Al, here is a picture that I scanned in Terrell library when I was researching my Uncle who got his wings at Terrell (having started out with Reg in 42A Albany GA, but probably was washed out to Terrell), you might recognise someone?
I also "won" this on ebay, not quite sure what it would have been used for but it was associated with BFTS1
Finally this is shot I took of a display cabinet at Darr Aero recently, Reg should recognise this one?
I do apologise if I am stating the obvious, but there was a distinct difference between the course that Cliff would have taken (BFTS) and the course that Reg would have taken (Arnold Scheme).
Cliff would have been at one centre for the whole course, whilst Reg would have moved every time he completed a section of the course Primary/Basic/Advanced.
When Reg started in July 1941 the dropout from the early courses was significant, nearly 45% dropped out (my Uncle included) some were recycled as Bomb Aimers and Navigators, whilst others (courtesy of Wing Commander Hogan) were given a second chance at a BFTS like my Uncle.
Class
Net Intake
Graduated
42A
549
302
42B
555
327
42C
632
405
42D
651
399
42E
749
746
42F
753
747
42G
749
738
42H
758
748
42I
519
507
42K
507
493
43A
518
504
43B
518
503
I don’t know what happened when they got to class 42 E as the dropout improved dramatically, perhaps they shut the local bar? Reg?
The above table is taken from http://www.arnold-scheme.org/ which is a useful source of information on the scheme.
Later on in the BFTS I think (can you comment Cliff?) the course got improved and they even dropped out Basic training and went straight from Primary to Advanced.
So again apologies if I this Young Sprog has bored anyone!