Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

Operational Training Units (OTUs) were training units that prepared

aircrew Aircrew, also called flight crew, are personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of a flight's crew depends on the type of aircraft, plus the flight's duration and purpose. Commercial aviation Flight deck positions ...

for operations on a particular type or types of aircraft or roles.

OTUs

;

No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF was a training unit operated by the Royal Air Force RAF Coastal Command, Coastal Command. The unit was established during April 1940 by the renaming of a Coastal Command unit and disbanded during Octo ...

(1 OTU): The Unit was formed in 1940 as part of

RAF Coastal Command RAF Coastal Command was a formation within the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was founded in 1936, when the RAF was restructured into Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Commands and played an important role during the Second World War. Maritime Aviation ...

at RAF Silloth for training aircrew on coastal command patrol aircraft types until it was disbanded on 19 October 1943.Sturtivant 2007, pp. 198-206 ; No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (2 OTU): 2 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of Coastal Command at

RAF Catfoss Royal Air Force Catfoss or more simply RAF Catfoss is a former Royal Air Force station during the Second World War. It was located west of Hornsea, Yorkshire, England and north-east of Leconfield, Yorkshire, with the nearest village being Bra ...

for training aircrew on coastal command twin-engined fighter and strike aircraft types until it was disbanded 15 February 1944. ; No. 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (3 OTU): 3 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of Coastal Command at

for training aircrew on coastal command aircraft types including the

Avro Anson The Avro Anson is a British twin-engined, multi-role aircraft built by the aircraft manufacturer Avro. Large numbers of the type served in a variety of roles for the Royal Air Force (RAF), Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) a ...

and

Bristol Beaufighter The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter (often called the Beau) is a British multi-role aircraft developed during the Second World War by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It was originally conceived as a heavy fighter variant of the Bristol Beaufort ...

, until it was disbanded 4 January 1944. ;

No. 4 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF No. 4 may refer to: * The number 4 *''No. 4'', a 1966 experimental film directed by Yoko Ono * ''No. 4'' (album), by the rock band Stone Temple Pilots *No. 4 Commando, Commando regiment in the UK Army *No. 4 Squadron RAAF, Royal Australian Air Fo ...

(4 OTU): 4 OTU was formed in 1941 as part of Coastal Command at RAF Stranraer for training aircrew on coastal command flying boats until it was disbanded, when it became 235 OCU in 1947. ; No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAF (5 OTU): 5 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of No. 12 Group Fighter Command at

RAF Aston Down Aston Down is in Gloucestershire, South West England, east of Minchinhampton, southeast of Stroud and west of Cirencester. The nearest settlement is the large village of Chalford, 1 mile (1.6 km) to the northwest. The airfield was used ...

for training fighter pilots until it was disbanded 1 August 1945. ; No. 6 Operational Training Unit RAF (6 OTU): 6 OTU was formed in March 1940 at RAF Sutton Bridge for training

fighter pilot A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and ...

s, commanded by Squadron Leader Philip Campbell Pinkham, with a complement of

Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1930s–40s which was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was overshadowed in the public consciousness by ...

, Miles Mentor, and

North American Harvard The North American Aviation T-6 Texan is an American single-engined advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), United States Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and other air forces ...

aircraft, including one Gloster Gladiator. Its first pilot pool came from

No. 11 Group RAF No. 11 Group is a group in the Royal Air Force first formed in 1918. It had been formed and disbanded for various periods during the 20th century before disbanding in 1996 and reforming again in 2018. Its most famous service was in 1940 in the Ba ...

transferring to

No. 12 Group RAF No. 12 Group of the Royal Air Force was a group, a military formation, that existed over two separate periods, namely the end of the First World War when it had a training function and from just prior to the Second World War until the early 1960s ...

of Fighter Command. No. 6 OTU was re-numbered in November 1940 to No. 56 OTU, and remained at RAF Sutton Bridge until relocating in March 1942 to RAF Tealing. ; No. 7 Operational Training Unit RAF (7 OTU): 7 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of Fighter Command at

RAF Hawarden The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...

to train fighter pilots. During the

Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain, also known as the Air Battle for England (german: die Luftschlacht um England), was a military campaign of the Second World War, in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy defende ...

in September 1940, it flew operational flights over north west England, claiming three enemy aircraft shot down. It was re-designated No. 57 OTU on 1 November 1940. ;

No. 7 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF Coastal Command Anti U-Boat Devices School RAF is a former training school of the Royal Air Force's Coastal Command which was operational from 1940 until 1945 during the Second World War. The Coastal Command Anti U-Boat Devices School RAF was form ...

