RAF Tunic opinions please

[mosapie]

Hi:

Just received this tunic from emedals/Barry Turk.

It is for an Air Vice Marshall, named on the inside to L W Cannon.

The only problem is that the wings and ribbons have been clearly re-sewn through the lining. Probably collector done? Looks fine from the outside. Opinions please.

How much does this detract? Reduced value?

The response I got from emedals is that the tunic was obtained from a well respected collector named "Michael" in Montreal, and that all is good.

[mosapie]

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[Mike Swan]

I'll go out on a limb and say that the sewing isn't necessarily a negative feature. I think that often too much is made of sewing insignia through the lining. I'm quite sure the officer concerned wouldn't give a damn what the inside of his jacket looked like.

His decorations and awards appear logical for such a high rank. The wear on the wings is a bit unusual but possibly explainable. The France and Germany ribbon is way out of sequence which may also have a simple explanation.

Just my amateur thoughts. I'm sure you'll hear from more knowledgeable colleagues.

Mike

[mosapie]

..

Thanks Mike. The ribbon at the end is the USA Silver Star, which he was awarded.

Ash.

[Mike Swan]

Ash, thanks. I should have thought of a foreign award.

Mike

[paddywhack]

Never seen a MID on a indian ribbon either!still nice set!did you find a picture of him at all?

[Old Smelly]

I'll go out on a limb and say that the sewing isn't necessarily a negative feature. I think that often too much is made of sewing insignia through the lining. I'm quite sure the officer concerned wouldn't give a damn what the inside of his jacket looked like.

His decorations and awards appear logical for such a high rank. The wear on the wings is a bit unusual but possibly explainable. The France and Germany ribbon is way out of sequence which may also have a simple explanation.

Just my amateur thoughts. I'm sure you'll hear from more knowledgeable colleagues.

Mike

I don't have a problem with this either. As further awards/medals were made and issued the bars and wings have been moved up, probably not by the original taylor.
Lee

[LuftMike]

For a guy that was a Wing Commander in 1943, to have the same jacket with his AVM rank which wasn't until 10 years later in 1953 seems a little odd......I know the tunic has brass wartime buttons etc.... This guy had the same jacket for 10 years and just kept updating it? It seems a little strange to me. I bet the jacket is originally his, but someone has dolled it up with the AVM rank and ribbons. I know postwar the RCAF went to the symmetrical method of ribbon placement as on this tunic, but did the RAF do it too?

[mosapie]

Stats

Seems he was acting air commodore in 1944.
Jacket was made in 1943

Plt Off: 30 Jul 1925, Fg Off: 30 Jan 1927, Flt Lt: 14 May 1930, Sqn Ldr: xx xxx xxxx, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Mar 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Mar 1942, Wg Cdr: 20 Nov 1942 [1 Jul 1941], Gp Capt (WS): 24 Jun 1945, Act A/Cdre: 24 Dec 1944, Gp Capt: 1 Oct 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1949, Act AVM: 7 May 1951, AVM: 1 Jan 1953.

This is from air of authority.

So could have been upgraded?

[LuftMike]

It's a tough call, one would never know if he donned the rank of Commodore for his temporary appointment. I still see his Air Rank date as at least 1949......Also note the cap that came with the grouping, post 1953 cap badge

[mosapie]

badge

Cap badge looks to be a King's crown to me. I have posted a cap that I once owned of a Queen's crown cap, post 1953. Also you can see that the air commodore rank has a little more fading than the other rank braid.

[mosapie]

rank

braid

[mosapie]

another

Here is another King's Crown

[LuftMike]

Well, you have the items in hand, so if you're happy with it then great! I'm only playing devil's advocate because I'd hate to see someone get stuck with something bogus, especially when big bucks are involved.
I suppose in hand, I could have a different opinion, there's a lot to be said for seeing in person vs. seeing a picture.

[mosapie]

.,

Thanks for the input Mike. Just wondering why you thought the cap badge was post 1953?