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For the Korean War site by Simon Coy
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Cranwell
LINKS
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89 Entry |
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Royal Air Force College Cranwell 1963 to 1966
89 is rated by many, namely those in it, as the best Entry ever to pass through the RAF College Cranwell,
this website is about 89 Entry past and present.
89 were not only the largest Entry, at 70 strong, to enter Cranwell, we also served the longest time as Flight Cadets -
from Monday 9th September 1963 to Thursday 18th August 1966 - 2 years, 11 months and 1 week!
(Note - There was no such rank as "Flight Cadet" in the RAF so all 89ers started as AC2's, however the rank of AC2 [Aircraftsman 2nd class] was discontinued in 1964.
AC2's were amalgamated with AC1s. 89ers became ACs [Aircraftsmen] a rank used for trainees only. [Normally a maximum of around 6 months]
This was the rank that 89ers held until 18th August 1966 - again the longest "AC" rank that anyone in the RAF ever held!)
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to hear what our Commandant
Air Commodore Lyne AFC & 2 Bars had to say about us in 1964 (Viewing note - You may have to over ride scripts a few times & move down when you get to the site) |
To by pass the introduction and see the latest Bumf - Click Here
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The Chipmunk a Cranwell Cadet's first aircraft |
89 Entry was not only made up of U/T pilots and navigators, it was the first Cranwell Entry to train men to command the secretarial, equipment, RAF Regiment and the engineering branches of the RAF (The Engineers joined 89 from Henlow in 1965) |
The Valetta for U/T navigators |
to see the official film of what the all male RAF College was like back in the 60's
89 Medals & Honours
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Malcom Coe AFC Simon Coy OBE Barry Chalkley MBE Dave Foulger MBE* Andy Griffin AFC Dave Hayward OBE Derek North DL* |
Dick Northcote OBE Russ Pengelly AFC* Jerry Pook DFC, MBE Black Robertson CBE, OBE Dick Shuster - AFC* Brian Synott LVO |
Right Former Chief of the Air Staff *RIP It is with deep sadness that we have to report that Sir Peter died on 19th February 2018 |
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To quote the Senior Under Officer of "B" Squadron, winner of the Sword of Honour and the Queens Medal - Richard Slogrove,
"This website is a testament to a time when booze, birds, bangers, bravado, bull and brotherhood prevailed.
But then, all warriors throughout the ages had the same interests. Over 60 years on, the instincts remain; only the performance falters!" *2
[89er's Comment........But only when it comes to "bull" Richard - we're still up for the rest! - Some helped by a few pills!"]
Note 1 For our non-military & non-UK readers, we translate ...
"booze" = alcoholic beverage of any kind - preferably bought by someone else.
"birds" = delightful creatures of the opposite sex - the not so delightful ones were known as "grotty totties" since most seemed to reside in LTC (Lincoln Training College - now Lincoln University) - formal name "Bishop Grosseteste College" - which is where the word "grotty" originated. (NOTE - Until 1962 it was known as "the Diocesan Training School for Mistresses " - they changed the name quickly when they heard 89 were on their way!).
"bangers" = very old cars (generally rescued from the scrap heap with the sole aim of getting to the birds! (Unfortunately many suffered mechanical failures on take-off and failed to arrive on target!).
"bravado" = having a go at anything until it got really dodgy! (This included being a passenger in an 89er's banger - especially one owned by a certain Scott!).
"bull" = the art of polishing anything or anyone until it, or they, surpassed anything that RMA Sandhurst or the Brigade of Guards could produce.
"brotherhood" = a sort of glue that bonds men together when in adversity for a protracted period (e.g. 3 years at the RAF College Cranwell!)
Note 2. Some of the photographs contained herein are Crown copyright, courtesy of RAF College Cranwell photographic department and MOD - the rest were taken by members of 89 Entry or donated by independent photographers. We thank all for their kind permission to re-produce them.
To learn more about 89 - click here