THIS year sees the 80th anniversary of the Air Training Corp and is being celebrated locally by what is often called 'the best kept secret in Inverclyde'.

The Air Cadets based on Greenock's Ardgowan Street will be joining in with the celebrations, albeit digitally.

We at the Telegraph wish the ATC all the best for their anniversary year and we hope to visit them when things ease.

Until then, I have selected five pictures featuring the activities of the 49F-MacRoberts Reply Sqn RAF Air Cadets.

This picture was taken when the Air Cadets received an invaluable piece of kit in the form of a Microsoft computer.

Inverclyde councillor Iain McKenzie joined Ken MacDougal of the Squadron Civilian Committee, Flight Lieutenant Vanda Nicholls, and Sgt Jed McEwan for the handover in 2011.

Greenock Telegraph:

ALTHOUGH Air Cadets learn the complexities of flight and engineering, their skills learning on the occasion of this picture stretched to woodworking. The shot shows cadets Ben Lang, Ricardo Di Murro, David Boyle and Peter Nimmo restoring a model Spitfire.

Greenock Telegraph:

TAKEN during celebrations of the Air Cadets' 70th anniversary, this picture shows Flt Lt Vanda Nicholls with former Commanding Officers Flt Lt Duncan McKinnon and Fly Lt Christine Sneider taking their places at the top table.

Greenock Telegraph:

MEMBERS of the squadron set up a communications centre in their Greenock headquarters to learn call-signs and emergency signals along with their other activities.

Oliver Keast and Andrew Roberts used their equipment to communicate with fellow cadets in Ireland.

Greenock Telegraph:

THE Air Cadets received a welcome cash boost when the Clyde Aviation Trust donated £500 towards their bus appeal.

Trust treasurer Brian Burt and chairman John Burleigh visited the unit to hand over the transport funds.

Greenock Telegraph: