List of Royal Air Force Operational Training Units

{{Short description|List of Operational Training Units (OTUs) of the British Royal Air Force (RAF)}} {{Redirect|Operational Training Unit|Operational Training Units of the United States Army Air Forces|Operational - Replacement Training Units}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}{{Use British English|date=January 2017}} '''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.

==1 - 19 OTUs==

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |- ! Name !! Formed on !! Formed at !! Group !! RLG's used !! Aircraft !! Disbanded on !! Notes |- | No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 April 1940 || RAF Silloth || No. 17 Group RAF || RAF Speke RAF Prestwick RAF Kirkbride RAF Longtown RAF Thornaby RAF Beaulieu RAF Aldergrove || Lockheed Hudson Avro Anson Bristol Blenheim Bristol Beaufort Boeing Fortress Handley Page Halifax Consolidated Liberator Westland Lysander Miles Martinet || 19 October 1943 || <ref name=ab>Sturtivant 2007, pp. 198-206</ref> |- | No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 October 1940 || RAF Catfoss || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 27 November 1940 || RAF Chivenor || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 4 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 16 March 1941 || RAF Stranraer || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || Became 235 OCU in 1947.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 March 1940 || RAF Aston Down || No. 12 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 August 1941 || RAF Chivenor || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 6 Operational Training Unit RAF || 6 March 1940 || RAF Sutton Bridge || No. 11 Group RAF || || || || Commanded by Squadron Leader Philip Campbell Pinkham<ref name=AFSB>{{Cite book|last=Goodrum|first=Alastair|year=1997|title=Airfield Focus 65: Sutton Bridge|publisher= |location= |isbn=9781904514152}}</ref><ref name=CRB>{{Cite book|last=Goodrum|first=Alastair|year=1997|title=Combat Ready!|publisher= |location= |isbn=9781870384605}}</ref> No. 6 OTU was re-numbered in November 1940 to No. 56 OTU<ref name=AFSB/><ref name=CRB/> |- | No. 6 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 June 1941 || RAF Andover || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 6 Operational Training Unit RAF || 19 July 1941 || RAF Thornaby || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 7 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 June 1940 || RAF Hawarden || No. 13 Group RAF || || || || During the Battle of Britain in September 1940, it flew operational flights over north west England, claiming three enemy aircraft shot down. It became No. 57 OTU on 1 November 1940.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 7 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 April 1942 || RAF Limavady || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 18 May 1942 || RAF Fraserburgh || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || Formed by merging the Photographic Reconnaissance Conversion Flight of 3 School of General Reconnaissance and 'K' (Photographic Reconnaissance Advanced Training) Flight of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit <ref>Lake, p. 144</ref> Moved to RAF Dyce February 1943 then to RAF Haverfordwest in early 1945.<ref>The National Archives, Kew AIR29/637</ref> Became 237 OCU in 1947.<ref>Lake, p. 146</ref><ref name=ab/> |- | No. 9 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 7 June 1942 || RAF Aldergrove || No. 17 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 10 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Abingdon || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 11 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Bassingbourn || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || During 1942, it operated seven operational night bombing missions.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 12 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Benson || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || Absorbed No. 52 Squadron RAF on 8 April 1940.<ref name=Bomber52>{{Cite web|url=https://www.RAF.mod.uk/bombercommand/h52.html|title=RAF History: Bomber Command 60th Anniversary: No. 52 Squadron|website=www.RAF.mod.uk|publisher=Royal Air Force|date=2004|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> During 1942, 12 OTU carried out operational night bombing missions.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 13 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Bicester || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || Became 228 OCU in 1947.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 14 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Cottesmore || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 15 Operational Training Unit RAF] || 8 April 1940 || RAF Harwell || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, it carried out seven operational missions.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Upper Heyford || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, it carried out a number of operational sorties.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 January 1945 || RAF Upper Heyford || No. 92 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 17 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1940 || RAF Upwood || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || Became No. 201 Advanced Flying School RAF in March 1947.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 18 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 June 1940 || RAF Hucknall || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, it carried out six operational sorties.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 19 Operational Training Unit RAF || 27 May 1940 || RAF Kinloss || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || In June 1942, twelve Whitleys took part in a raid against Bremen.<ref name=ab/> |}

