RAF College of Air Warfare

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This article is about the Royal Air Force unit. For the Indian Air Force unit, see College of Air Warfare.

RAF College of Air Warfare
Active1962-74 as last formation
1942-1946
1946-49
1949-1962
Disbanded1974
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Air Force
TypeTraining
War college
RoleRAF flying training
Last baseRAF Manby

The RAF College of Air Warfare is a former Royal Air Force flying training unit operational between 1962 and 1974. The unit traces its history back to 1942 as the Empire Central Flying School.

History

The College started off life as the Empire Central Flying School at

Handling Squadron RAF. These flight used various aircraft including Miles Magisters, de Havilland Tiger Moths, Gloster Gladiators, Avro Ansons and Airspeed Oxfords along with various other training, fighter and bomber aircraft.[2]

The Handling Squadron was operational as part of Empire Central Flying School from 28 February 1942 and as part of the future units until 12 April 1954 when as No. 3 (Handling) Squadron the control of the squadron was transferred to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment.[3]

The unit was renamed the Empire Flying School on 7 May 1946. In 1949 the examining wing was transferred to the Central Flying School at RAF Brize Norton, and other roles of the school were transferred to the RAF Flying College at RAF Manby.[4] The unit was formally disbanded on 31 July 1949.[4][1]

No. 1 Air Armament School was operational between 1 November 1937 and 28 October 1944 at Manby and was absorbed by the Empire Air Armament School[5] which in turn was absorbed by the Royal Air Force Flying College on 31 July 1949 while at Manby.[2]

The Royal Air Force Flying College was formed at RAF Manby on 1 June 1949 and operated various aircraft including

Hawker Siddeley Dominies amongst others.[7][4]

Air Display Team

wheels-up landing

The College formed a display team in 1965, called "The

dayglo training colours, but in 1968, the display aircraft were re-sprayed into a unique colour scheme of light grey and red. From 1969 the Jet Provosts adopted the now-standard red/white/grey scheme but had special team markings applied. The "Macaws" flew six basic formations, their display culminating in a "Petal Break". During the 1971 and 1972 display seasons the team was led by Flt Lt Brian Hoskins, and he later went on to lead the Red Arrows.[8]

The team's final season occurred in 1973, in common with several other RAF displays teams, due the effects of the 1973 oil crisis.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Empire Central Flying School". RAF Museum.
  2. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 64.
  3. ^ Lake 1999, p. 128.
  4. ^ a b c Sturtivant 2007, p. 108
  5. ^ Lake 1999, p. 13.
  6. ^ Lake 1999, p. 176.
  7. ^ Lake 1999, p. 175.
  8. ^ "THE JET PROVOST DISPLAY TEAMS". Jet Provost Heaven. Retrieved 28 September 2022.

Bibliography

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