Оперативные и учебные авиационные подразделения Королевских ВВС

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Conversion units and operational conversion units (OCUs) were training units of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

With the introduction of new heavy bombers, the four engined Short Stirling, Avro Lancaster, and Handley Page Halifax, the Royal Air Force introduced heavy conversion units (HCU). These HCUs began forming in late 1941, to qualify crews trained on medium bombers to operate the heavy bombers before final posting to the operational squadrons. Some of the HCUs were involved in bombing operations over Germany. After the end of the Second World War, the role of the HCUs was taken over by the operational conversion units (OCUs). Although the units had nominal bases, different flights and individual aircraft usually were detached nearer the operational bases. RAF OCUs are training units that prepare aircrew for operations on a particular type or types of aircraft or roles. Some OCUs have a shadow, or reserve, squadron designation, which is used if the unit has a war role.

Unit Dates Aircraft Base Notes226 OCU Aug 46–Aug 49Sep 49–Jun 55Jun 63–Sep 74Oct 74–Sep 91Oxford I, Beaufighter XHornet F.1Mosquito III/TT.35Tiger Moth IIVampire F.1/FB.5/T.11Meteor F.3/F.4/T.7/F.8/FR.9Tempest IIMartinet ISpitfire XIV/XVI/XVIII/XIX/F.22Javelin T.3Lightning F.1/F.1A/F.3/T.4/T.5Jaguar GR.1/T.2RAF MolesworthRAF BentwatersRAF DriffieldRAF StradishallRAF Middleton St. GeorgeRAF ColtishallRAF LossiemouthFormed 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 RAF and the Fighter Command Instrument Rating Squadron RAF. Disbanded at Coltishall. Immediately re formed at Lossiemouth by re designating the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit RAF. Disbanded at Lossiemouth to become 16 (Reserve) Sqn227 OCU227 (AOP) CUMay 47–Dec 47Dec 47–May 50 Tiger Moth IIOxford IAuster VAuster VIAuster T.7Auster A.2/45Harvard IIB RAF AndoverRAF Middle WallopFormed by re designation of No. 43 OTUBecame the Air Observation Post School RAF.228 OCUMay 47–Sep 61May 65–Dec 66Aug 68–Jul 92Martinet IMaster IIOxford ITiger Moth IIBrigand B.1/T.4/T.5Tempest VBuckmaster T.1Wellington XVIIIMosquito III/VI/NF.30/TT.35/NF.36Balliol T.2Valetta C.1/T.3/T.4Prentice T.1Vampire T.11Meteor F.4/T.7/NF.11/NF.12/NF.14Anson XIXChipmunk T.10Javelin T.3/FAW.5/FAW.7/FAW.9Canberra T.4/T.11Phantom FGR.2Jet Provost T.4 RAF LeemingRAF LeucharsRAF Coningsby Formed by merging No. 13 OTU and No. 54 OTUBecame 64 (R) Sqn229 OCUDec 50–Sep 74Nov 84–Jul 92Vampire FB.5/T.11Meteor T.7/F.8/TT.8Hunter F.1/F.4/F.6/T.7/FGA.9/FR.10Tempest VBeaufighter XOxford I/IIMosquito III/TT.35Martinet IAnson T.21/T.22Sabre F.2/F.4Chipmunk T.10Jet Provost T.3ATornado F.2(T)/F.3 RAF LeucharsRAF ChivenorRAF BrawdyRAF Coningsby Formed from 'B' and 'D' Flights of 226 OCU. Reformed 1957 at ChivenorDisbanded 2 September 1974 at Chivenor when relocated to Brawdy to become the Tactical Weapons Unit RAFReformed at Coningsby in 1984 and designated 65 (Shadow) Squadron from 31 December 1986Became 56 (R) Sqn.230 OCUMar 47–Oct 52Aug 53–Feb 55May 56–Aug 81Lancaster I/IIILincoln B.2Mosquito III/B.35/NF.36Tiger MothAnson XIXVulcan B.1/B.2Hastings T.5Canberra T.4 RAF LindholmeRAF ScamptonRAF UpwoodRAF WaddingtonRAF FinningleyRAF Scampton Formed by re designting No. 