Draft:485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron

485 (Harborne & Quinton) Sqn
485 (Harborne & Quinton) Sqn
Active	Formed in 1941; 84 years ago
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	King Charles III
Branch	Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Type	Air Training Corps
Role	Youth development, military aviation, education and training
Patron	The Princess of Wales (All ATC Units)
Motto(s)	Non Sine Pulvere Palma ("No success without effort")
Commanders
Current Officer Commanding	Sqn Ldr K Aldridge RAFAC
Current Training Officer	Flt Lt J Ashcroft RAFAC
Current SNCO	Sgt J Brown RAFAC
Insignia
Ensign
Royal Air Force Air Cadets Logo
RAFAC TRF
Aircraft flown
Trainer	Tutor T1; Viking T1

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Instructions · What links here · 485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron (talk: + · bio) · (log) · Copyvios report · reFill · Citation Bot · (Search: Google, Wikipedia) · Submitted 2 days ago by Oc.485 (talk: D · +) · Last edited 2 days ago by JJMC89 bot

485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron ATC is a unit of the Air Training Corps (ATC) within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets based in Harborne, Birmingham, United Kingdom.^[2] Established in early 1941, the squadron provides training and activities for young people aged 12 to 20 who are interested in aviation and the Royal Air Force.

The Squadron's motto is "Non Sine Pulvere Palma" which translates to "No success without effort".

Aims

The aims of the Air Training Corps, as set out in the Royal Warrant:

To promote and encourage among young men and women a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force (RAF);
To provide training which will be useful in both the Armed Forces and civilian life;
To foster a spirit of adventure and to develop the qualities of leadership and good citizenship.^[3]

The corps' motto is 'Venture, Adventure'.^[4]

Facilities

The squadron's current facilities include a 'Spooner' hut used for administration and classroom work. In May 2001, the facilities were extended to include a radio room and a modern (at the time) flight simulator, replacing an older Canberra simulator.

Organisational Structure

	HQ	Commander
Royal Air Force	Whitehall, London	Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Richard Knighton
No. 22 Group RAF	Air Command, RAF High Wycombe	Air Officer Commanding 22 Gp AVM Ian Townsend
Royal Air Force Air Cadets	HQRAFAC, RAFC Cranwell	Commandant Air Cadets Air Cdre Allen Lewis
Air Training Corps	HQRAFAC, RAFC Cranwell	Commandant Air Cadets Air Cdre Allen Lewis
Wales & West Region	Region HQ, RAF Cosford	Regional Commandant Gp Capt Roger Simon
Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing	Wing HQ, Cateswell House	Wing Commander Wg Cdr Amanda Hobbins
485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron	Squadron HQ, Tennal Grange	Officer Commanding Sqn Ldr Kyle Aldridge

Activities

485 Squadron members have access to a range of activities, including:

Flying, Gliding, and Air Experience Flights (AEF)
Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) Expeditions, Hillwalking, and Trekking
Camps, Fieldcraft, and Survival Training
Team and Individual Sports (e.g., football, netball, rugby, athletics, swimming)
Shooting Activities, including Marksmanship Training, Competitions, and Weapons Handling
STEM Activities, including Aerospace Projects, Cyber Training, and Engineering Opportunities
Drill, Ceremonial Parades, and Competitions
Community Engagement and Charity Work
Leadership and Team Development
Radio Communications and Competitions
First Aid Training and Certification

History

The squadron was originally formed in 1941, headquartered at the High Street School in Harborne. It was led by its first Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant A. H. Dutton RAFVR(T), and Adjutant Flying Officer K. Jackson RAFVR(T). The unit later amalgamated with No. 486 (Quinton) Squadron to become 485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron. In 1962, the squadron relocated to the TA Centre (Now the West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadet Association HQ) at Tennal Grange, Tennal Road, Harborne, where it remains to this day.^[5]

Laying up the old Sqn banner (30 June 2013)

Sunday 30 June was a very special day in the life of 485 Sqn has they laid up their old Sqn banner and had the new banner blessed.

The service was conducted by the Sqn's new padre, Priscilla White, at the Church of St Faith and St Lawrence in Harborne. The Sqn had was attended by Flt Lt Brendan O'Neill, Flt Lt Paula Smith, Flt Lt Colin Bell and Fg Off Keith Roper, all ex members of 485 Sqn. We were also joined by our Wing Staff Officer, Sqn Ldr Pat Maccorroll.

The old banner was carried by Cpl Reece Meek and the new banner was carried by Sgt Hayden Hitchman.

The old banner now hangs in the church gallery which overlooks the congregation.

