Uniform Brevet of a Pilot

The RAF winged brevet showed that the wearer had qualified as a pilot. The award of the badge is often referred to as 'gaining one's wings'. The original Royal Flying Corps design from 1913 was based upon a pair of swift's wings. When the RAF was formed in 1918 the design changed slightly to eagle wings and the monogram became RAF.

The design changes according to the crown of the reigning monarch. The wings displayed date from the reign of King George V and King George VI and have a King's crown symbol whereas the crown on today's wings reflects the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.