Reserve of Air Force Officers (RAFO)

[Lyffe]

If I understand W/C 'Jeff' Jefford's article Air Force Reserves: 1912 to Munich (https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documen...ary-Forces.pdf), when RAFO became a tangible presence in 1923 the intention was to create a reserve for an expanding RAF, consisting of wartime veterans and commercial pilots. Although the reservists would be required to undergo 12 hours of refresher training by civilian firms annually, they would otherwise continue in their peacetime employment. They would only become full-time officers if/when mobilised.

I appreciate that as RAFO developed basic flying training was offered to non-aviators, but is my interpretation/understanding basically correct?

Brian

[bvs]

Hi Brian
AFAIK with RAFO
Class AA1 Direct entrants - some previous flying experience.
Class AA2 Direct entrants - no previous flying experience

[Lyffe]

Thank you bvs. I think these are only part of the classification system, in that Fig 2 of Jefford's article lists five classes (A-F) determined by a pilot's availability.

Brian

[bvs]

Hi Brian
Excerpt from an RAF Historical Society Journal...

A Conceived 1918; implemented 1923. Ex-regular
commissioned pilots (12 hrs/yr).
AA1 Direct entrant officers with some previous flying experience,
eg ex-UAS (12 hrs/yr).
AA2 Direct entrant officers with no previous flying experience (12
hrs/yr).
B Conceived 1918; implemented 1923. Ex-regular technical
officers requiring up-to-date knowledge (14 days/yr if
required).
BB Technical officers with no previous regular service
experience requiring up-to-date knowledge (14 days/yr if
required).
C Conceived 1918; implemented 1923. Ex-regular/wartime
technical and other officers, eg accountants, not requiring upto-date knowledge (no mandatory training but up to 14
days/yr permitted).
CC Non-specialist civilians in RAF employ who would be
commissioned on mobilisation (no training).
D Conceived 1918; implemented 1923. Ex-regular doctors &
dentists (no training during mandatory reserve period but up
to 14 days/yr if extended).
DD Doctors & dentists with no previous regular service
experience (no mandatory training).
E Conceived 1918; implemented 1923. Ex-regular airmen (up
to 14 days/yr if required but 12 hrs/yr mandatory for airmen
pilots).
F Established circa 1935. Airmen pilots with no previous
regular service experience (30 hrs/yr). Entry into Class F (the
NCO equivalent of Class AA2) ceased following
establishment of RAFVR in 1937.
G Established 1945. Released ex-regular and reserve airmen
engaged to serve ‘for the present emergency’ (the Army
equivalent was Class Z). No routine training commitment but
liable for recall while in reserve. Last intake 31 December
48; liability to recall terminated 30 June 59.
H Established 1 January 49 for ex-airmen subject to the 1948
National Service Act. Originally 6, later 3½, year’s reserve
training liability (not more than 21 days in any one year up to
a total of 60); this obligation terminated 30 June 64.
J Established circa 1948. Similar to Class CC in that it
comprised civilians who might be required to exercise
executive authority and/or wear uniform on mobilisation, but
only in a specific locality, ie they could not be posted
(without their consent).

rgds baz

[Lyffe]

Thank you baz. I was asking the question because although 'RAFO' appears quite frequently in this, other forums and elsewhere, it is quite difficult to find a basic description of the abbreviation (I was probably using the wrong keywords). However, if you could provide a link to your source, that, plus mine, should provide a comprehensive reference.

Brian

[bvs]

Sorry Brian - I had meant to post a link - scroll down to Page 5

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documen...ary-Forces.pdf

[Terry]

I'm not sure if this helps, but those people granted an SSC which would terminate during WW2 were posted to the RAFO on the completion of the SSC and continued to serve for the duration. Regards, Terry

[Lyffe]

Thank you Baz and Terry for the last two posts.

I was wondering why there seemed to be a significant number of RAFO personnel throughout the war, Terry, but you have supplied the answer, thank you.

Brian