Cranwell
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Hi Madbob.
My own experience was that I applied specifically for a cadetship at Cranwell, got the call to Biggin Hill and managed to get through.
I was an engineering cadet, at Cranwell, but I seem to remember the GD(P) cadets flying both Mk 3 and Mk5 JPs.
Rgds SOS
My own experience was that I applied specifically for a cadetship at Cranwell, got the call to Biggin Hill and managed to get through.
I was an engineering cadet, at Cranwell, but I seem to remember the GD(P) cadets flying both Mk 3 and Mk5 JPs.
Rgds SOS
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As I remember it, in the early 70s, if you had a degree then they sent you to Cranwell. Us oiks bereft of such academic distinction ended up at Henlow, Church Fenton on Chipmunks (still got the tie!) and then to either Linton or Leeming; I was at 1 FTS on JP3s and 5s.
Last edited by Molemot; 2nd Oct 2013 at 12:18.
A few points that may not be clear to all;
No we never walked on the carpet (until it was time to throw our caps in the air having slow marched in the front door to Old Lang Syne),
Nor did we stroll in the front door from academics etc (for the same reason),
We flew Mk 3s and 4s at this time (ours was the first Entry on the JP there),
A lot of the pilot training (especially night flying) was done at Barkston Heath,
None of us came with degrees, but some of us studied for and graduated with BA or AFRAeS degrees while there (I didn't!).
The whole course took 3 years (3 months now, isn't it?)
I see that this bit is reel 1. Can't seem to find reel 2, any chance Molemot?
No we never walked on the carpet (until it was time to throw our caps in the air having slow marched in the front door to Old Lang Syne),
Nor did we stroll in the front door from academics etc (for the same reason),
We flew Mk 3s and 4s at this time (ours was the first Entry on the JP there),
A lot of the pilot training (especially night flying) was done at Barkston Heath,
None of us came with degrees, but some of us studied for and graduated with BA or AFRAeS degrees while there (I didn't!).
The whole course took 3 years (3 months now, isn't it?)
I see that this bit is reel 1. Can't seem to find reel 2, any chance Molemot?
Last edited by Chugalug2; 2nd Oct 2013 at 12:45.
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Chug's points are spot on we only entered and exited College Hall through the doors in the wings, except, as he says, after our graduation parade and that was the only time we walked on the carpet in the rotunda; unless you count the grad ball and that was more like staggering!
A few short years after your time, Chug. Although, still, none of us came with degrees, the engineering cadets studied for and mostly gained a BSc in Aeronautical engineering of one sort or another. We (engineers) spent 5 years at Cranwell.
First year spent learning how to get our hair cut and march in a straight line, then 3 years studying for the BSc, then 12 months on what was called the Applied Course - an introduction to the then current RAF equipment and procedures. In particular how to fill out a MT request form!
At that time all non-engineer cadets were offered the chance of taking up a university place to do a bachelor's degree in any subject and then return to Cranwell and finish their officer and professional training.
Also, at that time, the JP Mk 4s had been transferred to Shawbury for ATC training.
If I've got any of this wrong, BEags might correct me (if you see what I mean).
Rgds SOS
A few short years after your time, Chug. Although, still, none of us came with degrees, the engineering cadets studied for and mostly gained a BSc in Aeronautical engineering of one sort or another. We (engineers) spent 5 years at Cranwell.
First year spent learning how to get our hair cut and march in a straight line, then 3 years studying for the BSc, then 12 months on what was called the Applied Course - an introduction to the then current RAF equipment and procedures. In particular how to fill out a MT request form!
At that time all non-engineer cadets were offered the chance of taking up a university place to do a bachelor's degree in any subject and then return to Cranwell and finish their officer and professional training.
Also, at that time, the JP Mk 4s had been transferred to Shawbury for ATC training.
If I've got any of this wrong, BEags might correct me (if you see what I mean).
Rgds SOS
Reel 2 of the 1961 film
Chugalug - here's reel 2 THE ROYAL AIRFORCE COLLEGE CRANWELL - British Pathé
Last edited by Will1593; 2nd Oct 2013 at 16:33.