(7 (C)OTU): 7 (C)OTU was formed on 1 April 1942 at

RAF Limavady Royal Air Force Limavady or more simply RAF Limavady is a former Royal Air Force station, also known as Aghanloo airfield, near the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. History The station was built in 1940 during the Second World War. The airfield ...

. ; No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (8 OTU): 8 OTU was formed on 18 May 1942 at RAF Fraserburgh, by merging the Photographic Reconnaissance Conversion Flight of 3 School of General Reconnaissance, RAF Squires Gate and 'K' (Photographic Reconnaissance Advanced Training) Flight of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (1PRU), RAF Detling. It was part of No. 17 Group Coastal Command. It trained aircrew on a wide range of photo-reconnaissance aircraft, including the

Supermarine Spitfire The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. Many variants of the Spitfire were built, from the Mk 1 to the Rolls-Royce Grif ...

and

de Havilland Mosquito The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a British twin-engined, shoulder-winged, multirole combat aircraft, introduced during the Second World War. Unusual in that its frame was constructed mostly of wood, it was nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder", or ...

. It was disbanded when it became

237 OCU Conversion units and operational conversion units (OCUs) were training units of the Royal Air Force (RAF). History With the introduction of new heavy bombers, the four-engined Short Stirling, Avro Lancaster, and Handley Page Halifax, the Roya ...

in 1947. ;

No. 9 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF Number nine may refer to: * 9 (number), natural number * Number Nine, Arkansas, a community in the United States * Number Nine (novel), a 1951 novel by A.P. Herbert * ''Number Nine'' (album), by Chris Hülsbeck * , by Wende (2009) * Number 9 Aud ...

(9 OTU): 9 OTU was formed in 1942 as part of No. 17 Group Coastal Command at

RAF Aldergrove Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove or more simply JHC FS Aldergrove is located south of Antrim, Northern Ireland and northwest of Belfast and adjoins Belfast International Airport. It is sometimes referred to simply as Alde ...

to train long-range fighter aircrew, it was disbanded on 11 August 1944. ;

No. 10 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 10 Operational Training Unit RAF or more simply No. 10 OTU was a training unit operated by the Royal Air Force. History The unit was formed at RAF Abingdon on 8 April 1940 with No. 97 Squadron RAF (97 Sqn) and No. 166 Squadron RAF (166 Sqn) f ...

(10 OTU): 10 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of No. 8 Group

RAF Bomber Command RAF Bomber Command controlled the Royal Air Force's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. Along with the United States Army Air Forces, it played the central role in the strategic bombing of Germany in World War II. From 1942 onward, the British bo ...

RAF Abingdon Royal Air Force Abingdon or more simply RAF Abingdon was a Royal Air Force station near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is now known as Dalton Barracks and is used by the Royal Logistic Corps. History The airfield was opened in 1932, initially as ...

to train night bomber aircrew, it was disbanded on 10 September 1946. ;No. 11 Operational Training Unit RAF (11 OTU): 11 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of No. 6 Group

at RAF Bassingbourn to train night bomber aircrew. During 1942, it operated seven operational night bombing missions. In September 1942, it moved to RAF Westcott and its satellite station

RAF Oakley RAF Oakley is a former Royal Air Force station between Oakley and Worminghall, Buckinghamshire, England. It was located in a flat, damp wooded area. History Second World War usage Intended as RAF Westcott's satellite, the land at Field Far ...

. It was disbanded on 18 September 1945. ;

No. 12 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(12 OTU): 12 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 1 Group

at RAF Benson to train light bomber aircrew; absorbed

No. 52 Squadron RAF ("By sweat and blood") , colors= , colors_label= , march= , mascot= , equipment= , equipment_label= , battles= , anniversaries= , decorations= , battle_honours=World War I• Western Front 1916–1918• Ypres, 1917• Messines, 1917 World W ...

on 8 April 1940. During 1942, 12 OTU carried out operational night bombing missions. The Unit was disbanded on 22 June 1945. ;

No. 13 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational conversion unit. It was formed in No. 12 Group RAF, No. 12 Group at RAF Leeming from Nos. 13 and 54 OTUs in 1947. The tasking of the OCU was the training of night fighter crews ...