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit RAFDisbanded 15 October 1952 to become the Reserve Training Squadron RAFBecame the Lincoln Conversion Flight RAF at Upwood 1 February 1955.231 OCUMar 47–Dec 49Dec 51–Dec 90May 1991–Apr 93Lancaster I/IIIAnson XII/XIX/T.22Mosquito III/VI/XVI/PR.34/PR.34A/B.35Chipmunk T.10Meteor T.7/PR.10Canberra B.2/PR.3/T.4 RAF ConingsbyRAF WaddingtonRAF BassingbournRAF CottesmoreRAF MarhamRAF Wyton Formed by re designating No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAFre formed at Bassingbourn by re designation of 237 OCUDisbanded at Wyton, 15 December 1990, to become the Canberra Standardisation and Training FlightRe formed at Wyton 13 May 1990 from the Canberra Standardisation and Training Flight232 OCUFeb 55–Jun 65Feb 70–Apr 86 Valiant B.1Victor B.1/B.1A/B.2/SR.2/K.2Canberra T.4 RAF GaydonRAF Marham At Gaydon, 30 June 1965, the Victor element became the Tanker Training Flight RAFRe formed at Marham 6 February 1970 by amalgamating the Victor (B.2) Training Flight RAF and the Victor Training Unit RAF.233 OCUSep 52–Sep 57Oct 70–Sep 92Vampire FB.5/FB.9/T.11Balliol T.2Meteor T.7/F.8Oxford ITiger Moth IIMosquito III/PR.34A/TT.35Tempest VChipmunk T.10Hunter F.1Harrier GR.1/GR.1A/GR.3/GR.3A/T.2/T.4/T.4A/GR.5 RAF PembreyRAF Wittering Became 20 (R) Sqn235 OCUJul 47–Oct 53Sunderland VShort Seaford RAF Calshot Became the Flying Boat Training Squadron RAF236 OCUJul 47–Sep 56Jul 70–Sep 92Lancaster IIIOxford I/IIBeaufighter XShackleton GR.1/MR.1ANeptune MR.1Martinet ITiger Moth IISpitfire XVIVampire FB.5Anson XI/XIXMosquito TT.35Brigand T.5Buckmaster T.1Nimrod MR1 & MR2 RAF KinlossRAF St Mawgan Formed by re designating No. 6 OTU237 OCUJul 47–Dec 51Oct 56–Jan 58Mar 71–Oct 91Oxford IMosquito III/PR.34/PR.34ASpitfire XVI/XIXHarvard IIBMeteor T.7/PR.10Canberra PR.3/T.4Hunter F.6/T.7/T.7A/T.7B/T.8CBuccaneer S.2A/S.2B RAF BensonRAF BassingbournRAF WytonRAF HoningtonRAF Lossiemouth Formed by re designating No. 8 OTUBecame 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 OCU1 Jun 52–Mar 58Buckmaster T.1Brigand T.4/T.5Mosquito TT.35Balliol T.2Meteor NF.12/NF.14Valetta C.1/T.3 RAF ColerneRAF North Luffenham Formed by re designating the Airborne Interception School RAF240 OCUJan 48–Apr 51Dec 71–Oct 93Anson I/X/XII/XIXDakota IVHastings MET.1Valetta C.1Wessex HC.2Puma HC.1Chinook HC.1 RAF North LuffenhamRAF Odiham Formed by merging 1333 (TS)CU with 1382 (T)CU241 OCUJan 48–Apr 51Jul 70–Oct 93York C.1Halifax IXHastings C.1Valetta C.1Tiger Moth IIAnson XI/XIIBrittania C.1/C.2Andover C.1Belfast C.1VC10 C.1Tristar C.1BAe 146 RAF DishforthRAF Brize Norton Formed by re designating No. 1332 Heavy Transport Conversion Unit RAFBecame No. 55 (Reserve) Squadron RAF242 OCUApr 51–Jul 92Valetta C.1Hastings C.1/MET.1/C.1ABeverley C.1Argosy C.1Andover