In 1936 the Air Ministry started the process of approving Squadron Badges (never called ‘crests’!). Squadrons went through a formal process to have their badges approved. Many Squadrons had to redesign their badges several times to meet the RAF’s standards. 20 Sqn’s Badge was approved by King George VI in June 1937.
The heraldic description (‘blazon’) of 20 Squadron’s badge is as follows:
“In front of a Rising Sun Or an Eagle wings elevated Sable perched on a Sword Argent hilted Or.”
The Rising Sun in Gold marks 20 Sqn’s long association with the East, where the sun rises. The Eagle is the traditional symbol of Air Forces, and 20 Squadron’s is a Black Eagle, native to the uplands of India, and able to stay aloft for a long time. The Sword is a Talwar, a type of curved sabre originating in the Indian sub-continent; it denotes both the Squadron’s links to India, and cooperation with the Army.
