I was a Corporall Technician in the Education branch. To my recollection we trained Air-frame fitters/mechanics, Engine fitters/mechanics, MT mechanics,etc all striving to be AC2.
Not in my remit but there were also "painters and dopers", parachute packers.
I worked in the Education block where I taught maths, technical drawing, internal combustion engine, and although I had never been in an aeroplane also taught theory of flight. Was privileged to sit in the one and only aircraft on site - a Hawker hunter, and do an engine run-up.
We also had trainees from other Air Forces, mostly Commonwealth nations. I recall airmen from Ceylon, Jordan, Sudan - the latter sitting in classes shivering in their greatcoats asking for the stove to be lit in the middle of the summer.
Most of our training staff were national servicemen who had just completed engineering apprenticeships or university courses. The section CO was a wingcommander (like a genial fatherly schoolmaster) and 2nd IC was a rather officious squadronleader. Apart from the occasional turn at guard duty, including the armory, it was a bit like a poorly paid compulsory holiday at Blackpool, but overall I am glad to have done it.
Welcome to the forum. The shivering in greatcoats bit made me laugh as I recalled a holiday years ago on Tenerife in February and whilst my wife and I were walking around in shorts and T shirts the rest of the holidaymakers were in long trousers and jumpers and overcoats! Temperatures were around 66-71F.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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