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Chug's points are spot on we only entered and exited College Hall through the doors in the wings, except, as he says, after our graduation parade and that was the only time we walked on the carpet in the rotunda; unless you count the grad ball and that was more like staggering!
A few short years after your time, Chug. Although, still, none of us came with degrees, the engineering cadets studied for and mostly gained a BSc in Aeronautical engineering of one sort or another. We (engineers) spent 5 years at Cranwell.
First year spent learning how to get our hair cut and march in a straight line, then 3 years studying for the BSc, then 12 months on what was called the Applied Course - an introduction to the then current RAF equipment and procedures. In particular how to fill out a MT request form!
At that time all non-engineer cadets were offered the chance of taking up a university place to do a bachelor's degree in any subject and then return to Cranwell and finish their officer and professional training.
Also, at that time, the JP Mk 4s had been transferred to Shawbury for ATC training.
If I've got any of this wrong, BEags might correct me (if you see what I mean).
Rgds SOS
A few short years after your time, Chug. Although, still, none of us came with degrees, the engineering cadets studied for and mostly gained a BSc in Aeronautical engineering of one sort or another. We (engineers) spent 5 years at Cranwell.
First year spent learning how to get our hair cut and march in a straight line, then 3 years studying for the BSc, then 12 months on what was called the Applied Course - an introduction to the then current RAF equipment and procedures. In particular how to fill out a MT request form!
At that time all non-engineer cadets were offered the chance of taking up a university place to do a bachelor's degree in any subject and then return to Cranwell and finish their officer and professional training.
Also, at that time, the JP Mk 4s had been transferred to Shawbury for ATC training.
If I've got any of this wrong, BEags might correct me (if you see what I mean).
Rgds SOS
Will1953:-
I'm obliged to you, Sir. Your search technique is far superior to mine (not a surprise!).
Chugalug - here's reel 2
Avoid imitations
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I joined the mob in 1976, as a direct entrant. I was sent to learn how to use the correct knife and fork at Henlow. We went straight to JPs at Linton after that. There was no piston engine training phase in those days.
That's an interesting point... sorry for thread drift but why is it that we no longer have a MRAF? When I joined there was always at least one.
HRH Prince Philip
HRH Prince Charles
MRAF Sir Michael Beetham
MRAF Sir Keith Williamson
MRAF David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley
MRAF Sir Peter Harding
of these only the first 2 are still serving, the others having retired on the same day they were promoted (retaining the rank for life) except Sir Peter who resigned his commission after being exposed as having had an affair.
At that time all non-engineer cadets were offered the chance of taking up a university place to do a bachelor's degree in any subject and then return to Cranwell and finish their officer and professional training.
Also, at that time, the JP Mk 4s had been transferred to Shawbury for ATC training.
If I've got any of this wrong, BEags might correct me (if you see what I mean).
Also, at that time, the JP Mk 4s had been transferred to Shawbury for ATC training.
If I've got any of this wrong, BEags might correct me (if you see what I mean).
So enjoyable was UAS life in London that my 3 year course took 4 years, but the last year was as a Plt Off on roughly 3 x an LEA grant (remember those?). Like many of my contemporaries, I arrived back at 'Towers for my Graduate Entry IOT course with a sports car, hi-fi and money in the bank. Which improved yet further once we were promoted to Fg Off during IOT. So weird was the system that one chap on 16 GE, with an Honours Degree after a 4 year course, arrived as a substantive Flt Lt and technically outranked his IOT Flt Cdr who was an acting Flt Lt, being Direct Entry filth of some non-engineering ground-pounding branch....
By then the JP4s had gone and we started on the Mk3, then depending on fleet availability, the Mk5. About 3 people actually flew the Mk5 having never flown anything before, but most of us, having gained our PFBs on Chipmunks at a UAS, were on a reduced course.
Sadly the mystique of such hallowed traditions as the 'Senior Entry carpet' had gone; we didn't drill with rifles as that was considered frightfully lower order and really rather 'Henlow', so Wing Drill was nothing like as impressive as it had been in cadet days.... But I don't think that the RAFC ever really recovered....
Last edited by BEagle; 2nd Oct 2013 at 21:42.
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we didn't drill with rifles as that was considered frightfully lower order and really rather 'Henlow', so Wing Drill was nothing like as impressive as it had been in cadet days....
Viz I think what you were asking was why dont we still create MRAFs. The five star rank was discontinued in all three services in 1995, and Field Marshal Lord Inge was in fact the last 4 star to be appointed to 5 star rank (in 1994). The rank has not been entirely abolished and is retained for special circumstances, thus Flt Lt Wales may one day find himself MRAF Wales, but other than that they are a dying breed!
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Rifles etc
Did we not have a strictly drill weapon, Lee Enfield .303 shackled to one's bedstead in South Brick Lines? Inherited from some senior chap who may or may not have made more tiresome one's task of painting, varnishing and cleaning? informal inspection often perpetrated during the night time pleasure of "crowing".
Upon moving to College Hall, via the blocks surrounding junior mess parade ground, the .303 was replaced by a real rifle, stored in squadron armoury and issued for drill / parades by the introvert Flt Sgt Palmer. senior Entry paraded without rifles - swords for SUO / UOs ?
Chipmunks from North Airfield in junior entry, then JP 3 and 4 in final year.
seem to think the 3/4 were randomly allocated, though most of the later trips were in the JP4 - happy to be corrected !
Upon moving to College Hall, via the blocks surrounding junior mess parade ground, the .303 was replaced by a real rifle, stored in squadron armoury and issued for drill / parades by the introvert Flt Sgt Palmer. senior Entry paraded without rifles - swords for SUO / UOs ?
Chipmunks from North Airfield in junior entry, then JP 3 and 4 in final year.
seem to think the 3/4 were randomly allocated, though most of the later trips were in the JP4 - happy to be corrected !
Last edited by chopd95; 3rd Oct 2013 at 17:20.
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Excellent film . I lived at RAF Cranwell AMQ 1966/7 many happy hours spent gliding on the North airfield . The shot of all the parked Chipmunks is where the present Aircrew Selection building stands. The hangar used for the raft exercises was full of Chipmunks in 1967. The hangar near to the Italian restaurant(was the Post Office then) was the Glider flight and the Flying Club with Tiger Moths and Austers.
Clive.
Crikey, just read through this thread - tears to the eyes job- I won a scholarship and a cadetship, and passed out of the Towers in December 65, to go, to my amazement, to Valley. In my brick of history records sent me are my Cranwell assessments and reports. I wish they had told me my overall results at the time, might have helped my confidence. Still look back on the place with considerable affection. Really enjoyed my Secretarial Course there in 1980, and going back in 82 for 18 months as a flight commander in DIOT
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Actually we have 6:
HRH Prince Philip
HRH Prince Charles
MRAF Sir Michael Beetham
MRAF Sir Keith Williamson
MRAF David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley
MRAF Sir Peter Harding
of these only the first 2 are still serving, the others having retired on the same day they were promoted (retaining the rank for life) except Sir Peter who resigned his commission after being exposed as having had an affair.
HRH Prince Philip
HRH Prince Charles
MRAF Sir Michael Beetham
MRAF Sir Keith Williamson
MRAF David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley
MRAF Sir Peter Harding
of these only the first 2 are still serving, the others having retired on the same day they were promoted (retaining the rank for life) except Sir Peter who resigned his commission after being exposed as having had an affair.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jock_Stirrup
The Queen appoints 3 former Chiefs of the Defence Staff to honorary 5-star rank
Her Majesty has given orders for the following honorary appointments:
Admiral the Lord Boyce KG, GCB, OBE, DL as Admiral of the Fleet
General the Lord Walker GCB, CMG, CBE, DL as Field Marshal
Air Chief Marshal the Lord Stirrup KG, GCB, AFC as Marshal of the Royal Air Force
The appointment to honorary 5-star rank is a promotion that can be given by the sovereign alone and is made sparingly.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2...ence-civilians
