The School was originally formed at Ipswich Airport on August 1st 1945 under the title of Eastern Command 104 Elementary Gliding School (E104 EGS), with Flt Lt Donald Everitt as the Commanding Officer (CO). The aircraft flown were Primaries and the Cadet Mk 1. Both types were single seat and constructed of wood and canvas. These were launched by old balloon winches and towed by cut-down Beaverette armoured cars, which were painted khaki.

Some vehicles had an A-frame fitted to the front of the right wing to accept the nose of a glider. A step on the rear was fitted to enable crew to stand on whilst the gliders were recovered to the launch point.

Dangling Primary showing off its simple construction.

Sqn Ldr A R Binfield MBE, Senior Gliding Officer for Suffolk made the first flight in a Cadet Mk 1. A cadet named Arthur Pryke, who later became the CO in 1955, witnessed this flight. By the end of 1945 the unit flew many cadets in the Dagling Primary glider which weighed just 200 lbs and was based on a simple German design, known as the Schulgleiter SG 38. It had an approximate glide ratio of 1:8 and a wing span of 33 feet.

An essential requirement for any instructor was a healthy pair of lungs, which he could use to bellow instructions to his pupil from the ground through a megaphone. The Kirby Cadet Mk I was also a single seat glider but additionally had a wheel below the centre of gravity and a wooden skid beneath the nose attached by rubber mountings. The glider weighed about 230 lbs and had a glide ratio of 1:15. School instructors and local garages around the Ipswich airport area undertook maintenance and repairs. Major works such as main spar splicing and damage, which today would be considered a write-off, would be repaired on site. 104 had two Cadet Mk1s: VD210 and RA 924. These departed when they received Mk IIIs.

In late 1947 the unit moved to RAF Martlesham Heath under Reserve Command's policy to locate ESGs on RAF stations and was joined by another unit L145 EGS from Colchester. The schools combined into one unit using an additional Kirby Cadet Mk II (Tutor) VM 529.

Flt Lt Richard (Dick) Pilcher took over as CO. He was the nephew of the aviation pioneer Percy Pilcher and he owned his own Kirby Kite Mk II Sailplane. Sqn Ldr Fred Driessen became the district gliding officer for the now larger unit.

Around this time the unit started to fly a slightly more advanced glider called the Grunau Baby Mk IIb VT922 (still without any spoilers). It had a longer nose and a wider cockpit and a glide ratio of 1:17. Only when VT 921 arrived from E102 Norwich EGS with spoilers did gliding become a little more sophisticated. The early 1950s saw the introduction of the two seat Slingsby T21 Sedbergh and T31 Cadet Mk III gliders. After 1945 the construction of the "Baby" became too expensive. Slingsby designed and built a replacement sailplane and in 1947 the Prefect came on line.

Doug King (CFI), puts Cdt Ivan Hill through his paces in a Mk III.	1971 photo used on unit calendar. D/F Boss standing in cockpit, Stephen Senft and Mike Newton Left to Right of him.

When Flt Lt Stan Howard stepped into the CO seat as a stop gap, he was in fact unit commander of an ATC Sqn in Colchester and he stayed in post until Jack Oliver arrived, and both helped to introduce the new gliders and the revised training syllabus that went with their introduction. Training was taking a dramatic turn as the 'solo hopping' era was replaced by circuit training in dual control gliders.

Cadets would now be sent solo when considered proficient by their instructor and not when accidentally lifted into the air by a gust of wind. The unit adapted well to this new system of training and was awarded the Hack Gliding Efficiency Cup in 1952. Wing Commander E Hack, a CO of Southampton University Air Squadron (UAS) and member of the Air Training Corps, Command Council of Welfare responsible for gliding, presented this trophy to the corps. The following years were to see many changes within the movement, perhaps most notably the reduction in number of gliding schools, down to as few as 20, although this soon increased to 24.

In 1953 HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh became the Corps Air Commodore-in-Chief, a role that he maintains to this day. Less than two years later, on 22nd October 1955, the structure of the Reserve Forces was reorganised within the UK and divided up into geographical areas. Each area came under the control of a Group Headquarters. E104 EGS was to become the second gliding school in the new 61 Eastern Group. 104 was renumbered and became the now familiar 612. The unit expanded in size over the next few years with the introduction of three line winch schools. In 1959 Slingsby's introduced the high performance 'Swallow' five eventually entered service.

Prince Edward has a debriefing with his instructor before another launch on runway 26.	F/L Mike Faulkner with C/I Rolf Hedley.

In 1962 the minimum age for gliding was reduced to 16. The Morris Committee reported two main deficiencies in the movement, one was due to the retrenchment of the RAF. HQ took these criticisms in hand, but too late for The Heath, the land being sold off in 1963. The site now plays host to British Telecom research and the local police headquarters. The closure forced 612 to disband, awaiting a new home. Perhaps one of the most notable characters of The Heath was Ron Page, CFI of the then young 612 and later to be CO of 611. The wait was not too long before flying recommenced. 613 VGS was based at RAF Halton. This growing school established a (D/F) Detached Flight at RAF White Waltham in 1968 under the command of Flt Lt Malcolm Marshall. They used the redundant aircraft of the disbanded Headquarters Air Cadets Glider Flight. At that time the D/F could only operate on summer weekends and evenings as the then active Station were operating Chipmunk aircraft of both 6 AEF and London UAS. These regular RAF flying commitments gradually reduced, resulting in the cessation of active flying duties in 1972. In contrast the D/F's gliding commitment grew, along with an increase in gliders and staff. In 1975 a new Commanding Officer Flt Lt John Hartill took the helm and on the 1st December 1978, 612 was again resurrected. In 1978 gliding schools were renamed volunteer gliding schools. Operations continued at RAF White Waltham until 1979 when the MoD returned the airfield to Mr Smith the landowner.

The task of finding an alternative airfield began and after some time RAF Benson was identified as a suitable new home. On the 16th September 1979, flying operations recommenced using the equipment and staff transferred from White Waltham. 612 had new neighbours - The Queen's Flight - an association, which would continue in years to come.

In July 1980 the school played host to HRH The Prince Edward, who along with three of his fellow cadets from Gordonstoun School, completed their solo gliding wings on the Sedbergh T21.

The three original Venture gliders at RAF Benson crew up next to Runway 19.

Operation Blue Goshawk had been a complete success for all concerned. The Venture was to herald yet another major turning point in the way air cadets were trained. Sortie times increased to an average of 45 minutes, circuit training continued uninterrupted and practice cable breaks were replaced by engine failure after take-off drills. Intercoms were introduced with throat microphones and headphones. Shouting from the back seat disappeared. Still no heater, but an enclosed canopy helped in the winter, though the summer was another matter!

The original 612 unit badge was designed by Flt Lt Brian Edmondson, CFI in the early 1980s. The heraldic crest of the village of Benson was amalgamated with the double cross used in Air Traffic Control signal squares to indicate gliding activity and banded by a red circlet. Surmounted by the QueenÕs crown, the golden scroll below bears the inscription "Venture" taken from the Corps's crest designed by Sir James Heaton Armstrong. The "Venture Adventure" motto dates back to 21st April 1939, when Air Cdre Chamier used the phrase at a squadron inaugural meeting in Folkestone.

In 1986, Sqn Ldr John Hartill handed command to his adjutant Flt Lt Mike Faulkner. Despite the inevitable restrictions associated with sharing an airfield with the operational squadrons of RAF Benson, 612 continued to return good results throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. This was achieved by fostering good relationships between the school and The Queen's Flight (TQF), 72, 60 and 115 Squadrons based at RAF Benson. During this period the school held a number of courses at RAF Little Rissington, the home of 637, whilst RAF Benson was having its main runway resurfaced.

The three fabric covered Ventures were eventually superseded and replaced in September 1990 by three and then four Vigilants. These aircraft are the military variant of the German glass-fibre Grob 109b motor glider. 612 were awarded the Slingsby trophy as the top SLMG (Self Launched Motor Glider) unit in 1991. Group Captain Pat Kiggell, SASO (Senior Air Staff Officer) HQAC (Head Quarters Air Cadets) and Group Captain Adam Wise, Station Commander, RAF Benson presented the award to the unit.

Vigilant operations with The Queen's Flight proved to be very successful, one of the Wessexes and BAe 146 behind.	Sqn Ldr Faulkner (right) hands over 612 to Sqn Ldr Green at RAF Halton. Note the old Jet Provosts in the background.

As the 1990s unfolded, the work of the School was to be affected in a major way. The fall of the Berlin Wall was to be the catalyst for change. New flying units moved into Benson as a result of changes under the Government's policies of Options for Change and Front Line First. Once again 612 needed to find a new home. CI Sheldon Rowles and Flt Lt Steven Senft made the last flight from Benson in June 1992. The unit temporarily relocated to RAF Halton, home of 613. Despite the ensuing congestion (and the inevitable banter that went with it!), both units worked extremely well together for what became three eventful years. Shortly after the move Squadron Leader Mike Faulkner retired from flying duties to become a regional staff officer.

Adjutant Marland Green took over to become the tenth Commanding Officer in October 1992. Flt Lt Trevor Hazelwood the unit's FSO was awarded an AOC commendation for his services to the ACO in December 1994. Finding a suitable site had indeed proved difficult in a climate of change along with budgetary constraints placed on the Forces. However, after much effort on all parts, it was finally agreed to provide purpose built accommodation on the site of the old PSA buildings at RAF Abingdon. The RAF was in the process of handing over the Station to the Army and RAF Abingdon soon became Dalton Barracks. Work started in earnest to transform the derelict site in January 1995 and on the 8th June 1995 the unit moved into its new headquarters. To mark the completion of building and commemorate 50 years of 612, Air Commodore Peter Stean RAF cut the tape to the new HQ on the 7th October 1995.

The unit has continued to flourish and has represented the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), RAF Fairford, since 1995.

The 1997 staff with Air Cdre. Jon Ford RAF.

The unit was awarded the BAe and Slingsby trophies in 1997 for services to the ACO. Air Commodore Ford presented the awards during an Open Day. The unit has also won many Commendations for its endeavours with ACO. In 1999 the unit provided aircraft and staffing for the British Aerospace stand at RIAT again. Plans to fly the gliders of the Air Cadets around the UK (a project called "Flight of the Millennium Falcons") included the staff and gliders of 612. In fact three Vigilant Gliders were used to complete the 3000 mile flight around mainland Great Britain as part of the efforts to fulfil the British Aerospace Millennium Chase to raise £100,000. The Royal International Air Tattoo saw the launch of the two-week adventure, which encompassed Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Cadets attending camps or VGS schools during this period were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Vigilants as they toured the country at 90 kts IAS (Indicated Air Speed). The three Vigilants, supported by RAF engineers and VGS staff, were expected to be airborne for up to 5 hours per day, with the crews changing as the gliders passed through the regions. One port of call for the Millennium Falcon was Air Cadet 2000 at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, the home of the Air Cadet Organisation in the UK. The trip also encompassed several British Aerospace sites such as Filton near Bristol and Warton near Preston. Three members of staff from 612 flew part of the route into RAF Northolt from Abingdon.

Breitling, the leading Swiss timepiece manufacturer, presented the Air Cadet Organisation with a new award that marks the promotion of aviation to young people in the United Kingdom. The first Winners of the large presentation clock were 612 Volunteer Gliding School. The Managing Director of Breitling, Mr Franz le Rosée, made the presentation to Squadron Leader Marland Green, Officer Commanding 612 VGS, during the Farnborough International Air show, where 612 had already positioned a Vigilant for display on the BAe Systems Park. Air Commodore Mike Heath the school's Honorary President was also present at the awarding ceremony. The New Millennium started in fine style with the golden anniversary of the ACO. To celebrate the event, some 170 former and present-day Air Cadets Gathered at the House of Commons on Friday, 2nd February, for a special anniversary dinner, the Boss representing the unit. Among the guests were the 'old and bold' founders of the ATC and members of the Former Old Gliding Instructors' Extension Society - known as FOGIES - as well as leading figures from the aviation industry and top former and serving RAF officers. On Sunday HRH the Duke of Edinburgh was among those who attended a commemorative service at St Clement Danes Church in the City of London.

The presentation Clock on the Breitling Stand at Farnborough.	Easter Course 2001 in front of RAF Benson's gate guardian.

The Easter course of 2001 had to be run from our old home of RAF Benson due to the countrywide Foot and Mouth crises. The station's now plastic gate guardian Spitfire provided a suitable backdrop for the course photograph.

On the 14th May 2001, the Air Cadet Organisation was presented The Air League Founders' medal by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Founders' Medal is silver-gilt metal and is awarded annually "for the most meritorious achievement in the whole field of British aviation." The award was the gift of the late Mr Stephen Marples, co-founder of The Air League with Colonel H S Massy in 1909. The award was established in 1960 and since Mr Marples' death in 1972, The Air League has funded the medal. The CO attended the event at St James' Palace on behalf of all the gliding schools in the UK.

The first summer course of 2001 was run from RAF Henlow, the third oldest RAF base in the UK. It is normally the home of 616 VGS, one of our sister units, which also uses Vigilant aircraft. The unit flew its own aircraft in loose formation up to Henlow from Abingdon. The flying task of the VGS is ever changing and in 2001 this meant the introduction of Gliding Induction Courses (GICs) 1 2 or 3 or Gliding Scholarship, the aim still being to get young cadets up to solo standard.

The unit Christmas dinner was held at The Oratory School (just one of the many CCF schools the unit provides gliding for) in December, where the unit's honorary president made awards. This included awards from CFS as two of the staff Lt Dan Lewis and Fg Off Peter Dempsey had just won A2 instructor categories.

In the summer, it was back to represent the ACO yet again at RIAT 2002. This came about after a two-year break whilst RIAT moved north to RAF Cottesmore. This allowed the runway at RAF Fairford to be resurfaced. The weather was as usual, very hot. However the huge numbers of visitors to the aircraft made the event go very quickly; the flying displays were not bad either.

Vigilant ZH 118 arrives as lead aircraft at Fairford.

The summer camps were held at RAF Henlow once again and back at Abingdon-both were highly successful with everyone going solo. Air Commodore Mike Heath presented the Gliding Solo wings to all who took part in the camp, including his daughter Pippa.

Towards the end of the year, a plea went out form 618 VGS at RAF Odiham to see if we could support them in providing aircraft and crew for a field day for a Sussex ATC wing field day. Three aircraft were dispatched to help. We became part of a winning team and entered the record books for helping to fly more GICs in a day than anyone else in the UK an amazing achievement by the staff that took part. 2002-2003 was to prove to be the most successful year Towards the end of the year, a plea went out form 618 VGS at RAF Odiham to see if we could support them in providing aircraft and crew for a field day for a Sussex ATC wing field day. Three aircraft were dispatched to help. We became part of a winning team and entered the record books for helping to fly more GICs in a day than anyone else in the UK an amazing achievement by the staff that took part. 2002-2003 was to prove to be the most successful year for the cadets who flew at 612. The unit for the first time ever produced a grand total of 101 gliding scholarship courses, and out of that total number 91 went real solo for the first time. A truly wonderful effort by the unit, with 1200 hours as a task set by RAF College Cranwell. The unit actually flew a total of 1608 hours above the normal task of a five aircraft unit.

2003 courses started with the unit living at RAF Benson and flying from Abingdon as normal. The first summer course was held again at Abingdon, but for the first time the accommodation was provided by the Royal Engineers and we stayed at Denison Barracks, between the M4 and A34 only 30 minutes away. All but one went solo on this course. For the second summer camp it was back to RAF Henlow; with the Iraq War the only problem was getting enough aircraft serviceable. The camp was another success despite the poor weather at the start of the week.

The summer again saw the unit representing the ACO at RIAT. The number of aircraft went from one to eventually three, on two separate sites at RAF Fairford. One went into the Celebration of 100 years of Manned Flight and the other two to an area near to the Royal Air Force stand. Perhaps the most best remembered part of RIAT will be being held on base leg whilst a C17 went past going downwind. Once again the team were invited to attend the hangar party on the Sunday night. A streamed departure on Monday afternoon saw another year's efforts come to an end. The year also saw the departure from the skies of Concorde which had done so much of her development flying from Fairford, with Brian Trubshaw at the controls.

The end of 2003 brought us yet more good news for the unit, with Flt Lt Peter Mockeridge being awarded a Lord Lieutenants' Commendation for his outstanding contribution to the cadets in the ACO both as a Gliding School and Squadron Officer. He had previously commanded Uxbridge ATC.

The 2004 season of flying was again very busy. The first Easter course was for the second time housed at Denison Barracks and flying from Abingdon, as is the norm. The weather was wonderful for the time of the year and all completed the course well before the end of the final day.

612's home was used by a number of other gliding units as a brief operational site, with the dispersal looking impressive with both Odiham and Little Rissington Vigilants lined up at the start of the day. The first summer course found accommodation difficult to obtain, so a 27 mile trip at the beginning and end of the day to Bicester to sleep put a slight strain on the day. However the course was successful with nine of the ten students flying solo for the first time.

Nine Vigilants on line for Ops, Spring 2004.	Lord Lt Mr Hugo Bruner makes the presentation to Flt Lt Peter Mockeridge

The RIAT 2004 was yet another excellent opportunity for 612 to represent the ACO. Three Aircraft were flown into Fairford on the Thursday morning, this had to be done very early as they were going to be placed in the central display area, right next to the RAF stand. Over sixteen thousand young boys and girls, plus old and bold aviators paid the team a visit. They even made the television news on Friday flying the flag for youth day. Besides this, the normal highlights of the flying displays and the hospitality of aircrews from around the world were greatly enjoyed. The CO met up this year with one of the unit's old staff cadets. Sqn Ldr Duncan Mason flying in his second display year, was flying the Red 5 position and managed to find time to say hello. He is the second member of staff to fly with the Reds, preceded by Barry Cross in the 1992/3 seasons.

The second summer course saw us staying once again at Denison and flying operations out of Abingdon. Yet another very busy week's operations, with less travelling to do.

The beginning of 2005 saw the arrival of the unit's Diamond anniversary year. There were many plans being put into place for activities and celebration events. Before this of course we still had to complete the annual task for the cadets. With still two months to go before the end of the flying year, the targets were reached due to the magnificent efforts of the instructors and personnel of the unit. 612 had sent more real solos then any other gliding school in the UK. Nearly 95% of the cadets that had arrived at Abingdon to do their gliding scholarship courses had flown around the Abingdon circuit on their own, something that can never be repeated; most had achieved this accolade before they could in fact drive a motor car by themselves.

Diamond Flight over RAF Cranwell	Dinner at RAF Cranwell

For the first time the gliding school got itself involved in the recruitment of adult staff for the ACO and particularly those who live in the Thames Valley area. Thus in early February a press event was held at Abingdon, at which a large turnout of Thames Valley cadets and staff organised support for the Corps Adult Recruitment Campaign.

Many well-known voices and faces from BBC television and radio came to visit and a number had the opportunity to fly with the instructors from the unit. The day went very well with plenty of TV and radio coverage; it was nice to see the ACO working as a team both in the air and on the ground. Thames Valley really did the air cadets proud.

BBC's Anne Diamond supporting the Thames Valley Recruiting Day.	BBC's Maggie Philbin prepares to get airborne in the Vigilant.	Poster Campaign

The beginning of March brought a request from HQAC Cranwell to support the Comic Relief Red Nose Day charity appeal by flying two aircraft to Odiham for a photo-call before flying to RAF Benson with two journalists again for some publicity photographs. They looked after the Basingstoke team who travelled by limousine to RAF Odiham to try and win the race by taking flight. Kitted up and ready to go, Radio Berkshire's Joanne Simpson and Basingstoke Observer reporter Damian Brett flew off in RAF gliders provided by 612 and landed half an hour later at RAF Benson. Their hidden red nose was huge as it was stuck on the end of a life-sized Spitfire model outside the base's main gates. Despite the windy conditions once at Benson the flight went extremely well and saw 612 once again raising the profile of the air cadets.

Towards the end of April the CO attended the annual gliding conference at RAF Cranwell. He returned with both the BAE Systems and Slingsby Trophies, a wonderful recognition for the units efforts in its 60th anniversary. The Slingsby trophy is a silver model of a Venture motor glider, awarded to the top motorised gliding school in the UK. The BAE Systems trophy is presented to the best overall VGS in the UK.

History Book presentation to the Red Arrows at RIAT 2005.

The diamond anniversary of the unit was celebrated by the publication of a unit history. The book was given to a number of units and individuals including presentations being made at RIAT 2005, this included the Red Arrows leader who had as part of his team an ex- staff cadet Sqn Ldr Duncan Mason.

Awards have continued to be won with for the second year 612 being awarded the Slingsby trophy for the top Vigilant Gliding Squadron. The Sliver Venture was awarded to the CO at Cranwell. The other major award went to the chief flying instructor Flt Lt Martin Saunders who received a Lord Lieutenant' award for his outstanding efforts on behalf of the Squadron and the Air Cadet Organisation.

Lord Lieutenants Award for Flt Lt M Saunders	Flight Safety Award for Flt Lt I Hammond	The Slingsby Award

For the first time one of the squadron staff, Flt Lt Ian Hammond was presented flight safety award for his prompt recognition of a potential hazard whilst completing servicing on an aircraft. His award was presented by L&SE Regional Gp Capt Les Hakin from RAF Northolt.

2006 saw a request to help fly VIPs at Farnbough Air Show. Three Vigilants were flown into RIAT at RAF Fairford yet again during the summer. This year the unit came in the top 5 aircraft in the Concourse de Elegance competition.

The unit was asked to provide a number of fly pasts during the year these included for the first time a fly past in November on Remembrance Day over the town Abingdon, a wonderful honour to be allowed to participate in the towns' act of remembrance, more poignant as Dalton Barracks have solders overseas, and were marching down the High Street.

RIAT 2006	RIAT 2006 Team	Burns Night Dinner 2006

In 2007 the unit held its Burn's night dinner ACM Sir John Allison KBE RAF rtd presented the awards including a new Standards Award presented to the Squadron by retiring Flt Lt Ian Hammond. The 2006-7 concluded at the end of March on a very high note with the Squadron managing to complete 100 gliding scholarships for the cadets, 90 of these awards had seen cadets go solo for the first time another magnificent effort by everyone.

The year is progressing with plans to redesign the squadron crest and attending both the Abingdon Air fare and RIAT. The first course of the 2007 was 100% successful, with 13 all going solo, another great start to the year.

The CFS Trophy Awarded.

The Commanding officer attended RAFC Cranwell for the annual conference and return with a new award. The Squadron had been presented with the CFS trophy. This was presented by OC CFS Gliding Examiners Sqn Ldr Brian Russell as the Sqn had achieved an excellent overall rating. This is a very rare achievement and was awarded for the first time in the unit history. The marvellous Silver Percival award is shown below.