RNZAF 2 Wellington Territorial Squadron insignia

[Strike70]

Hi all.

I have been asked to produce a scale model of Harvard NZ1052 which is based at Ardmore with the NZ Warbirds Association however I need some help in identifying two particular insignia featured on the aircraft.

The first one is the coat of arms on the tail fin.  The image itself is very clear which is fine for the purposes I need it for but would anyone have any information as to the history behind it, what it means and what it refers to?:



The second appears to be a flag on a blue background featuring the RNZAF wings, a number 2 and a vivid red stripe just below and forward of the canopy.  I suspect given the evidence of a darker shade of blue along the bottom of the image that some of the detail has worn off.  For this one, would anyone have a photo or graphic showing the emblem more clearly and any information relating to it?:



Any help much appreciated.

[Dave Homewood]

The latter is meant to be a Squadron Leader's rank pennant, to which the number 2 has been added. Here's an example of an RAF one from Wikipedia although I note the eagle faces the other way on the Wiki sketch:

[Dave Homewood]

Barf at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand will have accurate drawings for the Squadron Leader's pennant, I'd think. [e-mail]

[Dave Homewood]

The symbol on the tail is the Shield from the Wellington City Coat of Arms

Here's the full Coat of Arms:

[Strike70]

Hi Dave.
That is fantastic and very valuable information, thank you very much. I had just been scouting around at other stuff and although in a slightly different layout , the coat of arms appears as the Governor Generals flag according to the NZ Ministry of Culture. I guess it all makes sense now as Wellington is our centre of Government and all things associated. I will email Barf and see if he has an alternative image for the Sqn Ldrs pennant.

Thanks again Dave, catch up soon.
Regards
Andrew

[davidd]

The direction of the symbolic eagle is interesting. As shoulder eagles for non-commissioned personnel when worn with uniform were supposed to face aft ("watching your tail" perhaps?) I wonder if the same goes for the eagle on the Squadron Leader pennant (and those for Wing Commander)? I think the side of the aircraft on which the pennant was displayed was prescribed by regulation - our mutual friend Barf should know the "correct" side.
David D

[SEAN]

Sorry, just had to add my 10 cents worth....

Just checked the NZAP 3327 Chap 8, and there is nothing in the "Current" manual about adding numerals etc to Rank Distinguishing Pennants like the SQNLDR one shown in your Photo. Here is the current Photo in the NZAP 3327 Chap 8 Annex A for a SQNLDR:

Yep that is the Wellington City Council Coat of Arms, no doubt

Here is the description for it:
The City of Wellington has a Coat of Arms. The Blazon is;
Arms: Quarterly Gules and Azure, a Cross Or between; In the first quarter a Fleece Or; in the second quarter on Water barry wavy proper in base a Lymphad sail furled pennon and flags flying Argent; in the third quarter a Garb Or; in the fourth quarter five Plates in Saltire Argent.
Crest: On a Mural Crown Argent a Dolphin Naiant Azure, Mantled Gules.
Supporters: On the dexter side a Lion gorged with a Collar and Chain reflexed over the back Or, and on the sinister side a Moa proper.
Motto: Suprema a Situ

Translation of the Blazon:

The shield is divided vertically and horizontally quarter of which the first and fourth are red and the remaining pair are blue. A golden cross is placed over the entire shield centrally between these quarters. The top left quarter contains a golden fleece (usually depicted as a whole sheep with a band around its middle). The second quarter is depicted as a silver sailing ship (lymphad) with its sails furled as it would be in port but with its flags flying, placed on waves in their natural colour. The third quarter contains a golden wheat sheaf, and the fourth has five silver discs arranged in a saltire.

The mural crown (a crown depicted as if made of stone walling) is common as a crest in city coats of arms. It is coloured silve, and from its top comes a swimming dolphin. Around the crest is mantling in red. The supporters on either side of the shield are a golden heraldic lion with a chained collar around its neck to the left, and a moa in its natural colouring on the right (the terms "sinister" and "dexter" relate to the shield from the holder's point of view, not the viewer's, thus dexter is the viewer's left and sinister is the viewer's right). The base on which the supporters stand is normally not emblazoned but is left to the artist to decide. The Motto may be translated as "Supreme by position".

Also just in case, the WGCDR Pennant does not have an eagle:

[harvard1041]

I think we should ask 'Curtiss' on here why NZ1052 is painted like it is. He built it after all - (and it is a lovely aircraft), hence the registration ZK-MJN.

Cheers
Hvd1041

[shorty]

Regarding the way the eagle looks-
The official badge of the Royal Air Force has been in existence since 1949 and is blazoned, " In front of a circle inscribed with the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra and ensigned by the Imperial Crown an eagle volant and affronty Head lowered and to the sinister."

which translates to wings outspread and facing to the right (In heraldry terms sinister is to the right and dexter is to the left) So the "watching your rear etc is a "joke" suggestion, similar to not dropping the soap in the Navy)

Also as stated elsewhere on the forum a certain number of each aircraft type were permitted to wear their home cities crest on their fins.

The 2 on the pennant is probably a unauthorised addition to distinguish it as a 2 Sqn TAF leaders aircraft rather than a regular Air Force machine

[Dave Homewood]

I always thought sinister meant the left, and in terms of the wearer or bearer it is the left.

Here's a selection of definitions of sinister:

Heraldry. noting the side of an escutcheon or achievement of arms that is to the left of the bearer (opposed to dexter ).
- from dictionary.reference.com/browse/sinister

a : of, relating to, or situated to the left or on the left side of something; especially : being or relating to the side of a heraldic shield at the left of the person bearing it
b : of ill omen by reason of being on the left
- from www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinister

archaic & Heraldry Of, on, or towards the left-hand side (in a coat of arms, from the bearer’s point of view, i.e. the right as it is depicted). The opposite of dexter.
- from www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/sinister

[shorty]

Thats right Dave as you said it is the left hand side if you are the bearer, i.e you would be carrying the badge in front of you and therefore you would be behind the Eagle, who would be looking to the left