[3] In 1917 Paine was succeeded by Commodore John Luce and in 1918 following the foundation of the Royal Air Force in April, Brigadier-General Harold Briggs took over.

Trenchard chose Cranwell as the College's location because, as he told his biographer: "Marooned in the wilderness, cut off from pastimes they could not organise for themselves, the cadets would find life cheaper, healthier and more wholesome.

[8] On 20 June 1929, an aeroplane piloted by Flight Cadet C. J. Giles crashed on landing at the College and burst into flames.

A fellow flight cadet, William McKechnie, pulled Giles, who was incapable of moving himself, from the burning wreckage.

After some disagreement between Hoare and architect James West, the building plans incorporated design aspects of Christopher Wren's Royal Hospital at Chelsea.

[13] The building, which has Grade II listed status, became the main location for RAF officer training when the Prince of Wales officially opened it in October 1934.

[15] Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Air Ministry closed the College as an initial officer training establishment.

Recruiting often failed to find enough qualified candidates to fill each entry (50 pilots, two or three times a year, with 10 to 20 navigator and non-flying officers as well.)

Cranwell cadets were in 1950 equipped and treated as airmen, i.e. had to clean their own quarters and uniforms impeccably, while undergoing both flying training and college-level courses in engineering.

81 Entry in September 1959, the college gave students the option of taking a degree and allowed them to fly Jet Provosts.

It was opened in 1962 by Sir Frank Whittle, who had attended Cranwell as a young officer and had subsequently invented the turbojet engine.

Originally formed to support the Royal Air Force College, the band is now administered by RAF Music Services.

In addition to its duties at Cranwell, the Band takes part in major events such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and the Edinburgh Tattoo as well as a busy schedule of services and charity engagements.