The Air Cadet Organisation and especially
492 (Solihull) Squadron recently recognised one of its long standing Civilian Committee members, Wing Commander Vic Sayfritz. Born on the 3rd December 1922, he took up his first commission with the RAF on the 14th July 1944 rising through the ranks to become Wing Commander on the 1st January 1963. His career with the RAF included serving in the United Arab Emirates, Northern Ireland and time at the Central Flying School as an instructor.

Rumour has it that in the days before Health & Safety, overloading of aircraft was not uncommon. On one occasion an aircraft laden with sacks of coal was deemed too heavy for its brakes to cope with the landing. It was therefore necessary to jettison some of the payload – unfortunately one sack reportedly went through an officer's roof. Vic maintains it was not him personally who dropped it during this early example of door to door delivery.

Wg Cdr Sayfritz retired from the RAF on the 18th March 1977 but has retained his connections through his active involvement with the Royal Air Force Association in Solihull. He joined the Civilian Committee of 492 Air Training Corps as the RAFA representative in 1987 and has served with no less than nine squadron commanders and three Civilian Committee Chairman.

Vic has been a consistent and loyal supporter of the Air Cadet Organisation and in particular his promotion of 492. At 492 Squadron's headquarters in Shirley, Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing ATC, Wg Cdr Ladwa presented a Regional Commandant's Certificate of Merit in recognition and appreciation of meritorious service. A great number of 492's cadets, staff, Civilian Committee, former Commanding Officers and representatives from Solihull RAFA attended the ceremony.