==20 - 43 OTUs==

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |- ! Name !! Formed on !! Formed at !! Group !! RLG's used !! Aircraft !! Disbanded on !! Notes |- | No. 20 Operational Training Unit RAF || 27 May 1940 || RAF Lossiemouth || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 21 Operational Training Unit RAF || 21 January 1941 || RAF Moreton-in-Marsh || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, it carried out a number of operational sorties. Became No. 202 Advanced Flying School RAF in March 1947.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 22 Operational Training Unit RAF || 14 April 1941 || RAF Wellesbourne Mountford || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 23 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 April 1941 || RAF Pershore || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, carried out operational sorties.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 24 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 March 1942 || RAF Honeybourne || No. 7 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, carried out three operational sorties.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 25 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 March 1942 || RAF Finningley || No. 7 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, carried out a number of operational raids.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 26 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 January 1942 || RAF Wing || No. 7 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 27 Operational Training Unit RAF || 23 April 1941 || RAF Lichfield || No. 6 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 28 Operational Training Unit RAF || 16 May 1942 || RAF Wymeswold || No. 92 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 29 Operational Training Unit RAF || 21 April 1942 || RAF North Luffenham || No. 7 Group RAF || || || || In 1942, carried out four operation sorties.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 30 Operational Training Unit RAF || 28 June 1942 || RAF Hixon || No. 93 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 31 Operational Training Unit RAF || 23 May 1941 || Debert, Canada || n/a || || || || Carried out operational patrols in the Western Atlantic from Dartmouth.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 32 Operational Training Unit RAF || 20 July 1941 || West Kirby, Liverpool, UK || n/a || || || || Declared an operational squadron to protect the Canadian coast from Japanese raids and re-designated No. 32 Operational Squadron on 15 December 1941. Reverted to an Operational Training Unit on 29 December 1941. Re-designated No. 6 Operational Training Unit RCAF in June 1944.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 34 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 April 1942 || UK || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 36 Operational Training Unit RAF || 24 February 1942 || UK || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 41 Operational Training Unit RAF || 20 September 1941 || RAF Old Sarum || No. 70 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 42 Operational Training Unit RAF || 18 July 1941 || RAF Andover || No. 70 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 43 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 October 1942 || RAF Larkhill || No. 70 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> Became No. 227 Operational Conversion Unit RAF.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ashworth|first=Chris|year=1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dO1mAAAAMAAJ|title=Action Stations: Military airfields of the South-West|publisher=Stephens|isbn=978-1-85260-374-8|pages=118, 140|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Berryman|first=David|year=2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fsnqAAAACAAJ|title=Wiltshire Airfields in the Second World War|publisher=Countryside Books|isbn=978-1-85306-703-7|pages=252–253|via=Google Books}}</ref> |}

==51 - 63 OTUs== [[File:20 OTU Memorial.jpg|thumb|250px|RAF 20 Operational Training Unit memorial, located at Bogs of Mayne (former RAF Elgin), Morayshire, Scotland.]] {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |- ! Name !! Formed on !! Formed at !! Group !! RLG's used !! Aircraft !! Disbanded on !! Notes |- | No. 51 Operational Training Unit RAF || 26 July 1941 || RAF Debden || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 52 Operational Training Unit RAF || 25 March 1941 || RAF Debden || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF || 18 February 1941 || RAF Heston || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 54 Operational Training Unit RAF || 25 November 1940 || RAF Church Fenton || No. 12 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 November 1940 || RAF Aston Down || No. 10 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF || 18 December 1944 || RAF Aston Down || No. 12 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 56 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 November 1940 || RAF Sutton Bridge || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || Previously No. 6 OTU.<ref name=AFSB/><ref name=CRB/> Became No. 1 Combat Training Wing RAF, then No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 56 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 December 1944 || RAF Milfield || No. 12 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 November 1940 || RAF Hawarden || No. 10 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 58 Operational Training Unit RAF || 2 December 1940 || RAF Grangemouth || No. 10 Group RAF || || || || Became No. 2 Combat Training Wing RAF, then No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 58 Operational Training Unit RAF || 12 March 1945 || RAF Poulton || No. 12 Group RAF || || || || Disbanded<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF || 16 December 1940 || RAF Turnhouse || No. 13 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF || 26 February 1945 || RAF Acklington || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 60 Operational Training Unit RAF || 28 April 1941 || RAF Leconfield || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || In November 1942, it was renumbered 132 OTU. No. 60 OTU was re-formed in May 1943.<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 60 Operational Training Unit RAF || 17 May 1943 || RAF High Ercall || No. 9 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 61 Operational Training Unit RAF || 9 June 1941 || RAF Heston || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || Became No. 203 Advanced Flying School RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 62 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 June 1942 || RAF Usworth || No. 81 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 63 Operational Training Unit RAF || 7 September 1943 || RAF Honiley || No. 9 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |}

==70 - 86 OTUs==

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |- ! Name !! Formed on !! Formed at !! Group !! RLG's used !! Aircraft !! Disbanded on !! Notes |- | No. 70 (Middle East) Operational Training Unit RAF || 10 December 1940 || RAF Ismailia || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 71 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 June 1941 || RAF Ismailia || No. 202 Group RAF || || || || From June to September 1941 it provided night defence of the Canal Zone (Suez Canal)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kingsburytimetravellers.org.uk/ww2/ww2-families/kenneth-noel-hebditch-1919-1942/|title=Kenneth Noel Hebditch : 1919–1942 – Kingsbury Time Travellers}}</ref> |- | No. 72 Operational Training Unit RAF || 10 November 1941 || RAF Cathargo || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 73 Operational Training Unit RAF || 30 November 1941 || RAF Sheikh Othman || No. 207 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 74 Operational Training Unit RAF || 18 October 1941 || RAF Aqir || No. 203 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 75 Operational Training Unit RAF || 8 December 1942 || RAF Gianaclis || No. 203 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 October 1943 || RAF Aqir || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 77 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 April 1944 || RAF Qastina || No. 203 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 78 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 February 1944 || RAF Ein Shemer || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 79 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 February 1944 || RAF Nicosia || n/a || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 80 (French) Operational Training Unit RAF || 23 April 1945 || RAF Morpeth || No. 12 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 81 Operational Training Unit RAF || 10 July 1942 || RAF Ashbourne || No. 93 Group RAF || || || || Became No. 1380 (Transport) Conversion Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 82 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 June 1943 || RAF Ossington || No. 93 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 83 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 August 1943 || RAF Childs Ercall || No. 93 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 84 Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 September 1943 || RAF Desborough || No. 92 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 85 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 June 1944 || RAF Husbands Bosworth || No. 92 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |- | No. 86 Operational Training Unit RAF || 15 June 1944 || RAF Gamston || No. 93 Group RAF || || || || <ref name=ab/> |}

