by Steve Mackenzie

CAC Sabre A94-927 with it's trial 'Kangaroo' roundel in Sept 1957. Image: John Hopton via Dick Hourigan

For some time there had been worries in some RAAF (and Govt circles) that the 'D' type roundels in use since 1948 made it difficult to differentiate between RAAF airframes and those of the UK etc. National pride dictated that 'our' airframes should be easily identifiable as 'Aussie'. Adaption of an alternative was being pushed in several quarters and the Kangaroo was one option high on the list (several other options had backing in some quarters such as a Southern Cross and a Boomerang). In March 1955 the RAAF Air Board put together a formal proposal. Most favoured by the Air Board was a leaping or a standing “erect” kangaroo, retaining the traditional Red, White and Blue. The Air Board recommended on 3 JUN 1955 that new roundels should undergo service trials and a standing kangaroo on one Sabre was shown in Melbourne’s The Age on 13 SEP 1955. As part of the trial, on 13 OCT 1955 approval was also given to mark a Beaver bound for Macquarie Island with a new standing kangaroo style roundel.

One of several well known images of Beaver A95-201 with it's trial 'Kangaroo' roundel in 1955/56.

In April 1956 serving RAAF personnel had a vote, the choices were to retain the present roundel (1:2:3 'Type-D'), retain the present roundel with an additional national symbol, or to adopt a new roundel design with either a kangaroo 'in motion' or 'erect'. In 1956, 9442 RAAF personnel voted, and an overwhelming 81% voted for the 'kangaroo in motion'. On 8 JUN 1956, the Air Board proposed to adopt the new roundel and approval was given by the Minister for Air on 2 JUL 1956. The Kangaroo was adopted for the fuselage only at that stage by the RAAF, the wings would follow nine years later. The RAN decided to immediately use the leaping kangaroo in all roundel positions, with the mainplane kangaroos facing forward and legs pointing inboard (the RAAF also adopted this layout).

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