No. 22 Service Flying Training School, Southern Rhodesia

North American Harvards at Cranborne, Southern Rhodesia - IWM photo

Brief History

No. 22 Service Flying Training School was a part of the Empire Training Scheme. Established at the Thornhill Base near Gwelo, it utilised North American T-6 Harvard Models 1,2,2A, and 3 aircraft. The unit operated from 25 Mar 1941 until 30 Sep 1945.aircraft.

Initial reception for pupil pilots was at Hillside Camp, later called Cranborne where the Initial training Wing (ITW) course lasted 6 weeks. From here they went onto post initial training for 6 weeks, or to the Elementary Flying Training Scheme (EFTS) Each EFTS intake had 320 pupils spread over the various air stations, about 50 from post initial training and another 270 direct from an ITW course and the course lasted 6 weeks. Those failing were posted back to an ITW course for re-examination.

The Service Flying Training Schools (SFTS) had an intake of 64 pupils every 6 weeks at each air station. Some went for air gunner training and others for air observer training. The complete pilot's course initially lasted six months, ground subjects were also taught and each trainee had to fly at least 150 hours to qualify.

Pilot Trainees

• † Michael Courthope Haynes 2 Mar - 1 Jul 1942
• † Alan Wesley Hain 3 Mar - 7 Aug 1942