Hi All, Does anyone know if group photographs were taken of air gunners training groups at Rufforth. As I have one that shows a group of airmen that were with my Uncle around mid to late 1943. The photo shows only one member with Sgt stripes and the AG wing all the others do not appear to have theirs yet. My uncle was transfered to 76 Squadron on 10th Nov 1943. I have a better resolution image if anyone needs it. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Gary
-- Edited by Starman 1957 on Sunday 23rd of May 2010 11:31:35 AM
Are you certain this group photo was taken at Rufforth? Rufforth was the Base for 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit and all the airmen there would have already been fully trained in their respective trades, crewed up and completed the OTU syllabus. At Rufforth HCU crews would pick up a Flight Engineer and an additional Air Gunner (generally for the Mid-Upper position) to complete the requisite crew of seven for four-engined Bombers (Halifaxes in the case of Rufforth). The airmen in the photo all have the white flash in their wedge caps indicative of the rank of Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) and that they were aircrew. This they would have worn from ITS through until graduation from an Air Gunnery School. Upon successful graduation they would be promoted to a minimum NCO rank of Sargeant and the top members of the class were generally promoted to Commisioned Officer rank of Pilot Officer I believe.
Just a thought but this may well be a photo of an Air Gunnery Course rather than one taken at Rufforth's Con Unit.
- Winthorpe 1661 HCU - 630 Squadron " Nocturna Mors " East Kirkby - The LE-K for Kitty Crew - " There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly " stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
Hi, Many thanks for the information especially about the White flash in the wedge caps, I must admit that did have me puzzled. You may well be right about the photo being the Air Gunnery class, I did not know if Rufforth was also a Gunnery Training Centre. I think I will have to apply for my Uncle's service records to try to fill in the gaps. I know that the full crew all shipped to 76 Squadron on 10th November 1943 from 1663 Rufforth and remained as a crew until they were brought down on 20th Jan 1944 and all crew were KIA. Once again thank you and also thanks to John for also confirming this in the following post. Kind Regards, Gary.
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