75th Anniversary of the ATC (5 February 2016)

5 February 2016 marked the 75th Anniversary of the creation of the Air Training Corps (ATC)

A small group of staff and cadets from 485 Squadron joined squadrons from across Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing in celebrating this historic milestone on ATC Sunday (7th Feb 2016) at Coventry Cathedral. As part of the commemorations, the squadron participated in events honoring the legacy and achievements of the ATC, including parades, community engagements, and special activities to highlight the opportunities provided to young people since its formation in 1941. The 75th Anniversary also served as a reminder of the important role the ATC has played in inspiring generations of cadets to develop skills, discipline, and a passion for aviation and service.

Commandant Air Cadets Visit (4 February 2020)

485 cadets hosted Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, during a visit to observe the range of activities offered by the squadron on a typical parade night. During her visit, she engaged with cadets, discussing their experiences in the Air Training Corps and their future aspirations.

The visit highlighted the opportunities available to cadets, including skill development, leadership training, and their active participation in community and aviation-related events. This interaction allowed the cadets to share their perspectives and gain inspiration from a senior figure in the RAF Air Cadets organization.

New Squadron Badge (1 April 2021)

On 1 April 2021, OC 485 commissioned the new Badge/Crest for the squadron. The history behind the new badge originates from the amalgamation of 485 (Harborne) Sqn and 486 (Quinton) Sqn, named after the Royal Air Force's 485 and 486 Squadrons.

485 and 486 Squadrons RAF were two of the 6 Royal New Zealand Air Force Article XV squadrons from WWII (both Fighter and Fighter Bomber units). Elements from each of the squadrons' crests were combined to form the new crest for 485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron.

It features a Kea "Alpine Parrot" from the 486 NZ badge and a Taiaha "Spear" from the 485 NZ badge.

Current Squadron Badge
485 NZ Sqn Badge

Move to Wales & West Region (31 Mar 2023)

On 31 March 2023, Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing officially transitioned from Central & East Region to Wales & West Region. This move was part of a broader organisational restructuring within RAFAC, aimed at improving regional alignment, operational efficiency, and support for squadrons.

The decision to transfer Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing was driven by several factors:

Geographical Alignment: The Wing’s proximity to other units within Wales & West Region facilitated stronger regional collaboration and operational coherence.

Streamlined Operations: The realignment was designed to optimise command structures, reduce logistical complexities, and enhance the delivery of cadet activities.

Commanding officers

The squadron has been led by the following Commanding Officers^[6]:


Ser	Dates	Rank	Name
1st	1941–1965 (24 Yrs)	Flt Lt	A. H. Dutton RAFVR(T)
2nd	1965–1968 (3 Yrs)	Flt Lt	W. Ogborne RAFVR(T)
3rd	1968–1969 (1 Yr)	Flt Lt	J. Muldoon RAFVR(T)
4th	1969–1976 (7 Yrs)	Flt Lt	K. Blunn RAFVR(T)
5th	1976–1979 (3 Yrs)	Flt Lt	B. Barnes RAFVR(T)
6th	1979–1983 (4 Yrs)	Flt Lt	P. G. Clarke RAFVR(T)
7th	1983–1996 (13 Yrs)	Flt Lt	A. Healey RAFVR(T)
8th	1996–2001 (5 Yrs)	Flt Lt	C. G. Bell RAFVR(T)
9th	2001–2004 (3 Yrs)	Flt Lt	P. Smith RAFVR(T)
10th	2004–2011 (7 Yrs)	Flt Lt	P. Coates RAFVR(T)
11th	2011–2013 (2 Yrs)	Flt Lt	S. Jennings RAFVR(T)
12th	2013–2015 (3 Yrs)	WO	R. Coates ATC
13th	2016–Present (9 Yrs)	Sqn Ldr	K. Aldridge RAFAC (Prev:RAFVR(T))

References

^ "RAF timeline 1941". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015.
^ http://485atc.co.uk/history.html
^ Expand Your Horizons: Adult Volunteers, Lincolnshire: Air Cadet Organisation, 2007
^ "General Service Training". Air Cadet Publication. 31 (Section 1 – the Air Training Corps). Lincolnshire, England: Air Cadet Organisation: 1. 2000.
^ http://485atc.co.uk/history.html
^ http://485atc.co.uk/

External links

Category:Royal Air Force Air Cadets Category:Air Training Corps Category:Cadet Forces Category:Royal Air Force

[RAFtimeline1941-1] "RAF timeline 1941". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015.

[2] ttp://485atc.co.uk/history.html

[horizons-3] Expand Your Horizons: Adult Volunteers, Lincolnshire: Air Cadet Organisation, 2007

[AirCadetOrganisation-4] "General Service Training". Air Cadet Publication. 31 (Section 1 – the Air Training Corps). Lincolnshire, England: Air Cadet Organisation: 1. 2000.

[5] ttp://485atc.co.uk/history.html

[6] ttp://485atc.co.uk/

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