'Women as Ground Crews'

Reproduced from : THE AEROPLANE

No: 1686
SEPTEMBER 17, 1943

THE RANGE of duties undertaken by the women's Auxiliary Air Force is now in process of extension. Under the guidance of the Technical Training Command of the Royal Air Force a remustering scheme has been put into operation through which aircraftwomen are now being trained as flight mechanics on engines and airframes and are later converted to the trades of Fitter II, engines and airframes. Thus women for the first time are promoted to service in a group I trade. This development shows signs of succeeding and is a credit not only to the enterprise of Technical Training Command but also to the adaptability of the women.


(Above) 'MERLIN'S HANDMAIDENS' - A Rolls-Royce Merlin Crank-shaft is being lifted from its bearings by W.A.A.F. fitters. Complete overhauls to aero-motors are undertaken by women in a Technical school to qualify for a Group I trade.

Historically, the employment of women in the Air Force is not new. During the last war, they also served as fitters and riggers, but their numbers were comparatively few. In March, 1918, there were only 416 fully qualified mechanics, although a far greater number were engaged on such duties as the covering of wooden airframes with fabric, attending to the cockpit upholstery, and doping and painting.

Generally, motor maintenance work done by female labour was confined to cleaning, removing cowlings, and general stripping in readiness for the attention of expert men engine fitters. In this war the W.A.A.F. has been engaged principally in the administrative, domestic or transport sections. With the enormous increase of radio aids to operational flying women have proved peculiarly suitable for work in wireless and radiolocation. The work of women plotters in operational control centres must also be mentioned in any review of the work of the W.A.A.F.

The decision to extend to aircraftwomen technical training as flight mechanics was a bold one, for overalls, oil and paraffin rags are not generally associated with their sex - allowing, of course, for exceptional examples of feminine interest in things mechanical. A further dilution of ground staff man-power within the R.A.F. has become necessary as at this stage of the War male recruits are in short supply. This is probably the main reason why unskilled members of the W.A.A.F. are being trained as flight mechanics. Nevertheless, the women now being trained for the higher gradings must have shown a marked aptitude for the work, and proved themselves capable and skilful in the less exacting tasks they had previously performed.

On the engine side aircraftwomen training as flight mechanics are first taught the use of hand tools. They then pass to instruction in theory and practice on internal-combustion engines. They receive the ordinary flight mechanics' training in the "servicing" of aero-engines and their components, including magnetos and carburetters. A certain amount of theoretical school work goes with this instruction, which also covers the fitting of motors in airframes, running up, handling and maintenance of aircraft on a station.



(Above) A W.A.A.F. Fitter II (Engine) runs up the inner port motor of
a Halifax heavy bomber.

On the airframe side A.C.W. Flight Mechanics are taught the elementary principles of airframe construction, rigging, splicing and fabric work, and are given an insight into the details of modern aeroplanes and their components. Manual work consists of the training in the uses of hand tools, ordinary repairs to airframes, and again handling and maintenance of aircraft. At the end of the flight mechanics' course aircraftwomen are qualified in the maintenance of aircraft and are able to perform minor routine inspections and simple repairs by replacement. They then go to a flying unit.

A selection is subsequently made from the women flight mechanics to determine those best qualified for training as Fitters II on what is popularly known in the R.A.F. as a "con.course."

This conversion course is for engine and airframes fitters, and the time is spent with Technical Training Command. One week is spent at school and the remainder in workshops. A much higher standard is now required from the women, particularly in skill of hand.



(Above) NURSES FOR A SPITFIRE - The Merlin motor of a Spitfire is shown under examination for the detection of faults by women engine fitters of the W.A.A.F.

In the engine section the course starts with basic fitting. Although a certain amount of work with the file is done, emphasis is placed on accurate fitting by scraper of a standard test piece, which consists of two aluminium alloy castings. These two test blocks are in effect an oil container, and when both mating faces have been correctly scraped to a true fit they are drilled, screwed and bolted together. A delivery hole into the oil chamber enables a leak test under hydraulic load to be made. This gives the examiners an accurate guide to the standard of workmanship reached in fitting.