==101 - 152 OTUs==

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |- ! Name !! Formed on !! Formed at !! Group !! RLG's used !! Aircraft !! Disbanded on !! Notes |- | No. 101 (Glider) Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 January 1942 || RAF Kidlington || No. 70 Group RAF || RAF Kiddington (Glympton) RAF Slade Farm || General Aircraft Hotspur || 13 July 1942 || Became No. 4 Glider Training School RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 102 (Glider) Operational Training Unit RAF || 10 February 1942 || RAF Kidlington || No. 70 Group RAF || RAF Kiddington (Glympton) RAF Slade Farm || Hawker Hector Hawker Hind Hotspur || 30 June 1942 || Became No. 5 Glider Training School RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 104 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF || 12 March 1943 || RAF Nutts Corner || No. 44 Group RAF || RAF Toome RAF Maghaberry RAF Mullaghmore || Vickers Wellington || 5 February 1944 ||<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF || 5 April 1943 || RAF Bramcote || No. 44 Group RAF || RAF Nuneaton RAF Bitteswell RAF Crosby-on-Eden || Wellington Douglas Dakota || 10 August 1945 || Became No. 1381 (Transport) Conversion Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 107 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF || 3 May 1944 || RAF Leicester East || No. 46 Group RAF || RAF Ringway RAF Melton Mowbray RAF Zeals || Dakota Airspeed Horsa Airspeed Oxford Waco Hadrian || 12 March 1945 || Became No. 1333 (Transport Support) Conversion Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 108 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF || 10 October 1944 || RAF Wymeswold || No. 44 Group RAF || RAF Castle Donington || Dakota Oxford Horsa || 10 August 1945 || Became No. 1382 (Transport) Conversion Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 109 (Transport) Operational Training Unit RAF || 1 August 1944 || RAF Crosby-on-Eden || No. 44 Group RAF || RAF Down Ampney RAF Blakehill Farm || Dakota Oxford Horsa || 10 August 1945 || Became No. 1383 (Transport) Conversion Unit RAF<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 111 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 20 August 1942 || RAF Oakes Field || No. 17 Group RAF || Windsor Field RAF Lossiemouth RAF Milltown || North American B-25 Mitchell Consolidated B-24 Liberator Wellington || 21 May 1946 ||<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 131 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 20 July 1942 || RAF Killadeas || No. 15 Group RAF || RAF Lough Erne RAF Boa Island || Consolidated Catalina Short Sunderland Oxford Miles Martinet Hawker Hurricane || 28 June 1945 ||<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 132 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF || 24 November 1942 || RAF East Fortune || No. 17 Group RAF || RAF Macmerry || Bristol Blenheim Bristol Beaufighter Oxford Bristol Beaufort Westland Lysander de Havilland Mosquito || 15 May 1946 ||<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 151 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit RAF || 28 July 1942 || RAF Risalpur || No. 227 Group RAF || RAF Ambala || Curtiss Mohawk North American Harvard Hurricane Vultee Vengeance || 1 April 1946 || Absorbed into Advanced Flying School (India)<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 152 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit RAF || 22 October 1942 || RAF Peshawar || No. 227 Group RAF || || Harvard Vengeance || 12 March 1944 || Disbanded into No. 151 (F) OTU<ref name=ab/> |- | No. 1 Operational Training Unit, India || 1 April 1942 || RAF Risalpur || No. 1 (Indian) Group RAF || || Mohawk Harvard Hurricane || 28 July 1942 || Became No. 151 (F) OTU<ref name=ab/> |}

==See also== {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break}} '''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 *List of Royal Air Force schools *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 {{Col-break}} '''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 *Volunteer Gliding Squadron *United Kingdom military aircraft serial numbers *United Kingdom aircraft test serials *British military aircraft designation systems {{col-end}}

==Notes== {{Commons category|Operational Training Units of the Royal Air Force}} {{Reflist}}

==References== *{{Cite book|last=Lake|first=Alan|year=1999|title=Flying Units of the RAF – the ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912|publisher=Airlife Publishing|location=|isbn=1-84037-086-6}} *{{Cite book|last=Sturtivant|first=Ray|year=2007|title=RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912|publisher=Air-Britain|location= |isbn=0-85130 365 X}}

Category:Operational training units of the Royal Air Force Operational Training Units