The Canadian Armed Forces is pressing the rewind button again, this time for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Following the trend of returning to Canada’s Commonwealth roots, RCAF unveiled new uniforms that restore the traditional colours of their forefathers.

New rank insignia have been introduced for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

ILLUSTRATION: DEPARATMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

“This is the next logical step for the air force,” said Defence Minister Rob Nicholson in a press release. “Military service espouses values that bind us to the past, the honour and tradition from the very foundation of our success. Yet, as an organization, we must forge ahead, and the changes announced today herald the future of the air force.”

The melding of pre-unification rank insignia with modern elements familiar to today’s serving members is intended to strengthen RCAF’s link to its history. It falls on the heels of CAF’s rebranding in 2011 that re-inserted the royal designation back into the titles of the air force and navy and reverted to the historical name of the army.

The new uniform was unveiled by Nicholson and RCAF Commander Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin at the Battle of Britain ceremony in Ottawa on Sept. 21, which coincided with the 90th anniversary of the RCAF.

Pearl-grey stitching, the original colour worn by RCAF non-commissioned members until 1968, will return on rank insignia and national shoulder titles for both officers and non-commissioned members to signify unity. The gold piping on wedge caps worn by general officers will be replaced by pearl-grey piping, and dress tunic buttons will retain their design, but switch from gold to complimentary silver.

The new rank title of aviator will replace private, accompanied by a pearl-grey propeller worn on the uniform sleeve. All other rank names will remain unchanged.

“Changes made to the insignia will be adapted to the uniforms currently issued to members of the RCAF. As such, costs are associated with the production, delivery and adoption of the new insignia,” said RCAF spokesperson Captain Fraser Clark, adding that the estimated cost for the change is $1.7 million, excluding the costs of tailoring, which are still being determined.

“The pearl-grey rank colours, insignia, shoulder-titles and embroidery will become available in the military procurement system in March 2015,” said Clark.“The changes will first be reflected on April 1, 2015, when RCAF members begin to wear new epaulettes reflecting the changes on their summer uniforms.”

All members will be dressed in their newly tailored uniforms by the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, September 2015.

Dominion President Tom Eagles of The Royal Canadian Legion said the restorations of traditions are welcomed by the Legion and that “these changes be phased in over a couple of years so as to minimize any potential impact on military operations and/or effectiveness.”

RCAF is the last service to reflect the Canadian Armed Forces’ historic throwback, already identified by the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Navy.

The navy was the first armed force in the trio to go retro when former defence minister Peter MacKay announced in May 2010 he was reinstating the executive curl on naval officer uniforms to mark the 100th anniversary of the navy.

The Canadian Army’s makeover happened in July 2013: the traditional pips and crowns made their way back onto the shoulder boards of officers in place of the Maple Leaf designation, and the rank of private for non-commissioned members was pushed to extinction in place of historical rank names such as trooper, bombardier, signaller, guardsman and craftsman.

The different regions of the country also received a name change, replacing the land force designations with their historic divisions, such as 2nd Canadian Division for the former Land Force Quebec Area (Journal, September/October 2013).

According to a CBC story, Department of Defence figures showed that the cost of the new uniforms for Canadian soldiers and naval officers cost $4.5 million, with the bulk of that–$3.1 million–going toward new dark green dress uniforms for army officers.

Aaron Pope of Ottawa, a retired service member in the Canadian military, said he doesn’t think the cost associated with the uniform change are much more than the military would typically spend on upgrading uniforms. “Uniforms have always evolved, and as long as they are in keeping with the Canadian military tradition, I think it’s a good thing,” said Pope, who served from 1997 to 2008. “In less than 10 years, I went from wearing a solid green uniform, to green Cadpat (Canadian Disruptive Pattern) to brown Cadpat. Uniforms change, soldiers stay the same.”