CAA/WTS/CPT/Flight Schools - Reference Thread

[rustywings]

Last weekend I attended the West Coast Historical Militaria Collectors Show and found a few items I'd like to share. While searching a good friend's table looking for wings and patches, I found this 63rd AAFFTD (Army Air Force Flight Training Detachment) class book from the Raymond-Richardson Aviation Company, Douglas, Georgia. Seeing that the book was dated 1943, I bought it believing it might have one of the flying cadets pictured which are named on the large silver plated plaque I illustrated a couple of weeks ago on this thread. To my surprise, this class book contained photos of the first and second Honor Cadets inscribed on the plaque. This book adds some clarity and documentation to the silver honor plaque...and it's nice to put a name and face together.

[rustywings]

The top of the silver plaque listing Honor Cadets "WILLIAM A. STROBLE" (Class 43-G) and "LEONARD P. CASH" (Class 43-H).

[John Cooper]

Russ - does it show the plaque as well - if so can who share the photo?

 

John

[rustywings]

Page inside the 63rd AAFFTD class book with some flight instructor wings and a patch from the Raymond-Richardson Contract Flight School.

[rustywings]

Flying Cadet "WILLIAM A. STROBLE" is pictured in the lower right corner.

[rustywings]

Close up of William A. Stroble.

[rustywings]

Flying Cadets from Class 43-H, with Honor Cadet "LEONARD P. CASH" pictured on the bottom row, second image.

[rustywings]

Close up image of the flight school's second listed honor cadet, Leonard P. Cash.

[pfrost]

Close up image of the flight school's second listed honor cadet, Leonard P. Cash.

 

Good stuff as always Russ.

 

P

[rustywings]

Sorry John, no picture of the plaque in the class book. That would have really been the cherry on top!

 

This pair of Southeast Training Command DI's came with the 63rd Contract Flight Instructor wings and patch grouping. I didn't think civilian personnel were entitled to wear AAF DI's, so I'm not sure why they were part of the grouping.

[rustywings]

Close up of the Southeast Training Command DI's.

[rustywings]

Back of the DI's. Hallmarked "Robbins Co. - Attleboro".

[pfrost]

Sorry John, no picture of the plaque in the class book. That would have really been the cherry on top!

 

This pair of Southeast Training Command DI's came with the 63rd Contract Flight Instructor wings and patch grouping. I didn't think civilian personnel were entitled to wear AAF DI's, so I'm not sure why they were part of the grouping.

 

Hi Russ, If I recall correctly, by mid 1943, early 1944, most of the contract primary flight schools were begining to be co-opted and shut down as the military picked up the pace of its own training facilities. One of my flight instructor friends was commissioned by 1944, and started to fly the Hump in China. Imagine that, went from training flight cadets to flying gasoline over the Himylayas!

 

It is possible that your guy was commissioned into the military at some point and that is why he had the Southeast traninig DUI?

 

P

[rustywings]

Good point Patrick. You're probably correct.

 

I look at this page of 1943 Civilian Squadron Commanders and Contract Flight Instructors and only see a couple of photos of guys with that older rough and gruff appearance you would expect to see in an experienced instructor of flying. All of the others are so youthful in appearance...it's hard to believe they accomplished what they did!

[rustywings]

Ann Ross was a CAA/WTS Flight Instructor in 1942 before she entered the WASP program and graduated with class 43-W7. This grouping was originally acquired directly from the female vet by a known collector who was primarily focused on putting together a complete set of WASP class wings. The War Training Service wings, collar insignia and cap piece are all inscribed with Ann Ross' name and WASP class number. I'm especially attracted to the unique Flight Instructor shoulder patch which is documented in the photo. Any information you might have regarding this patch would be greatly appreciated. Russ

[rustywings]

Back of Ann Ross' CAA-War Training Service wings and collar insignia.

[rustywings]

Close-up of Ann Ross' CAA/WTS Flight Instructor wings.

[rustywings]

Close-up of the Flight Instructor shoulder patch and CAA/WTS wings on her chest. Any idea which Contract Flight School this patch represents?

[rustywings]

Three inch Flight Instructor shoulder patch and tab worn by Ann Ross in 1942.

[rustywings]

Back of the Flight Instructor patch and tab.

[John Cooper]

Hi Russ, If I recall correctly, by mid 1943, early 1944, most of the contract primary flight schools were begining to be co-opted and shut down as the military picked up the pace of its own training facilities. One of my flight instructor friends was commissioned by 1944, and started to fly the Hump in China. Imagine that, went from training flight cadets to flying gasoline over the Himylayas!

 

It is possible that your guy was commissioned into the military at some point and that is why he had the Southeast traninig DUI?

 

P

 

 

Patrick & Russ - I hope to post some a CFI wing which came from an estate that also has a Service pilots wing as well... this ties in with the informatin you mentioned above.

 

BTW Russ - that is one super little group you have! I love the fact you have a period photo!!!! Great stuff as always!

 

John

[pfrost]

Patrick & Russ - I hope to post some a CFI wing which came from an estate that also has a Service pilots wing as well... this ties in with the informatin you mentioned above.

 

BTW Russ - that is one super little group you have! I love the fact you have a period photo!!!! Great stuff as always!

 

John

 

Again, I have to keep saying-- outside of a museum, you are not likely to soon see wings and groupings as nice as these any time soon. John, I sure hope you and other people will post other stuff as well.

 

P

[John Cooper]

as requested..

 

I saw this and had to have it... as you can see from the photo is is an A.E. Co pattern in gold. The shield has been ground down to a smooth surface with C.F.I. engraved in the center. The reverse has B.W.L. as well... the initials are done rather crudely compared to those on the shield. As a side note the gold color is rather light in shade and bright when i compare it to some of my FS wings.

 

I hope you like them.

 

(edit) I forgot to add I missed out on a nice Service pilots wing and a flight instructors cap badge from the same estate.

 

Cheers

John

 

[rustywings]

John, your newly acquired "CFI" wing is a very nice addition to your collection and to this thread. Thanks for sharing it.

[John Cooper]

My pleasure Russ! I wonder with the information provided by Patrick and Paul IIRC how many of the instructors went on to serve as Service pilots later in the war...?

 

John