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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0552.PDF
AUGUST 5, 1926 THE R.A.F. IN TRAINING DURING the last few weeks three of the RAF. training centres have held their " passing out " inspections, and in each case the progress made has been most satisfactory. July 22 was the occasion of the passing out inspection by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game, of Aircraft Apprentices (Electrical and Wireless School) at Flowerdown. This was the fourth inspection of apprentices trained there. Altogether there are 228 apprentices under training at Flowerdown, exclusive of this passing-out entry, 198 of which are being trained as wireless operator mechanics, 10 as instrument makers, and 20 as electricians. The report of the Comman- dant, Group Capt. R. Peel Ross, says that the standard of discipline and drill maintained by the present passing out entry has been above the average, and that the health of the whole of the apprentices has been very good. The athletic qualifications of this entry have been excep- tional, and keenness has been shown in the gymnasium and miniature rifle range. The educational standard attained by this entry has been good and the best of the apprentices are in every way comparable with the best of their predecessors. A high standard has been maintained in the technical sections and workshops, the whole of the syllabus having been covered. Voluntary evening classes have been well attended, and every apprentice has successfully operated wireless instruments in the air. Of the present entry, 14 have passed out as Leading Air- craftsmen, 33 as 1st Class Aircraftsmen, 29 as 2nd Class Aircraftsmen, and 4 have failed to qualify. A Cadetship has been offered to No. 364095 E. B. Hughes, who is also the winner of the Hyde-Thomson Memorial Prize, kindly awarded by R. D. Hyde-Thomson, Esq. The following are retained for the Advanced Course with a view to passing out as Corporals : No. 364260 A. J. Mott ; No. 364215 J. Lea ; No. 363991 W. Corden ; No. 364118 A. S. Jukes. No. 364260 A. J. Mott, wins the prize offered by the Air Ministry for the aircraft apprentice who obtains the highest aggregate marks in all sections. No. 364019 L. E. Farrell wins the prize offered by the Air Ministry for the aircraft apprentice who obtains the highest marks in technical subjects. No. 363932 R. A. Godfell wins the prize offered by the Air Ministry for the aircraft apprentice who obtains the highest marks in educational subjects. At C ran well July 29 saw the passing-out inspections by Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary of State for Air, who was accom- panied by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game and Group Capt. McEwin, of the two branches at Cranwell—the R.A.F. Cadet College, and the Aircraft Apprentices' Training School. Below we give extracts from the reports on these two training centres issued by Air Commodore A. E. Borton, Air Officer Commanding :— R.A.F. Cadet College.—The total strength of the Cadet College is 104, of whom 19 are due to pass out this term. The total flying time during the term was 2,954 hrs. 10 mins. The cadets now due to pass out have averaged 77 hours flying, of which 28 hours have been solo on Service types. There was, unfortunately, one fatal accident (the third since the formation of the College in 1920) to Flight Cadet H. F. M. Pickford. On the whole the standard attained in educational training has been satisfactory. In aeronautical engineering flight cadets showing the most aptitude have been the ex-aircraft apprentices. A considerable amount of practical instruction in short- wave radio telephony has been carried out with good results. . In musketry training the present first-term cadets have been the first to shoot the R.A.F. Recruit's Musketry Course, and have done exceedingly well. Instruction has been given in the use and maintenance of parachutes, and 31 officers and 4 cadets have made descents. The discipline has been good and the under-officers and non-commissioned officers have performed their duties in a most satisfactory manner. The health of the cadets during the past half-year has been excellent. In physical training the standard remains high, and the average gain in physical improvement for the term is satis- factory, whilst the standard attained at the Inter-Squadron Sports was equal to the best results of previous years. The College