THE 25th Newport, the only Scout troop in Wales to be officially recognised by the RAF snapped to the 'alert' as the air force's standard was unfurled.

"It is an honour only bestowed when Scouts reach an exacting standard of work and personal behaviour laid down by the RAF", David 'Polly' Pollard, Scout district commissioner and air activities organiser for Gwent said.

"There are well over a hundred air scout troops in Britain but the 25th Newport is unique in Wales in receiving this honour."

The Air Scouts were formed as a distinct branch inside the movement in 1941 as the aviation counterpart of the Sea Scouts.

Although not intended by the RAF as a recruiting ground for the service it was seen as preparing boys aged between 10 and 14 for voluntary service in the air cadets.

The Scouting movement began to take an interest in aviation in 1918 - actually before the formation of the RAF - and by the late 1920s an aviation syllabus was well established.

'Winger' Mark Williams of Malpas who helps with the aviation-slanted training said "The 25th has Land Scouts, Sea Scouts and Air Scouts which makes it a bit unusual in itself.

"The Air Scouts do the same things as the others but with an aviation twist.

"They learn about how aeroplanes work and fly, make model planes, train in aircraft recognition and learn the basics of navigation and meteorology.

"Scouting in general prepares boys and young men for the wider world and Air Scouting can give anyone interested in an aviation career a distinct advantage.

"I'm convinced that my being an Air Scout was what clinched me a job in aeronautical engineering."

The Malpas-based 25th first won RAF recognition in 1972 and have guarded it jealously ever since.

"We will be inspected by an RAF officer once more in 18 month's time" Mr Pollard said.

"It definitely gives us a standard to work to.

"The real credit goes to the boys who have been smart, keen and willing to learn."

Air Scout Tyler Gibson, 14,a pupil at St Joseph's in Newport has been in the 25th for four years.

"I've been studying the parts of a glider and how they're put together" he said.

"But I still enjoy doing things the other Scouts do such as camp fires and cooking out."

Paul Otton, 15, from Crindau and a pupil at Bettws High said "I like learning about aeroplanes and how they fly.

"We're all very proud of the special badge you're given when the RAF says you're the best."

Scouts: Ivan Brown, David Otton, Louis Brown, Tyler Gibson, Josh Morgan, Joseph Baker, James Lawson,Thomas Davies, Connor Jayne, Peter Savage Aidan Thomas and Paul Otton.

Scouters and helpers:(from right to left) 'Polly' Pollard, Mark Williams, Brian Gibbons, Steve Richards Group Scout Leader and Cub and Beaver leader Gillian Black and Vince Edwards.