Some aircraft types which are operated by a single squadron, which includes most transport aircraft, and most ISTAR aircraft, are not big enough to need a dedicated OCU Squadron for their training requirements - they may only have a couple of students at any time. Therefore, smaller squadrons also incorporate training facilities to allow them to process aircrew onto their aircraft type. Some roles, such as ISTAR, require more rear crew for the aircraft, like Weapons System Officer (WSO)s and Weapon Systems Operator (WSOp) - their training can be more generalised, and this is carried out by 54(R) Squadron at RAF Waddington. This reduces the training requirement on the individual ISTAR squadrons, by providing aircrew who require only aircraft conversion training when they reach their squadron. Pilots are trained directly onto their aircraft type by the frontline squadrons using training 'Flights'. An example of this is the OCU flight of 24 Squadron, which trains new Hercules aircrew onto the aircraft.
Unit |
Dates |
Aircraft |
Base |
Notes |
226 OCU |
Aug 46–Aug 49
Sep 49–Jun 55
Jun 63–Sep 74
Oct 74–Sep 91 |
Oxford I, Beaufighter X
Hornet F.1
Mosquito III/TT.35
Tiger Moth II
Vampire F.1/FB.5/T.11
Meteor F.3/F.4/T.7/F.8/FR.9
Tempest II
Martinet I
Spitfire XIV/XVI/XVIII/XIX/F.22
Javelin T.3
Lightning F.1/F.1A/F.3/T.4/T.5
Jaguar GR.1/T.2 |
RAF Molesworth
RAF Bentwaters
RAF Driffield
RAF Stradishall
RAF Middleton St. George
RAF Coltishall
RAF Lossiemouth |
Formed at Molesworth by re-designating 1335 (Meteor) CU. Disbanded at Driffield to become 203 AFS. Re-formed at Stradishall by renaming 203 AFS. Re-formed at Middleton St. George by merging the Lightning Conversion Squadron and the Fighter Command Instrument Rating Squadron. Disbanded at Coltishall. Immediately re-formed at Lossiemouth by re-designating the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit.
Disbanded at Lossiemouth to become 16 (Reserve) Sqn |
227 OCU
227 (AOP) CU |
May 47–Dec 47
Dec 47–May 50 |
Tiger Moth II
Oxford I
Auster V
Auster VI
Auster T.7
Auster A.2/45
Harvard IIB |
RAF Andover
RAF Middle Wallop |
Formed by re-designation of No. 43 OTU
Became the Air Observation Post School. |
228 OCU |
May 47–Sep 61
May 65–Dec 66
Aug 68–Jul 92 |
Martinet I
Master II
Oxford I
Tiger Moth II
Brigand B.1/T.4/T.5
Tempest V
Buckmaster T.1
Wellington XVIII
Mosquito III/VI/NF.30/TT.35/NF.36
Balliol T.2
Valetta C.1/T.3/T.4
Prentice T.1
Vampire T.11
Meteor F.4/T.7/NF.11/NF.12/NF.14
Anson XIX
Chipmunk T.10
Javelin T.3/FAW.5/FAW.7/FAW.9
Canberra T.4/T.11
Phantom FGR.2
Jet Provost T.4 |
RAF Leeming
RAF Leuchars
RAF Coningsby |
Formed by merging No. 13 OTU and No. 54 OTU
Became 64 (R) Sqn |
229 OCU |
Dec 50–Sep 74
Nov 84–Jul 92 |
Vampire FB.5/T.11
Meteor T.7/F.8/TT.8
Hunter F.1/F.4/F.6/T.7/FGA.9/FR.10
Tempest V
Beaufighter X
Oxford I/II
Mosquito III/TT.35
Martinet I
Anson T.21/T.22
Sabre F.2/F.4
Chipmunk T.10
Jet Provost T.3A
Tornado F.2(T)/F.3 |
RAF Leuchars
RAF Chivenor
RAF Brawdy
RAF Coningsby |
Formed from 'B' and 'D' Flights of 226 OCU.
Reformed 1957 at Chivenor, still there late 1962. Relocated to RAF Brawdy mid 1960s
Disbanded 2 September 1974 at Brawdy to become the Tactical Weapons Unit
Designated 65 (Shadow) Squadron from 31 December 1986
Became 56 (R) Sqn. |
230 OCU |
Mar 47–Oct 52
Aug 53–Feb 55
May 56–Aug 81 |
Lancaster I/III
Lincoln B.2
Mosquito III/B.35/NF.36
Tiger Moth
Anson XIX
Vulcan B.1/B.2
Hastings T.5
Canberra T.4 |
RAF Lindholme
RAF Scampton
RAF Upwood
RAF Waddington
RAF Finningley
RAF Scampton |
Formed by re-designting 1653 HCU
Disbanded 15 October 1952 to become the Reserve Training Squadron
Became the Lincoln Conversion Flight at Upwood 1 February 1955. |
231 OCU |
Mar 47–Dec 49
Dec 51–Dec 90
May 1991–Apr 93 |
Lancaster I/III
Anson XII/XIX/T.22
Mosquito III/VI/XVI/PR.34/PR.34A/B.35
Chipmunk T.10
Meteor T.7/PR.10
Canberra B.2/PR.3/T.4 |
RAF Coningsby
RAF Waddington
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Marham
RAF Wyton |
Formed by re-designating No. 16 OTU
re-formed at Bassingbourn by re-designation of 237 OCU
Disbanded at Wyton, 15 December 1990, to become the Canberra Standardisation and Training Flight
Re-formed at Wyton 13 May 1990 from the Canberra Standardisation and Training Flight |
232 OCU |
Feb 55–Jun 65
Feb 70–Apr 86 |
Valiant B.1
Victor B.1/B(PR).1/B.1A/B.2/BK.2
Canberra T.4 |
RAF Gaydon
RAF Marham |
At Gaydon, 30 June 1965, the Victor element became the Tanker Training Flight
Re-formed at Marham 6 February 1970 by amalgamating the Victor (B.2) Training Flight and the Victor Training Unit |
233 OCU |
Sep 52–Sep 57
Oct 70–Sep 92 |
Vampire FB.5/FB.9/T.11
Balliol T.2
Meteor T.7/F.8
Oxford I
Tiger Moth II
Mosquito III/PR.34A/TT.35
Tempest V
Chipmunk T.10
Hunter F.1
Harrier GR.1/GR.1A/GR.3/GR.3A/T.2/T.4/T.4A/GR.5 |
RAF Pembrey[1]
RAF Wittering |
Became 20 (R) Sqn |
235 OCU |
Jul 47–Oct 53 |
Sunderland V
Short Seaford |
RAF Calshot |
Became the Flying Boat Training Squadron |
236 OCU |
Jul 47–Sep 56
Jul 70–Sep 92 |
Lancaster III
Oxford I/II
Beaufighter X
Shackleton GR.1/MR.1A
Neptune MR.1
Martinet I
Tiger Moth II
Spitfire XVI
Vampire FB.5
Anson XI/XIX
Mosquito TT.35
Brigand T.5
Buckmaster T.1
Nimrod MR1 & MR2 |
RAF Kinloss
RAF St Mawgan |
Formed by re-designating No. 6 OTU |
237 OCU |
Jul 47–Dec 51
Oct 56–Jan 58
Mar 71–Oct 91 |
Oxford I
Mosquito III/PR.34/PR.34A
Spitfire XVI/XIX
Harvard IIB
Meteor T.7/PR.10
Canberra PR.3/T.4
Hunter F.6/T.7/T.7A/T.7B/T.8C
Buccaneer S.2A/S.2B |
RAF Benson
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Wyton
RAF Honington
RAF Lossiemouth |
Formed by re-designating No. 8 OTU
Became 231 OCU at Bassingbourn.
Re-formed at Wyton, 1956, by re-designating 'C' Squadron of 231 OCU.
