Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation


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RAF Badges - Nos 1 - 100 Squadrons


The table below shows the badges awarded to each unit, the motto and translation where known, the monarch who authorised it and the general date of the award

No 1 Squadron badge No II Squadron badge No 3 Squadron badge No IV Squadron badge
No 1 Squadron No II Squadron No 3 Squadron No IV Squadron

Motto: In omnibus princeps (In all things first)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - July 1936

Motto: Hereward

Authorised: King Edward VIII - May 1936

Motto: Tertius primus erit (The Third shall be first)

Authorised:  King George VI - 28 October 1937

Motto: In futurum videre (To see into the future)

Authorised: King Edward VIII - 18 June 1936

No 5 Squadron badge No 6 Squadron badge No 7 Squadron badge No 8 Squadron badge

No 5 Squadron

No 6 Squadron No 7 Squadron No 8 Squadron

Motto: Frangas non flectas (Thou mayst break but shall not bend me)

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1937

Motto: Oculi exercitus (The eyes of the Army)

Authorised:  King George VI - January 1938

Motto: Per diem, per noctem (By day and by night)

Authorised:  King George VI - 13 July 1939

Motto: Uspiam et passim (Everywhere unbounded)

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1943

No IX Squadron badge No 10 Squadron badge No XI Squadron badge No 12 Squadron badge

No IX Squadron

No 10 Squadron No XI Squadron No 12 Squadron

Motto: Per noctum volamus (We fly by night)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - 3 October 1936

Motto: Rem acu tangere (To hit the mark)

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1937

Motto:  Ociores acrierosque aquilis (Swifter and keener than eagles)

Authorised:  King George VI - May 1937

Motto:  Leads the Field

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1937

No XIII Squadron badge No 14 Squadron badge No XV Squadron badge No 16 Squadron badge

No XIII Squadron

No 14 Squadron

No XV Squadron

No 16 Squadron

Motto:  Adjuvamus tuendo ( We assist by watching)

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1937

Motto:  I spread my wings and keep my promise (in Arabic)

Authorised:  King George VI - May 1937

Motto:  Aim Sure

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - May 1936

Motto: Operta Aperta (Hidden things are revealed)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - November 1936

No 17 Squadron badge No 18 Squadron badge No 19 Squadron badge No 20 Squadron badge

No 17 Squadron

No 18 Squadron No 19 Squadron No 20 Squadron

Motto: Excellere Contende (Strive to excel)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto: Animo et Fide (With Courage and Faith)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - May 1936

Motto: Possunt Quia Posse Videntur (They can because they think they can)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - May 1936

Motto:  Facta non verba (Deeds not words)

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1937

No 21 Squadron badge No 22 Squadron badge No 23 Squadron badge No 24 Squadron badge

No 21 Squadron

No 22 Squadron

No 23 Squadron

No 24 Squadron

Motto: Viribus Vincimus (By strength we conquer)

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1939

Motto: Preux et Audacieux  (Valiant and brave)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - May 1936

Motto: Semper Aggressus  (Always having attacked)

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1937

Motto: In Omnia Paratt (Ready in all things)

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1937

No 25 Squadron badge No 26 Squadron badge No 27 Squadron badge No 28 Squadron badge

No 25 Squadron

No 26 Squadron No 27 Squadron No 28 Squadron

Motto:  Feriens Tego (Striking I defend)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto:  N wagter in die Lug (A guard in the sky)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - November 1936

Motto:  Quam celerrime ad astra (With all speed to the stars)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto:  Quicquid agas age (Whatsoever you may do, do)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

No 29 Squadron badge No 30 Squadron badge No 31 Squadron badge No 32 Squadron badge
No 29 Squadron

No 30 Squadron

No 31 Squadron

No 32 Squadron

Motto: Impiger et Acer (Energetic and keen)

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1937

Motto:  Ventre a terre (All out)

Authorised:  King George VI - May 1938

Motto:  In caelum indicum primus (First into Indian skies)

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1937

Motto:  Adeste Comites (Rally round, comrades)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - December 1936

No 32 (The Royal) Squadron badge      
No 32 (The Royal) Squadron      

Motto:  Loyalty

Authorised:  Queen Elizabeth II - post April 1995

     
No 33 Squadron badge No 34 Squadron badge No 35 Squadron badge No 36 Squadron badge
No 33 Squadron No 34 Squadron No 35 Squadron

No 36 Squadron

Motto:  Loyalty

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - May 1936

Motto:  Lupus vult, lupus volat (Wolf wishes, wolf flies)

