Does anyone have some good recommendations for general reference books on uniforms and kit of the RCAF? The Ospery book on the RAF shows some illustrations of RCAF members, but not a whole lot.

Or even better, is there a good website someone has made up. There's so many damn good sites for the army folks (which I am also involved with) but very little on the RCAF.

Maybe this forum could host a links section on recommended titles/sites?

Cheers,

Bob Campbell
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site

Hi Bob,

I have been collecting RCAF kit for a few years now. Many of the items I have are from a former RCAF pilot friend of mine. What I have noticed is that although the uniform items are very similar, (there are differences in the construction of RCAF BD as contrasted to RAF), there are many differences in flight gear between RAF and RCAF. From helmets, oxygen masks, flight boots etc., there are major differences. Although I'm sure that RCAF aircrew were issued RAF gear when posted overseas, especially when their original issue wore out or was lost. I am by no stretch of the imagination, an "expert" on RCAF kit but would someday like to have a website dedicated to WWII RCAF kit. Finding the time to do this is always a problem when your avocation butts up against your vocation. Any how if you like, in the near future I will take some photos of kit and gear unique to the RCAF.

Paul O.

That's very generous of you. It's even harder when my particular interest is in ground crews too! I think that I might put something together of what I have, and if you could provide some photos of some of your kit, we may end up with a nice little resource.

By the way, answering my own question as far as text and webpages go, these are some I have found:

Title: Eagles Recalled
Author: Warren Carroll
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Ltd
ISBN: 0764302442
Publication Year: 1997

A great resource on wings, insignia and some other kit realted to the RAF and Commonwealth members.

Bob Schwartz's webpage Aviation Wings and Badges of World War II:

http://www.ww2wings.com/main.shtml

Another great resource that I'm sure most people here know of, but again we have no links section to jog my againg brain

Cheers,

Bob

Bob,

One reference book you want to look into is:

Canadian Flying Services
Emblems & Insignia
1914-1984
by Bill Hampson
ISBN 0-9692516-0-2

This book, as the title suggests, deals with RCAF cap badges, rank insignia, trade badges, Air cadet Training, awards etc.

Gary

I will look into that title as well.

Bob