Civil Air Guard

Last updated

The Civil Air Guard (C.A.G.) was established by the UK Government in July 1938 to encourage and subsidise pilot training as the prospect of another war loomed. Subsidised tuition for members of participating civilian flying clubs was offered in exchange for an 'honorable undertaking' that in an emergency members would serve in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Members of this Civil Air Guard had a dark blue boiler uniform (usually privately purchased) and badges supplied for distinction. [1] When civil aviation ceased not long before the war began in September 1939, most members of the Civil Air Guard enlisted in either the Royal Air Force or the Fleet Air Arm.

Contents

The Civil Air Guard scheme

On 23 July 1938, Sir Kingsley Wood, Secretary of State for Air, announced the creation of the Civil Air Guard scheme. Its intention was to provide pilots who could assist the Royal Air Force in a time of emergency. The scheme was civilian in nature and established in conjunction with local flying clubs. Membership was open to any person between the ages of 18 and 50 years. [2] [3]

The Air Ministry already offered a grant of £25 to pilot members of flying clubs who obtained an 'A' type licence. As part of the new scheme, if they volunteered for the Civil Air Guard, the grant would be increased to £50 for those trained on standard types of aircraft or £30 for aircraft that are lighter than 1,200 pounds (544 kg). [3] [4] The renewal grant would be increased from £10 to £15. [3] Members would receive flying training at subsidised rates of either 2s 6d or 5s an hour during the week, and 5s or 10s at weekends. The maximum subsidy of £2000 for each club would not apply to those in the Air Guard. [3] The Air Ministry also lifted a restriction on the use of foreign aircraft for training by the flying clubs. Previously, only British-built aircraft could be used if the club wanted Ministry subsidies. [5]

Governance of the scheme

To control the organisation, five commissioners were appointed. The Chairman of the Commissioners was Lord Londonderry and the Commissioners were:

  1. Air Commodore John Adrian Chamier (Secretary for the Commissioners)
  2. William Lindsay Everard (a Member of Parliament)
  3. Major Alan Goodfellow (former First World War pilot, and Chairman of the Royal Aero Club and the General Council of Associated Light Aeroplane Clubs)
  4. Maxine (Blossom) Miles (aviator and aircraft designer)
  5. Robert Murray (President of the Glasgow Corporation Transport Flying Club).

The Commissioners held their first meeting on 29 August 1938 at Ariel House, Strand in London.

Popularity and evolution of the Civil Air Guard

The organisation already had 23,647 members with the 75 flying clubs in the scheme. [6] The first training flight commenced on 1 September 1938. At the time, 1,500 (6%) of the existing 23,647 members were available for training. [7]

Within a few weeks of the Air Ministry July announcement more than 13,350 new people had inquired about joining, although only 6,900 had actually enrolled in a flying club. [5] Later, on 8 October 1938, the Air Ministry announced that over 30,000 applications had been received. [8]

The scheme had created a demand for more flying instructors so the Air Ministry created a temporary Assistant Flying Instructor certificate that could be obtained after just 100 hours solo flying, rather than 250 hours for the full certificate. [9]

On 24 January 1939, as the prospect of war became more imminent, Civil Air Guard licence holders were classed into three groups:

  1. Class "A", subdivided as:
    • Class A1 - Men between 18 and 30 years who might become service pilots in wartime [10]
    • Class A2 - Men over 30 years with instructional experience, or considerable flying experience who might become service pilots or instructors. [10] [11]
  2. Class "B" - Men between 18 and 40 years, who for various reasons would not be considered as Class "A", who might be able to do other service flying duties such as wireless operator, air gunner or observer. [11]
  3. Class "C" - Men not in A or B, and all women, who might be suitable as ferry pilots, air ambulance or general communications pilots. [11]

Members who could not classed in any of these groups were advised to look for some other form of national service. [11]

Selected members of all three groups would get additional subsidised training and were known as starred groups. Class A starred members would also get Royal Air Force medicals. [11]

As the war approached, civil flying ceased and most members of the Civil Air Guard enlisted in either the Royal Air Force or the Fleet Air Arm. Some of the women Civil Air Guard members went on to join the Air Transport Auxiliary. Other members were used for special duties in both military and civil aviation, or moved on to other non-aviation war duties.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Commonwealth Air Training Plan</span> Joint military aircrew training program during World War II

