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Aviation History
1934
1934 - 0940.PDF
942 FLIGHT. SEPTEMBER 13, 1934. ' INSTRUCTION In the left-hand picture the Special Reserve airmen of the squadron are receiving rigginginstruction, and on the right is an engine class. (Flight Photos.) year, as well as to attend camp for a fortnight. No. 501 B.S. has always gone to Manston for camp, and is going there again this year. During camp the S.R. officers receive the pay of their rank, and they also receive what is called periodical flying pay. During the first eighteen months ot their service they must attend the Air Armament School at Eastchurch for twelve days, and promotion from pilot officer to flying officer is only granted if the officer has passed his Eastchurch course. The regular establishment includes one chief flying in structor who is a flight lieutenant, and another flying instructor who is a flying officer. These two teach the S.R. flying officers to fly ab initio, at no cost to themselves. This is naturally a great attraction. Once the men become members of the squadron they quickly imbibe its spirit, and realise that they have undertaken serious duties to their country of which mere flying is (so to speak) just the groundwork. They are expected to become efficient officers in all respects, and they rise to the occasion. The obligations, which ask a very minimum, are quickly for- gotten, and the only object kept in view is to make the squadron as efficient as any other bomber squadron in the Service. The S.R. officers come from various walks in life. In No. 501 B.S. two are barristers, one is a solicitor, two are bankers, one is a business man and a city coun- cillor, one is a farmer from Herefordshire, and one is a son of the Governor-General of New Zealand. The S.R. airmen enlist for two years, but can extend their service by successive periods of one year. They get a bounty of 3 for the whole annual training, in which thev undertake to attend a minimum of twenty instructional parades as well as camp. If they are efficient tradesmen they may be excused six days of the fourteen at Manston and make them up at Filton. Most of the S.R. airmen work for their living in the various factories in Bristol, and not a few are employed by the Bristol Aeroplane Co., whose works are on the other side of Filton aerodrome. This is very convenient for them, for the squadron has not yet been allowed a Town Headquarters for ground instruction and social pusuits. It is hoped that this may be granted in time. At present the men attend at Filton on Monday evenings for ground instruction. Talking of social life, the squadron is very energetic in that respect. In winter it runs two Soccer teams, and in summer two cricket XI's. A dance is held once a month in winter in the squadron workshops, and there is an occa- sional dance in summer. There are also weekly whist drives in winter. The officers' mess gives a dance at Christ- mas and holds a guest night once a month. Now and again lectures with lantern slides are given, and while the repre- sentatives of Flight were enjoying the hospitality of the squadron they were privileged to hear one by Lord Apsley on his flight to Australia and on farming life in that Dominion, illustrated by some very interesting slides from photographs which he had taken himself. The City of Bristol Squadron was formed in June, 1929, and was originally equipped with the D.H.9.A. Later this was changed for the " Wapiti," which in March, 1933, was again changed for the "Wallace," also a product of the Westland Aircraft Co. and also driven by a Bristol GROUND WORK : • The Special Reserve airmen of the Cadre squadrons are taught all branches of R.A.F.work. The left-hand picture shows machine-gun practice at the range, and on the right is a signalling class. Flight Photos.)
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