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# Royal Air Force Sailing Association (United Kingdom)

##

Last modified: 2026-05-16 by rob raeside
Keywords: royal air force sailing association |
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image by Clay Moss, 18 April 2015

- RAF Sailing Association
- Burgee
- Commodore swallowtail
- 1969 Proposal

See also:

- RAF Yacht Club
- British yacht clubs and sailing clubs index
- Royal Air Force
- United Kingdom

## RAF Sailing Association

Light blue ensign defaced with RAF crown and eagle on the roundel. Granted 11 June 1986.
David Prothero, 7 June 2014

## Burgee

image by Clay Moss, 18 April 2015

### Older burgee version

image by Clay Moss, 18 April 2015

I ran across a photo of an old Royal Air Force Sailing Association burgee, probably from the 1960s or 1970s. David Prothero was able through connections to verify the burgee in the photo. Here is my gif image.
Clay Moss, 22 April 2015

## Commodore swallowtail

image located by William Garrison, 30 April 2026

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo
A burgee of the UK "Royal Air Force Sailing Association" c. 1960s. The upper-left, single yellow-ball and swallowtail design probably represents a Commodore rank.
William Garrison, 30 April 2026

## 1969 Proposal

image from Mattias Hansson, 17 October 2018

This flag may have been a test piece (hence the amateurish construction of the star) of a proposed ensign, that was not adopted:
"RAF Sailing Association.
12 February 1969. Air Commodore D.E.Hawkins requested a defaced RAF ensign for the RAF Sailing Association.
Proposed a five pointed gold star, set behind the roundel, with only the arms showing. Warrant would be in name of vessel which would be over 2 tons. Coloured sketch. Roundel reduced in size, compared with that on RAF ensign, with large red bullseye and narrow white and blue rings. Star badly proportioned in order to fit behind the roundel.
"27 March 1969. Loose minute. Defaced RAF ensign would not be an RAF ensign.
Actual legality in considerable doubt. Inclined to think that Merchant Shipping Act forbids one, except under warrant from the Admiralty, of any national colour other than the Red Ensign. Wearing of colours as national colours contrary to the Act. An altered ensign would not be the RAF ensign, "and not therefore covered by the Order in Council, nor, by itself, could it have any legal recognition."
"It was noted that the RAF ensign was introduced by Order in Council which might complicate any variation of it. Order in Council of 24 March 1921 was signed by Almeric Fitzroy. The inclusion of a clause prohibiting unauthorised flying of the ensign was considered, but not pursued on the advice of parliamentary counsel. It had not been done for the White Ensign, and it was therefore unnecessary for the RAF Ensign.
"24 April 1969. Naval Law, NL 600/69.
Colours of the RAF, as approved by Order in Council 1921, relate to that Service in a general way, no mention being made of maritime use as national colours. Even if such use is so accepted by custom, the colours may only be worn by the RAF proper. No power in Order in Council to permit defacement, and delegation of power to the Air Council is not read as intended to permit it.
"22 May 1969. Wheatley-Smith, Wing-Commander (retired), Adastral House. Navy would not contemplate defacement of the White Ensign, which is equivalent to RAF Ensign. Suggest adopting RAF Sailing Association proposal without the Union canton; to be used in addition to Red Ensign."
National Archives, AIR 2/18233.
The adopted RAFSA Ensign, crown and eagle superimposed on RAF roundel, was introduced 11 June 1986.
David Prothero, 28 October 2018