NEED TO IDENTIFY: the insignia on 1937 First Contract Irvin Flight Jacket?

[Ironheart]

I have a 1937 FIRST CONTRACT IRVIN FLEECE Flight Jacket that I planning to sell.  I can not remember the pilot's name nor the squadron- his initials are A. B.   It has the 8 grommet vent, Made in England DOT zipper pulls with 1 replacement pull that has AM   ( Air Ministry )   Can anyone help with this insignia so that I can sell it ?

 

 

[5thwingmarty]

Is that the back end of an elephant?

[Ironheart]

You mean to tell me you can not tell?   Yes, of course it is the Elephant Butt!  

[Ironheart]

I found out that it is a very rare RAF CIB  No. 27 squadron  with the painted mascot  " Nellie "  which was founded in WW1, then became famous during WW2  during the China, Burma, India and Malay theatre and is still in existence today.  I discovered that during the British Homefront the women short of materials began making the famous "Nellie"  from scraps calling it the Make Do toys for children.  

It is a size 38 to 40 and it is for sale- though I would not wear it because it is becoming fragile

[navy]

The British are known for a wonderful dry sense of humor, but the backside of an elephant would be a bit much. Yes, the 27th used [the side view] of an elephant as their mascot (their first aircraft was the Martinsyde G.100 "Elephant"), but there were others as well. Likely not "Nellie" given the backside viewpoint (non-RAF?), but if you contact the RAF (below) they may be of help identifying the insignia.

 

https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/squadrons/

 

 

[Ironheart]

  You are talking about the Official Squadron Insignia-----It was members of the RAF who gave me the information about the Unofficial " Nellie" Mascot insignia as well as the Home Front Forum.   They have a new one now which shows an aggressive elephant

[Ironheart]

 According to numerous websites it stated the "Elephant Butt" patch is a rare, often custom-made WWII-era insignia, with discussions indicating its usage by RAF, RAAF, or Allied personnel in the Southeast Asian theater . While not a standard official patch, similar elephant designs appear in RAF history, and such patches are sometimes found on customized flight jackets from that era.  What I learned was that in the beginning of the CBI campaign they were assigned Bombing/ Recon/ escort missions. Then close to the end they were re- assigned to the rear in search and rescue/ logistical operations and the "elephant butt" of Nellie came out of it.  That is only one story from an entry in a Document and also repeated in a Book written about the No 27 role in the CBI. The Story from the Home Forum tells of a carving of an Elephant sent from a son who was a member of the CBI campaign  No. 27 Squadron in Malay which was damaged in a Bombing raid over London and the name it was given was Nellie which started the " Make Do" Campaign to make Nellie toys out of scraps of materials-  just like what was done to repair the carving damaged in the raid.  Other sites stated this:  

Squadron Origins: No. 27 Squadron adopted the elephant as its symbol during WWI because they were equipped with the Martinsyde G.100 "Elephant" aircraft, which was nicknamed for its large, cumbersome appearance 

WWII Service: During World War II, the squadron operated in Malaya and Burma, primarily performing ground attack and air-jungle rescue duties 

The Historic Flying Clothing Company

. The elephant symbol also commemorated the unit's long history of service in India,

The "Butt" Variation: This specific "rear view" design is a well-known bit of military humor. It was often worn by ground crews or as a "joke" patch to signify leaving a location or to poke fun at the "cumbersome" nature of their aircraft or duties.  In the 1960's No 27 Squadron  used the Flying Dumbo Disney design patch on their flight suits. 

[Ironheart]

 All I know is its a FIRST CONTRACT 1937 IRVIN  WITH WW2 ERA PAINTED INSIGNIA   WHICH IS A RARE ONE and I am selling it and also my Kriegsmarine Admirals Car pennant too

[dmar836]

You might put this on the sister sight as US militaria collectors might not be as interested as the "other country" collectors.

VLJ used to be the place but honestly that's a fashion show for years now for the cheapest reproduction jackets. There were some big Irvin collectors there but sadly many have passed on.

Dave