The correct use of precision instruments is taught to women fitters and a limit tolerance of a half/thou. Is expected on any job during the course. W.A.F. trainees are examined by an independent Trade Test Board at the end of the course and the standard R.A.F. fitters' flat test pieces - the "tee" and triangle, and the double square - are given.

Women engine fitters also undertake major overhauls on liquid- and air-cooled motors and instruction is given in the maintenance of variable-pitch airscrews. Subsidiary components such as magnetos and carburetters are dealt with in detail. On the aerodrome W.A.A.F. fitters are required to perform major inspections of motors and have to be able to test and service aircraft without help.



(Above) A MATTER OF LEGS - Airframe fitters of the W.A.A.F. under training are here dismantling the Lockheed undercarriage of a Blenheim IV.

In the airframe section which we toured during a visit to the principal school of technical training for W.A.A.F. fitters, a comprehensive instructional course was in progress on metal repairs to fuselage and wings of a standard Service aircraft and work was being done on a faulty hydraulic system of a Blenheim IV. There are several problems to overcome when the women fitters are confronted with a complete airframe after having received workshop instruction. The first is to test the aeroplane in order to locate faults. Before their arrival the Engineering Officer takes care that the aircraft under his charge for technical training are made thoroughly un-airworthy. The aircraftwomen have less than a week to detect and correct the faults.

A certain amount of instruction is also given at the technical schools in machine drawing, applied mechanics and strength of materials. Fitters II (Engine) are taught in addition the theory of carburation and supercharging and given information on fuels, magnetos, airscrews and lubrication of aero-engines. Fitters II (Airframe) are taught the structure of airframes, the theory of hydraulics and the principles of flight.



(Above) HIGH DUTY - Adjustments being made to the motors of a short Stirling by women engine fitters under training.

According to the results obtained in the examinations at the end of the courses, the pupils are classed as Leading Aircraftwomen, Aircraftwomen I or Aircraftwomen II, but successful completion of the course entitles all to qualify for Group I rates of pay.

The first period of the fitter's course is spent in the usual routine introduction consequent in a re-posting in the R.A.F. Technical training begins on the fifth day. In a working week of 44 hours, this training occupies a period of 361 hours and study three hours. In common with most Service courses at present a daily routine is carefully arranged and during the full course 44 hours in all are allotted for special instruction in non-technical subjects. Visits are also arranged to aircraft factories.

A talk with male instructors led us to the conclusion that W.A.A.F. flight mechanics and fitters not only equal their male colleagues in skill but also have in certain respects some advantages over them. The instructors find women highly adaptable. They are said rarely to require repeated instruction and on the average they exercise more patience in their work. They could not do and are not asked to do heavy work, but there are many jobs on airframes and motors which require a light touch, and in this sphere the number of tools to assist overhaul and lighten the business has increased in the past few years. No doubt the fitter's work in the R.A.F. is now rather easier than in days gone by, for a large supply of spares is usually available for airframes and engines.

That women are now considered capable of carrying out overhaul work on aeroplane motors and accessories is one of the most significant developments in these later stages of the War. It means that an Air Force could now be operated, if contingencies demanded, by male flight crews and female ground staffs. This feature of the British method of handling manpower has been superior to the German. This country has been able to make good the deficiencies of its smaller population by using women power to the full.

Webmasters note:

Regrettably we have had to omit a couple of the photographs originally published with this article. A combination of the 'austerity' paper on which they are printed (which has subsequently suffered the effects of ageing) and a lack of contrast has made it impossible to reproduce them with sufficient clarity.

We'd also point out (as much for the benefit of the female members of today's 'Aeroplane' team as for any one else who might find the author's style a touch insensitive) that any chauvenistic references contained within in this article are very much indicative of another era!