(13 OTU): 13 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 Group

at RAF Bicester to train originally Bristol Blenheim light day bomber aircrew. It was disbanded when it became 228 OCU in 1947. ; No. 14 Operational Training Unit RAF (14 OTU): 14 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 Group

at RAF Cottesmore to train night bomber crews. It later came under the control of No. 92 Group when it reformed at RAF Market Harborough in August 1943. It was disbanded on 24 June 1945. ;

No. 15 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(15 OTU): 15 OTU was formed in August 1940 as part of No. 6 Group

RAF Harwell Royal Air Force Harwell or more simply RAF Harwell is a former Royal Air Force station, near the village of Harwell, located south east of Wantage, Oxfordshire and north west of Reading, Berkshire, England. The site is now the Harwell Sc ...

to train night bomber crews on the

Vickers Wellington The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engined, long-range medium bomber. It was designed during the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey. Led by Vickers-Armstrongs' chief designer Rex Pierson; a key feature of the aircraft is its g ...

. In 1942, it carried out seven operational missions. It was disbanded in March 1944. ;

No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF (16 OTU) was a training unit of the Royal Air Force. It was formed at RAF Upper Heyford on 8 April 1940 from the No. 4 Group RAF Pool, which comprised No 7 and No 76 Squadron, within No. 6 Group RAF, to tr ...

(16 OTU): 16 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 Group

at RAF Upper Heyford to train night bomber crews using the Handley Page Hampden and

Hereford Hereford () is a cathedral city, civil parish and the county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, south-west of Worcester and north-west of Gloucester. With a population ...

. It converted to the

in 1942, and carried out a number of operational sorties. It was disbanded in January 1945. ;

No. 17 Operational Training Unit RAF Royal Air Force Upwood or more simply RAF Upwood is a former Royal Air Force station adjacent to the village of Upwood, Cambridgeshire, England, in the United Kingdom. It was a non-flying station which was under the control of the United Stat ...

(17 OTU): 17 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 Group

RAF Upwood Royal Air Force Upwood or more simply RAF Upwood is a former Royal Air Force station adjacent to the village of Upwood, Cambridgeshire, England, in the United Kingdom. It was a non-flying station which was under the control of the United Sta ...

to train light bomber crews using the Bristol Blenheim. It moved to

RAF Silverstone Royal Air Force Station Silverstone or more simply RAF Silverstone is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) station, the site is now used as Silverstone Circuit. It straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border and is named after the near ...

in April 1943 to train night bomber crews with the

. It was re-designated No. 201 Advanced Flying School in March 1947. ;

No. 18 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(18 OTU): 18 OTU was formed in June 1940 from the Polish Training Unit as part of No. 6 Group

to train light bomber crews for the Polish Boulton Paul Defiant squadrons at

RAF Hucknall Hucknall, formerly Hucknall Torkard, is a market town in the Ashfield district of Nottinghamshire, England. It lies 7 miles north of Nottingham, 7 miles south-east of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, 9 miles from Mansfield and 10 miles south of Sutton-in ...

. Converted to the

in 1942, and carried out six operational sorties as part of No. 91 Group. Disbanded in January 1945. ; No. 19 Operational Training Unit RAF (19 OTU): 19 OTU was formed in May 1940 at RAF Kinloss to train night bomber crews using the

Armstrong Whitworth Whitley The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.38 Whitley was a British medium bomber aircraft of the 1930s. It was one of three twin-engined, front line medium bomber types that were in service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the outbreak of the Second World ...

