November 30, 2024 at 11:34 am
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.
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.
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.
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