No. 4 Flying Training School RAF
| No. 4 Flying Training School | |
|---|---|
Hawk T.1 of 4 Flying Training School, RAF Valley. This aircraft wears the markings '4 FTS 70th year' & '1921 Abu Sueir - Valley 1991'. 4 FTS was formed at Abu Sueir, Egypt, on 1.4.1921, hence the Palm & Pyramid unit emblem.
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| Active | 1 Apr 1921 - 1 Jul 1941 3 Feb 1947 - 26 Jan 1954 1 Jun 1954 - 9 Jun 1958 15 Aug 1960 - Present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
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| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Advanced Fast Jet Training |
| Base | RAF Valley (1960 - present) |
| Motto(s) |
Latin: E Sabulo ad Sidera (Translation: "From Sand to the Stars") |
| Aircraft | Hawk T.1 & T.2 |
No. 4 Flying Training School is a Royal Air Force military flying training school, which manages Advanced Fast Jet Training (AFJT) from its base at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales. Its role is to provide fast jet aircrew to the Operational Conversion Units for the RAF's jet attack aircraft, the Typhoon, Tornado and in future the Joint Strike Fighter.
No. 4 FTS has primarily provided advanced flying and more recently jet aircraft training to aircrew students, although during World War II it was called upon to take part in offensive operations, a role it took on with great success.
On 1 April 1921, No 4 Flying Training School opened at Abu Sueir in Egypt to train pilots, primarily for squadrons based in the Middle East
Between 1935 and 1936, the expansion of the RAF in line with the increasing tensions in Europe led to major changes in how the RAF delivered flying training. Civilian flying training organisations were used to provide basic flying instruction, while the Service schools focused on the more advanced training.
On 1 September 1939, two days before war was declared in Europe, it moved to RAF Habbaniya, the large RAF base in Iraq, where intense flying training activities could take place in clearer skies. Because of its location, few aircrew students were sent out from the UK, and the school had to recruit from the Middle and Far East. After completing the course, pupils were sent to Abu Sueir for further training or directly to operational squadrons in theatre. In February 1940 the school was renamed No. 4 Service Flying Training School, to differentiate it from an Elementary Flying Training School. The school moved to a war footing, forming 'Y' Operational squadron to defend against air attack.
The School also took on further training of Observers and air gunners, in line with requirements. By Spring 1941, other training schemes were beginning to produce sufficient pilots, and it was decided to close the school in September. However, the political situation in Iraq deteriorated, and the School was forced to fight. The Habbaniya Air Striking Force was created from the School (plus the 3 Vickers Valentia aircraft of Iraq Communications Flight) under the command of Group Captain W A B Saville.
A rebel coup in Baghdad resulted in a British deployment in Basrah to protect Iraqi oil resources. The rebels began to gather troops and artillery south of Habbaniya airfield. The School's instructors combined with the more experienced pupils to man the aircraft and weaponise them. On 2 May 1941, the School attacked the enemy positions. The battle for Habbaniya lasted 5 days, during which the School's aircraft had flown 584 sorties, fired 100,000 rounds and dropped 45 tonnes of bombs on the enemy, finally forcing the rebel forces to retreat. Their overall contribution to the situation in Iraq led to the recapture of Baghdad by British forces, and during the emergency which lasted almost a month, 4 SFTS flew 1605 operational sorties, the majority crewed by student pilots. By June, the aircraft were redeployed elsewhere and on 1 July 1941, the School was disbanded.
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