Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

RAF Non-Commissioned Ranks

Ground Trades (All Trades) 1918 - 1950, Non Technical Trades 1950 - present and Aircrew up to 1946

NCO ranks were adapted mainly from those used by the RFC.  After WW2 new NCO ranks were introduced to differentiate between Technical and Non-Technical trades and between ground trades and NCO aircrew.  Until 1950 all ground tradesmen wore the same rank badges, however in that year a separate rank structure was introduced for Technical tradesmen.

Apprentice/Boy Entrant
Leading Aircraftman/woman		Introduced in 1918 as a trade classification.  It became a part of the RAF disciplinary rank structure on 1 January 1951.
Senior Aircraftman/woman		Introduced on 1 January 1951 as an intermediate rank between LAC and Corporal.
Corporal		Introduced in 1918 as the lowest NCO rank for all trades.
Sergeant		Introduced in 1918 for all trades.
Flight Sergeant		Introduced in 1918 for all trades. Queen's Crown replaced the Kings Crown in 1952.
Warrant Officer 2nd Class		Introduced in 1918 for all trades.  Discontinued in 1939.
Warrant Officer 1st Class /Warrant Officer		Introduced in 1918 as the senior Non-Commissioned rank.  Became the only Warrant rank in 1939.

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