History

The unit was formed during 1944 as No. 84 Gliding School at Haldon Moor, the site of a pre-war airfield and wartime base, adjacent to the A380 Exeter - Torbay road. The gliders at this time were Dagling Primary PD658, Cadet Mk 1 TS305, Cadet Mk 2 VM648, Cadet Mk 3 XA300 and Sedbergh WB942.

In 1946 the school moved to Exeter Airport and in 1955 was re-designated No. 624 Gliding School. The equipment at Exeter consisted of two single-drum winches (conversions of wartime balloon winches), two 15 cwt. Bedford trucks together with three Cadet Mk 3 and two Sedbergh TX Mk 1 gliders. The OC at this time was Sqn Ldr Bob Hale, a wartime observer, and the CFI was Fg Off Frank Meres DFM, a Czech Battle of Britain pilot.

With an increase in civil traffic and the operations of the CAACU, gliding at Exeter was reduced to Sundays only and progress was slow but the interest was high amongst the cadets, some of whom would cycle up to forty miles for perhaps two or three launches. Around 1960 new twin-drum winches were introduced and the Bedford trucks were replaced by a Landrover and an Austin 1 ton lorry. Cadets were able to supplement their gliding with flights in the Mosquitos and Oxfords of the CAACU. 624 launched its last glider, Sedbergh XN156, from Exeter in September 1965 prior to the move to RAF Chivenor.

RAF Chivenor on the coast of North Devon produced new problems when 624 started flying there in October 1965. The strong westerly winds and circuits extending over the River Taw and its estuary meant all glider occupants had to wear life jackets.

1968 saw 624 reduced to one aircraft as equipment was redeployed to take account of changes in cadet population. During this time about 55 cadets a year were being trained to solo standard and about 900 were given familiarisation flights.

1974 was a critical year for 624 when several key members of staff moved away from the area. This was also the year that the OCU moved away from Chivenor leaving the station on care and maintenance.

In 1979 624 was grounded for 18 months when work to reopen the airfield to jet flying was in progress. By January 1981 the school was starting from scratch with a handful of, by then, U/T (under training) staff.

The return of the RAF meant more airfield equipment and a reduction in operating area. Because of this, 624 was converted to the Venture Mk 2 motor glider during May 1983. In 1989 the start of some modernization began with the arrival of a new caravan. In 1991 the Ventures were retired and replaced by Vigilants followed shortly by the refurbishment of the old wartime hanger.

1991 was also the year in which the new Headquarters building was opened, a wonderful improvement on the wartime huts that were well past their prime before being taken over by the school!

In late 1995 a new era in the history of 624 began when the RAF moved out of Chivenor and the base was handed over to the Royal Marines, leaving 'A' Flight 22 Squadron and 624 VGS as the sole representatives of the RAF. The final instalment in 624's modernisation occurred in 1999 with the arrival of a new accommodation block which enabled people to stay overnight in comfort.

September of 2002 saw the end of an era at 624, as Squadron Leader Ches Ledster, or "boss" as he was known to many, retired from the Gliding School after a very long and dedicated service to the Air Cadets and Air Cadet Gliding, not to mention as OC 624 VGS. His last weekend coincided with a visit from ACCGS, to which his last ever flight was undertaken with Flt Lt Garry Webber, who was at 624 with Ches all those years ago. Goodbye Ches you will be surely missed by all at 624. Thank you.

In 2003 the school received 2 new vehicles to assist in operations. A small short wheel base landrover and a long wheel base safari vehicle. 2004 saw our Glider Control Caravan removed for essential servicing. The school was then issued with a temporary replacement until the new White Fleet Glider Control Trailer is introduced in 2007.

In 2006 all Volunteer Gliding Schools were renamed as Squadrons to more accuratly represent their function and operations within the Volunteer Reserve branch of the Royal Air Force. The Squadron now has a new commanding officer and is progressing well, the table below shows the commanding officers of 624 VGS, since its formation.