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a massive joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War. BCATP remains one of the single largest aviation training programs in history and was responsible for training nearly half the pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, air gunners, wireless operators and flight engineers who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civilian Pilot Training Program</span> American government flight training program

The Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) was a flight training program (1938–1944) sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Flying School RAAF</span> Military unit

Central Flying School (CFS) is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) training unit, located at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. It operates the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer. The school is responsible for training flight instructors, setting flying standards, and auditing flying practices. It is also home to the "Roulettes" aerobatic team. CFS was the first military aviation unit to be formed in Australia, in 1913, when its role was to provide basic flying training. Its current form dates from World War II, when it was re-established to train flying instructors for the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panshanger Aerodrome</span> Airport in Welwyn Garden City

Panshanger Aerodrome was a former general aviation aerodrome located on the most eastern tip of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, 2.5 NM west of Hertford, East Hertfordshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hucknall Aerodrome</span> Aerodrome near Nottingham, England

Hucknall Aerodrome was a former general aviation and RAF aerodrome located 5 nmi north north-west of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, and west of Hucknall town. The aerodrome had been operated by the Merlin Flying Club since 1971 and then by Rolls-Royce Group plc. Before its closure, it was owned and operated by ITP Aero.

The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was established in 1936 to support the preparedness of the U.K. Royal Air Force in the event of another war. The Air Ministry intended it to form a supplement to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), the active reserve for the RAF, by providing an additional non-active reserve. However during the Second World War the high demand for aircrew absorbed all available RAuxAF personnel and led the RAFVR to quickly become the main pathway of aircrew entry into the RAF. It was initially composed of civilians recruited from neighbourhood reserve flying schools, run by civilian contractors with largely RAF-trained flying instructors as well as other instructors in related air war functions, such as observers and wireless operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vernon Crompton Woodward</span>

"Woody" Vernon Crompton Woodward DFC and Bar RAF was a Canadian fighter pilot and flying ace with the Royal Air Force during World War II. With 18 and 4 shared destroyed, 2 unconfirmed destroyed, 3 probables, and 11 damaged, Woodward tied Henry Wallace McLeod as Canada's second highest scoring pilot of the war.

Royal Air Force Eastchurch or more simply RAF Eastchurch is a former Royal Air Force station near Eastchurch village, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England. The history of aviation at Eastchurch stretches back to the first decade of the 20th century when it was used as an airfield by members of the Royal Aero Club. The area saw the first flight by a British pilot in Britain.

Empire Air Mail Scheme (EAMS) was an attempt by the British Air Ministry to regain leadership of world civil aviation in the late 1930s following the establishment of The Air Mail Route from Cairo to Bagdad in the early 1920s. Conceived in 1934 by Sir Eric Geddes, chairman of Imperial Airways, EAMS sought to greatly expand British civil aviation by shifting all 'first class' mail within the British Empire by air. Imperial Airways was a private company, but like most airlines of the era, relied on public subsidies to support its operations. A critical driving force behind EAMS was Sir Christopher Llewellyn Bullock,, Permanent Under-Secretary at the British Air Ministry from 1931 to 1936. Appointed at the age of 38, he remains one of the youngest civil servants to have headed a British Government department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF</span> Military unit

No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot training unit that operated during World War II. It was one of twelve elementary flying training schools employed by the RAAF to provide introductory flight instruction to new pilots as part of Australia's contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme. No. 4 EFTS was established in January 1940 at Mascot, New South Wales, and initially operated in conjunction with civilian flying organisations based at Mascot and Newcastle. The school was disbanded in April 1942, and its operations transferred to No. 6 Elementary Flying School at Tamworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces Contract Flying School Airfields</span> Flying training schools of the USA Air Forces

During World War II civilian flying schools, under government contract, provided a considerable part of the flying training effort undertaken by the United States Army Air Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 7 Service Flying Training School RAAF</span> Military unit

No. 7 Service Flying Training School was a flying training school of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. It was formed in June 1941, and commenced flying the following month. Responsible for intermediate and advanced instruction of pilots under the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), the school was based at RAAF Station Deniliquin, New South Wales, and operated CAC Wirraway single-engined trainers. The Wirraways were classed as reserve aircraft for Australia's defence in response to the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941. Having graduated over 2,000 pilots, the school was renamed the Advanced Flying and Refresher Unit (AFRU) in December 1944. AFRU was disbanded in May 1946.

