310 Squadron badge

Charles E Rayell, 1950
Dimensions: 24cm high
Material: Wood

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310 Squadron badge Audio MP3 File

310 Squadron was one of two fighter Squadrons formed of Czechoslovakian airmen to fly in the Battle of Britain. It was formed at Duxford in 1940 and equipped with Hurricanes. The other Squadron was 312.

The three dimensional Squadron badge for the 310 Squadron is constructed from wood, with painted details and is about the size of a hand. In the centre is the squadrons’ emblem, which is the side view of a bright red lion with a split tail, and a sword rising up in the background.

The lion is taken from the Arms of Czechoslovakia and the sword represents the fighter role of the squadron. Around the central emblem is a blue edge with the squadron’s details in gold lettering: ‘(Czechoslovak) Squadron 310, Royal Air Force’.

On top of the circle is a red and gold crown to reflect the monarch at the time (a King’s crown for King George VI) and below is a scroll containing the squadron’s motto ‘We Fight to Rebuild’.

Squadrons painted unofficial emblems on their aircraft during the First World War, and during the Second World War the Air Council began to standardise the practice. The format for the badges was agreed and squadrons would design and apply for their badges, usually using their unofficial emblems as a basis.