History

History of No. 2 (Hutt City) Squadron, Air Training Corps

The Air Training Corps was initiated in England by the Royal Air Force shortly before World War II began. The goal at the time was to train young men* for war without the constant interruptions an operational squadron would impose. It also gave those too young for military service training for when they would come of age. In 1941 the New Zealand Air Force started to experience recruitment difficulties itself. This led quickly to the war cabinet approval of the Air Training Corps in New Zealand.

*This is very indicative of the time. In 1978 the NZCF began accepting female recruits. In 2024 anyone of any gender is welcome in the NZCF!

No. 2 Squadron was formed on September 15 1941 at the same time as No. 1 Squadron (Wellington) - the first ATC squadrons in the country.

In 1944 it was found that apart from cabinet approval, there was no legal basis for the existence of the Air Training Corps and there were many difficulties of legalizing it at that stage. The ATC remained an unauthorized organization until the passing of the Air Force Bill in 1949. During the Second World War the ATC supplied 3500 recruits to the RNZAF. Up until this point the ATC was a part of the RNZAF. This changed in 1971 when the Defence Act established the New Zealand Cadet Forces as a volunteer organization, for which the Minister of Defence was responsible.

Above: 1942 - First ATC cadets complete their training in Rongotai, Wellington.

No. 2 Squadron Patch

The 2 Squadron ATC patch (also our logo) references both No. 2 (Wellington) Squadron NZ Territorial Air Force and No. 2 Squadron RNZAF through the black and yellow colour scheme.

The shield reflects the defensive role exercised by TAF units, while a Mustang, an aircraft used extensively by post-war TAF units, 2 SQN included, sits atop the shield to express the appreciation and teaching of aviation in the Air Training Corps.

Stockcar Racing

"SGT Bernie Smith rolls his 1939 Morris 8 stockcar at the new Te Marua racetrack, north of Upper Hutt" - Hutt News 14/01/1969

Lower Hutt City Charter
Hutt News, Tues 26/03/1991

T.S Tamatoa and No. 2 SQN had previously held charters for the Borough of Petone. Due to local body amalgamation, these needed to be conferred to Lower Hutt. The new City Of Lower Hutt Cadet Unit was also issued with a charter. This was the first time all 3 Lower Hutt units paraded together.

Origins of No. 22 Squadron (City of Upper Hutt)

Excerpt from 'Squawk Magazine', a unit magazine run and managed by the cadets at 2SQN in the 80s and 90s

History of No. 2 Squadron RNZAF

Below is a brief history of our ATC Squadron's namesake: No. 2 Squadron RNZAF

No. 2 Squadron RNZAF was a squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was formed in 1930 as part of the Territorial Air Force, effectively an Air Force Reserve, with the main Headquarters at Wellington. In 1937 the Territorial Squadrons were re-organised and No.2 Squadron became the Wellington Territorial Squadron.

The squadron saw combat with the RNZAF during the Second World War, particularly in the Pacific Theatre. In 1946 it was renamed as No.75 Squadron RNZAF. However the Territorial Squadrons were reformed following the war and in December 1948 No. 2 (TAF) Squadron was raised and flew Harvards and Mustangs nationwide.

Each of the four Post-war TAF squadrons supposedly wore the rugby jersey colours of the city or region with which it was affiliated on checkered bars either side of the fuselage roundel.

The Territorial Squadrons were eventually disbanded in 1957.

Reformed in December 1984 at Ohakea, No.2 Squadron was equipped with Skyhawks. It was finally disbanded with the RNZAF Air Combat Force in December 2001.

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