Airforce polo with pocket

The Air Force Polo features the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) motto, ‘Through Struggle to the Stars’.

The original motto (Per Adua Ad Astra) is derived from Sir Henry Rider Haggard’s well-known novel, The People of the Mist. On 15 March 1913, this motto was approved for the Royal Flying Corps. While a specific record of the translation doesn’t exist, this is widely believed to translate to ‘Through Struggle to the Stars’ or ‘Through Adversity to the Stars’.

In 1929, the RAAF adopted this motto too, and the official Air Force translation was signed off as ‘Through Struggle to the Stars’ in 2002 when the RAAF Memorial in Canberra was being redeveloped. It was the then Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston, who signed off on this official Air Force Translation. Learn more via the official source.

The Air Force Polo features a hand-drawn replica of RAAF’s F-111C, which arrived to Australia in 1973. Also known as ‘The Pig’, this is noted as being the fastest aircraft the RAAF has ever operated. Its impressive and innovative swing-wing design allowed this powerful aircraft to fly two and a half times the speed of sound.

Below the F-111C, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II takes flight. This multi-role fighter performed as the backbone of Australia’s air combat. Incorporating comprehensive stealth technology, the F-35A features electronic protection and attack as well as advanced countermeasures.

Also featured on the Air Force Polo is the RAAF’s radar superstar in the sky, the Boeing E-7A Wedge Tail. This was able to monitor a 4 million square kilometre area and coordinate more than 60 aircraft over a single 10-hour mission.

Below flies a fleet of Avro Lancaster aircraft. The most famous and successful Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bomber of World War II. Thousands of Australians carried out crucial Bomber Command air raids and helped secure victory against Germany.

Notably featured, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules (which has been flying around Australia for more than 60 years!) was a transport and logistics game changer. A truly versatile aircraft, today it continues to deliver RAAF supplies around the globe.

On the back of the Air Force Polo you’ll see a detailed illustration of RAAF’s Bell UH Iroquois A2-110 Huey helicopter, fondly nicknamed Bushranger. As the first helicopter to be powered by a jet turbine engine, Huey enabled close support for ground forces as well as medevac and search and rescue operations throughout the Vietnam War.

Finally, the S.E.5A (also known as the fist) features on the Air Force Polo as it flew through the skies in combat during WWI. The S.E.5A was part of Britain’s imperial gift to help establish the RAF when it was formed on 31 March 1921 and plays an important role in Australia’s history.