Ranks and Insignias
Updated: August 2010
| RAF * |
WAAF Prior to Jan 1940 |
WAAF From Jan. 1940 |
|||
| AC2 | Aircraftman
2nd Class |
ACW2 | Aircraftwoman
2nd Class |
ACW2 | Aircraftwoman
2nd Class |
| AC1 | Aircraftman
1st Class |
ACW1 | Aircraftman
1st Class |
ACW1 | Aircraftwoman
1st Class |
| LAC | Leading Aircraftman | - | n/a | LACW | Leading Aircraftwoman |
| CPL | Corporal | ASL | Assistant Section Leader | CPL | Corporal |
| SGT | Sergeant | SL | Section Leader | SGT | Sergeant |
| FLT. SGT | Flight Sergeant | S/L | Senior Leader | FLT. SGT | Flight Sergeant |
| W/O | Warrant Officer | - | n/a | W/O | Warrant Officer |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| P/O | Pilot Officer | CA | Company Assistant | A/S/O | Assistant
Section Officer |
| F/O | Flying Officer | DCC | Deputy Company Commander | S/O | Section Officer |
| F/L | Flight Lieutenant | CC | Company Commander | FLT/O | Flight Officer |
| S/L | Squadron Leader | SC | Senior Commandant | SQ/O | Squadron Officer |
| W/C | Wing Commander | CH/C | Chief Commandant | W/O | Wing Officer |
| G/C | Group Captain | CON | Controller | G/O | Group Officer |
| A/C | Air Commodore | - | Senior Control | A/C | Air Commandant |
| AVM | Air Vice Marshal | - | n/a | A/CC | Air Chief Commandant |
| AM | Air Marshal | - | n/a | - | n/a |
| ACM | Air Chief Marshal | - | n/a | - | n/a |
| MRAF | Marshal of the Royal Air Force | - | n/a | - | n/a |
RAF and WAAF Ranks
Rank Sleeve Insignias
Rank insignia was the same for RAF and WAAF personnel
Enlisted Personnel
Aircraftman 2nd Class = ?
Aircraftman 1st Class = ?
Leading Aircraftman = Single Propeller
Non-Commissioned Officers
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Corporal = 2 Stripes
Sergeant = 3 Stripes
Flight Sergeant = Crown and 3 Stripes
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Warrant Officer Class 2 = Large Crown
Warrant Officer Class 1 = Coat Of Arms
Commissioned Officers
Pilot Officer = 1 Half Ring
Flying Officer = 1 Full Ring
Flight Lieutenant = 2 Full Rings
Squadron Leader = 2 Full Rings and 1 Half Ring
Wing Commander = 3 Full Rings
Group Captain = 4 Full Rings
Air Commodore = 1 Wide Ring
Air Vice Marshal = 1 Wide Ring and 1 Full Ring
Air Marshal = 1 Wide Ring and 2 Full Rings
Air Chief Marshal = 1 Wide Ring and 3 Full Rings
Marshal of the Air Force = 1 Wide Ring and 4 Full Rings
Air Crew / Ground Crew Specialist Trade Insignia
Air Crew Trade Wings
Pilot = Full Wings with Air Force Letters In Middle
Flight Engineer = Half Wing with "E" In Middle
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Wireless Operator = Half Wing with "W" In Middle
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner =
Half Wing with "WAG" In Middle
Navigator = Half Wing with "N" In Middle
Bomb Aimer = Half Wing with "B" In Middle
Air Gunner = Half Wing with "AG" In Middle
Observer = Half Wing with "O" In Middle
Often worn by Bomb Aimers and Navigators
Radio Operator = Half Wing with "RO" In Middle
RAF only??
Miscellaneous Trade Wings
Quarter Master = Half Wing with "QM" In Middle
Signalman = Half Wing with "S" In Middle
RAF only??