. In June 1942, twelve Whitleys took part in a raid against Bremen. Re-equipped with the

from August 1944 until it was disbanded in June 1945. 20 OTU Memorial

;

No. 20 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(20 OTU): 20 OTU was formed in May 1940 at RAF Lossiemouth to train night bomber crews using the

. It disbanded in July 1945. ;

No. 21 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(21 OTU): 21 OTU was formed in January 1941 at

RAF Moreton-in-Marsh RAF Moreton-in-Marsh was a Royal Air Force station near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. It was opened in November 1940 with three concrete and tarmac runways and five aircraft hangars. It closed for operational flying in early 1948. The base ...

to train night bomber crews using the

. In 1942, it carried out a number of operational sorties. It moved to

RAF Finningley Royal Air Force Finningley or RAF Finningley was a Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force station at Finningley, in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. The station straddled the historic county boundaries of both ...

in November 1946, before being re-designated

No. 202 Advanced Flying School RAF No. 7 Flying Training School (7 FTS) is a former Royal Air Force flying training school that operated between 1935 and 1994. From 1948 to 1954, No 7 Flying Training School was located at RAF Cottesmore, flying Tiger Moths, Harvards, Prentices an ...

in March 1947. ; No. 22 Operational Training Unit RAF (22 OTU): 22 OTU was formed in April 1941 at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford as part of No. 6 Group

to train night bomber crews with the

. Disbanded in July 1945. ; No. 23 Operational Training Unit RAF (23 OTU): 23 OTU was formed in April 1941 at

RAF Pershore The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's Air force, air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal ...

as part of No. 6 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Carried out operational sorties during 1942, and was disbanded in March 1944, with most of the aircraft moving to No. 22 OTU. ; No. 24 Operational Training Unit RAF (24 OTU): The Unit was formed in March 1942 at

RAF Honeybourne Royal Air Force Honeybourne or RAF Honeybourne was a Royal Air Force station located south of Honeybourne, Worcestershire, England and east of Evesham, Worcestershire, England The station was operational from 1940 or 1941 to 1946 or 15 Nove ...

as part of No. 7 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Carried out three operational sorties during 1942. Converted to the

in April 1944 to train

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; french: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environm ...

crews, disbanded in July 1945. ; No. 25 Operational Training Unit RAF (25 OTU): 25 OTU was formed in March 1941 at

as part of No. 7 Group

to train night bomber crews using the Handley Page Hampden, after operating a variety of types, it became a

unit in April 1942. It carried out a number of operational raids during 1942. Disbanded in February 1943. ;

No. 26 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(26 OTU): 26 OTU was formed in January 1942 at

RAF Wing Royal Air Force Wing or more simply RAF Wing is a former Royal Air Force Bomber Command Operational Training Unit station, situated just west of the village of Wing, in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire. History Construction RAF ...

as part of No. 7 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Disbanded in March 1946. ;

No. 27 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(27 OTU): 27 OTU was formed in April 1941 at

RAF Lichfield Royal Air Force Station Lichfield also known as Fradley Aerodrome, was an operational training station from 1940 until 1958. It was situated in Fradley, north east of Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. The airfield was the busiest airfield in St ...

as part of No. 6 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Trained

Royal Australian Air Force "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...

crews in 1942, and it was disbanded in June 1945. ;

No. 28 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(28 OTU): 28 OTU was formed in May 1942 at

RAF Wymeswold RAF Wymeswold is a former Royal Air Force station located north-east of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. The airfield is situated between Hoton, Wymeswold and Burton on the Wolds, lying in the current district of Charnwood. History It ...

as part of No. 92 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Disbanded in October 1944. ; No. 29 Operational Training Unit RAF (29 OTU): 29 OTU was formed in April 1942 at RAF North Luffenham as part of No. 7 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Carried four operation sorties during 1942. Disbanded in May 1945. ; No. 30 Operational Training Unit RAF (30 OTU): 30 OTU was formed in June 1942 at

RAF Hixon Royal Air Force Hixon or more simply RAF Hixon was a Royal Air Force station located on the north western edge of the village of Hixon in Staffordshire, England. The airfield was east of Stafford and bounded at the west and north by railways. ...

as part of No. 93 Group

to train night bomber crews using the

. Disbanded in June 1945. ; No. 31 Operational Training Unit RAF (31 OTU): 31 OTU was formed in May 1941 at

Debert Debert () (2006 pop: 1,471) is an unincorporated farming community in Nova Scotia, Canada. Located in the central-western part of Colchester County, it is approximately west of Truro. The community has two churches ( United Baptist Church and ...

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland". Most of the population are native Eng ...

