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14F (Northolt) Squadron Air Training Corps |
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Cadets swim to win at 14F Cadets from 14F swam to victory at Middlesex Wing’s annual Inter-Sqn Swimming competition on Saturday 16th September. Pastures new for two at 14F Cadets and Staff at 14F recently bid farewell to two members of the Sqn who are both off to start new careers. These boots were made for walking Cadet Sergeant Luke Staff has just become the first person at 14F to complete 3 major road marching events. Nijmegen 6 14F cadets make history A new pilot on 14F Flight Sergeant Warren has received his glider pilot wings! Sgt Palfrey Flies High Sgt James Palfrey has his joining up date for the Royal Air Force Regiment |
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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 Squadron’s, 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 1960s but it wasn't until 1969 that the Squadron changed its 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 & 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 the building 72, built in the 1920’s, they were an annex to
the Officers Mess (which feature in very early pictures of the station). 5.
With new CAA Regulations affecting the airfield, a further move was required.
Previously occupied by the Stations Photographic Section, Building 346
became 14F’s new Headquarters on November 2nd, 2004. From
the early days, the cadets have been offered Air Experience Flying &
Gliding. The gliding took place at either Langley aerodrome (Slough), Booker
(Marlow), RAF Hendon, West Malling and RAF Halton. The flying took place at
Fairoaks aerodrome, Heston, White Waltham, Abingdon and 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. |
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Bldg 346, RAF Northolt, West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6NG, 020 8833 8393
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