Did you know that Air Scouts is turning 80 years old?

It was 29th  January 1941  when the decision to formally create an Air Scouts branch of the Scouts section was taken. Its roots were born in the 1930s when Scout Troops near to airfields and gliding clubs started to include air activities in their programmes, and an Air Patrols pamphlet was produced. Air Scouting came into being in January 1941, during the Second World War, as a provision for air-minded young people too young for the ATC (for which the minimum age was 16 at the time).

The booklet about Air Scouts published 15th May 1941, whilst the First Air Scout Training Camp started 30th July 1942 where Scouts met Lieut. Laurence Olivier (the actor later Sir Laurence) who was at that time serving in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy at the time.

The response was immediate and enthusiastic, with many demands for literature and advice as Troops and Patrols were formed in many parts of the country. Recruitment was little affected by the uniform restrictions imposed by clothes rationing, and it was possible to introduce a distinctive uniform in which, for the first time, a beret replaced the traditional Scout hat. Air Scouting reached its numerical peak in 1944. With the end of the War in the following year, numbers began to fall, but there was no lack of enthusiasm in those who stayed on. In October 1950, as a result of successful negotiations with the Air Ministry, a scheme was introduced for Air Scout Troops to be granted Air Ministry recognition provided certain conditions were met. Members of recognised Troops were permitted to wear a special badge and to have the advantage of certain much-needed facilities including opportunities for flying experience in service aircraft for Air Scouts who had reached the required standard of training.

 

Have you ever wondered what Scouts in the past wore, thought or did? The Scouts Heritage Collection holds photographs, diaries, letters and objects which tell the story of over 100 years of Scouting activity.

Check it out.