Royal Air Force Tartan

[Riverkilt]

Thanks for this post Cessna.

My late father was a fighter pilot (flying sergeant) for the RAF in 1942 flying Spitfires and Hurricanes. Transferred to the Army Air Corps when they finally got over there in late 1942.

Have been looking for an RAF tartan to honor his service, but without success.

Would you be kind enough to review how to get "authorized" for the tartan. Sounds like we're both son's of RAF pilots.

Or can my kiltmaker just order it up from the mill??

Thanks,

Ron

[cessna152towser]

Would you be kind enough to review how to get "authorized" for the tartan. Sounds like we're both son's of RAF pilots.

Or can my kiltmaker just order it up from the mill??

I contacted Flt. Lt. Arthur Mackie who is named on the site which I linked to and explained that my father was an ex-RAF airman and that although I had been a cadet in the Air Training Corps (the youth volunteer section of the RAF), I did not subsequently gain acceptance into the full-time RAF service, and enquired as to my entitlement to wear this tartan. He replied that he would be happy to make me a kilt in RAF tartan. So I'd assume that as the son of a RAF pilot you'd also be entitled to wear it. Especially as your dad flew Spitfire and Hurricane fighters. My father was an airman, not a pilot. In other words he serviced the aeroplanes and engines. He was based in Canada with 36SFTS (Special Flying Training School) at Gananoque Ontario and Penhold Alberta till 1943 when he sustained a head injury in the course of duty and after a period in the sick bay he was shipped back to Scotland and served with 57MU (Maintenance Unit) from '43 till '46 on the Solway Firth, servicing the flying boats in Wig Bay and land based aircraft at Castle Kennedy airfield where he was based, hence my active involvement with Solway Aviation Museum at Carlisle Airport and visits to Castle Kennedy in light aircraft.

Flt. Lt. Arthur Mackie seems to have some sort of a connection with the Strathmore Woollen Company Limited who supply the fabric. I think he is a retired RAF pilot and later an adult instructor with the Air Training Corps. He or his wife will be making my kilt for me.

With regard to Barb's helpful comments, the white stripe occurs at intervals of six and a half inches while the red stripe repeats just under six inches apart, with two thinner red stripes midway between each red stripe. I will be posting my order today and will ask Flt. Lt. Mackie's advice as to whether the kilt would look best pleated to the stripe or to the sett.

He offers a delivery time of three to four weeks.

I think this tartan will look good with lovatt blue hose.

[Raftartan]

Hi Ron
I can assure that you are well qualified to wear the RAF tartan kilt in most cases the kilts are ordered by people with RAF connections but the primary requirement is just liking the tartan.
We regularily ship to many countries in the world and Arthur Mackie who can be contacted at momack@lyndale.wanadoo.co.uk the RAF tartan designer. These contact details can be found at www.kamrafa.co.uk Normally for a kilt enquiry Arthur would provide appropriate measurement forms and any other details that you might require.

Hope this helps

Best Regards

Brian web master www.kamrafa.co.uk

Thanks for this post Cessna.

My late father was a fighter pilot (flying sergeant) for the RAF in 1942 flying Spitfires and Hurricanes. Transferred to the Army Air Corps when they finally got over there in late 1942.

Have been looking for an RAF tartan to honor his service, but without success.

Would you be kind enough to review how to get "authorized" for the tartan. Sounds like we're both son's of RAF pilots.

Or can my kiltmaker just order it up from the mill??

Thanks,

Ron

[cessna152towser]

Welcome to the forum.
My order is in the post to Strathmore Woollen Company.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks,

I did email Arthur a few days ago. Haven't heard back from him. Assume he's a busy guy.

I'm still struggling with the concept of needing an authorization to buy cloth from the mill. Guessing my kiltmaker, Kathy Lare, can order it up and make a kilt for me. Would rather use her since she has my size down well.

Asked Kathy to check with the mill when she has time.

So, I'm hoping it will work out. Guessing I'll have answers when/if Arthur responds to my emailed request.

Not rushing this...it ain't like I need another kilt, but I'd sure like an RAF tartan kilt to honor my father's service and to have as a vehicle for passing on a proud heritage to my nephews.

Ron

[cessna152towser]

Received acknowledgement of my order this morning and Flt. Lt. Mackie recommends my kilt should be pleated to the SETT, so I will go along with that and start "jonesing".

[Riverkilt]

I'm geared up too.

Waiting to hear back from Mr. Mackie.

Gonna order the 16 oz from him. Guess now I'm down to deciding whether to have it pleated to the sett as recommended or to ask Kathy Lare to do it in the military style box pleat - which she says is something quite different than Matt's traditional style box pleat. Does cost extra for the time and trouble.

I'm also confused on how to order. Mr. Mackie says he has cloth and send him the credit card...but there are also the other sites...? Been rushed at work and home so really have been stabbing at getting this done between chores and crisis'.

Ron

[Tattoo Bradley]

I've wondered myself about what Kathy's "military style boxpleat" kilts look like. I was pretty certain they were a different animal than Matt's traditional box pleats, simply because of the yardage differences.