Badge of the Royal Air Force

The badge was based on a design by a tailor at Gieves Ltd of Savile Row in London.

The present plain circlet dates from 26 January 1923 when the badge was registered at the College of Arms and, it being noted that the garter and buckle were heraldically incorrect, a substitution was made.

[1] In heraldic terms, the badge is blazoned as: "In front of a circle inscribed with the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra and ensigned by the Imperial Crown an eagle volant and affronté head lowered and to the sinister.

[3] The badge is depicted on the iron gates at the ceremonial entrance to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, at the entrance to the Air Forces Memorial in Surrey, and on the Polish War Memorial in London.

It was also featured on the reverse of a special series of £2 coins minted in 2018 to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.