Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Links Page

Text links are shown below

- Home Page -

- About this site -

- Quick Menu -

- Main Menu -

- Members' Area -

- What's New -

- Help Needed -

- Jobs -

- Online Store -

- Dating -

- Reunions -

- Contact Me -

- Sign Guest Book -

- View Guest Book -

- Glossary -

- Bibliography -

RAF Non-Commissioned Ranks

Aircrew from 1946

Until 1 July 1946, NCOs serving as aircrew wore the same rank badges as their ground trade colleagues.  However, at this time it was decided to introduce a separate rank structure for non-commissioned aircrew.  This even extended to separate Messes for aircrew and ground NCOs.  The scheme was found unpopular and unworkable and in 1950, non-commissioned aircrew reverted to the traditional ranks with the exception that Sergeant and Flight Sergeant aircrew now adopted a gold eagle above their chevrons and the rank of Master aircrew was retained replacing the rank of Warrant Officer.  AMO A.492/46 stated that aircrew were not to be referred to as NCOs but that some equivalence was needed and that equivalence is shown below

Aircrew Cadet		This rank was allocated to trainee aircrew.
Aircrew IV		Equivalent to Corporal
Aircrew III		Equivalent to Corporal
Aircrew II		Equivalent to Sergeant
Aircrew I		Equivalent to Flight Sergeant.
Master Aircrew		Equivalent to Warrant Officer.  Retained in 1950 and still in existence.
Sergeant Aircrew		Replaced Aircrew II, III and IV in 1950 and still used.
Flight Sergeant Aircrew		Replaced Aircrew I and still in use.
Aircrew Cadet		Replaced badge above and still in use today

This page was last updated on 02/08/09 using FrontPage XP^© 

[Top of Page]

  Ranks and Insignia Menu