Short Lived RAF Rank

Master Green is most probably his Instrument Rating – a system of grading of ability that went ‘White’, ‘Green’ then ‘Master Green’. Your rating allowed you a reduction in the minima you were allowed when conducting instrument approaches.

Yet another variation?

I knew an ex-VC-10 tanker pilot who told me that he had previously been a Master Green instructor on Harvards.
Did I describe that right and, if so, what was a Master Green?

Anon.

Master Pilots in the RAF

Some time ago I researched a trio of medals named to a Master Pilot (Defence medal/War medal and RAF LSGC). It was his full entitlement. The LSGC was a QE2 issue and named to him as M/Plt. A. McNeil RAF. (I can’t recall the serial number). McNeil served from 1940 to 1961 being discharged as per Q/Regs “of his own volition”. From what I can recall, during WW2, he stayed within the UK serving in Instructional roles at a variety of HCU’s and FTU’s as well as Flight Conversion Units and in a training capacity including heavy gliders in early 1944 (just prior to Arnhem). He had some interesting postings, notably two years in Rome in the 1950’s which must have been great. I was given the impression that Master Pilot was originally a ‘War Substantive’ Flying Rank created to enable Senior NCO’s to stay in the service and that it that became permanent after the war for those that held that rank at the cessation of hostilities. It lingered for a while as a means of retaining experienced persons in the RAF during demobilisation. A study of the relevant RAF files will no doubt solve the matter for those truly interested.

MACR WSOp (ALM) RW?

Not much, what’s up with you? And you don’t have to call me Mister, I’m not that formal with friends!

Master Aircrew

I worked with a Master Pilot at Prestwick in 1980/81. he was an Ulsterman and had flown Hurricanes and I think Thunderbolts in the Far East. The Master Aircrew ranks and trades are still extant though they have gone through some changes of title over the years. The last Master Pilots/Navs/Gunners (the gunners actually remustered to Signallers/AEOps in the 50’s) mostly grounded and in other trades such as Air Traffic Control were retired in the 80’s.

Master Signallers became Master Air Electronics Operators (MAEOp), Master Engineers (MAE) are few and far between now as the RAF is disestablishing the trade. Master Air Quartermasters changed title to Master Air Loadmaster (MALM).

All of the aircrew rear trades and branches Nav/AEOp/ALM are now lumped into a collective Weapons System Operator branch and are known as WSOp (the officers are WSO) thus a a helicopter crewman now has the trade title WSOp (ALM) RW, RW standing for rotary wing. The Masters (warrant officers) are nowadays also lumped into a collective grouping of Master Aircrew (MACR) so the warrant officer helicopter crewman is MACR WSOp (ALM) RW – what a bloody mouthful! Hope this make a little sense of the history of RAF rear crew and ranks. 😮

The last time I saw a Master Pilot was at Valley in 1979, instructing on the sim. Anybody know when the last Master Pilot left the service?

Thanks for this as there was no mention in the 607 ORB for that period

This system was introduced in 1947. AMO 498/47 brought in the ranks:

Master Aircrew –
Aircrew 1 (Pilot 1, Nav 1, etc)
Aircrew 2
Aircrew 3
Aircrew 4

There was also a cadet element in this structure.

It was never very popular and was replaced in late 1950. At that time the Master element survived , Aircrew 1s were reclassified as Flight Sergeants and Aircrew 2 – 4 became Sergeants.

The badges shown in your photo are of Aircrew 2, or Pilot 2, in this case.

BR

Laurie.

The Master Aircrew rank is a left-over from this rank structure so elements lasted quite a while! Think P1 was a Cpl equivalent