70 Years and Counting
Initially a Squadron of the Air Defence Cadet Corps, number 14 Squadron formed as part of the newly established Air Training Corps on February 15th, 1941.
As one of the first Fifty registered Squadrons, number 14 Squadron would be known as a Founder Squadron, and would be entitled to put the letter 'F' after their Squadron number. Thereafter being known as 14F Squadron, Air Training Corps.
The Squadron was originally based in Uxbridge with the headquarters in Greenway school, but moved onto RAF Uxbridge on October 1st, 1949.
A further move to RAF Northolt took place in the 1960's but it wasn't until 1969 that the Squadron changed it's title from 14F (Uxbridge) Squadron to 14F (Northolt) Squadron. If you were wondering where 1083 (Uxbridge) Squadron were at that time, they were 1083 (Hayes) Squadron and based at the EMI factory.
Since being based at RAF Northolt, we have occupied 5 different sets of premises:
1. Opposite the old southside access gate onto the Western Avenue (since gone) - a couple of buildings, which included a link trainer room (a small, primitive 'flying machine' for teaching the basics of instrument flying). The buildings also included a cycle park to accommodate the 50+ bicycles that the vast majority of cadets used to travel to and from the squadron. We also had access to a cinema and small workshop located just down the road.
2. Further down the southside road (to the east) we had a series of huge rooms including a vast workshop where hovercraft, karts and canoes were built and repaired. These buildings were part of the original 'departure lounge' (from the days when Northolt was London's main Airport). This was the first location for the Tannery (the staff mess after parade, but frequently used as an indoor flying arena [RTP] during the evening!). There was a gravel car park opposite this building, which was regularly used on Sunday mornings for karting.
3. Then back to the western end to a group of buildings forming 3 sides of a square. This provided excellent classrooms and a large workshop. We also had easy access onto the airfield for testing and running the karts and hovercraft (The foundations of these building can still be seen where the caravans are parked).
4. We then moved into building 72. This was built in the 1920's as an annex to the Officers Mess and features in very early pictures of the station.
5. With new CAA Regulations affecting the airfield, a further move was required. Previously occupied by the Station Photographic Section, Building 346 became 14F's new Headquarters on November 2nd, 2004.
From the early days, cadets have been offered Air Experience Flying and Gliding. Gliding took place at either Langley aerodrome (Slough), Booker (Marlow), RAF Hendon, West Malling, RAF Halton and currently, the former RAF Abingdon.
Flying took place at Fairoaks aerodrome, Heston, White Waltham, Abingdon and, currently, RAF Benson. In addition, 14F cadets have always been keen on flying from RAF Northolt.
Aircraft that they've flown in include: Hunting Pembroke, BAe Andover, Beagle Bassett, DH Devon, HS / BAe 125, BAe 146 and C130 Hercules. The helicopters include: Bristol Sycamore, Westland Whirlwind, Wessex, Sioux, Scout, Gazelle and Squirrel.