CRANWELL - THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLEGE [Main Title]

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  • Title: CRANWELL - THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLEGE [Main Title]
  • Film Number: AMY 235
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Information film focusing on life at Royal Air Force College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, where cadets are trained to become officers with the RAF.
  • Description: Film opens with cadets flying in formation above Cranwell, cuts to view of Cranwell from the air. The college was founded in 1920 by Lord Trenchard, Marshall of the RAF. Cadets attend Cranwell for eight terms over 32 months entering the ranks and departing as an officer. View of the RAF Standard flying as a bugle sounds. Initially new entries join the ranks living under conditions similar to airmen; before you command you must learn to serve. They are soon flying in Anson aircraft as observers, but with their maps and navigational aids they are already in training as they correlate ground features with representative symbols on the map. Physical fitness is important, emphasis placed an all types of competitive sports. Gliding is not compulsory but a useful precursor to the actual flying/teaching lessons. Film cuts to glider (WB921) taking off aided by a winch truck at end of runway. After two months the cadet becomes a flight cadet and has a room of his own. The Commandant addresses the cadets describing the aim of Cranwell: to provide the flight cadet with sound basic training as a pilot and a navigator, and to train/instruct him to acquire the qualities necessary to continue his development of a lifetime career as an officer of the RAF. Details of the syllabus are explained by the commentator: the aim of each flight cadet is to attain a permanent commission as a RAF Officer. Film cuts to classroom of cadets examining full size working models as the instructor describes the aerodynamic elements of an aircraft to enable flight. Outside on the airfield, cadets receive individual airborne training in one of the Percival Prentice aircraft (FA EM VR250 is seen), taking off, circling and landing. This dual flying tuition continues until cadet has logged twelve hours and is ready for his first solo flight. About 100 hours of solo flying is required to become fully experienced with the Prentice aircraft. Film shows several clips of cadets flying with their instructors. Not all the cadets will become pilots, some have an interest in other branches of the RAF, as an engineering officer, for example. A Napier Sabre engine, the most powerful sleeve valved engine ever produced, is seen in a classroom. Cut away sections reveal the interior of this complex 12 cylinder engine aid the instructor’s task. The principles of jet propulsion are also taught, a sectionalised Nene jet engine, turbine blades exposed, used for instruction. All cadets must prepare a thesis on any subject that they choose. A former cadet, Sir Frank Whittle, presented a thesis in 1941 that brought about the jet engine. A meteorological briefing takes place every morning, both to assist the day’s flying programme, and the vital necessity for pilot cadets to understand how the huge array of meteorological conditions can affect pilot decisions when in flight. Several film clips depict cadets in the air, the control tower, cadets completing pre-flight checks and other activity on the airfield. Formation flying is taught next, film shows aircraft peeling off from a formation. Cut to main hall at Cranwell: portraits of former cadets who passed the course, gallery of 48 RAF personnel awarded the Victoria Cross, including Group Captain Douglas Bader. Sport activities seen all over the college grounds. The Link trainer is used extensively for augmenting flying and navigational skills whilst remaining of the ground. Film shows cadet inside a closed box-like structure, whose attitude is determined by the cadet’s reactions to instructions issued by the controller, seated at an adjacent map table. A motorised cursor moves over the map indicating to the controller the response made by the cadet. This helps the cadet to hone his instrument flying and navigational skills, including the beam approach. In the Weapon block, gunnery is a vital part of a cadets training and includes a variety of guns and bombs up to ten tonnes. Film shows a Browning automatic gun turret in the classroom surrounded by a group of cadets and their instructor examining the device. A film shows the cadets a variety of bombs that may be deployed. During the last year of the course, the cadets learn to fly the more powerful Harvard aircraft. As before about twelve hours dual fly instructions are needed before going solo. Today's air force co-operates the army, navy and American forces, each contributing an Officer based at Cranwell teaching the principals of combined operations. Training in bayonet and other forms of close combat is provided, much emphasis placed on physical fitness and competitive team games, both within Cranwell and against Army and Navy training establishments. Film shows a selection of sporting activities underway. Cadets are expected to participate in all types of games, especially those that demand a rapid eye and muscle co-ordination, mental alertness and rapid reaction essential to a good pilot. On the parade ground smartness and co-ordination is the key. The King’s colour presented by King George 6th in 1948 is borne on display as all the cadets lead by the College Band parade past the Commandant to the Station Chapel. Film returns to a classroom of senior cadets preparing their notes and map for a flight as a formation, all are checked by the instructor before they depart and take off when authorised by the control tower. Flight cadets are trained to wing standard on graduation when they will have completed 280 hours of solo flying. Film cuts to Harvard performing aerobatics. A Squadron of Prentice aircraft fly past, over-flown by a Squadron of Harvard aircraft, followed by Cranwell’s Meteor at low altitude. Training completed the flight cadets are presented with their Wings before a posting to an operational RAF Station for further advanced training. Graduation day arrives as all cadets assemble on the parade ground awaiting the arrival of the guest of honour Field Marshall Slim, Chief of the Imperial Staff. Upon arrival, Slim is greeted by the Commandant and proceeds to review the parade. The regimental band plays the RAF regimental tune while Field Marshall Slim takes the Salute as the cadets march past. Later, in the Great Hall, Slim presents the prizes and Sword of honour, and addresses the assembly. Film closes to the dining hall, where the Commandant, Officers and cadets in Mess kit are dining together with their guest, Field Marshall Slim. The Mess President proposes a toast to the King.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: AMY 235
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions:
  • Featured Period: 1946-1975
  • Production Date: 1950
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: AIR MINISTRY (Production sponsor) ACE Productions (Production company) MILLAR, JOHN (Production individual) Green, Frank () Green, J.S () Dale, Douglas ()
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 3 Length: 1967ft
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    AMY 235

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