C.1Hercules C.1/C.1K/C.1P/C.3Tiger Moth IIAnson XIIChipmunk T.10 RAF DishforthRAF Thorney Island RAF Lyneham Became 57 (R) Sqn1330 CUJun 44–Mar 46 Harvard IIABaltimore IV/VVengeance IVHudson IIIAExpeditor IMarauder II/IIIVentura VHellcat IIBeaufighter XSpitfire VbMustang IVAAnson IDakota I/IIIDouglas DC 2Mosquito III/IVOxford I RAF Bilbeis No. 1 (Middle East) Check and Conversion Unit RAF re designated.1331 CU1331 HTCUSep 44–Jan 46Dec 46–Jan 48 Harvard IIBVengeance IA/II/IVBeaufighter VI/XSpitfire VIIIMustang IVMosquito IIIOxford IBlenheim VThunderbolt I/IIHurricane IICWellington XVILiberator III/VI RAF MauripurRAF RisalpurRAF SyerstonFormed by re designating Check and Conversion Flight RAF.1332 (T)HCU1332 HTCUSep 44–May 47May 47–Jan 48Liberator III/V /VI/VII/IXYork C.1Stirling IIIHalifax VII/IXSkymaster C.1Oxford I RAF LongtownRAF Dishforth Became 241 OCU.1333 (TS)CU1333 TSCUMar 45–Jul 46Jul 46–Jan 48Dakota III/IVHorsa I/IIHalifax VII/IXOxford IIMiles MagisterTiger MothProctor IVAuster III RAF Leicester EastRAF North LuffenhamFormed by re designating No. 107 OTUMerged with 1382 (T)CU to become 240 OCU.1334 (TS)CUApr 45–Mar 45Dakota III/IV RAF GujratRAF Baroda 1335 (M)CUMar 45–Aug 46Meteor F.1/F.3Oxford IIMartinet I RAF ColerneRAF Molesworth Became 226 OCU1336 (TS)CU1336 TCUJun 45–Mar 46Dakota III RAF Welford 1380 (TS)CU1380 TCUAug 45–Jan 46Wellington XAnson IProctor II RAF Tilstock Formed by re designating No. 81 OTU1381 (T)CUAug 45–Feb 48Dakota III/IVVickers Wellington Mk. XMiles MagisterTiger Moth IIOxford I RAF BramcoteRAF Dishforth Formed by re designating No. 105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit at Bramcote.1382 (T)CUAug 45–Jan 48Oxford IMiles MagisterDakota III/IV RAF WymeswoldRAF North Luffenham Formed by re designating No. 108 OTUMerged with 1330 (TS)CU to form 240 OCU.1383 (T)CUAug 45–Aug 46Dakota IIIOxford IIHalifax VII RAF Crosby on Eden Formed by re designating No. 109 OTU1384 (HT)CUNov 45–Jun 46Dakota IOxford IYork C.1 RAF OssingtonRAF Wethersfield Formed by re designating No. 6 Lancaster Finishing School RAF1385 (HTS)CUApr 46–Jun 46Stirling VHalifax VIIHorsa IIOxford I RAF Wethersfield Absorbed by 1333 (TS)CU1584 (HB)CUNov 43–Feb 44Liberator III RAF KolarRAF Salbani Formed by re designating No. 1584 (Heavy Bomber Conversion) Flight RAF. Became 1673 HCU.1651 CU1651 HCUJan 42–July 44May 44–Mar 45Mar 45–Jul 45Stirling I/IIILancaster I/IIIOxford ISpitfire VbTiger Moth IIBeaufighter XHalifax II RAF WaterbeachRAF Wratting CommonRAF 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 No. 15 Squadron Conversion Flight RAF and No. 24 Squadron Conversion Flight RAF.1652 CU1652 HCUJan 42–Jun 45Halifax I/II/III/VSpitfire VbHurricane IICSpitfire VbHurricane IIC/IV RAF Marston MoorRAF 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 No. 35 Squadron Conversion Flight RAF1653 CU1653 HCUJan 42–Oct 42Nov 43–Nov 46Liberator IIStirling I/IIILancaster I/IIIBlenheim IVVentura IMosquito XIXHurricane IICSpitfire VbBeaufighter VI RAF PolebrookRAF BurnRAF ChedburghRAF LindholmeRAF North Luffenham Formed by re designating No. 