RAF Patch ATC Squadron d 2427 Biggen Hill Sqn Air Training Corps Crest

RAF Patch 2427 Squadron Biggen Hill Air Training Corps ATC Patch 1980s Embroidered on twill merrowed edge 127mm by 109mm five inches by four and one quarter inches.

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The UKs Air Cadet Organisation ACO or Air Cadets is a UK-wide cadet force sponsored by the Royal Air Force and operates as the Air Training Corps the RAFs cadet force divided into six regions 36 wings and more than 900 Squadrons within communities around the UK and the Combined Cadet Force made up of cadets from all three services in approximately 200 independent and state schools across the country. The organisation aims to promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people and to provide training including flying
which will be useful in the Services and civilian life and encouraging the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship. There are more than 40000 cadets aged 13 and 20 and additional adult RAF and civilian support staff.

In the later part of the 19 Century many schools formed uniformed units of adults and older boys to train and protect Britain in the event of attack
from overseas and were re-titled Officer Training Corps (OTC) in 1908.  During the 1920s schools began establishing OTC Air Sections in Army uniform but with RAF armbands.

The Air Defence Cadet Corps ADCC was established in 1938 to prepare young men for a life in aviation with the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm with the first 50 Squadrons registering becoming founder squadrons entitled to include the letter F after their squadron number with Leicester becoming the first ADCC squadron as No 1F Leicester Squadron in July 1938. By 1940 there were 207 squadrons with more than 20000 cadets. In February 1941 the ADCC was renamed the Air Training Corps. During the War the OTC Air Sections were absorbed into the ATC. In 1948 the OTC was renamed the Combined Cadet Force and most of the original OTC Air Sections became CCF (RAF) units and some CCF (RAF) sections carrying a history of nearly 150 years of service.

2427 Biggen Hill Squadron Air Training Corps Air Cadets is one of Kent Wings 35 ATC Squadrons under London And South East Region ATC and is based at Biggen Hill Airport previously operated by the Royal Air Force as RAF Biggen Hill which played a vital role during the Battle of Britain. 2427
Sqn began as a detached flight of 173 Orpington Squadron.

This patch dates from the 1980s.