Air observer

Air observer

An air observer is a British term for an aircrew member whose duties are predominantly reconnaissance. The term originates in the first world war in the Royal Flying Corps and was maintained by its successor the Royal Air Force. An air observer's brevet was a single wing with an O at the root.

The term is still used in some contexts now, such as police helicopter units. [ [http://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/v3/about/departm/AirOps/observer.htm Devon & Cornwall constabulary] ]

The first recorded RAF "kill" of the second World War, On 20th September 1939, was by air observer Sgt. F Letchford, aboard a Fairey Battle flown by Flg. Off LH Baker. [ [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/h88.html 88 Squadron history] , Ministry of Defence]

Observers were also issued with weapons, and expected to engage with enemy aircraft in the early days of military flight. Over time the role changed and separate gunnery specialities emerged. By the second World War the RAF commonly used the designation Air Observer / Navigator in bomber crew.

Air observers were trained at the Air Observer Schools. [ [http://www.associations.rafinfo.org.uk/acronyms.htm RAF info] ]

References

* [http://www.rafweb.org/Branches.htm RAFweb] : service branches


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • air observer — oro stebėtojas statusas T sritis apsauga nuo naikinimo priemonių apibrėžtis Karys, paskirtas oro taikinims stebėti. Oro stebėtojas gali būti specialiai paskirtas arba jo pareigas atlieka skyriaus (būrio) stebėtojas. atitikmenys: angl. air… …   Apsaugos nuo naikinimo priemonių enciklopedinis žodynas

  • air observer — stebėtojas iš oro statusas T sritis Gynyba apibrėžtis Asmuo, kurio pagrindinis uždavinys yra stebėti ar fotografuoti iš orlaivio, kad galima būtų koreguoti artilerijos ugnį ar gauti informacijos. atitikmenys: angl. air observer pranc. observateur …   NATO terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • air observer — U.S. Army. observer (def. 3). * * * …   Universalium

  • air observer — U.S. Army. observer (def. 3) …   Useful english dictionary

  • air observer — Any individual whose primary mission is to observe or take photographs from an aircraft to adjust artillery fire or obtain military information. Air observers have been replaced by other branch personnel in most armed forces …   Aviation dictionary

  • air observer — An individual whose primary mission is to observe or take photographs from an aircraft in order to adjust artillery fire or obtain military information …   Military dictionary

  • air observer adjustment — The correcting of gunfire from an aircraft. See also spot …   Military dictionary

  • Observer — may refer to person who is observing. More specialised meanings follow. Contents 1 Computer science and information theory 2 Fiction 3 Music 4 Physics …   Wikipedia

  • observer — observership, n. /euhb zerr veuhr/, n. 1. someone or something that observes. 2. a delegate to an assembly or gathering, who is sent to observe and report but not to take part officially in its activities. 3. U.S. Air Force. a. a member of an… …   Universalium

  • air scout — oro stebėtojas statusas T sritis apsauga nuo naikinimo priemonių apibrėžtis Karys, paskirtas oro taikinims stebėti. Oro stebėtojas gali būti specialiai paskirtas arba jo pareigas atlieka skyriaus (būrio) stebėtojas. atitikmenys: angl. air… …   Apsaugos nuo naikinimo priemonių enciklopedinis žodynas

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”