POST WW2 SPECIAL AIR SERVICE REGIMENT PARACHUTE QUALIFICATION WINGS AUSTRALIAN

Description

Offered is a set of padded Special Air Service qualification parachute wings. Full-sized set, with black wool border. Not showing any evidence of being sewn to the uniform, so unissued. Measures 80cm wide.

These wings were originally designed by Lieutenant Jock Lewes and based on the stylised sacred Ibis wings of Isis of Egyptian iconography depicted in the décor of Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo, are worn on the right shoulder. During WW2, after a qualifying number of active service “jumps”, they were worn on the left breast above medal ribbons. They have since been awarded to British & Australian Special Air Service troops as a result of passing their parachute qualification course & any subsequent parachute jumps, generally being worn on the upper right arm of the service uniform.