No. 21 OTU
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Royal Air Force 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 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 No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF was a training unit operated by the Royal Air Force Coastal Command. The unit started operating from late 1940 and disbanded during early 1944. History The unit formed on 1 October 1940 at RAF Catf ...
(2 OTU): 2 OTU was formed in 1940 as part of Coastal Command at RAF Catfoss 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 RAF Catfoss for training aircrew on coastal command aircraft types including the Avro Anson 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, Miles Mentor, and North American Harvard aircraft, including one Gloster Gladiator. Its first pilot pool came from No. 11 Group RAF transferring to No. 12 Group RAF 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 to train fighter pilots. During the Battle of Britain in September 1940, it flew operational flights over north west England, claiming three enemy aircraft shot down. It was re-designated
No. 57 OTU Royal Air Force Operational Training Units (OTUs) were training units that prepared aircrew for operations on a particular type or types of aircraft or roles. OTUs ;No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (1 OTU): The Unit was formed in ...
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. ;
No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF No. 237 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational conversion unit. Operational history * First formation: 31 July 1947 - 1 December 1951 * Second formation: 23 October 1956 - 21 January 1958 * Third formation: 1 March 1971 - ...
(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 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 ...
at RAF Abingdon 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
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 ...
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. 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
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 ...
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 (13 OTU): 13 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 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 ...
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 Royal Air Force Market Harborough or more simply RAF Market Harborough is a former Royal Air Force station near the town of Market Harborough in the county of Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Today part of the site of the former airbase is occup ...
(14 OTU): 14 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 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 ...
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 (15 OTU): 15 OTU was formed in August 1940 as part of No. 6 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 ...
at
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 S ...
to train night bomber crews on the Vickers Wellington. In 1942, it carried out seven operational missions. It was disbanded in March 1944. ; No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF (16 OTU): 16 OTU was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 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 ...
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 Vickers Wellington 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 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 ...
at RAF Upwood to train light bomber crews using the Bristol Blenheim. It moved to RAF Silverstone in April 1943 to train night bomber crews with the Vickers Wellington. 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
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 ...
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 Vickers Wellington 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. In June 1942, twelve Whitleys took part in a raid against Bremen. Re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington from August 1944 until it was disbanded in June 1945. ;
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 Vickers Wellington. 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 to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. In 1942, it carried out a number of operational sorties. It moved to RAF Finningley 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 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, ...
(22 OTU): 22 OTU was formed in April 1941 at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford as part of No. 6 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 ...
to train night bomber crews with the Vickers Wellington. Disbanded in July 1945. ;
No. 23 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 ...
(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
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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. 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 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, ...
(24 OTU): The Unit was formed in March 1942 at RAF Honeybourne as part of
No. 7 Group No. 7 Group of the Royal Air Force was an RAF group active in the latter part of the First World War, during the 1920s and also in the Second World War. Organisational history No. 7 Group was created on the day that the RAF officially came ...
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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. Carried out three operational sorties during 1942. Converted to the Vickers Wellington in April 1944 to train Royal Canadian Air Force crews, disbanded in July 1945. ; No. 25 Operational Training Unit RAF (25 OTU): 25 OTU was formed in March 1941 at RAF Finningley as part of
No. 7 Group No. 7 Group of the Royal Air Force was an RAF group active in the latter part of the First World War, during the 1920s and also in the Second World War. Organisational history No. 7 Group was created on the day that the RAF officially came ...
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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Handley Page Hampden, after operating a variety of types, it became a Vickers Wellington 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 as part of
No. 7 Group No. 7 Group of the Royal Air Force was an RAF group active in the latter part of the First World War, during the 1920s and also in the Second World War. Organisational history No. 7 Group was created on the day that the RAF officially came ...
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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. 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 as part of No. 6 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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. 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 as part of No. 92 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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. Disbanded in October 1944. ;
No. 29 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, ...
(29 OTU): 29 OTU was formed in April 1942 at RAF North Luffenham as part of
No. 7 Group No. 7 Group of the Royal Air Force was an RAF group active in the latter part of the First World War, during the 1920s and also in the Second World War. Organisational history No. 7 Group was created on the day that the RAF officially came ...
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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. Carried four operation sorties during 1942. Disbanded in May 1945. ;
No. 30 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 ...
(30 OTU): 30 OTU was formed in June 1942 at RAF Hixon as part of No. 93 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 ...
to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. Disbanded in June 1945. ;
No. 31 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, ...
(31 OTU): 31 OTU was formed in May 1941 at Debert, Nova Scotia, as part of No. 3 Training Command, to general reconnaissance crews using the Lockheed Hudson and Avro Anson. 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
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 ...
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 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, ...
(32 OTU): 32 OTU was formed at West Kirby, Liverpool, the personnel then moved by ship to Patricia Bay, British Columbia, as part of No. 4 Training Command. Tasked to train general reconnaissance crews, and the first Avro Ansons arrived in September 1941, 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 ...
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 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, ...
(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 regio ...
, as part of No. 3 Training Command to train general reconnaissance crews. The first Avro Ansons 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. ;
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 to train tactical reconnaissance pilots. ; No. 42 Operational Training Unit RAF (42 OTU): 42 OTU was formed in July `1941 at RAF Andover 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 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 Hawker Hurricane. ;
No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF was an Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force, formed in 1941 to train Spitfire pilots, and disbanded in 1945. History 53 OTU RAF was an Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force. It was fo ...
(53 OTU): 53 OTU was formed in February 1941 at RAF Heston to train fighter pilots using 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 ...
. ;
No. 54 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 ...
(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
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 ...
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 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 ...
(57 OTU): 57 OTU was formed in November 1940 at RAF Hawarden to train single-seat fighter pilots. ;
No. 58 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 ...
(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 to train intruder crews using the
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 ...
. ;
No. 61 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 ...
(61 OTU): 61 OTU was formed in June 1941 at RAF Heston 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. ;
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 RAF Ismailia 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 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 ...
(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 (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 for army co-operation training, and to teach tactical reconnaissance skills in the desert, using the Hawker Hurricane. ;
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 (76 OTU): 76 OTU was formed in October 1943 at RAF Aqir to train night bomber crews using Vickers Wellington. ;
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 to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington. ;No. 78 Operational Training Unit RAF: the Unit was formed in February 1944 at 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 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, ...
(80 OTU): 80 OTU was formed in April 1945 at RAF Morpeth to train French fighter pilots using 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 Miles Master. ;
No. 81 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 ...
(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 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. ; No. 82 Operational Training Unit RAF (82 OTU): 82 OTU was formed in June 1943 at RAF Ossington to train night bomber crews with the Vickers Wellington. ;
No. 83 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, ...
(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 Vickers Wellington. ; No. 84 Operational Training Unit RAF (84 OTU): 84 OTU was formed in September 1943 at RAF Desborough to train night bomber crews with the Vickers Wellington. ;
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 Vickers Wellington. ;
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 Vickers Wellington. ;
No. 101 (Glider) 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 ...
(101 OTU): Formed in April 1942 at RAF Kidlington as part of No. 70 Group to train glider pilots using the General Aircraft Hotspur. ; No. 102 (Glider) Operational Training Unit RAF (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 (104 OTU): Formed in March 1943 at RAF Nutts Corner to crews on transport aircraft using the Vickers Wellington. ;
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 to train crews for airline transport squadrons, at first using the Vickers Wellington, 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 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 RAF Wymeswold 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 to train transport crews using the Douglas Dakota. ;No. 111 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (111 OTU): Formed in August 1942 in the Bahamas 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 Liberators. ;No. 131 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (131 OTU): Formed in July 1942 at RAF Killadeas 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,
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 ...
, and later,
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 ...
. ;
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, ...
(151 OTU): Formed in July 1942 at RAF Risalpur as part of No. 227 Group to train pilots out of Indian flying training schools. ; No. 152 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit RAF (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 RAF Risalpur as part of
No. 1 (Indian) Group Number One most commonly refers to: * 1 (number) Number One, No. 1, or #1 may also refer to: Music Albums * ''Number 1'' (Big Bang album), and the title song * ''No. 1'' (BoA album), and the title song * ''No.1'' (EP), by CLC * ''n.1' ...
to train fighter pilots in an Indian environment.


