NEW AIR CADETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 8

NEW AIR CADETS

ISSUE OF UNIFOBMS ! PROGRESS WITH TRAINING KEENNESS OF MEMBERS It was stated yesterday by Air Training Corps Headquarters that the first issue of uniforms will bo made during the next fortnight,-and it is antiei- - pated that the whole of the Auckland unit will he completely fitted out by the end of next month. In the mean- ' time a parade has been called tor • Saturday, November 1, when cadets will probably be issued with the Ail Training Corps lapel badges, which they are authorised to wear with civilian clothes. At this parade a regrouping will take place as a result of the proposed establishment of a new squadron based on the Takapuna Grammar School. It is possible that another unit will be established at Otahuhu. The present establishment in Auckland includes No. •'* Squadron at the Auckland Graimnat School and No. 4 Squadron at the Seddon Memorial Technical College. Comprehensive Syllabus Cadets in those squadrons have been carrying out a general training course for the past month, and will shoitii begin 011 the specialised sections ol their training syllabus, according to their classification in the groups, which i are:' —Air crews, wireless operators, radio mechanics, flight riggeis and ilight mechanics. . . The svllabus includes administration, air force drill, physical training law and discipline, hygiene, first-aid. air raid precautions, anti-gas, aircralt recognition. navigation, theory ol flight, mathematics, radio theory and operation, Morse signalling and aero engines. Control of Organisation It was explained that the town units of the Air Training Corps throughout New Zealand are under the control ol t lie recently-appointed commandant-, Wing-Coiiunander fi. Nidi; Headquarters, Wellington. Ihe North Island Divisional Coiiiinnnder is Squail-ron-Leader W, S. H. Btooniheld who is stationed in Auckland, and tin. adjutant for the Auckland territory is Flight-Lieutenant N. H- Davenport. Both of these Auckland officers saw active service in the last war, and each gained his "wings" in 1915. SquadronLeader Bloomfield served with the H„val Flving Corps, and 1- light-Lieu-tenant Davenport (lew seaplanes in the Hoval Naval Air Service. Interest in the Air Training Corps is growing rapidly and new units are being established throughout the country, it was stated yesterday that it the keenness of the Auckland air cadets can be taken as a guide it could be assumed that the corps would more than lultil expectations in its role of "vounger brother" to the lloyal New Zealand Air Force.