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Old 1st Dec 2010, 11:39
  #25 (permalink)  
BEagle
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
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Err, are you sure Dan? Anyway, according to RAF Timeline 1930-39, here's some of what happened next:

July 1934: A major expansion of the RAF is announced, with the number of Home Defence squadrons increased from 52 to 75, and bringing the total first-line strength to 128 squadrons within five years.

May 1935: The British Government votes to treble the number of frontline military aircraft available to defend UK soil. This adds up to an increase of 1500 aircraft of all types.

July 1935: A Royal Review of the RAF carried out by King George V at Duxford and Mildenhall includes a flypast of 350 aircraft.

July 1936: As a result of RAF expansion, the Air Council decides to re-organised the Air Defence of Great Britain into four specialised Commands.

July 1936: The RAFVR is formed. Volunteers are recruited for a minimum of 5 years, receiving flying training at weekends and during an annual 15 day camp. By September 1939, the RAFVR had 63000 men trained as pilots as well as in medical and technical trades.

December 1937: The first Hurricanes enter service with 111 Squadron at Northolt.

June 1938: The first Spitfires enter service with 19 Squadron at Duxford.

January 1939: RAF now has 135 squadrons (74 bomber, 27 fighter, 12 army co-operation, 17 reconnaissance, 4 torpedo-bomber and 1 communications). In addition to this, the RAuxAF has a further 19 squadrons (3 bomber, 11 fighter, 2 army co-operation and 3 reconnaissance).



Fast forward to 1 December 1962 when the RAF had 22 squadrons of V-bombers alone.... I wonder what the strength of the RAF will be on the 50th anniversary of that date?
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