Re-absorbed by 231 OCU January 1958. |
238 OCU |
1 Jun 52–Mar 58 |
Buckmaster T.1
Brigand T.4/T.5
Mosquito TT.35
Balliol T.2
Meteor NF.12/NF.14
Valetta C.1/T.3 |
RAF Colerne
RAF North Luffenham |
Formed by re-designating the Airborne Interception School |
240 OCU |
Jan 48–Apr 51
Dec 71–Oct 93 |
Anson I/X/XII/XIX
Dakota IV
Hastings MET.1
Valetta C.1
Wessex HC.2
Puma HC.1
ChinookHC.1 |
RAF North Luffenham
RAF Odiham |
Formed by merging 1333 (TS)CU with 1382 (T)CU |
241 OCU |
Jan 48–Apr 51
Jul 70–Oct 93 |
York C.1
Halifax IX
Hastings C.1
Valetta C.1
Tiger Moth II
Anson XI/XII
Brittania C.1/C.2
Andover C.1
Belfast C.1
VC10 C.1
Tristar C.1
BAe 146 |
RAF Dishforth
RAF Brize Norton |
Formed by re-designating 1332 HTCU.
Became No. 55 (Reserve) Squadron RAF |
242 OCU |
Apr 51–Jul 92 |
Valetta C.1
Hastings C.1/MET.1/C.1A
Beverley C.1
Argosy C.1
Andover C.1
Hercules C.1/C.1K/C.1P/C.3
Tiger Moth II
Anson XII
Chipmunk T.10 |
RAF Dishforth
RAF Thorney Island
RAF Lyneham |
Became 57 (R) Sqn |
1330 CU |
Jun 44–Mar 46 |
Harvard IIA
Baltimore IV/V
Vengeance IV
Hudson IIIA
Expeditor I
Marauder II/III
Ventura V
Hellcat II
Beaufighter X
Spitfire Vb
Mustang IVA
Anson I
Dakota I/III
Douglas DC-2
Mosquito III/IV
Oxford I |
RAF Bilbeis |
No. 1 (Middle East) Check and Conversion Unit RAF re-designated. |
1331 CU
1331 HTCU |
Sep 44–Jan 46
Dec 46–Jan 48 |
Harvard IIB
Vengeance IA/II/IV
Beaufighter VI/X
Spitfire VIII
Mustang IV
Mosquito III
Oxford I
Blenheim V
Thunderbolt I/II
Hurricane IIC
Wellington XVI
Liberator III/VI |
RAF Mauripur
RAF Risalpur
RAF Syerston |
Formed by re-designating Check and Conversion Flight. |
1332 (T)HCU
1332 HTCU |
Sep 44–May 47
May 47–Jan 48 |
Liberator III/V /VI/VII/IX
York C.1
Stirling III
Halifax VII/IX
Skymaster C.1
Oxford I |
RAF Longtown
RAF Dishforth |
Became 241 OCU. |
1333 (TS)CU
1333 TSCU |
Mar 45–Jul 46
Jul 46–Jan 48 |
Dakota III/IV
Horsa I/II
Halifax VII/IX
Oxford II
Miles Magister
Tiger Moth
Proctor IV
Auster III |
RAF Leicester East
RAF North Luffenham |
Formed by re-designating No. 107 OTU
Merged with 1382 (T)CU to become 240 OCU. |
1334 (TS)CU |
Apr 45–Mar 45 |
Dakota III/IV |
RAF Gujrat
RAF Baroda |
|
1335 (M)CU |
Mar 45–Aug 46 |
Meteor F.1/F.3
Oxford II
Martinet I |
RAF Colerne
RAF Molesworth |
Became 226 OCU |
1336 (TS)CU
1336 TCU |
Jun 45–Mar 46 |
Dakota III |
RAF Welford |
|
1380 (TS)CU
1380 TCU |
Aug 45–Jan 46 |
Wellington X
Anson I
Proctor II |
RAF Tilstock |
Formed by re-designating No. 81 OTU |
1381 (T)CU |
Aug 45–Feb 48 |
Dakota III/IV
Wellington X
Miles Magister
Tiger Moth II
Oxford I |
RAF Bramcote
RAF Dishforth |
Formed by re-designating No. 105 OTU |
1382 (T)CU |
Aug 45–Jan 48 |
Oxford I
Miles Magister
Dakota III/IV |
RAF Wymeswold
RAF North Luffenham |
Formed by re-designating No. 108 OTU
Merged with 1330 TSCU to form 240 OCU. |
1383 (T)CU |
Aug 45–Aug 46 |
Dakota III
Oxford II
Halifax VII |
RAF Crosby-on-Eden |
Formed by re-designating No. 109 OTU |
1384 (HT)CU |
Nov 45–Jun 46 |
Dakota I
Oxford I
York C.1 |
RAF Ossington
RAF Wethersfield |
Formed by re-designating No. 6 Lancaster Finishing School RAF |
1385 (HTS)CU |
Apr 46–Jun 46 |
Stirling V
Halifax VII
Horsa II
Oxford I |
RAF Wethersfield |
Absorbed by 1333 TSCU |
1584 (HB)CU |
Nov 43–Feb 44 |
Liberator III |
RAF Kolar
RAF Salbani |
Formed by re-designating No. 1584 (Heavy Bomber Conversion) Flight RAF.
