RAF Technical Training Command

RAF Technical Training Command. It was a major command of the Royal Air Force responsible for the technical instruction of ground trades and the advanced training of aircrew. Established on the eve of the Second World War, it became a vast organization, training hundreds of thousands of personnel in vital support roles. The command was disbanded in the late 1960s as part of a major reorganization of RAF training structures.

History

The command was formed on **27 May 1938** from the Inland Area training organization, recognizing the growing technical complexity of modern air forces. Its creation was a direct response to the expansion schemes initiated in the shadow of the Munich Agreement and the looming threat from Nazi Germany. During the Second World War, it underwent massive expansion, establishing numerous new schools across the United Kingdom, often utilizing requisitioned country houses and civilian facilities like the Butlin's holiday camp at Filey. The command played a crucial role in sustaining the operational readiness of RAF Bomber Command, RAF Fighter Command, and RAF Coastal Command throughout the conflict. In the post-war era, it adapted to new technologies like jet engines and radar systems, before being merged into the new RAF Training Command on **1 June 1968**.

Organisation

The command was headquartered at RAF Brampton in Huntingdonshire. Its structure was geographically and functionally divided into a number of **Groups**, such as **No. 24 Group**, **No. 25 Group**, and **No. 27 Group**, each overseeing clusters of specific training schools. These groups managed the training pipeline for a vast array of trades, including aircraft mechanics, armourers, instrument technicians, electricians, and radar fitters. The organization also encompassed specialist wings for training in fields like air traffic control, photographic interpretation, and cryptography. Key administrative and support functions were provided by stations like RAF Cardington, which handled personnel processing, and RAF Halton, a cornerstone of apprentice training.

Training establishments

The command operated a wide network of dedicated technical training schools. Foundational training for boy entrants was centered on the renowned No. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton, established by Lord Trenchard. Other major schools included the **No. 4 School of Technical Training** at RAF St. Athan in Wales, which trained airframe and engine fitters, and the **Radio School** at RAF Cranwell. Specialized instruction was provided by establishments like the **Parachute and Seaborne Dropping School** at RAF Upper Heyford and the **School of Photography** at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford. Post-war, the **Technical Training College** at RAF Henlow provided advanced courses for officers.

Aircraft operated

While primarily a ground training organization, the command operated a variety of aircraft for instructional and support purposes. These were often older types phased out from frontline service. Trainers like the de Havilland Tiger Moth, Miles Magister, and North American Harvard were used for technical familiarization and for towing targets. The command also operated transport and communication aircraft such as the Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson, and de Havilland Dominie. In the post-war period, it utilized aircraft like the Percival Prentice and even early jet types such as the Gloster Meteor and de Havilland Vampire for ground instruction at mechanical training schools.

Commanders

Notable officers who served as **Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief** included: * **27 May 1938** – Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Babington (later Air Marshal) * **1940** – Air Marshal Sir William Mitchell * **1942–1945** – Air Marshal Roderic Hill * **1945–1947** – Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham * **1947–1949** – Air Marshal Sir James Robb * **1952–1954** – Air Marshal Sir Harold Lydford * **1958–1961** – Air Chief Marshal Sir Leslie Hollinghurst * **1964–1966** – Air Marshal Sir Andrew McKee

Category:Royal Air Force commands Category:Military education and training in the United Kingdom