AIR FORCE SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 25

AIR FORCE SUCCESS

THE DRIVE FOR RECRUITS

' The R.A.F. yesterday closed the biggest drive for recruits since the war, and immediately launched an even bigger effort,, said the "Daily Telegraph" on April 2. During the next twelve months, 1500 more pilots, are required, and already 234 have been selected. ' ■ '■ ■ -

"When the R.A.F. expansion scheme was authorised by the Government in May, 1935, 2500 pilots and 20,000 tradesmen1 and unskilled men were needed by March 31, 1937, to complete the first stage of the programme. Five hundred pilots were obtained from within the Service. Yesterday it was announced that 2141 others had been recruited from civil life. The estimated requirement of 20,000 tradesmen and unskilled men was exceeded by 1000, about 12,000 haying been recruited in 1935 and 9000 last year. • .■■■,■ This year 11,000 more are required. In addition, 4000 aircraft apprentices and boy entrants will be wanted, compared with 5200 over the last- two years. ■ . . ■ ' T,he total strength of the Air Force, at home and abroad, is now 55,000, an increase of nearly 25,000 since the expansion scheme was launched. Next year the total > personnel is expected to be nearly 72,000. • Although the suddenly expanded recruiting requirements have been met, standards have not been in any way relaxed. The Air Force is still being supplied with excellent recruits. GREATLT EXCEEDED. For the 2000 vacancies as pilots in the 1935 scheme there, were 14,000 applicants, and rejections were by no means all on physical grounds. Recruits have to satisfy the examiners that they have- reached' the required educational standard, and are.in other ways suitable for the work. So with the skilled and semi-skilled branches. For the 21,000 vacancies there were 66,000 applicants. To inaugurate the 1937 recruiting campaign, the R.A.F. has arranged a novel photographic display at the London recruiting depot, Victory House, Kingsway. It consists of a large window show of photographs depicting aircraft squadrons -flying over the clouds, observed by units of the various branches from below. The following are the rates ol pay for some of the Air Force ranks: — ■ Acting-Pilot Officer. —11s lOd a day, plus rations and quarters, altogether equal to £333 Is 3d a year. Pilot Officer.—l4s 6d a day, with allowances, £381 14s 7d a year.

Flying Officer.—ljs 2d a day, £448 12s lid a year. Marriage allowance brings total to £520 2s Gd. Pay after two years rises to £1 0s lOd a day.

Aircraft apprentices who volunteer as pilots and pass for the grade of sergeant-pilots . receive 12s 6d a day, with quarters and food. Leading-air-craftmen receive 5s 6d a day.