Thermosetting embossing die depicting the arms of the Royal Air Force (RAF)

Thermosetting embossing die depicting the arms of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Royal Air Force was established on 1 April 1918, essentially a merging of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).

This appears to show the RAF badge in use from 1 August 1918 and 1923. The original 1918 design had a circlet which took the form of a garter and buckle and was approved by an Air Council meeting on 1 August 1918. This circlet design proved to be incorrect in terms of heraldry and a slightly revised design with a plain circlet was presented to the College of Arms in 1923. It is the 1923 design which has largely continued through to the present day (2021).