Royal Australian Air Force Badge
The Royal Australian Air Force Badge design was accepted by the
Chester Herald, John Heaton-Armstrong, in 1939. The badge features a
circle inscribed with the words “Royal Australian Air Force” and
ensigned with the Imperial Crown. In front is a wedge-tailed eagle in
flight. Beneath the circle is a separate scroll with the Latin motto:
“Per Ardua Ad Astra”.
The motto was derived from Sir Henry Rider Haggard's famous novel, The People of the Mist. It was selected and approved as a motto for the (British) Royal Flying
Corps on 15 March 1913 and remains in use with the Royal Air Force
today. The Royal Australian Air Force decided to adopt the same motto
in 1929.
Although no specific record of the translation exists, many slight
variations have been used since 1929, with the RAAF Chief of Air Force
formally accepting the meaning, “Through Struggle to the Stars”, in
January 2002.
Copyright
Copyright restrictions apply to the use of any Royal Australian Air
Force logo. They are protected nationally and internationally by the
Defence Act 1903, Trade Marks Act 1995 and the Chester Herald Act 1939.
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