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Aircraft Allocated to No.1 School of Technical Training (Boys), RAF Cranwell, 1920 to 1926

I’m seeking information about the details of aircraft allocated to the “School of Technical Training (Boys)”, RAF Cranwell, for air experience flights between 1920 and 1926.

The No. 1 School of Technical Training (Men) was established at Halton on 10 September 1917. A separate unit, the School of Technical Training (Boys), was created at Halton on 9 October 1919, becoming a permanent establishment on 1 January 1920. However, because permanent accommodation was not then available at Halton, the Air Council decided to use RAF Cranwell as a temporary measure for the training of boys.

Renamed No. 2 School of Technical Training (Boys) at Cranwell in March 1920, with a further name changing to The Boys’ Wing in 1921.  Yet another name change occurred in October 1925 when it became the No. 4 (Apprentices) Wing. The Wing relocated to RAF Halton in August 1926, retained the title, and becoming part of No. 1 School of Technical Training. 

The air experience flight had several different types allocated, but I am seeking the serial numbers of the Avro 504 aircraft. They would most likely have been accommodated on the north airfield.  My particular interest is in finding details of a non-fatal accident that occurred during the first five months of 1926. Many years ago, I saw a poor image of what I believe may have been the aftermath of the aircraft among the accommodation huts at Cranwell. 

Also, I cannot find any record of an ORB for the Boys Wing at Cranwell. 

The usual TNS searches do not return any hits for the years 1920-1926. At this stage, I have not tried the RAF Museum archive as I am not sure they would have anything useful – at least not until I can find serial numbers. All thoughts are welcome to try to solve the matter. 

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By: Mothminor - 30th November 2024 at 19:15

Cheers, Oracal. Couldn’t find anything more about the crash myself nor about the aircraft other than that it was manufactured by Brush. Good luck at the RAFM.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 30th November 2024 at 16:30

Hi Mothminor. I think you may have nailed it! 

If so, occupants were F/O Cecil Walker and Douglas Pobjoy his passenger. No record found other than the picture, nothing on Walker’s redacted Air Force papers or anywhere else. A brief passing reference in the last issue of The Boys Wing magazine (July 1926). Next stop the RAF Museum with the registration.

An enormous help Mm. Much obliged Sir.

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By: Mothminor - 30th November 2024 at 15:06

Hi Oracal,

I think I have found the photo you are referring to but not much info with it other than “Avro 504K H3073 in a sorry state after a flying accident in 1926”

The pic is in the book “Cranwell: RNAS and RAF Photographs” and viewable online here – 

https://online.flipbuilder.com/yciz/ejvr/mobile/index.html

 

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