National Air Communications was a British government organisation that directed civilian flying operations from the outbreak of World War II until April 1940.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxine Blossom Miles</span> English aircraft engineer

Maxine "Blossom" Miles Born as Maxine Forbes-Robertson, was a British aviation engineer, socialite, and businesswoman. She was born into a well-known family of actors. She became interested in aviation in the 1920s, and married her flight instructor, Frederick George Miles. Together they eventually founded Miles Aircraft, where she was a draughtswoman and aircraft designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF</span> Military unit

No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot training unit that operated during World War II. It was one of twelve elementary flying training schools employed by the RAAF to provide introductory flight instruction to new pilots as part of Australia's contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme. The unit was established in November 1939 as No. 2 Flying Training School at Melbourne, Victoria. It was relocated to Parafield, South Australia, in December 1939 and renamed No. 1 EFTS the following month. Training activities relocated to Tamworth, New South Wales, in May 1944; the school was disbanded in December that year.

The University of London Air Squadron, often abbreviated to ULAS, forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and provides a wide range of training for students of the University of London and affiliated universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF</span> Military unit

No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot training unit that operated during World War II. It was one of twelve elementary flying training schools employed by the RAAF to provide introductory flight instruction to new pilots as part of Australia's contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme. No. 3 EFTS was established in January 1940 at Essendon, Victoria, and initially included a significant proportion of civilian staff and private aircraft; by mid-year these had been largely integrated into the military. The school was disbanded in May 1942, its aircraft and instructional staff having been transferred to No. 11 Elementary Flying School at Benalla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF</span> Military unit

No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot training unit that operated during World War II. It was one of twelve elementary flying training schools employed by the RAAF to provide introductory flight instruction to new pilots as part of Australia's contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme. No. 2 EFTS was established in November 1939 as No. 3 Flying Training School at Archerfield, Queensland, and partially utilised aircraft and facilities of the civilian air training organisations based there. The school was renamed No. 2 EFTS in January 1940. It was disbanded in March 1942, and its operations transferred to No. 5 Elementary Flying School at Narromine, New South Wales, and No. 11 Elementary Flying School at Benalla, Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF</span> Military unit

No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot training unit that operated during World War II. It was one of twelve elementary flying training schools employed by the RAAF to provide introductory flight instruction to new pilots as part of Australia's contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme. No. 8 EFTS was established in September 1940 at Narrandera, New South Wales. Training ceased in December 1944 and the school was reduced to maintaining base infrastructure and aircraft. It was officially disbanded in June 1945 and renamed Care and Maintenance Unit (CMU) Narrandera. The CMU was disbanded in December 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straight Corporation</span> Defunct British aviation company

The Straight Corporation Ltd was a significant operator of British airlines, airports and flying clubs from 1935 until the mid 1970s. Its major unit, Western Airways, expanded to become an important parts manufacturer, a maintenance, repair and upgrade organisation, and a builder of transport aircraft.

References

  1. ↑ "badge, formation, British, Civil Air Guard". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  2. ↑ Poulsen, C. M., ed. (28 July 1938). "The C.A.G." Flight . 33 (1544): 73.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "A Civil Air Guard - new body to help in defence - Cheap flying lessons". The Times . No. 48055. 25 July 1938. p. 9.
  4. ↑ Sunderland, G. R. (1990). "The Civil Air Guard". Air-Britain Archive (2/90): 39. Includes a list of 74 clubs that applied.
  5. 1 2 "Aircraft for Civil Air Guard". The Times . No. 48070. 11 August 1938. p. 11.
  6. ↑ "Forming the Air Guard - Over 23,000 members enrolled". The Times . No. 48086. 30 August 1938. p. 7.
  7. ↑ "Civil Air Guards at work - selection of pupils". The Times . No. 48089. 2 September 1938. p. 9.
  8. ↑ Poulsen, C. M., ed. (13 October 1938). "Over 30,000 Air Guard Applications". Flight . 35 (1555): 318.
  9. ↑ "Instructors For Civil Air Guard New Air Ministry Certificate". The Times . No. 48204. 16 January 1939. p. 9.
  10. 1 2 Curtis, Lettice (February 1983). "Flying for All". Aeroplane Monthly : 76–82.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Civil Air Guard Training Organization For A War Emergency". The Times . No. 48215. 28 January 1939. p. 6.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.