Information Needed – Aircrew trades
In answer to the Omega-wearing and Omega occupant-worrying Charlie Golf, it is my understanding that while ROVs (Radio Operators Voice) have flown on board Nimrod R, they did not have an aircrew brevet unless and until they became Air Sig RCs.
My understanding is that an ROV, previously known as a SOV (Special Operator Voice), is/was primarily a ground trade, flown occasionally as required. The 51 Squadron ORBs (now open at Kew) tell us, for example that ROVs (presumably Spanish speaking) augmented the normal crew for Operation Acme, during the Falklands war.
I understand that ROV is an anachronistic term, the trade subsequently being known as CSA(V) (Communication Systems Analyst (Voice)) and most recently as Int An (V) - Intelligence Analyst (Voice).
The situation regarding the brevets historically worn by 51's 'back end' crew seems complex. Initially Special Operators wore an S-for-Signaller brevet, while Supervisors could be AEOs, Navs, Signallers or even, in at least one case Observers. From about 1963, those Spec Ops who successfully completed the Advanced Course at Hullavington became AE Ops, and could wear an AE brevet. Some time after that, passing the Advanced Course became a pre-requisite for both Spec Ops and Supervisors, and all Special Ops became AE Ops or AEOs.
Previously, the squadron's linguists wore no brevet, and at some point (I'd love to know when) they were given the now-vacant Signaller brevet. The number of linguists seems to have increased during the later part of the Comet/Canberra era, to a level approaching that in the Nimrod period.
Reports that the squadron's rear crew eventually received a winged pie brevet cannot be confirmed!
My understanding is that an ROV, previously known as a SOV (Special Operator Voice), is/was primarily a ground trade, flown occasionally as required. The 51 Squadron ORBs (now open at Kew) tell us, for example that ROVs (presumably Spanish speaking) augmented the normal crew for Operation Acme, during the Falklands war.
I understand that ROV is an anachronistic term, the trade subsequently being known as CSA(V) (Communication Systems Analyst (Voice)) and most recently as Int An (V) - Intelligence Analyst (Voice).
The situation regarding the brevets historically worn by 51's 'back end' crew seems complex. Initially Special Operators wore an S-for-Signaller brevet, while Supervisors could be AEOs, Navs, Signallers or even, in at least one case Observers. From about 1963, those Spec Ops who successfully completed the Advanced Course at Hullavington became AE Ops, and could wear an AE brevet. Some time after that, passing the Advanced Course became a pre-requisite for both Spec Ops and Supervisors, and all Special Ops became AE Ops or AEOs.
Previously, the squadron's linguists wore no brevet, and at some point (I'd love to know when) they were given the now-vacant Signaller brevet. The number of linguists seems to have increased during the later part of the Comet/Canberra era, to a level approaching that in the Nimrod period.
Reports that the squadron's rear crew eventually received a winged pie brevet cannot be confirmed!
I was just curious about when linguists started using the old Signaller brevet Salad-Dodger, and googled. On finding this thread it seemed a good place to ask, especially as I could finally answer CG's ROV question!
ROV... thanks Jacko.
I was on the staff of AAITC in 87 ish, when a forty something ROV-er from Wyton was made to do the ITC. It was he who introduced me to the term. His ' I won't fail, they need me too much', attitude irritated me somewhat. He wanted something for nothing!
CG
I was on the staff of AAITC in 87 ish, when a forty something ROV-er from Wyton was made to do the ITC. It was he who introduced me to the term. His ' I won't fail, they need me too much', attitude irritated me somewhat. He wanted something for nothing!
CG
Aircrew trades ? With respect, throughout my career I always respected the Aircrew I worked with as occupying a proffesion, not a trade. I happily accept my own status as a tradesman, being by training an ex Halton apprentice Airframe Fitter ! My craft was well defined and boundaries dictated. What member of aircrew was ever restricted by "trade" boundaries ? Any fast jet pilot would have full responsibility the minute he took off on a sortie, as would all other Aircrew branches. Bit of a false argument to me, and it's not an "us and them", in 30 years I looked on the aircrew as the proffesionaly trained operators of the product of my, and my fellow tradesmens output. No disrespect to those who operate RAF aircraft from my opinion, but to be described as tradesmen seems a bit of an insult.
Smudge
Smudge
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As to the CSA/IntAn or whatever they're called this week having brevets. They don't need one. They already have the mighty "fist of sparks" on their sleves!
