RAF 33 Squadron Plaque

Another excellent plaque that formed part of a small collection we have purchased, that we understand were displayed in a now defunct service club. No. 33 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed from part of No. 12 Squadron at Filton on 12 January 1916. For the remainder of WWI, the squadron was employed for Home Defence duties in Lincolnshire, guarding against German airship raids against northern England, being equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2s. Disbanded post war the squadron was reformed at RAF Netheravon in 1929 serving in Egypt and Palestine, and participated in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. It became the first squadron to receive the new Hawker Hart, and in 1938 it operated the Gladiator, and subsequently the Hurricane, Spitfire and Tempest stationed mainly in the Middle East and in Greece, including the Battle of Crete. In 1944 the squadron returned to the UK and supported Operation Overlord. Post war service included action the Gulf War of 1991, the Kosovo War in the late 1990s, relief operations during the flooding in Mozambique in 2000 and NATO operations in Bosnia in the early 2000s

The plaque features the squadron crest, that is surmounted by a Queens Crown. To the centre of the badge featuring a deer that symbolises the Hawker Hart Aircraft which the Squadron once flew in the 1930's ; the badge was granted in May 1936. Below is the motto "loyalty" that reflects squadron personnel, and their actions, both on the ground and in the air. The crest is mounted on an oak shield and to the reverse is a plastic wall hanger and embossed 'Made in Gt Britain'. It also carries an original sticker with the manufacturers details A. R. Fabb Bros Ltd. Military Badge Makers of Maidenhead Berkshire, who were also manufacturers to the film and television industry. The shield measures 7" x5.75" (17.5 cm x15 cm)). The plaque shows minor age-related wear but remains in very good original display condition.