it had actually happened: I had an involuntary
immediate sensation if not of joy, certainly extreme satisfaction.
The radio call-in show comments started right away, pro and con.
Naturally here in Quebec there has been thus far a disinterested
response: although we do have the Royal 22nd (Vingt Deux) regiment,
and the RCMP have a long history here.
Young people I think just don't get it, some flatly rejecting it; and
of course the anti-monarchists will have a field day with this. But
people of my generation will never forget the sacrifices men and women
have made as members of the Canadian Army, RCN and RCAF. The veterans
will be overwhelmed at having this link to their past restored. Bless
'em all!
I recall in 1999, I was working on a painting with a theme of the 75th
anniversary of our air force. Given that the RCAF existed 1924 -1968,
and the CF Air Division from 1968 onward, the approach I took couldn't
be resolved. And the unfinished work languishes in my studio. Instead
I produced a small work called "Roots" which depicted air force
history with four heads of airmen wearing helmets that identified them
as being WWi, between the wars, WWII, and the present era. One day, I
am going to return to my first effort and proudly finish it with
original text I had included, "RCAF 1924-1999": this one includes a
service woman and service man and has the RCAF ensign as a backdrop.

Jim Bruce

[srb...@sympatico.ca]

I won't discuss this other than to say it's a waste of money at a time
that cannot be afforded. Canadians are, in general, VERY proud of the
Armed Services .

Cheers
Brian.

[Clifford,Keith [Ontario]]

Given what in terms of the entire CF budget the impact of this move is minimal. In terms of sentiment and history it is monumental. I defer to differing points of view yet I find myself happy about the whole thing.

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To: Canadian Aviation Artists Association <cana...@googlegroups.com>

[jimbruceart]

Other generations than mine also appreciate and remember the
sacrifices made by all our veterans and those serving today. Sorry my
choice of words in my previous posting omitted this.

Jim Bruce

[Paul Seguna]

Hi Jim...thank you for your commentary...yes a historic development indeed and a step in the restoration of our military and naval tradition. There will be many who don't or won't understand the significance of this  but due mainly to the efforts of those of your generation the Royal honorific...earned at very heavy cost ...is now returned to our naval and air forces. A symbolic change yes...but a greatly important one to any who understand the value of loyalty and tradition within the military culture. I for one am most happy to be able to call myself a member of the RCN as a compliment to the pride of being a member of the Canadian Forces also.

 

Ready Aye Ready!

[Brian Sturrock]

I'm glad that Air Traffic Services in Canada are no longer a Fed.
Gov't domain and we won't be returning to that 1940's to 1970's Royal
Air Traffic Services name !!
Cheers
Brian

On Aug 16, 7:59 pm, Eric M <ericmitch...@telus.net> wrote: