RAF Patch Training Royal Air Force 4 FTS Flying Training School Crest

RAF Patch Training Royal Air Force 4 FTS Flying Training School Crest Patch RAF Valley Hawk 1980s Emb on wool cut edge 108mm by 90mm four and one quarter inches by three and nine sixteenth inches.

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4 FTS Flying Training School was reactivated on the renaming of 7 FTS at RAF Valley on 15 August 1960 equipped with Vampire aircraft for advanced pilot training with jets and taking on the additional role of pilot training for multi engined aircraft with Varsity aircraft. In 1962 multi engined training was transferred to No 5 FTS at Oakington.  In November 1962 the school took delivery of its first Folland Gnat and by August 1963 these had completely replaced the Vampires.  The school now concentrated on the advanced training of fast jet pilots up to Wings standard following their basic fling training on the Jet Provost. In 1964, the school operated a five Gnat aerobatic team which led to the creation the following year of the Red Arrows at the Central Flying School.

In 1967 Hunters were received equipping 3 Squadron 4 FTS and the two types continued to train pilots until 1976 when the first Hawk arrived to begin replacement of the Gnat. The first Hawk course began in July 1977 and the final Gnat course graduating in November 1979. In 1992 the squadrons of 4 FTS were allocated RAF squadron numbers with 19 Reserve Squadron training instructors 74 Reserve Squadron providing initial training and 208 Reserve Squadron providing advanced and weapons training. 74 R Squadron was disbanded in 2005 and its role was taken on by 19 R Squadron.

This patch dates from the 1980s.