SPECIAL TRAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 221, 17 September 1940, Page 5

SPECIAL TRAINS.

RECRUITING MOVE. DRIVE FOR AIR CREWS. (By Air.) SYDNEY, Sept. 14. The first of two specially fitted out R.A.A.F. recruiting trains left Sydney yesterday for Goulburn and a second will leave next week for the Western and Northern parts of the State. ■ To save recruits the heavy expense of coming long distances from the country to Sydney, these two trains will carry out a «ix months' recruiting drive in. country districts. It is expected that they will deal with at least 5000 men, 90 per cent of whom will be air crews. The trains are painted in two shade* of blue, with a silver roof and red, white and blue air force targets on the sides. Recruits first enter the inquiry room, where literature and aircraftmen will b« available to explain everything. In i another similar room an N-C.O- will help them fill in their forms, and they will interview the man-power officer. Next they will pass through the office, where the clerical work of the train is done. In the next carriage a medical officer and assistants will put recruits through, the exacting SO-minutes' examination. ' Full medical equipment is carried. In the next carriage is the command- , ing officer's office, where the selection board will interview recruits. A compartment next door carries a buzzer for Morse tests. The carriage then opens out into a combined lecture and testing room fitted with desks and benches. Fit" ters and tradesmen will have trad# {tests there and in the same room mea | who have passed all their air creir i tests will be sworn in and handed their i badges. At the end of the carriage is | a Diesel motor to supply electric power (for hot water, lijrhts and fans. Each train will carry a staff of 10 ranks and lour officers. The commanding officer will visit each town in a panel van tiro days before the train arrives, to prepare the way with local recruiting committee*.