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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 1543.PDF
JUNE 27, 1935. FLIGHT. 6S9 Two-seater fighters were much used during the war and were re-introduced into the R.A.F. a few years ago. The " Demon" is the standard type, and the picture on the left shows a flight of "Demons" of No. 23 (Fighter) Squadron, which is stationed at Biggin Hill. On the right is No. 57 (Bomber) Squadron at Upper Heyford, flying the " Hart," which is the fastest light bomber in the R.A.F. (Flight photograph.) permanent commissions and temporary commissions. The latter are divided into Short Service commissions and Medium Service commissions. The usual way of obtaining a permanent commission is to pass as a cadet through the R.A.F. College at Cranwell, where, after a two years' course, the cadet is turned out as a qualified pilot and a fully trained officer. A number of permanent commissions are given every year to men who have taken degrees at recognised Universities, and, as a general rule. Honour degrees are expected. Permanent commissions are also granted, though sparingly, to officers holding Short Ser vice and Medium Service commissions and to selected air men. Permanent commissions in the General Duties Branch are usually granted only to airmen who are pilots. Technical airmen may receive a special class of commission, and are known as Commissioned Engineer Officers, Com missioned Signals Officers, and Commissioned Armament Officers. In the General Duties Branch the holders of permanent commissions may all expect, in the normal course of A "Nimrod" single- seater fighter landing on the flying deck of H.M. Aircraft Carrier Courageous. The bridge and funnels and other top-hamper are all con tained in the structure on one side of the deck. (Flight photograph.) events, to make the Service their career and to rise to high, or fairly high, rank. At the top of the tree only a few officers are needed, but many pilots are needed to fly the aeroplanes in the squadrons. Only a few of them could expect to rise to high rank, and therefore it is considered necessary to find, a large number of pilots who will have no such expectations. A proportion of this number is provided by the sergeant pilots, and the rest by Short Ser vice officers. In fact, the great majority of the officers in the R.A.F. hold Short Service commissions. These officers are chosen by direct appointment, and after selection are sent to one of the Flying Training Schools to be taught to fly. They are also trained in all the other duties of an officer. The University officers, although they may have already learnt to fly and have received a fair amount of other training, are also sent for a finishing course before they are posted to squadrons. Short Service officers undertake to serve for six years in squadrons or wherever they may be posted, and then remain on the Reserve for four more years. Some are granted Medium Service commissions, which means that their service in the squadrons or elsewhere is extended to a total of ten years. The Reserve will be explained lower down. The airmen in the R.A.F. are divided into warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, aircraftmen and aircraft-
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