#1636 Oxford UAS Tutor print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1636 - G-CGKG, Tutor, Oxford UAS & 6 AEF, RAF Benson.
Oxford University Air Squadron was formed on 11 October 1925. The Sub-Rector of Exeter College, Wing Commander R H Raikes, was appointed Chief Flying Instructor and the establishment was set at 25 members. By 1927 it had risen to 75 members flying Avro 504K aircraft at Upper Heyford. Under Wing Commander Park the Squadron moved its flying base from Upper Heyford to RAF Abingdon in 1932. By 1939, with an establishment of 100 flying members, instruction on Avro Tutors at Abingdon was supplemented by advance flying at Kidlington on Hawker Harts. During the war many members served with distinction, in particular Group Captain Leonard Cheshire and Captain the Lord Lyell who were both awarded the Victoria Cross. Amongst the many decorations gained by former members were 27 DSOs and 109 DFCs. After a year’s closure the Squadron was reopened in 1940 as an Initial Training Wing for undergraduates. Over 2,000 cadets passed through the Squadron during the war years. After the war the Squadron reverted to its role of providing initial flying training. Equipped with Tiger Moths it operated from RAF Abingdon until 1949 when it moved to Kidlington, converting to Chipmunks in 1950. In 1957 the Squadron’s base was changed to RAF Bicester and in 1970 its establishment was reduced to 4 Chipmunks and 33 flying members. It re-equipped with 4 Scottish Aviation Bulldogs in February 1975 and in September returned to RAF Abingdon celebrating its 50th Anniversary on 11 October 1975. The 60th Anniversary in October 1985 saw an expansion to 38 VR flying members and, for the first time, formal flying instruction was given to female full flying members. In June 1992 the Squadron moved its flying operations to RAF Benson and in February 2000 the Bulldogs were replaced by Grob G.115 Tutors. The motto on the badge is “I walk the skies and keep my thoughts on the sun”.