Became 1673 HCU. |
1651 CU
1651 HCU |
Jan 42–May 44
May 44–Mar 45
Mar 45–Jul 45 |
Stirling I/III
Lancaster I/III
Oxford I
Spitfire Vb
Tiger Moth II
Beaufighter X
Halifax II |
RAF Waterbeach
RAF Wratting Common
RAF Woolfox Lodge |
During 1942 it flew 49 operational sorties for RAF Bomber Command with a loss of five aircraft.
Formed by merging No. 26 Conversion Flight RAF and No. 106 Conversion Flight RAF.
Absorbed 15 Squadron Conversion Flight and 24 Squadron Conversion Flight. |
1652 CU
1652 HCU |
Jan 42–Jun 45 |
Halifax I/II/III/V
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC/IV |
RAF Marston Moor
RAF Bentwaters |
During 1942 it flew 42 operational sorties for RAF Bomber Command with a loss of three aircraft.
Formed by merging No. 28 Conversion Flight RAF and No. 109 Conversion Flight RAF.
Absorbed 35 Squadron Conversion Flight |
1653 CU
1653 HCU |
Jan 42–Oct 42
Nov 43–Nov 46 |
Liberator II
Stirling I/III
Lancaster I/III
Blenheim IV
Ventura I
Mosquito XIX
Hurricane IIC
Spitfire Vb
Beaufighter VI |
RAF Polebrook
RAF Burn
RAF Chedburgh
RAF Lindholme
RAF North Luffenham |
Formed by re-designating No. 108 Conversion Flight RAF
Became No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF in March 1947. |
1654 CU
1654 HCU |
May 42–Jul 42
Jul 42–Sep 45 |
Manchester I
Lancaster I
Halifax II/V
Stirling III
Oxford I
Hurricane IIC
Spitfire Vb |
RAF Swinderby
RAF Wigsley |
During 1942 it flew 12 operational sorties with a loss of two aircraft. |
1655 MCU |
Aug 42–May 43 |
Mosquito III/IV/XVI/B.20/B.25
Blenheim IV
Oxford I |
RAF Horsham St. Faith
RAF Upper Heyford
RAF Marham |
Became Mosquito Training Unit RAF at RAF Marham |
1656 HCU |
Oct 42–Nov 45 |
Lancaster I/III
Halifax II/V
Manchester I
Spitfire IIa/Vb
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Lindholme
Tiger Moth II |
Formed by merging 103 and 460 Squadron Conversion Fights. |
1657 HCU |
Oct 42–Dec 44 |
Stirling I/III/IV
Lancaster I/II
Tomahawk IIB
Oxford II
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Stradishall |
Formed by merging 7, 101 and 149 Squadron Conversion Fights. |
1658 HCU |
Oct 42–Apr 45 |
Halifax I/II/III
Oxford II
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Riccall |
Formed by merging 10, 76 and 78 Squadron Conversion Fights. |
1659 HCU |
Oct 42–Mar 43
Mar 43–Sep 45 |
Halifax I/II/III
Lancaster I/III
Oxford II
Spitfire IIa/Vb
Hurricane IIC
Tiger Moth |
RAF Leeming
RAF Topcliffe |
Formed by merging 405 and 408 Squadron Conversion Fights.