Authorised:  King George VI - October 1937

Motto:  Uno animo agimus (We act with one accord)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto:  Rajawali raja langit (Eagle King of the sky)

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1938

No 37 Squadron badge No 38 Squadron badge No 39 Squadron badge No 40 Squadron badge

No 37 Squadron

No 38 Squadron

No 39 Squadron

No 40 Squadron

Motto:  Wise without eyes

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1943

Motto:  Ante lucem (Before the dawn)

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1937

Motto:  Die noctuque (By day and night)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto:  Hostem coelo expellere (To drive the enemy from the sky)

King George VI - February 1937

No 41 Squadron badge No 42 Squadron badge No 43 Squadron badge No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron badge
No 41 Squadron No 42 Squadron No 43 Squadron No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron

Motto:  Seek and Destroy

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1937

Motto:  Fortiter in re ( Bravely in action)

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1938

Motto:  Gloria Finis (Glory is the end)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - July 1936

Motto:  Fulmina regis justa (The King's thunderbolts are righteous)

Authorised:  King George VI - October 1941

No 45 Squadron badge No 46  Squadron badge No 47 Squadron badge No 48 Squadron badge
No 45 Squadron No 46  Squadron No 47 Squadron

No 48 Squadron

Motto:  Per ardua surgo (Through difficulties I arise)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto:  We Rise to Conquer

Authorised:  King George VI - June 1937

Motto:  Nili nomen roboris omen (The name of the Nile is an omen of our strength)

Authorised:  King George VI - November 1938

Motto:  Forte et fidele

Authorised:  King George VI - July 1939

No 49 Squadron badge No 50 Squadron badge No 51 Squadron badge No 52 Squadron badge
No 49 Squadron No 50 Squadron No 51 Squadron No 52 Squadron

Motto:  Cave canem (Beware of the dog)

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1937

Motto:  From defence to attack

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1940

Motto:  Swift and sure

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1937

Motto:  Sudore quarm sanguine (By sweat other than through blood)

Authorised: King George VI - June 1939

No 53 Squadron badge No 54 Squadron badge No 55 Squadron badge No 56 Squadron badge
No 53 Squadron No 54 Squadron No 55 Squadron No 56 Squadron

Motto:  United in effort

Authorised:  King George VI -November 1939

Motto:  Audax Omnia Perpett (Boldness to endure anything)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - November 1936

Motto:  Nil nos tremefacit (Nothing shakes us)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - July 1936

Motto:  Quid Si Coelum  Ruat ( What if heaven falls?)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - July 1936

No 57 Squadron badge No 58 Squadron badge No 59 Squadron badge No 60 Squadron badge
No 57 Squadron No 58 Squadron No 59 Squadron No 60 Squadron

Motto:  Corpus non animum muto (I change my body not my spirit)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - December 1936

Motto:  Alis nocturnis (On the wings of the night)

Authorised:  King George VI - July 1937

Motto:  Ab uno disce omnes (From one learn all)

Authorised:  King George VI - January 1939

Motto:  Per ardua ad arthera tendo (I strive through difficulties to the sky)

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1937

No 61 Squadron badge No 62 Squadron badge No 63 Squadron badge No 64 Squadron badge
No 61 Squadron No 62 Squadron No 63 Squadron

No 64 Squadron

Motto:  Per purum tonantes (Thundering through the sky)

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1940

Motto:  Inseperato (Unexpectedly)

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1939

Motto:  Pone nos ad hostrem (Follow us to find the enemy)

Authorised:  King George VI - December 1938

Motto: Tenax Propostti (Firmness of Purpose)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - November 1936

No 65 (East India) Squadron badge No 66 Squadron badge No 67 Squadron badge No 68 Squadron badge
No 65 (East India) Squadron No 66 Squadron No 67 Squadron No 68 Squadron

Motto:   Vi Et Armis (By force of arms)

Authorised:  King Edward VIII - December 1936

Motto:  Cavete Praemonui (Beware, I have given warning)

Authorised: King George VI - April 1937

Motto:  No odds too great

Authorised: King George VI - October 1944

Motto:  Vzdy pripraven (Always ready)

Authorised: King George VI - March 1944

No 69 Squadron badge No 70 Squadron badge No 71 (Eagle) Squadron badge No 72 Squadron badge
No 69 Squadron No 70 Squadron No 71 (Eagle) Squadron No 72 Squadron

Motto:  With vigilance we serve.