, as part of No. 3 Training Command, to general reconnaissance crews using the Lockheed Hudson and

. Carried out operational patrols in the Western Atlantic from

Dartmouth Dartmouth may refer to: Places * Dartmouth, Devon, England ** Dartmouth Harbour * Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States * Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada * Dartmouth, Victoria, Australia Institutions * Dartmouth College, Ivy League university i ...

. Operated the

from May 1944, and it was disbanded in July 1944 when it was replaced by

No. 7 Operational Training Unit RCAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

. ; No. 32 Operational Training Unit RAF (32 OTU): 32 OTU was formed at West Kirby, Liverpool, the personnel then moved by ship to

Patricia Bay Patricia Bay ("Pat Bay" to locals) is a body of salt water that extends east from Saanich Inlet and forms part of the shoreline of North Saanich, British Columbia. It lies due west of Victoria International Airport. A municipal park covers most of ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

, as part of No. 4 Training Command. Tasked to train general reconnaissance crews, and the first

s arrived in September 1941, and

s arrived in October 1942. With the start of the war in the Pacific, the unit was declared an operational squadron to protect the Canadian coast from Japanese raids and re-designated No. 32 Operational Squadron on 15 December 1941. After a few days mounting patrols, it became clear that the Japanese were unlikely to attack Canada, and it reverted to an Operational Training Unit on 29 December 1941. Re-designated

No. 6 Operational Training Unit RCAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

in June 1944. ;

No. 34 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(34 OTU): 34 OTU was formed in April 1942 in the United Kingdom, the personnel then moved by ship to

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Yarmouth is a town in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. A port town, industries include fishing, and tourism. It is the terminus of a ferry service to Bar Harbor, Maine, run by Bay Ferries. History Originally inhabited by the Mi'kmaq, the regi ...

, as part of No. 3 Training Command to train general reconnaissance crews. The first

s arrived in May 1942. Disbanded in May 1944. ;

No. 36 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(36 OTU): 36 OTU was formed in February 1942 in the United Kingdom, the personnel then moved by ship to Greenwood, Nova Scotia, as part of No. 3 Training Command to train general reconnaissance crews using the Lockheed Hudson. Later became

No. 8 Operational Training Unit RCAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

. ;

No. 41 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(41 OTU): 41 OTU was formed in September 1941 at

RAF Old Sarum Old Sarum Airfield is a grass strip airfield north-north-east of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. The adjacent areas are a mix of vacant land, residential and industrial sites. Residential areas are to the south and east, occupying the old air ...

to train tactical reconnaissance pilots. ;

No. 42 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(42 OTU): 42 OTU was formed in July `1941 at

RAF Andover RAF Andover is a former Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force station in England, west of Andover, Hampshire. As well as RFC and RAF units, units of the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, Royal Canadian Air Force, United States Army Air ...

to train army support crews. ;

No. 43 Operational Training Unit RAF Army Aviation Centre (AAC) Middle Wallop is a British Army airfield located near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop, used for Army Air Corps training. The base hosts 2 (Training) Regiment AAC and 7 (Training) Regiment AAC under the umb ...

(43 OTU): 43 OTU was formed in October 1942 at

RAF Larkhill Larkhill is a garrison town in the civil parish of Durrington, Wiltshire, England. It lies about west of the centre of Durrington village and north of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. It is about north of Salisbury. The settlement ...

to train army co-operation air observers for deployment on the Auster. Moved to Old Sarum soon after formation, to the satellite site at Oatlands Hill in February 1944, and to

Andover Andover may refer to: Places Australia * Andover, Tasmania Canada * Andover Parish, New Brunswick * Perth-Andover, New Brunswick United Kingdom * Andover, Hampshire, England ** RAF Andover, a former Royal Air Force station United States * Ando ...

in August 1944, became No. 227 Operational Conversion Unit RAF. ;

No. 51 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(51 OTU): 51 OTU was formed in July 1941 at RAF Debden to train night fighter crews. ;

No. 52 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(52 OTU): 52 OTU was formed in March 1941 at RAF Debden to train fighter pilots using the

. ; No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF (53 OTU): 53 OTU was formed in February 1941 at

RAF Heston Heston Aerodrome was an airfield located to the west of London, England, operational between 1929 and 1947. It was situated on the border of the Heston and Cranford areas of Hounslow, Middlesex. In September 1938, the British Prime Minister, Ne ...

to train fighter pilots using the

. ; No. 54 Operational Training Unit RAF (54 OTU): 54 OTU was formed in November 1940 at RAF Church Fenton to train night fighter crews. ;

No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF was an Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force, formed in November 1940 at RAF Aston Down to train fighter pilots. History 55 OTU RAF was an Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force, formed i ...

