RAF No 1 Group Headquarters Bomber Command Station Plaque

A superb original hand painted example featuring a black panther's head. The badge commemorates the code name 'Panther' which the Group had in 1939 at the time of its mobilisation for service in France, as the Advanced Air Striking Force. This is surmounted by a Kings Crown and below the motto 'Swift to Attack'. The shield is finished in varnished oak and on the back we discovered hand written 'Hucknall 1940 '. A little research has revealed Hucknall is one of the oldest airfields in the country that has seen continuous use since it was built in 1916. No 1 Group Bomber Command, on returning from France in June 1940, reformed at Hucknall in Nottinghamshire with Fairy Battles then Vickers Wellingtons in its arsenal. Polish squadrons came under 1 Group's command between 1940 and '41 bringing in much needed pilots, hoping to ensure the War would soon be won. In 1942, No 1 Group re-equipped with Halifax's and Lancaster's and attacked the Ruhr Valley, Cologne and Berlin with over 1000 bomber ops flown. Our plaque is fitted with brass mounting points on the reverse and we assume it would have been displayed somewhere on the base HQ at RAF Hucknall during WWII. The original painting has been varnished over, probably for protection and whilst the varnish has lifted in places the colours are still vibrant. A definite one off! Measures 15.25" (39 cm)