See also

Royal Air Force * List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons * List of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights * List of conversion units of the Royal Air Force *
List of Royal Air Force Glider units This is a list of Royal Air Force glider units. Gliding Schools +data 1-100 100-200 200-700 Volunteer Gliding Schools +data Other Glider units +data * Home Command Gliding Instructors School became Home Command Gliding Centre became ...
*
List of Royal Air Force schools This is a list of schools within the Royal Air Force, including the empire flying training scheme, civilian and service elementary training schemes, and gliding schools. Schools The Royal Air Force operated many schools to train aircrew in the m ...
* List of Royal Air Force units & establishments * List of RAF squadron codes * List of RAF Regiment units * List of Battle of Britain squadrons * List of wings of the Royal Air Force * Royal Air Force roundels Army Air Corps * List of Army Air Corps aircraft units Fleet Air Arm * List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons * List of Fleet Air Arm groups * List of aircraft units of the Royal Navy * List of aircraft wings of the Royal Navy Others * List of Air Training Corps squadrons * University Air Squadron *
Air Experience Flight An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 20 ...
* Volunteer Gliding Squadron * United Kingdom military aircraft serial numbers * United Kingdom aircraft test serials * British military aircraft designation systems


Notes


References

* * {{RAF unit types Operational Training Units