SERVICE IN R.A.F.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25247, 28 July 1947, Page 3

SERVICE IN R.A.F.

N.Z. APPLICANTS INTERVIEWED

RECOMMENDATIONS BY SELECTION BOARD <P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 26. “The Royal Air Force selection board has now completed its task of interviewing Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel interested in further service with the Royal Air Force, and all recommendations have been forwarded to the Air Ministry for approval and final selection,” says a statement issued from the Air Department to-day. The statement added that the board had interviewed, with the approval of the New Zealand Government, and in co-operation with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, about 200 Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel. “It is considered fortunate that this opportunity is being extended to Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel who at present cannot be employed in the Royal New Zealand Air Force,” said the statement. “The extended service plan has been adopted to supply the Royal Air Force with trained personnel during the interim period between the war and peacetime Air Force, and. in effect, will provide the Royal New Zealand Air Force with an increased number of fully-trained personnel for the reserve.”

Non-commissioned aircrew would be signed on for three years on the active list, and would have an opportunity of being commissioned, and unless further engagements offered would then return to New Zealand, the statement added. Officers would serve on the active list for four years. Some would be chosen for permanent commissions, and the rest would return to New Zealand to serve on the reserve for a further four years. It was anticipated that all those returning to New Zealand would be highly qualified on the latest types of aircraft in, use in the Royal Air Force.