RNZAF is 78 years old today!

[errolmartyn]

On 27 February 1934 the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) was redesignated as the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), though it of course still remained part of the Army for a further three years before gaining its independence.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Well remembered Errol, thanks for that. Happy birthday RNZAF.

Was there any particular reason the 27h of February was chosen for the date of name change? Usually military forces seem to have chosen April 1st, the beginning of the financial year, for such things to officially happen. Was it just the date that the King happened to sign off the paperwork?

[errolmartyn]

Evening Post, 6 March 1934

CHANGE OF TITLE
ROYAL N.Z. AIR FORCE
INCREASED DIGNITY AND STATUS
The Minister of Defence announces that in the next issue of the New Zealand Gazette notice is being given of a change in the designation of the "New Zealand Permanent Air Force," which will in future be known as the "Royal New Zealand Air Force." The change follows advice received from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the title "Royal" on the Permanent Air Force of the Dominion. The addition of this title, the Minister stated, confers increased dignity and status on the latest arm of the service, and may be taken as a recognition of the importance of the Air Forces in the defence of the Dominion and the Empire. The change comes at a fitting time, coinciding as it does with the recent decision of the Government to materially increase the defensive resources of the country, particularly as regards the air arm. The Minister explained that the new title brings the New Zealand Air Force into line with the Air Forces in other parts of the British Empire, notably the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Dominion Air Forces are now divided into the "Royal New Zealand Air Force," comprising the permanent personnel, and the "New Zealand Air Force," comprising the Territorial portion of the force. The organisation is now analogous to that of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, which was formed in 1901 and which includes the permanent artillery only, whereas the non-permanent or Territorial Artillery units are designated the New Zealand Artillery.


Evening Post, 8 March 1934

DIGNITY AND STATUS
ELEVATION OF AIR FORCE
VICKERS TORPEDO BOMBERS
(By "Groundsman.")
The announcement made this week that in future the New Zealand Permanent Air Force is to be known as the "Royal New Zealand Air Force" has caused a stir of surprise among those particularly interested, for almost they feel that the honour is too much—they are so very few and the title should carry so much with it. In title alone does the New Zealand Air Force compare with the Royal Air Forces of two sister Dominions, Australia and Canada. Granted that both are great countries, the comparison is still striking:— Officers. Other ranks.
Australia . . . . . . . 102 787
Canada . . . . . . . . 249 908
New Zealand . . . . . 9 49
The nine officers of the New Zealand Force are three squadron-leaders and six flight-lieutenants, the whole branch being under the direction of the senior squadron-leader, whose ranking and pay, notwithstanding his high responsibilities, are the equivalent of that of major in the military forces. He is also in charge of civil aviation in the Dominion, and has therefore a double duty over which writers of aviation columns overseas have seen fit to become sarcastic in their questioning whether the New Zealand Government really does take the furthering of aviation, military and civilian, seriously. The Royal New Zealand Air Force, it should be noted, does not embrace other than permanent Air Force personnel. Squadron-leaders and flight lieutenants of the New Zealand territorial forces may not claim membership of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, unless, of course, the arrival later this year of the veritable air armada of eight new machines creates positions for some of them with the permanent staff. They must continue to pit their enthusiasm as practically honorary members of the Air Force against what is in effect discouragement.
Wellington has a bomber squadron (that sad, sad show at Rongotai a few months ago was proof of it), but Wellington has never had a machine with which the squadron personnel may carry out training work. If members can afford the time and expense they may continue their training at the Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, on the basis of one hour's flying each month, and may attend refresher courses, also at Wigram. In England members of auxiliary squadrons of the Royal Air Force are required to carry out 100 hours of flying per annum, and auxiliary groups are supplied with modern machines for that work. To make a direct comparison between England and this small country—small in population and in its relation to other nationalities—would be to lose sense of proportion, but it is not too much to compare real encouragement with practical discouragement. The arrival of the air armada and the stationing of four machines at Auckland and four at Christchurch—as announced by the Government, to provide a greater measure of protection for the main ports in New Zealand as well as to undertake coast line defence in conjunction with the Navy and Army—may alter everything, but it has been stated that these Vickers Vildebeest machines are to be brought out without torpedo equipment, and so the Royal New Zealand Air Force will be unable to train itself in a vital section of the defensive work for which these machines have been designed. Just as territorial air force officers must journey to other centres, provided they can afford to interrupt their normal business, so will Royal New Zealand Air Force members, presumably, have to journey overseas to complete their training in the effective handling of their own machines.

(Just love the 'veritable air armada of eight new machines' quote!)

Errol

[flyjoe180]

So the RNZAF's birthday should be 27th February and not 1st April? I know the official date is 1st April 1937, the independence from the Army you spoke of.