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Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force

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Not to be confused with Straits Settlements Volunteer Force.

Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force
Active1936–1941
Country Straits Settlements
Branch Volunteer Reserves
TypeReserve air force
Part of Malaya Command
Garrison/HQSingapore

The Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force (SSVAF) was a military reserve force in the Straits Settlements, while they were under British rule, assisting the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an auxiliary.[1] The SSVAF was the first volunteer air force in a British colony.[2]

History

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On 28 October 1935, the bill to establish SSVAF was introduced in the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements. Air commodore Sidney William Smith, officer commanding of RAF Far East, was appointed to have direct control over SSVAF.[1]

Volunteers had to be between 17 and 40 years old, physically fit, and in possession of a valid type "A" civil flying licence.[1][3]

Announced by Smith on 2 November 1935, Kallang Airport was selected as the headquarters for the new volunteer force, and facilities such as an officers' mess, a sergeants' mess, hangars and workshops, will be constructed as soon as the bill was enacted into law. Six Hawker Audax planes were also flown in from England to be used as the training aircraft.[4][5][6]

The bill was passed on 25 March 1936, and enrolment began on 20 April 1936, after shortlisting hundreds of applications.[7][8][9] Upon filling up the enrolment forms and successfully passing the medical examination, approval had to be sought from Governor Shenton Thomas before joining the volunteer force.[10][11]

In May 1936, squadron leader Charles Henry Flinn was appointed to the command of SSVAF.[12] An additional Hawker Hart and two Avro Tutor planes were flown in, and together with three RAF instructors, flight training began for five appointed volunteers on 6 June 1936.[4][13][14][15] The five volunteers also had prior flying experiences at the Royal Singapore Flying Club.[16]

On 7 August 1936, an Avro Tutor and a Hawker Hart flew alongside bombers from the No. 100 Squadron RAF to perform an aerobatic display at Kuala Lumpur, marking the first cooperation between the volunteer force and RAF.[17][18]

In 1941, SSVAF was renamed to the Malayan Volunteer Air Force.[19][20]

Accidents and incidents

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  • 24 June 1936 – An Avro Tutor collided with a Vickers Vildebeeste while taxiing on the ground. Severe damage was inflicted to the Avro's wing and other equipment. No injuries were reported.[16]
  • 7 March 1938 – A Hawker Hart crashed while performing aerobatics at the Penang Flying Club pageant. The pilot suffered a dislocation to his arm, and bruises to his body.[21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "VOLUNTEER AIR FORCE FOR DEFENCE OF COLONY". The Straits Times. 25 October 1935. p. 12. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  2. ^ "S.S. VOLUNTEER PILOTS". The Straits Times. 5 June 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  3. ^ "MALAYA'S VOLUNTEER AIR FORCE". The Sunday Tribune. 13 September 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "FLYING BOAT NIGHT LANDINGS AT KALLANG". The Straits Times. 3 November 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  5. ^ "PLANES FROM ENGLAND". The Straits Times. 28 October 1935. p. 13. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  6. ^ "PLANES FROM ENGLAND". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 30 October 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  7. ^ "PLANS TO INCREASE SINGAPORE'S AIR STRENGTH". The Straits Times. 22 March 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  8. ^ "ENROLMENT BEGINS TODAY". The Straits Times. 20 April 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  9. ^ "ANOTHER SINGAPORE AERODROME FOR R.A.F." The Straits Times. 12 January 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ^ "ENROLMENT BEGINS". The Straits Budget. 23 April 1936. p. 10. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  11. ^ "AIR VOLUNTEERS". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 21 April 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  12. ^ "HIS HIGHNESS'S FLIGHT". The Straits Times. 27 May 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  13. ^ "First Volunteer Air Force Pilots". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 6 June 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Avro Tutors Arrive At Seletar". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 22 May 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  15. ^ "S.S.V.A.F. PLANES ARRIVE". The Straits Times. 21 May 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b "VOLUNTEER AIR FORCE MISHAP". The Straits Times. 24 June 1936. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  17. ^ "TORPEDO BOMBERS FLY TO K. L." The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 8 August 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  18. ^ "R.A.F. Planes' Display At Kuala Lumpur Today". The Straits Times. 8 August 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  19. ^ "MALAYAN VOLUNTEER AIR FORCE". The Straits Times. 31 May 1941. p. 11. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  20. ^ "S.S.V.A.F. To Become M.V.A.F." Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 5 July 1941. p. 7. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  21. ^ "Pilot Crashes After Penang Aerobatic Display". The Straits Budget. 10 March 1938. p. 9. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  22. ^ "PLANE CRASHES AT PENANG FLYING PAGEANT". Malaya Tribune. 7 March 1938. p. 12. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
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