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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 1035.PDF
SEPTEMBER 30, 1920 one will comprise 500 men under training. On arrival at Manston the recruit is posted to a section, according to the trade in which he is to be trained, No. 1 taking drivers (mechanical transport), fitter-drivers, fabric-workers, vul- cajiisers, and general fitters, and No. 2 only two trades at present, riggers and carpenters. Practically all the men are unskilled when they arrive at the station, and as the aim is to make them thoroughly efficient at their trade, no attempt is made to rush the training. During a recent visit one saw many of the classes at work, and it was evident that the men were taking a keen interest in what they were doing, and were really endeavouring to learn. It is from this point of view of technical training that the R.A.F. is so superior to the older services. The men join up unskilled, and leave the force as skilled trades- men, having been taught a useful trade and been paid while they were learning. Even if when they leave the Service, the ex-airmen are unable to get jobs in connection with air- craft work, they will still be able to turn their skill to good account in other industries. The training is carried out under almost ideal conditions, as all the shops are large, airy, light, and well-equipped, many of them having been converted from the hangars which were erected at Manston during the War. The school was only opened at the beginning of June, and the progress made during a few months has been most encouraging. When it was decided to start the school, all R.A.F. units were asked to contribute their best officers^and non-commissioned officers to staff the new school, and it is largely due to the splendid response which was made that the school has been able to make such a fine start. While, naturally, it is the technical training which assumes the chief interest at Manston, the physical well-being of the airmen is kept well to the front. The dormitories are well arranged and kept even now, and improvements are continually being made to increase the standard of comfort of the men. The dining-halls are also designed to ensure quick and clean service, while the up-to-date cook-house enables the good food supplied to be cooked and dished-up to the best advantage. The facilities for recreation include a well-managed canteen, a large swimming-bath with water-polo set, a cinema theatre, and the padre also runs a library which finds a good deal of patronage. There are large playing-fields available, and steps are being taken to organise outdoor games and sports. A number of clubs have been arranged, atd the recruits as they arrive are allotted to one or other by ballot. It is proposed to organise inter-club football contests, etc. After they have finished their work the men are free to go into Margate or Ramsgate, and as the bus companies will not run services to the aerodrome, the station runs its own transport, the men paying the actual running expenses, so that the cost of this does not fall on the nation. Manston is undej the command of Wing-Commander Primrose, D.F.C. R.A.F. CADET EXAMINATION AN examination for entrance into the Royal Air Force will be held on November 16, 1920, and following days. Forms of application for entry will be furnished on application by letter addressed to the Secretary, Civil Service Com- mission, Burlington Gardens, Wr. 1. The "form should be completed and forwarded to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, not later than September 30. No form of appli- cation received after October 14 will be accepted under any circumstances. At this examination not less than 20 cadetships will be open to competition, less such number as may be awarded to King's Cadets, King's India Cadets, or Honorary King's Cadets. This number will include the grant of not less than one Prize Cadetship. The examination will be conducted in accordance with the Provisional Regulations for the Royal Air Force (Cadet) College, Cranwell (F.S. Publication 121), and amendments thereto obtainable from H.M. S.O., Imperial House, Kingsway, or from any bookseller. The examination will be held in London, or at other centres in the United Kingdom. The fee for the examination in London will be £4. At any other centre the fee will be £5 in addition to a local fee payable in some cases to the college and school authorities. The amounts payable towards the cost of uniform and books are now £65 prior to first joining, and further payments of £25 and ^10 at the commencement of the third and fourth terms of residence respectively. The limits of age for entrance to the College will be from 17^ to 19 years (the half-year being reckoned by calendar months). The candidate must have attained the agei of 17J and not have attained the age of 19 on January 1, 1921. Exception is made in the case of those who have had various classes of service. In these cases the maximum age is 21. Additional marks will be awarded to candidates with various classes of service as follows :— (a) Candidates who qualify for Certificate " A " in either the Senior or Junior Division of the Officers' Training Corps, a secondary school, or a recognised Territorial Force Cadet unit will be eligible for the award of the actual marks obtained at the Certificate Examination, i.e., from 300 to 600. (b) Candidates who were serving on January 1, 1920, or who had served prior to that date as officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers or men of the Royal Navy, Royal H H Naming Dirigibles in France THE Zeppelin " L. 72." handed over to France, has been renamed, it having been decided that the designation DR 1 was not in accordance with French practice, which gives names to airships. It i3 in future to be called the Dixmude, thus recalling the magnificent work of the French marine fusiliers in defence of that town in October and November, 1914. Marines, Regular Army, Royal Air Force, Special Reserve, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, Militia, Territorial Force, or Forces of the Overseas Dominions, and who have com- pleted four months' continuous sendee and can furnish certificates to that effect will be entitled to an award of 400 marks. (c) Candidates who were serving on March 1, 1919 (or who had served prior to that date), in the Senior Division of the Officers' Training Corps, and can furnish a certificate to that effect, will be entitled to an award of 400 marks. The certificates required in (b) and (c) above will be ren- dered on a form supplied to applicants by the Civil Service Commissioners. Under no circumstances will a candidate be awarded the 400 marks for service in addition to the marks gained in Certificate " A " examination. No candi- date will be accepted unless he is pronounced physically fit for entry into the Royal Air Force by a Medical Board. Candidates are warned that if they elect to be examined at centres other than London it will still be necessary for them to come to London for their medical examination shortly after the termination of the educational examination. Parents and guardians are strongly recommended, in order to lessen the chance of subsequent disappointment, to have their sone or wards examined by a medical prac- titioner previous to their becoming candidates for a com- mission in the Royal Air Force. A pamphlet giving details as to the standard of medical fitness demanded can ,be obtained on application to the Secretary, Air Ministry (D.M.S.). Cadetships at the > Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, will also be open for competition at the same examination. Particulars may be obtained on application to the Secretary, War Office, Whitehall, London, S.W. 1. A candidate who fulfils all the necessary conditions may compete for a cadet- ship at the Royal Air Force Cadet College, and also for a Cadetship at the Ro3'al Military Academy or Royal Military College. Candidates desiring to do this must express definitely their order of preference before the examination begins. Candidates who compete for entrance to the Royal Air Force Cadet College, whether as first, second or third choice, must undergo the Royal Air Force Medical Examination. A candidate will be accepted as medically fit for the Army Colleges if he passes the Royal Air Force Medical Examination and is within the standards set by the Army. H 5! Flying from Formosa FROM a report emanating fronr Tokyo it appears that a scheme is being considered in Japan for the establishment of an aerodrome at Mako, on the Island of Formosa, which should serve as a base for an aerial service to South China and the South Sea Islands. The project also contemplates the starting of a laboratory for aeronautic research at Mako, and also an aerial police force for the Island itself. 1037 E 2
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