The 202nd entry was the second of the Craft Apprentice entries. 201 entry had arrived at No 1 School of Technical Training RAF Halton in September 1964. The 90 plus young men, who would become 202 entry, arrived at Wendover station, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on 4 January 1965. We were attested into the Royal Air Force on 5 January 1965. 202 entry passed out of Halton on 14 December 1966.

The craft apprentice scheme was designed to provide skilled craftsmen to service and maintain the TSR2 and the new generation of aircraft. The technician apprentice scheme was similarly designed to provide more highly qualified technicians to work alongside the craftsmen. Both schemes were to replace the aircraft apprentice schemes, which had been introduced in the nineteen twenties by The Lord Trenchard.

The apprentices of the Trenchard scheme are affectionately known as brats. Both craft and technician apprentice schemes were worthy successors of the aircraft apprentices.

The TSR2 never went into service as the Wilson government of the mid-1960s decided to scrap the aircraft, and to order F111 aircraft from the USA. The F111 order was cancelled in 1968. The craft apprentice scheme was redesigned to train skilled craftsmen, who would qualify as junior technicians, and become the senior NCOs of the RAF.

The Entry Commander was Flt. Lt. Brian Carter and his Adjutant was Fg. Off. Ambler, who had just been promoted from the SNCO ranks. Brian Carter and Stuart Morgan last had a chat in the Running Horse bar at the RAF Club in about 1985. Brian was working for a commercial airline as a pilot. Recent enquiries (April 2009) reveal that Brian is not a current member of the RAF Club.

In addition to being members of this site many of us also belong to the The official Old Haltonian social networking site at Ning.com.

Visit The Old Haltonian social networking site
The "Old Haltonian site at Ning.com" is particularly popular with Old Haltonians and contains a lot of historic videos and photographs. All ex-Halton brats are welcome to join that site.


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