Trained Canadian aircrew. |
1660 HCU |
Oct 42–Nov 46 |
Lancaster I/II/III
Halifax II
Manchester I
Mosquito XIX
Stirling I/III
Oxford I
Spitfire Vc
Hurricane IIC
Lysander I
de Havilland Puss Moth |
RAF Swinderby |
Formed by merging 61, 97, 106 and 7 Squadron Conversion Fights.
Absorbed by No. 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF |
1661 HCU |
Nov 42–Aug 45 |
Lancaster I/II
Halifax II/V
Manchester I
Mosquito XIII
Stirling III
Oxford II
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Winthorpe |
Formed by merging 9, 44 and 49 Squadron Conversion Fights.
Short Stirlings replaced the planned re-equipment with Handley Page Halifaxs.[3] |
1662 HCU |
Jan 43–Apr 45 |
Lancaster I/II
Halifax I/II/III/V
Oxford II
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC
Tiger Moth II |
RAF Blyton |
|
1663 HCU |
Mar 43–May 45 |
Halifax I/II/III/V
Stirling I
Oxford II
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Rufforth |
|
1664 HCU
1664 (RCAF)HCU |
May 43–Apr 44
Apr 44–Apr 45 |
Lancaster I/III
Halifax II/III/V
Oxford II
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Croft
RAF Dishforth |
The unit had the Canadian name Caribou. |
1665 HCU
1665 (HT)CU |
Apr 43–Jun 43
Jun 43–Jan 44
Jan 44–Aug 45
Aug 45–Jul 46 |
Halifax III/V/VI/VII
Stirling I/III/IV
Oxford II
Spitfire IIa/Vb
Hurricane X
Tiger Moth II
Mosquito VI
Lancaster I |
RAF Mepal
RAF Woolfox Lodge
RAF Tilstock
RAF Saltby
RAF Marston Moor
RAF Linton-on-Ouse |
Re-designated as 1665 (HT)CU on 10 August 1945 |
1666 HCU
1666 (RCAF)HCU |
Jun 43–Oct 43
Oct 43–Aug 45 |
Halifax II/III/V
Lancaster I/II/III
Oxford II
Spitfire IIa/Vb
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Dalton
RAF Wombleton |
The unit had the Canadian name Mohawk. |
1667 HCU |
Jun 43–Oct 43
Oct 43–Feb 44
Feb 44–Nov 45 |
Halifax II/V
Oxford II
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC
Tiger Moth II
Lancaster I/III |
RAF Lindholme
RAF Faldingworth
RAF Sandtoft |
|
1668 HCU |
Aug 43–Nov 43
Jul 44–Mar 46 |
Lancaster I/II/III/X
Mosquito XIX
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC
Beaufighter VI |
RAF Balderton
RAF Bottesford |
Disbanded November 1943, re-formed July 1944. |
1669 HCU |
Aug 44–Mar 45 |
Handley Page Halifax
Lancaster I/III
Spitfire Vb
Hurricane IIC |
RAF Langar |
|
1670 (T)CU |
Jun 44–Jan 45 |
Thunderbolt
Harvard IIB |
RAF Yelahanka |
Became 8 Refresher Flying Unit |
1670 CU |
Feb 44–Jun 44 |
Beaufighter VI |
RAF Baigachi |
Formed from AI MkVIII Conversion Flight |
1670 (M)CU |
Feb 44–Aug 45 |
Blenheim V
Mosquito III
Oxford I |
RAF Yelahanka |
|
1673 HCU |
Feb 44–Apr 44
Apr 44–Nov 44 |
Liberator III
Tiger Moth II
Anson I |
RAF Salbani
RAF Kolar |
Formed by re-designating No. 1584 (Heavy Bomber) Conversion Unit RAF. |
1674 HCU |
Oct 43–Nov 45 |
Liberator III/V/VI/VIII
Halifax II
Fortress I/II/IIA
Wellington XIII
Oxford I/II
Hurricane IIC
Martinet I |
RAF Aldergrove
various bases in Northern Ireland
RAF Lossiemouth |
|
1675 HCU |
Oct 43–Aug 44
Aug 44–Oct 45 |
Liberator II
Harvard IIA
Hurricane IIB
Argus II |
RAF Lydda
RAF Abu Sueir |
Formed by re-designating 5 Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit, Lydda |
1678 HCU |
Sep 43–Jun 44 |
Lancaster II |
RAF Foulsham
RAF Waterbeach |
|
1699 (BS)CU
1699 HCU |
Oct 44–Jun 45 |
Fortress II/III
Liberator VI
Lancastrian II |
RAF Oulton
RAF Full Sutton |
Became the Lancastrian Flight of No. 231 Squadron RAF |
All-Weather OCU |
?–? |
Anson T.21
Vampire T.11
Meteor T.7/F.8/NF.12/NF.14 |
nomadic |
|
Argosy CU |
Nov 61–Apr 63 |
Argosy C.1 |
RAF Benson |
Became the Argosy Flight of 242 OCU |
Belvedere CU |
Aug 64–Aug 68 |
Belvedere HC.1 |
RAF Odiham |
Absorbed by the Short-Range Conversion Unit |
Short-Range CU |
Aug 64–Jul 67 |
Twin Pioneer CC.2
Wessex HC.2
Auster AOP.9 |
RAF Odiham |
Became the Helicopter Operational Conversion Flight |
Jaguar OCU |
Jun 74–Sep 74 |
Jaguar GR.1/T.2 |
RAF Lossiemouth |
Formed from Jaguar Conversion Team.
Became 226 OCU |
5 Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit |
?–? |
Liberator |
[[RAF Lydda], RCAF Boundary Bay and RCAF Abbotsford] |
Became 1675 HCU
In April 1944 RCAF Boundary Bay BCATP No. 5 Operational Training Unit (for Heavy Conversion) established when Seventeen B-24 Liberators were scheduled to arrive fresh from American factories that first month. However, only sixteen would actually be delivered. By Sept 30th 1944 RCAF 5 O.T.U. reported B-24 Liberators; Abbotsford 24, Boundary Bay 14, total 38. B-25 Mitchells; Boundary Bay only total 35. Bolingbrokes; Boundary Bay only total 5. P-40 Kittyhawks; Boundary Bay only 8. Norseman; Boundary Bay only 1. Total aircraft on Unit strength 87
|
Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit, Salbani |
Sep 42–Jul 43 |
Liberator III |
RAF Salbani |
Became 1584 HCU |
Heavy Glider Conversion Unit |
Jul 42–Oct 44 |
Whitley V
Albemarle I/GT.I/ST.II/ST.V
Horsa I/II
Oxford I/II
Tiger Moth II
Miles Magister |
RAF Shrewton
RAF Brize Norton |
Became No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF |
21 HGCU |
Oct 44–Dec 47 |
Whitley V
Albemarle GT.VI
Horsa I/II
Oxford I
Tiger Moth I
Miles Magister
Hotspur II/III
Hadrian I
Stirling IV
Halifax III/VII
Master II
|
RAF Brize Norton
RAF North Luffenham |
Formed by re-designation of the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit |
22 HGCU |
Oct 44–Dec 47 |
Albemarle GT.I/ST.II/ST.V/GT.VI
Horsa I/II
Oxford I
Hadrian I |
RAF Keevil
RAF Blakehill Farm |
Formed by re-designation of an element of the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit |
23 HGCU |
Oct 44–Dec 45 |
Albemarle GT.I/ST.V/ST.VI
Horsa I/II
Oxford I
Hadrian I
Proctor III |
RAF Peplow |
Formed by elements of No. 83 OTU the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit |