royal crown, while the other three arms bear the royal cypher of the reigning monarch at the time of issue. The reverse is plain, except for a central roundel bearing the reigning monarch's cypher and the date '1918'. Originally awarded unnamed, from 1939 the year of issue was engraved on the reverse lower limb of cross, and since 1984 it has been awarded named to the recipient. The suspender is straight and decorated with laurel wreaths. The ribbon bar denoting a further award is silver, with the Royal Air Force eagle in its centre. Bars awarded during World War II have the year of award engraved on the reverse. The 32 mm (1.25 inch) ribbon was originally white with red broad horizontal stripes, but changed in July 1919 to the current white with red broad diagonal stripes at a 45-degree angle. Recipients Numbers awarded From 1918 to 2017 approximately 5,360 Air Force Crosses and 193 bars have been awarded. The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below, the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette: In addition, between 1980 and 2017 approximately 279 AFCs and eight second-award bars have been awarded. The above figures include awards to the Dominions: In all, 560 AFCs have gone to Canadians, including those serving in the RAF, including 70 for World War I, 462 and one bar for World War II and 28 post–war awards. A total of 444 AFCs and two bars have been awarded to Australians, the last award made in 1983. A number of awards were made to New Zealanders until the AFC was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration in 1999. A total of 87 honorary awards have been made to members of allied foreign forces, including 26 for World War I, 58 for World War II and three post-war, the latter all to members of the US Air Force. Notable awards George Bulman (1896–1963); awarded the AFC three times for services as a test pilot. Geoffrey Dhenin (1918–2008); awarded the AFC twice for his role in the British nuclear weapons tests in Australia (1954 and 1959). Marshal of the Royal Air Force Andrew Humphrey (1921–1977); awarded the AFC three times, Willie Read (1885–1972); awarded the AFC three times. H. P. Ruffell Smith (1911–1980); awarded the AFC three times. Peter Thorne (1923–2014); awarded the AFC three times (1947, 1951, and 1956). See also British