Shrikered :-
Flight Reference Cards/checklists. When did they come into use in the RAF?
The 3rd Edition Pilots Notes (AL1 incorp. May 1960) for the Hastings C Mk1 (Hercules 216 engines) has a pocket in the rear cover for the FRCs, issue 1 of which was dated May 1962 and issued with AL3 incorp April 1963. So it would appear for that type FRCs were planned for in 1960 at least and issued for type in 1963. Mk1s fitted with 206 engines continued to use the old 2nd edition PNs, I suspect they were in the old format (green manila covers, no FRCs), but only a guess.
Similarly, Issue 1 FRCs for the Chipmunk T Mk10 were dated June 1963.
In contrast, PNs for the Varsity T1 were in the old familiar green soft covers and were still in that form for AL2 dated March 1962. No FRCs, and the Vital Action Check Lists on the rear cover (with a stuck on 1" paper amendment added by AL2). That format of course dated back to WWII at least, as per FED's Halifax III PNs. Hope that helps?
sidevalve, George continues to be lucky as he starts on down that long and winding road to Gibraltar and home. With his writing skills he should have written for a living, but I guess that Training Captains in BA earned "an elegant sufficiency" anyway!