RCAF Tartan Collection
RCAF Tartan Collection
Celebrate the RCAF tartan — the first air force tartan in the world, drawn up in 1942 so that a station pipe band could play at a Burns Night on Prince Edward Island.
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About the RCAF Tartan
The Royal Canadian Air Force tartan has a good story behind it. In 1942 Group Captain Fullerton, station commander at RCAF Station Summerside on Prince Edward Island, wanted to hold a Robert Burns night for his mess. He borrowed bagpipes for a station band and went looking for a tartan to dress them in — and, finding none that suited an air force, decided to design one.
With coloured pencils he worked up a pattern in light blue, dark blue and maroon. The first sample was made by Patricia Jenkins and the Loomcrofters of Gagetown in New Brunswick, who added a white line to the design. The Air Council endorsed it, and it was sent to the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland in July 1942 — making it the first air force tartan anywhere in the world.
RCAF Tartan Pattern and Colours
The sett is built on air force blues — light blue and dark blue for sky and service — with maroon, and the fine white line added by the Gagetown weavers. It is a sober, distinctive pattern quite unlike any clan tartan.
RCAF Tartan Heritage
The tartan was born in the middle of the Second World War, at a station that was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan — the great scheme that trained aircrew from across the Commonwealth on Canadian airfields. Summerside on Prince Edward Island was one of dozens of such stations, and Burns nights and pipe bands were part of mess life at many of them.
The design was made in Canada and woven in New Brunswick, but sent to Scotland for the Lord Lyon's approval, which says something about how the tartan tradition works: a new sett could belong to an institution rather than a family, yet still be entered into the old system of record. Many service and corporate tartans have followed the same path since.
Who Is This Collection For?
This collection is made for serving and former air force personnel and their families, air cadets, aviation heritage lovers, Canadians at home and abroad and anyone who values a tartan with a real story.
- ✓ Air force families and veterans
- ✓ Air cadets and associations
- ✓ Canadian aviation heritage
- ✓ Pipe bands and mess events
- ✓ Remembrance and commemorative wear
- ✓ Air force blue style
How to Wear RCAF Tartan
RCAF tartan works well across caps, shirts, hoodies, scarves, ties, jackets, blankets and keepsake gifts. Its sober blue palette is easy to pair for formal occasions, commemorative events and everyday wear.
RCAF Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the RCAF tartan, its origins and who may wear it.
Is the RCAF tartan a clan tartan?
No — it is a service tartan, made for an institution rather than a family.
How did it come about?
A station commander at RCAF Summerside wanted a pipe band for a Burns night in 1942, found no suitable tartan, and designed one himself.
Who wove the first sample?
Patricia Jenkins and the Loomcrofters of Gagetown in New Brunswick, who added a white line to the design.
Was it really the first air force tartan?
Yes — it is recognised as the first air force tartan anywhere in the world.
What are the colours?
Light blue and dark blue with maroon, and the fine white line added by the Gagetown weavers.
Who can wear it?
Air force personnel, veterans, cadets and their families, and those who wish to mark a connection with the service.
Wear the RCAF Tartan
Discover RCAF tartan clothing, accessories and gifts — air force blue and maroon, from the world's first air force tartan.
View RCAF Tartan Clothing