record for the 220 yards hurdles was lowered by two-fifths of a second by Flight-Cadet Francis. The Inter- Squadron Athletic Cup was won by " B " Squadron, for the second year in succession, by 6 points to 5. The athletic team competed in two contests. The first against Clare College, Cambridge, resulting in a win for Clare College. The second contest was with Queen's College, Cambridge, which resulted in a win for the Cadet College. The following awards for the term have been won :—• The Sword of Honour, presented to the best all-round flight cadet in the senior term : B. C. Yar«le. The R. M. Groves Memorial Prize, for the best all-round pilot in the senior term : H. A. Purvis. The Abdy Gerrard Fellowes Memorial Prize for the flight cadet obtaining the highest total marks in mathematics and science : W. L. Freebody. The Air Ministry prize on humanistic subjects : W. L. Freebody. The Air Ministry prize in aeronautical engineering : K. F. Brake. Aircraft Apprentices Training School.—At the present time there are 973 aircraft apprentices under training, made up of the following trades :— 1 armourer ; 1 carpenter : 6 carpenters, motor body- builder ; 197 carpenters, rigger ; 39 coppersmiths ; 487 fitters, aero engine ; 60 fitters, armourer ; 92 fitters, driver petrol ; 47 fitters, rigger ; 43 turners. The discipline has been good, the standard set by form entries being maintained, while the standard of technical training has undoubtedly improved, this being especially noticeable in basic work. Much benefit has been derived from the engagement of Civilians as Permanent Instructors and the method of posting Service Instructors to the unit for at least three years. The educational work in the school has made very consider- able progress. The entry just passing out has benefited by the greater experience of the education officers and by the continual and increasing co-operation which exists with the technical officers—95-5 per cent, of this entry having qualified as L.A.C. in educational subjects, and 41 per cent, of the entry having obtained the requisite 60 per cent., which exempts them from the studentship examination of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The health of the apprentices has been good. All apprentices have completed Parts 1 and 2 of Table " A " in Musketry, and considering the short time available for preliminary training the results have been most gratifying. V.8 Dormitory of No. 3 Squadron won the Musketry Cup, and Aircraft Apprentice Williams the Cup presented for the highest individual score. The recent increase in the number of playing grounds has enabled a most comprehensive round of leagues and compe- titions to be held in all forms of sport. Many outside matches have been played at Rugby football, association, hockey, cricket and tennis, while the wing gymnastic, boxing and cycling teams have given a good account of themselves in the neighbourhood. Of the 973 apprentices, 529 are due to leave now, having passed for qualification as :—L.A.C. (81); A.C.I. (207); A.C.2. (216) ; Failed (23) ; Did not sit examination owing to sickness (2). Cadetships have been offered to No. 364272, Stephenson, J. T. (Home Town, Croydon) ; No. 364040, Mutch, J. (Home Town, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire) ; No. 364333, Worstall, W. R. (Swindon) ; No. 364361, Weaitt, A. L. (Bexley, Kent) No. 364365, Whittle, F. (Leamington, Warwickshire). The undermentioned are retained for the advanced course No. 364253, Smith, R. Y. J. ; No. 363984, Dunkley, B. E. No. 363907, Allen, R. H. ; No. 363980, Henry, R. C. ; No 363966, Hickman, A. A. F. ; No. 364335, Watson, P. D. No. 364172, Stocks, R. B. ; No. 364145, Mercer, F. L. No. 364023, Foreman, H. Z. ; No. 363995, King, A. G. W. No. 364134, McNama, M. G. ; No. 363964, Freeman, H. H. No. 363944, Falconer, R. A. R. ; No. 363880, Burrows, C. S. J. The following is a list of awards for the prizes offered by the Air Ministry :— (1) Carpenter rigger.—363829 A/A (Boy) Cook, F. W. (2) Fitter, aero engine.—364253 A/A (A.C.2.) Smith, R. Y. J. (3) Fitter, armourer.—363831 A/A (A.C.2.) Bickenson, J. S. (4) Fitter, driver petrol.—-364447 A/A (A.C.2.) Owen, R. W. (5) Fitter rigger.—364040 A/A (A.C.2.) Mutch, J. (6) Turner.— 363811 A/A (A.C.2.) Barretto, F. W. P. (7) Educational subjects.—364023 A/A (A.C.2.) Foreman, H. Z. (8) Grand Aggregate.—364253 A/A (A.C.2.) Smith, R. Y. J. 482
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