108 Conversion Flight RAFBecame No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF in March 1947.1654 CU1654 HCUMay 42–Jul 42Jul 42–Sep 45Manchester ILancaster IHalifax II/VStirling IIIOxford IHurricane IICSpitfire Vb RAF SwinderbyRAF Wigsley During 1942 it flew 12 operational sorties with a loss of two aircraft.1655 MCUAug 42–May 43Mosquito III/IV/XVI/B.20/B.25Blenheim IVOxford I RAF Horsham St. FaithRAF Upper HeyfordRAF MarhamBecame No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit RAF at RAF FinmereEventually absorbed by No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF 1656 HCUOct 42–Nov 45Lancaster I/IIIHalifax II/VManchester ISpitfire IIa/VbHurricane IICTiger Moth II RAF Lindholme Formed by merging 103 and 460 Squadron Conversion Fights.1657 HCUOct 42–Dec 44Stirling I/III/IVLancaster I/IITomahawk IIBOxford IIHurricane IIC RAF Stradishall Formed by merging 7, 101 and 149 Squadron Conversion Fights.1658 HCUOct 42–Apr 45Halifax I/II/IIIOxford IIHurricane IIC RAF Riccall Formed by merging 10, 76 and 78 Squadron Conversion Fights.1659 HCUOct 42–Mar 43Mar 43–Sep 45Halifax I/II/IIILancaster I/IIIOxford IISpitfire IIa/VbHurricane IICTiger Moth RAF LeemingRAF Topcliffe Formed by merging 405 and 408 Squadron Conversion Fights. Trained Canadian aircrew.1660 HCUOct 42–Nov 46Lancaster I/II/IIIHalifax IIManchester IMosquito XIXStirling I/IIIOxford ISpitfire VcHurricane IICLysander Ide Havilland Puss Moth RAF Swinderby Formed by merging 61, 97, 106 and 7 Squadron Conversion Fights. Absorbed by No. 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit.1661 HCUNov 42–Aug 45Lancaster I/IIHalifax II/VManchester IMosquito XIIIStirling IIIOxford IISpitfire VbHurricane IIC RAF Winthorpe Formed by merging 9, 44 and 49 Squadron Conversion Fights. Short Stirlings replaced the planned re equipment with Handley Page Halifaxs.1662 HCUJan 43–Apr 45Lancaster I/IIHalifax I/II/III/VOxford IISpitfire VbHurricane IICTiger Moth II RAF Blyton 1663 HCUMar 43–May 45Halifax I/II/III/VStirling IOxford IISpitfire VbHurricane IIC RAF Rufforth 1664 HCU1664 (RCAF)HCUMay 43–Apr 44Apr 44–Apr 45Lancaster I/IIIHalifax II/III/VOxford IISpitfire VbHurricane IIC RAF CroftRAF Dishforth The unit had the Canadian name Caribou.1665 HCU1665 (HT)CUApr 43–Jun 43Jun 43–Jan 44Jan 44–Aug 45Aug 45–Jul 46Halifax III/V/VI/VIIStirling I/III/IVOxford IISpitfire IIa/VbHurricane XTiger Moth IIMosquito VILancaster I RAF MepalRAF Woolfox LodgeRAF TilstockRAF SaltbyRAF Marston MoorRAF Linton on Ouse Re designated as No. 1665 (HT)CU on 10 August 19451666 HCU1666 (RCAF)HCUJun 43–Oct 43Oct 43–Aug 45Halifax II/III/VLancaster I/II/IIIOxford IISpitfire IIa/VbHurricane IIC RAF DaltonRAF Wombleton The unit had the Canadian name Mohawk.1667 HCUJun 43–Oct 43Oct 43–Feb 44Feb 44–Nov 45Halifax II/VOxford IISpitfire VbHurricane IICTiger Moth IILancaster I/III RAF LindholmeRAF FaldingworthRAF Sandtoft 1668 HCUAug 43–Nov 43Jul 44–Mar 46Lancaster I/II/III/XMosquito XIXSpitfire VbHurricane IICBeaufighter VI RAF BaldertonRAF Bottesford Disbanded November 1943, re formed July 1944.1669 HCUAug 44–Mar 