In use from 1931 up to 1960
In use for Classes:
- 15
- 191R
This decal features simplified motifs designed by William Hopper from Dumbarton (Scotland) and patented in 1931. Since he worked at the Kilbowie plant in Scotland, the most part of the machines with RAF decals come from this plant, but it was used also in other factories. For example, we know of a 191R machine made in Mexico that has RAF decals, but it had no serial number to record it in our database.
The center of the bed features a stylized bird in flight combined with geometric or lightning-like lines, resembling a seagull or eagle.
The name "RAF" stands for Royal Air Force, a colloquial nickname given by collectors. For many, the central geometric shape in the transfer pattern bears a passing resemblance to the circular roundel insignia used by the British Royal Air Force. No real connection with the Royal Air Force, but the name reference stuck nonetheless.
We recorded a machine with RAF decals from 1912, but it seems those decals were re-applied afterwards during a restoration. The first machine with actual original RAF decals comes from 1931.
Patents:
- 13/10/1931, Patent n. USD85334 "Design for a Decalcomania Transfer Sheet" by William Hopper (Pdf)
- 27/10/1931, Patent n. USD85433 "Design for a Sewing Machine Frame" by William Hopper (Pdf) - Also filed in Great Britain on 1931-03-18.
Documented Machines
(What does it mean?)Total n.: 9
Factories:
- Elizabethport, New Jersey (USA)
- Kilbowie, Clydebank (Scotland, UK)
- St. John's Factory, Quebec (Canada)
Documented Classes:
- 15
Documented years: 1912 - 1938
