page_title: Air Efficiency Award
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Air Efficiency Award / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: The second Queen Elizabeth II version of the Air Efficiency Award
context_page_description: The Air Efficiency Award, post-nominal letters AE for officers, was instituted in 1942. It could be awarded after ten years of meritorious service to officers, airmen and airwomen in the Auxiliary and Volunteer Air Forces of the United Kingdom and the Territorial Air Forces and Air Force Reserves of the Dominions, the Indian Empire, Burma, the Colonies and Protectorates.
  The award of the decoration was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 1 April 1999, when it was superseded by the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal. The decoration is still being awarded in New Zealand, but between 1951 and 1975 it was superseded by local awards in other Dominions.
  In Canada, the Air Efficiency Award was superseded by the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1951.
  In South Africa, it was superseded by the John Chard Medal in 1952.
  In Australia, it was superseded by the National Medal in 1975.
context_section_description: The medal was struck in silver and is oval, 38 millimetres (1.5 inches) high and 32 millimetres (1.26 inches) wide, with a raised rim on each side. It is suspended from a silver bar in the form of an eagle in flight, looking towards its left, affixed to the medal by means of a single-toe claw and a pin through the upper edge of the medal.
  Obverse
  The obverse bears the uncrowned effigy of the reigning monarch. Four versions of the medal have been awarded.
  The original King George VI version has his coinage type effigy and is circumscribed "GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:" reading around from the bottom. The initials "HP" below the truncation of the King's neck are those of the designer of the obverse of the medal, Thomas Humphrey Paget, an English medal and coin designer.
  The second King George VI version was introduced in 1949, after his title "Emperor of India" was abandoned and the reference to India was omitted from the medal inscription. This version has the same effigy as the first, but is circumscribed "GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX FID: DEF:" reading around from the bottom.
  The first Queen Elizabeth II version was introduced after her succession to the throne in 1952. The effigy was designed by Mary Gillick OBE and was also used on general-circulation coinage for the United Kingdom from 1953, as well as in cameo form on British commemorative postage stamps since 1966.
  The second Queen Elizabeth II version was introduced after her coronation in 1953. This version has the same effigy as the first, but is circumscribed "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF." reading around from the top.
  Reverse
  The reverse is smooth and is inscribed "AIR EFFICIENCY AWARD" in three lines.
  Clasp
  The clasp was struck in silver and bore an eagle with outstretched wings, surmounted by a crown.
  Ribbon
  The ribbon is 38 millimetres wide, with a 13½ millimetres wide dark green band and a 4 millimetres wide pale blue band, repeated in reverse order and separated by a 3 millimetres wide dark green band.
caption: Second Queen Elizabeth II version
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