45Handley Page HalifaxLancaster I/IIISpitfire VbHurricane IIC RAF Langar 1670 (T)CUJun 44–Jan 45ThunderboltHarvard IIB RAF Yelahanka Became No. 8 Refresher Flying Unit RAF1671 CUFeb 44–Jun 44Beaufighter VI RAF Baigachi Formed from AI Mk VIII Conversion Flight RAF1672 (M)CUFeb 44–Aug 45Blenheim VMosquito IIIOxford I RAF Yelahanka 1673 HCUFeb 44–Apr 44Apr 44–Nov 44Liberator IIITiger Moth IIAnson I RAF SalbaniRAF Kolar Formed by re designating No. 1584 (Heavy Bomber) Conversion Unit RAF.1674 HCUOct 43–Nov 45Liberator III/V/VI/VIIIHalifax IIFortress I/II/IIAWellington XIIIOxford I/IIHurricane IICMartinet I RAF Aldergrovevarious bases in Northern IrelandRAF Lossiemouth 1675 HCUOct 43–Aug 44Aug 44–Oct 45Liberator IIHarvard IIAHurricane IIBArgus II RAF LyddaRAF Abu Sueir Formed by re designating No. 5 Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit RAF, Lydda1678 HCUSep 43–Jun 44Lancaster II RAF FoulshamRAF Waterbeach1679 HCFMay 43–Jan 44Lancaster II RAF East MoorRAF WombletonMerged into No. 1666 HCU1699 (BS)CU1699 HCUOct 44–Jun 45Fortress II/IIILiberator VILancastrian II RAF OultonRAF Full Sutton Became the Lancastrian Flight of No. 231 Squadron RAFAll Weather OCU?–?Anson T.21Vampire T.11Meteor T.7/F.8/NF.12/NF.14 nomadic Argosy CUNov 61–Apr 63Argosy C.1 RAF Benson Became the Argosy Flight of 242 OCUBelvedere CUAug 64–Aug 68Belvedere HC.1 RAF Odiham Absorbed by the Short Range Conversion Unit RAFShort Range CUAug 64–Jul 67Twin Pioneer CC.2Wessex HC.2Auster AOP.9 RAF Odiham Became the Helicopter Operational Conversion Flight RAFJaguar OCUJun 74–Sep 74Jaguar GR.1/T.2 RAF Lossiemouth Formed from Jaguar Conversion Team RAF. Became 226 OCU5 Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit?–?Liberator RAF Lydda, RCAF Boundary Bay and RCAF Abbotsford] Became No. 1675 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF. In April 1944 RCAF Boundary Bay No. 5 Operational Training Unit (for Heavy Conversion) established when 17 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 87Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit, SalbaniSep 42–Jul 43Liberator III RAF Salbani Became No. 1584 (Heavy Bomber) Conversion Unit RAF – see above. Heavy Glider Conversion UnitJul 42–Oct 44Whitley VAlbemarle I/GT. I/ST. II/ST. VHorsa I/IIOxford I/IITiger Moth IIMiles Magister RAF ShrewtonRAF Brize Norton Became No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF21 HGCUOct 44–Dec 47Whitley VAlbemarle GT. VIHorsa I/IIOxford ITiger Moth IMiles MagisterHotspur II/IIIHadrian IStirling IVHalifax III/VIIMaster II RAF Brize NortonRAF North Luffenham Formed by re designation of the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF22 HGCUOct 44–Dec 47Albemarle GT. I/ST. II/ST. V/GT. VIHorsa I/IIOxford IHadrian I RAF KeevilRAF Blakehill Farm Formed by re designation of an element of the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF23 HGCUOct 44–Dec 45Albemarle GT. I/ST. V/ST. VIHorsa I/IIOxford IHadrian IProctor IIIRAF PeplowFormed by elements of No. 83 Operation Training Unit the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF