‘ Auxiliary verses Special Reserve ’
Conditions of Service
ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
In 1928 , 504 ( County of Nottingham ) SR Squadron formed at Hucknall , in 1929 , 501 ( City of Bristol , then County of Gloucester ) SR Squadron formed at Filton , and in 1930 , 604 ( County of Middlesex ) AAF Squadron formed at Hendon , 607 ( County of Durham ) AAF Squadron formed at Usworth , and 608 ( North Riding ) AAF Squadron formed at Thomaby . In 1931 , 500 ( County of Kent ) SR Squadron was formed at RAF Manston .
In 1933 the Force had 1,335 Reserve personnel on strength . It was during this period , in 1933 , when on 3rd April 1933 , Squadron Leader , the Marquis of Clydesdale ( Officer Commanding 602 Sqn ) and Flt Lt D F McIntyre , were the first people to fly over Mount Everest at 30,000 ft in two aircraft . Both airmen were awarded Air Force Crosses .
Above : Squadron Leader Douglas Douglas-Hamilton and Flight Lieutenant David MacIntyre , and a close-range photograph of the overflight
‘ Auxiliary verses Special Reserve ’
Many questions have been asked over the years about the difference between the AAF and the SR squadrons . The main differences were the establishment and how the AAF and SR squadrons were administered . The strength of an AAF squadron including the OC was made up from local volunteers and administered by the County Territorial Associations , whereas on an SR squadron , a third of the
strength of , including both officers , airmen and the OC , were Regular and administered directly by the RAF . Both AAF and SR squadrons were raised around population centres , near a suitable RAF airfield for operational training , but with an HQ in the city centre for recruiting , non-operational training , and social aspects .
Conditions of Service
To be a AAF pilot and to serve on a squadron , a potential recruit needed to hold a Private Pilot ’ s Licence and like their modern RAuxAF contemporaries was able to make time from their employment and private lives to attend training .
Reserve airmen were recruited to serve locally ( within 5 miles of their home airfield ), and once trained were expected to attend evening and weekend training as well as the annual summer camp ( today known as Annual Continuous Training ).
All personnel were signed on for a minimum of four years and had a minimum attendance commitment , which once achieved resulted in an annual tax-free bounty ( up to £ 5 in 1930s ). Travelling expenses were granted at a later date .
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