(55 OTU): 55 OTU was formed in November 1940 at

to train fighter pilots. ;

No. 56 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(56 OTU): Previously designated No. 6 OTU, formed in March 1940 at RAF Sutton Bridge and re-numbered in November 1940 to 56 OTU, where it remained at RAF Sutton Bridge until relocating in March 1942 to RAF Tealing. ; No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF (57 OTU): 57 OTU was formed in November 1940 at

to train single-seat fighter pilots. ; No. 58 Operational Training Unit RAF (58 OTU): 58 OTU was formed in December 1940 at

RAF Grangemouth Royal Air Force Grangemouth or more simply RAF Grangemouth is a former Royal Air Force station located north east of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland. History It was opened as the Central Scotland Airport in May 1939 and operated as a Civilia ...

to train day fighter pilots. No. 58 OTU was re-formed in March 1945 at

RAF Poulton Royal Air Force Poulton or more simply RAF Poulton (X4PL) is a former Royal Air Force Royal Air Force station, satellite station located near Poulton, Cheshire and was operational from 1 March 1943 until 1945. It was used as an Operational Traini ...

with Spitfires. ;

No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(59 OTU): 59 OTU was formed in December 1940 at RAF Turnhouse to train single-seat fighter pilots. No. 59 OTU was re-formed in February 1945 at RAF Acklington to train fighter-bomber pilots using the Hawker Typhoon. ;

No. 60 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(60 OTU): 60 OTU was formed in April 1941 at RAF Leconfield to train night fighter crews using the Blenheim and Defiant, subsequently moving to RAF East Fortune and converting to Beaufighter training. In November 1942, it transferred to Coastal Command, and was renumbered 132 OTU. No. 60 OTU was re-formed in May 1943 at

RAF High Ercall Royal Air Force High Ercall or more simply RAF High Ercall is a former Royal Air Force sector station situated near the village of High Ercall, northeast of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. History Construction of the airfield began in 1938 ...

to train intruder crews using the

. ;

No. 61 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(61 OTU): 61 OTU was formed in June 1941 at

to train single-seat fighter pilots. ;

No. 62 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(62 OTU): 62 OTU was formed in August 1942 at RAF Usworth to train observers / radio operators in the Air Intercept role. ;

No. 63 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(63 OTU): 63 OTU was formed in August 1943 at RAF Honiley to train night fighter crews. ;

No. 70 (Middle East) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(70 OTU): 70 (Middle East) OTU was formed in December 1949 for training in middle east conditions at

RAF Ismailia ISM or Ism may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Incredible Shrinking Man'', a film * ''ISM'' (album), a 2012 album by Norwegian electronic music producer Savant * ''Ism'' (film), a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action film starring Nandamuri K ...

. ;

No. 71 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(7 1OTU): 71 OTU was formed in June 1941 at

for desert training. "From June to September 1941 it was providing night defence of the Canal Zone (Suez Canal), and then in September it moved to Gordon’s Tree near Khartoum in the Sudan."https://www.kingsburytimetravellers.org.uk/ww2/ww2-families/kenneth-noel-hebditch-1919-1942/ Among aircraft operated was the Tomahawk. ; No. 72 Operational Training Unit RAF (72 OTU): 72 OTU was formed in November 1941 at

RAF Carthago The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

to train light bomber crews in tropical conditions. ;

No. 73 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(73 OTU): No.73 OTU was formed in November 1941 at

RAF Sheikh Othman The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's Air force, air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal ...

Aden Aden ( ar, عدن ' Yemeni: ) is a city, and since 2015, the temporary capital of Yemen, near the eastern approach to the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aden), some east of the strait Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000 people. ...

