WINGS OVER CAMBRIDGE
CAMBRIDGE'S CONNECTIONS WITH THE WARTIME AIR FORCE
Wartime RNZAF Trades
The following list comprises the names of the various trades that existsed in the wartime RNZAF. These refer to the trades for male airmen - see the WAAF page for a list of female trades. This list has been compiled from various sources, including contemporary sources such as Contact magazine. Some of the titles are unfamiliar to me, so some trade descriptions are based upon my own assumptions of the trade title, so if you can add to or correct this list I'd appreciate hearing from you. Please email me at dave_daasnz@hotmail.com
| RNZAF Trade | Trade Description |
|---|---|
Aircrafthand, General Duties Aircrafthand, Mess Aircrafthand, Patrolman Air Gunner Armourer |
A general Jack-of-all-Trades, who moved about often from section to section, so may work a few weeks or months as a mechanic, then become a driver, then an armourer, etc., going wherever hey're needed most A trade that I assume woked in various roles in the Mess A guard who patrolled the stations for security purposes Turret gunner in aircraft such as Hudson, Ventura, Avenger, Lancaster or Wellington Worked on weaponry such as bombs and guns |
Bandsman Barrack Warden Blacksmith Bricklayer Bushman |
A professional member of the RNZAF Band, who raised morale and funds around New Zealand and abroad They supplied barrack fittings and clean sheets, etc to those living in barracks Performed various metal-working and forge tasks? Must have been part of the Aerodrome Construction Squadrons or PWD Not sure why the RNZAF needed bushmen, maybe to train airmen in survival? |
Carpenter Chainman Clerk Cook Coppersmith and Metal Worker Coxswains, 1st and 2nd Class |
General woodworkers, probably worked on the wooden structures of aircraft ? Performed administrative duties Worked in the mess preparing food. All had both civilian and RNZAF training Obviously performed various metal-working tasks ? |
Dental Clerk Dental Orderly Disciplinarian Drill and Discipline Instructor Driver, Petrol Mechanic Draughtsman |
Kept the station dental records Assisted the station dentist, who was usually Army Maintained discipline on the station. The Station Warrant Officer was a Disciplinarian Taught airmen military drill and life at Initial Training Wing, training schools. etc. A driver of petrol driven vehicles They ensured the mechs had drawings for aircraft maintenance and repair |
Electric Welder Electrician Engineer's Assistant Equipment Assistant |
As title states Worked on electrical equipment - on aircraft or simply around the station? ? These were the storemen who handled al the logistics of the RNZAF, purchasing and supplying what was required by each squadron and unit |
Fabric Worker Field Plant Foreman Field Plant Serviceman Fitter (works) Fire Crew Fitter AE Fitter Airframe Fitter Armourer Fitter, Driver Petrol Fitter's Mate Flight Engineer Flight Mechanic Flight Rigger |
Upholsterer-Taylor, made and repaired all fabric structures required Looked after ground eqiupment such as generators, pumps, etc. ? As above Something to do with Public Works Department? Firemen who were trained to fight fires after aircraft crashes, etc. Not sure - some mechanical duty, aircraft electronics? Worked on the airframe structure on aeroplanes (is this also Fitter AE?) They armed the aircraft and serviced the weaponry, bomb equipment, etc. I assume this trade worked on and drove petrol driven vehicles? ? Aircrew members who monitored engine temperatures and other guages Mechanic that ensured the aircraft's engine/s were maintained Looked after all mechanical equipment on an aircraft except the engine/s |
Gas Welder General Fitter General Stores Clerk Grader Driver |
Welded using gas welding system Not sure what this trade did exactly, but must have been mechanical As title states, doing the paperwork in the Stores I guess Must have been part of the Aerodrome Construction Squadrons |
Heavy Tractor Driver Hygiene and Sanitation Medical Orderly |
Part of the Aerodrome Construction Squadrons, or maybe towed aircraft? A medic or nurse |
Instrument Maker Instrumentman Instrument Repairer |
Made aircraft instruments? As above? Worked on the aircraft instruments? |
Link Trainer Instructor |
These men taught pilots to 'fly' the Link Trainer simulator |
Machine Tool Setter & operator Mechanic (Internal Combustion) Medical Orderly Medical Officer Mess Attendant Meteorologist Motor Boat Crew |
A lathe machinist, ie a Fitter and Turner these days (?) Worked on petrol and diesel engines (ie Transport vehicles, not aircraft) Military term for a nurse - also called Medic Military term for a doctor, known as M.O. Worked in the mess food halls and kitchens, probably serving food? Forecast the weather which was vital to pilots and aircrews Tendered to flying boats and also some sea rescue work |
Navigator |
Aircrew member responsible for navigating the aircraft to its destinations |
Observer |
Another name for Navigator, sometimes manned guns on the aircraft too |
Padre Painter Parachute Packer Patrolman Pay Clerk Photographer Physical Training Instructor Pilot Plumber |
A religious priest or minister, usually the Station Chaplain Not sure if they painted aircraft, or buildings, etc around the station Maintained and packed parachutes A security guard that ensured aircraft and facilities were not sabotaged Clerks that handled the paying of wages to airmen, etc. Recording incidents and events for the records using photography A PTI trained airmen in sport and exercise to maintain fitness Flew the planes Ensured the plumbing of buildings around the base was working |
Radio Telephone Operator R.D.F. Mechanic (air and ground) R.D.F. Operator Rigger Carpenter Rigger Metal Rigger Splicer |
Ground trade that kept in touch with aircraft via wireless radio Serviced Radio Direction Finding equipment, i.e. Radar Operated the radar systems I assume these chaps workedon the woodwork of aeroplane I assume these chaps worked on the metal work of an aircraft I assume these chaps worked with and maintained ropes |
Safety Pilot Shovel and Ditcher Driver Sawyer Service Butcher Shotfirer Signals Clerk Signals Instructor Special Duties, Clerk Station Electrician |
A second pilot on an aircraft, especially during training - not really a trade Must have been part of the Aerodrome Construction Squadrons Sawyers cut down trees, does this apply here? Butchered the meat for the mess. Were all civil qualified and RNZAF trained ? Looked after the administrative side of Signals? Obviously trained members of the Signals trade There were three types in this trade. I assume it was handling secret documents Maintained the electrical system on the station |
Technical Instructor Telegraphist Telephone Mechanic Telephone Operator Teleprinter Operator Target Packer and Operator Transport Driver |
Obviously trained technical tradesmen at the Technical Training School (?) Operated the telegraphy communication system for the RNZAF Maintained the telephone systems on and between RNZAF stations Operated the telephone exchange Operated teleprinters These people must have orpeated the targets towed by Target Tug aircraft Drove ground transport, trucks and cars. |
Welder Wet Canteen Attendent Wireless Mechanic Wireless Electrical Mechanic Wireless Operator Mech Wireless Operator Wireless Operator Air Gunner Works Foreman |
Welded stuff A barman in a Wet Canteen, i.e. a bar in a Mess. This trade all had NCO rank I assume they maintained wireless radios Repaired wireless radios, on the ground and from aircraft ? Aircrew member who kept in touch with the ground base via radio methods A wireless operator who also manned a gun turret when called upon to do so A foreman with the PWD, or in an Aerodrome Construction Squadrons? |
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