British Army Airborne b Patch Wing Parachute 1950 Black Gauze

British Army Airborne Patch Wing Patch Parachute Wing Qualification Patch 1950 Embroidered On Felt Black loose gauze back 37mm by 95mm one and one half inches by three and three quarter inches.  

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British Army parachute training commenced in June 1940 at the RAFs Central Landing School at RAF Ringway Manchester designated as Parachute Training Squadron of the Central Landing Establishment on 1 October 1940 and No 1 Parachute Training School on 27 July 1944.

Recruits conducted intense pre-parachute selection fitness training known as P Company in the Parachute Regiment then underwent dry jump training in a hanger before undertaking static jumps from a converted barrage balloon followed by 5-6 jumps from a transport or converted bomber aircraft including a jump at night. Once successfully completed the new paratroops were awarded parachute qualification wings and their coveted maroon beret before being posted to a parachute unit.

The Parachute with Wings insignia which depicts an open parachute in white flanked by a pair of wings in light blue is only to be worn by a
qualified parachutist on the posted strength of a unit where he may be ordered in the course of his duties to parachute. Those who do not serve with a parachute unit are permitted to wear the Parachute without Wings insignia known as the Parachute Lightbulb.

Army Council Instruction ACI 1589 28 Dec 1940 stated that the parachute qualification badge was awarded after a specified number of jumps and was to be worn on the right arm midway between shoulder and elbow and qualified personnel could wear the badge in perpetuity unless they refused a jump. ACI 1274 17 Jun 1942 revised the position of the badge to 2 inches below the shoulder seam as the original
position led to the wings being worn in front of stripes. The only personnel authorised to wear the parachute qualification badge on the breast were SOE agents who had made an operational jump.

Currently British military personnel have to complete P-Coy for the Army and pre-para for the RAF Regiment and are requirements put in place by those organisations to qualify for attending the parachute course although it has never been a requirement of the course itself. The Basic Parachute Course held by No 1 Parachute Training School at RAF Brize Norton is a 9-jump course attended by personnel from all branches of the
UK Armed Forces. Troops make each descent from a C-130 aircraft using the Low Level Parachute at heights of 800 ft and 1000 ft. On successful completion of their nine descents trainees are presented with their wings by the Officer Commanding No. 1 Parachute Training School and return to their units as qualified parachutists.

This patch dates from 1950.