, for training in desert conditions, initially using two Mohawks and a Hurricane. ;

No. 74 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(74 OTU): 74 OTU was formed in October 1941 at

RAF Aqir The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

for army co-operation training, and to teach tactical reconnaissance skills in the desert, using the

. ;

No. 75 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(75 OTU): 75 OTU was formed in December 1942 at

RAF Gianaclis The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

to train general reconnaissance crews using the Lockheed Hudson. ;

No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF (76 OTU) was a Royal Air Force operational training unit during the Second World War. The unit was formed at RAF Aqir on 1 October 1943. Throughout its existence it was equipped with Vickers Wellington ...

(76 OTU): 76 OTU was formed in October 1943 at

to train night bomber crews using

. ;

No. 77 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(77 OTU): 77 OTU was formed in January 1944 at

RAF Qastina Qastina ( ar, قسطينة) was a Palestinian village, located 38 kilometers northeast of Gaza City. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Location Qastina was situated on an elevated spot in a generally flat area on the coastal ...

to train night bomber crews using the

. ;No. 78 Operational Training Unit RAF: the Unit was formed in February 1944 at

RAF Ein Shemer The Ein Shemer Airfield ( he, מנחת עין שמר) is an Israeli military airfield and base in northern Israel, located approximately 6 km east of Hadera. Before 1948 it was operated by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) as RAF Ein Shemer. ...

to train general reconnaissance crews, particularly using ASV radar and the Leigh light. ;

No. 79 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(79 OTU): 79 OTU was formed in February 1944 at RAF Nicosia to train general reconnaissance and strike crews. ; No. 80 (French) Operational Training Unit RAF (80 OTU): 80 OTU was formed in April 1945 at RAF Morpeth to train French fighter pilots using the

and

Miles Master The Miles M.9 Master was a British two-seat monoplane advanced trainer designed and built by aviation company Miles Aircraft Ltd. It was inducted in large numbers into both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm (FAA) during the Second Wor ...

. ; No. 81 Operational Training Unit RAF (81 OTU): 81 OTU was formed in July 1942 at

RAF Ashbourne RAF Ashbourne is a former Royal Air Force airfield located approximately south-east of the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England. It was opened on 12 June 1942 before closing on 23 August 1954. Construction Construction of the airfield bega ...

to train night bomber crews with the

. ;

No. 82 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(82 OTU): 82 OTU was formed in June 1943 at

RAF Ossington Royal Air Force Ossington or more simply RAF Ossington is a former Royal Air Force Royal Air Force station, station located near the village of Ossington, Nottinghamshire, England. History Construction of the airfield began in 1941, with the ai ...

to train night bomber crews with the

. ; No. 83 Operational Training Unit RAF (83 OTU): 83 OTU was formed in August 1943 at

RAF Child's Ercall Royal Air Force Peplow or more simply RAF Peplow is a former Royal Air Force located in Shropshire, England. The following units were here at some point: * No. 5 Service Flying Training School RAF * No. 11 Service Flying Training School RAF * N ...

to train night bomber crews with the

. ;

No. 84 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(84 OTU): 84 OTU was formed in September 1943 at

RAF Desborough Royal Air Force Desborough or more simply RAF Desborough is a former Royal Air Force airfield located in Northamptonshire, England History The following units were here at some point: * Satellite of No. 102 Flying Refresher School RAF (May - N ...

to train night bomber crews with the

. ;

No. 85 Operational Training Unit RAF Royal Air Force Husbands Bosworth or more simply RAF Husbands Bosworth is a former Royal Air Force station near the village of Husbands Bosworth in the county of Leicestershire, United Kingdom. History Construction & layout Land in the vicinity o ...

(85 OTU): 84 OTU was formed in June 1944 at RAF Husbands Bosworth to train night bomber crews with the

. ;

No. 86 Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(86 OTU): 86 OTU was formed in June 1944 at

RAF Gamston Retford Gamston Airport is a small England, English airport, located south of Retford and close to Gamston, Bassetlaw, Gamston, Bassetlaw District, Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire. It is used mainly for small private aircraft as well as a base fo ...

to train night bomber crews with the

. ; No. 101 (Glider) Operational Training Unit RAF (101 OTU): Formed in April 1942 at RAF Kidlington as part of No. 70 Group to train

glider Glider may refer to: Aircraft and transport Aircraft * Glider (aircraft), heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight ** Glider (sailplane), a rigid-winged glider aircraft with an undercarriage, used in the sport of glidin ...

pilots using the

General Aircraft Hotspur The General Aircraft GAL.48 Hotspur was a military glider designed and built by the British company General Aircraft Limited, General Aircraft Ltd during World War II. When the British airborne forces, airborne establishment was formed in 1940 ...

. ;

No. 102 (Glider) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a Typography, typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal number, ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For exampl ...

(102 OTU): Formed in February 1942 at RAF Kidlington as part of No. 70 Group to train glider pilots using the Hotspur. ;

No. 104 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(104 OTU): Formed in March 1943 at RAF Nutts Corner to crews on transport aircraft using the

. ;

No. 105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(105 OTU): Formed in April 1944 at

RAF Bramcote Royal Air Force Bramcote or more simply RAF Bramcote is a former Royal Air Force station located south-east of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England used during the Second World War. It later became HMS Gamecock and then Gamecock Barracks. Royal Air ...

to train crews for airline transport squadrons, at first using the

, but by September 1944, with the Douglas Dakota. ;

No. 107 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(107 OTU): Formed in May 1944 at

RAF Leicester East Royal Air Force Leicester East, more commonly known as RAF Leicester East , is a former Royal Air Force station, near the village of Stoughton, east southeast of Leicester, Leicestershire, England. It was constructed in 1942 and formally ...

to train transport and glider tug crews using the Douglas Dakota and

Airspeed Horsa The Airspeed AS.51 Horsa was a British troop-carrying glider used during the Second World War. It was developed and manufactured by Airspeed Limited, alongside various subcontractors; the type was named after Horsa, the legendary 5th-century c ...

glider. ; No. 108 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF (108 OTU): Formed in October 1944 at

to train transport crews using the Douglas Dakota. ;No. 109 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF (109 OTU): Formed in August 1944 at

RAF Crosby-on-Eden Royal Air Force Crosby-on-Eden or more simply RAF Crosby-on-Eden was a former Royal Air Force station located north east of Carlisle, Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria and west of Brampton, Carlisle, Brampton, Cumbria. It is nowadays Carlisle Lake Di ...

to train transport crews using the Douglas Dakota. ;No. 111 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (111 OTU): Formed in August 1942 in the

Bahamas The Bahamas (), officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic. It takes up 97% of the Lucayan Archipelago's land area and is home to ...

to train general reconnaissance crews using the

North American Mitchell The North American B-25 Mitchell is an American medium bomber that was introduced in 1941 and named in honor of Major General William "Billy" Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. Used by many Allied air forces, the B-25 served in ...

and

Consolidated Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models des ...

s. ;No. 131 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (131 OTU): Formed in July 1942 at

RAF Killadeas Royal Air Force Killadeas or more simply RAF Killadeas is a former Royal Air Force station located southwest of Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and northwest of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. History The following units were ...

as part of No. 15 Group Coastal Command to train crews on the Consolidated Catalina. ;No. 132 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (132 OTU): Formed in November 1942 at RAF East Fortune as part of No. 17 Group Coastal Command to train long-range fighter and strike training using the Bristol Blenheim,

, and later,

. ;

No. 151 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(151 OTU): Formed in July 1942 at

RAF Risalpur The Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan ( ur, ) is an accredited three-year military academy which provides undergraduate education to officer candidates for the Pakistan Air Force. The eligible and selected candidates from all over Pakista ...

as part of No. 227 Group to train pilots out of Indian flying training schools. ;

No. 152 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit RAF The numero sign or numero symbol, №, (also represented as Nº, No, No. or no.), is a typographic abbreviation of the word ''number''(''s'') indicating ordinal numeration, especially in names and titles. For example, using the numero sign, t ...

(152 OTU): Formed in October 1942 at

RAF Peshawar The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's Air force, air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal ...

as part of No. 227 Group to train pilots out of Indian flying training schools. ; No. 1 Operational Training Unit, India (1 (India) OTU): Formed April 1942 at

as part of No. 1 (Indian) Group to train fighter pilots in an Indian environment.

Notes

References

* * {{RAF unit types Operational Training Units

OTUs

See also

Notes

References