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1944

Motto:  Usquam (Anywhere)

Authorised: King Edward VIII - October 1936

Motto:  First from the eyries

Authorised: King George VI - September 1942

Motto:  Swift

Authorised: King George VI - February 1938

No 73 Squadron badge No 74 (Trinadad) Squadron badge No 75 Squadron badge No 76 Squadron badge
No 73 Squadron No 74 (Trinadad) Squadron No 75 Squadron No 76 Squadron

Motto:  Tutor et Ultor (Protector and Avenger)

Authorised:   King George VI - October 1938

Motto:  I Fear No Man

Authorised:  King George VI - February 1937

Motto:  Ake Ake Kia Kaha (For ever and ever be strong)

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1943

Motto:  Resolute

Authorised:  King George VI - March 1938

No 77 Squadron badge No 78 Squadron badge No 79 Squadron badge No 80 Squadron badge
No 77 Squadron No 78 Squadron No 79 Squadron No 80 Squadron

Motto:  Esse potius quarm videri (To be, rather than seem)

Authorised:  King George VI - April 1938

Motto:  Nemo non paratus (Nobody unprepared)

Authorised: King George VI - November 1939

Motto:  Nil Nobis Obstare Potest (Nothing can stop us)

Authorised: King George VI - March 1938

Motto:  Strike true

Authorised: King George VI - March 1938

No 81 Squadron badge No 82 Squadron badge No 83 Squadron badge No 84 Squadron badge
No 81 Squadron No 82 Squadron No 83 Squadron No 84 Squadron

Motto:  Non solum nobis (Not for us alone)

Authorised:  King George VI - January 1944

Motto:  Super omnia ubique (Over all things everywhere)

Authorised: King George VI - December 1938

Motto:  Strike to Defend

Authorised: King George VI - April 1938

Motto:  Scorpiones Pungent (Scorpions sting)

Authorised: King Edward VIII - December 1936

No 85 Squadron badge No 86 Squadron badge No 87 Squadron badge No 88 Squadron badge
No 85 Squadron No 86 Squadron No 87 Squadron No 88 Squadron

Motto:  Nocto Diuque Venamur (We hunt by day and night)

Authorised:  King George VI - January 1943

Motto:  Ad libertates volamus (We fly to freedom)

Authorised: King George VI -March 1944

Motto:  Maximus me Metuit  (The most powerful fear me)

Authorised: King George VI - October 1937

Motto:  En garde (Be on your guard)

Authorised: King George VI - November 1939

No 89 Squadron badge No 90 Squadron badge No 91 (Nigeria) Squadron badge No 92 (East India) Squadron badge
No 89 Squadron No 90 Squadron No 91 (Nigeria) Squadron No 92 (East India) Squadron

Motto:  Dei auxilio telis meis (By the help of God with my own weapon)

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1943

Motto:  Celer (Swift)

Authorised: King George VI - July 1938

Motto:  We seek alone

Authorised: King George VI - July 1942

Motto:  Aut Pugna Aut Morere (Either fight or die)

Authorised: King George VI - January 1942

No 93 Squadron badge No 94 Squadron badge No 95 Squadron badge No 96 Squadron badge
No 93 Squadron No 94 Squadron No 95 Squadron No 96 Squadron

Motto:  Ad arma parati (Ready for battle)

Authorised:  King George VI - September 1942

Motto:  Avenge

Authorised: King George VI - February 1944

Motto:  Trans mare exivi (I went out over the sea)

Authorised: King George VI - July 1943

Motto:  Nocturni obambulamus (We prowl by night)

Authorised: King George VI - December 1943

No 97 (Straits Settlement) Squadron badge No 98 Squadron badge No 99 Squadron badge No 100 Squadron badge
No 97 (Straits Settlement) Squadron No 98 Squadron No 99 Squadron No 100 Squadron

Motto:  Achieve your aim

Authorised:  King George VI - January 1939

Motto:  Never failing

Authorised: King George VI - October 1937

Motto:  Quisque tenax (Each tenacious)

Authorised: King George VI - July 1937

Motto:  Sarang tebuan jangan dijolok (Never stir up a hornet's nest)

Authorised: King George VI - November 1937

All badges on this page are Crown Copyright and have been produced by Mary Denton on behalf of the RAF Heraldry Trust and are displayed on this page with the permission of the RAFHT.  Mary Denton and the RAFHT have probably completed half of the 'official' badges authorised but are still looking for sponsorship for the remaining badges. The work continues and details can be found on their website.

© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights

This page was last updated on 26/11/23

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