List of Royal Air Force units & establishments

(Redirected from No. 1490 (Target Towing) Flight RAF)

There have been many units with various tasks in the Royal Air Force (RAF), and they are listed here. A unit is an administrative term for a body, which can be larger or smaller than a flight or squadron, is given a specific mission, but does not warrant the status of being formed as a formal flight or squadron.

Aircraft training units

Argosy Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Benson (1961-63) became 'Argosy Flight' of No. 242 Operational Conversion Unit RAF
Belvedere Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1964-66)
Belvedere Trials Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1960-61) became No. 66 Squadron RAF
Canberra Trials and Tactical Evaluation Unit at RAF Akrotiri (1966-68)
Halifax Training Unit RAF part of No. 1332 (Transport) Heavy Conversion Unit RAF (-1946)
Harrier Conversion Team RAF (1969-70) became Harrier Conversion Unit RAF, part of No. 233 Operational Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Wittering (1987-90)
Jaguar Conversion Team RAF at RAF Lossiemouth (1973-74) became Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit RAF
Jet Provost Trials Unit at RAF Tengah, Singapore
Tornado F.3 Operational Evaluation Unit RAF at RAF Coningsby (1987-??)
Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Honington/RAF Lossiemouth (1982-92) became No. 15 Squadron RAF
Twin Pioneer Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1963-64) became Short Range Conversion Unit RAF
Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit
Victor (B.2) Trials Unit RAF at RAF Cottesmore (1961-62) became 'C' Flight of No. 232 Operational Conversion Unit RAF
Warwick Training Unit RAF at RAF Docking (1943) became Air Sea Rescue Training Unit RAF
Washington Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Marham (1950-53)
Wessex Intensive Flying Trials Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1963-64) became No. 18 Squadron RAF

Aircraft units

Main article: List of Royal Air Force ferry units

Overseas aircraft despatch

Overseas aircraft preparation

No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 2 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 3 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF & No. 4 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF.

Aircraft preparation

No. 1 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 2 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 3 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 4 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 5 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 6 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 7 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 11 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 12 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF & No. 13 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF.

Other

Airfields


airfield HQ	formed on	formed at	disbanded on	disbanded at	became	notes
121					No. 121 Wing RAF
122					No. 122 Wing RAF
123					No. 123 Wing RAF
124					No. 124 Wing RAF
125					No. 125 Wing RAF
126					No. 126 Wing RAF
127					No. 127 Wing RAF
128					No. 128 Wing RAF
129					No. 129 Wing RAF
130					No. 130 Wing RAF
131					No. 131 Wing RAF
132					No. 132 Wing RAF
133					No. 133 Wing RAF
134					No. 134 Wing RAF
135					No. 135 Wing RAF
136					No. 136 Wing RAF
137					No. 137 Wing RAF
138					No. 138 Wing RAF
139					No. 139 Wing RAF
140					No. 140 Wing RAF
141					No. 141 Wing RAF
142					No. 142 Wing RAF
143					No. 143 Wing RAF
144					No. 144 Wing RAF
145					No. 145 Wing RAF
146					No. 146 Wing RAF
147					No. 147 Wing RAF
148					No. 148 Wing RAF
149					No. 149 Wing RAF
150					No. 150 Wing RAF

Advanced flying units

Observers

1 (1942-45)
2 (1942-45)
3 (1942-45)
4 (1943-45)
6 (1943-44)
7 (1944-45) became No. 7 Air Navigation School RAF
8 (1943-45)
9 (1942-45)
10 (1942-45) became No. 10 Air Navigation School RAF.

Pilots

2 (1942)
3 (1942-45) became No. 3 Service Flying Training School RAF
5 (1942-45, 1945-46)
6 (1942-45) became No. 6 Service Flying Training School RAF
7 (1942-44) became No. 7 Service Flying Training School RAF
9 (1942-45)
11 (1942-45)
12 (1942-45)
14 (1942-44)
15 (1942-45)
17 (1942-44)
18 (1942-45)
19 (1942-44)
20 (1943-45)
21 (1943-47) became No. 1 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit RAF and No. 2 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit RAF

Anti-aircraft units

Main article: List of Anti-Aircraft units of the Royal Air Force

Armament practice and training units

To hone aircrew weapons skills armament practice camps and stations have been used and these are listed here.

Armament practice camp


unit	previous name	formed at	formed	aircraft	disbanded	disbanded at	history
No. 1 Armament Practice Camp	No. 15 Group Armament Practice Camp	RAF Aldergrove	5 November 1941	Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Master Miles Martinet de Havilland Dominie I	1 September 1945	RAF Aldergrove
No. 2 Armament Practice Camp	No. 16 Group Armament Practice Camp	RAF Thorney Island	5 November 1941	Westland Lysander III/IIIA Miles Martinet	1 September 1945	RAF Bradwell Bay	Absorbed by the Armament Practice Station, Spilsby.
No. 3 Armament Practice Camp	No. 18 Group Armament Practice Camp	RAF Leuchars	5 November 1941	Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Martinet	1 September 1945	RAF Leuchars
No. 4 Armament Practice Camp	No. 19 Group Armament Practice Camp	RAF Carew Cheriton	5 November 1941	Westland Lysander IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Master II Miles Martinet I	1 September 1945	RAF Talbenny

No. 11 Armament Practice Camp
No. 12 Armament Practice Camp
No. 13 Armament Practice Camp
No. 14 Armament Practice Camp
No. 15 Armament Practice Camp
No. 16 Armament Practice Camp
No. 17 Armament Practice Camp
No. 18 Armament Practice Camp
No. 20 Armament Practice Camp
No. 21 Armament Practice Camp
No. 22 Armament Practice Camp
No. 23 Armament Practice Camp
No. 24 Armament Practice Camp
No. 25 Armament Practice Camp
No. 26 Armament Practice Camp
No. 27 Armament Practice Camp
Armament Practice Camp, Butterworth
Armament Practice Camp (Middle East Air Force)
Armament Practice Camp, Sylt
Fighter Command Missile Armament Practice Camp
No. 15 Group Armament Practice Camp
No. 16 Group Armament Practice Camp
No. 18 Group Armament Practice Camp
No. 19 Group Armament Practice Camp
Middle East Air Force Armament Practice Camp

Armament practice station

Armament training camp

Armament training station

Bases


Base	Formed On	Formed At	Disbanded On	Disbanded At	Became	Notes
11					71 Base
12					Disbanded
13					Disbanded
14					Disbanded
15					Disbanded
31					73 Base
32					Disbanded
33					Disbanded
41					74 Base
42					Disbanded
43					Disbanded
44					Disbanded
51					75 Base
52					15 Base
53					Disbanded
54					Disbanded
55					Disbanded
56					Disbanded
61 (RCAF)					76 Base
62 (RCAF) (Beaver)					RCAF Control
63 (RCAF)					Disbanded
64 (RCAF)					RCAF Control
71					Disbanded
72					Disbanded
73					Disbanded
74					Disbanded
75					Disbanded
76 (RCAF)					Disbanded

Beach units

Further information: Beach groups

Beam approach beacon system

Main article: List of Beam approach beacon system units

Command level units

Bomber Command Development Unit RAF (1954-68) became Strike Command Development Unit RAF
Bomber Command Experimental Unit RAF (-1942) became Bombing Trials Unit RAF
Coastal Command Development Unit RAF (1940-45) became Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit RAF
Coastal Command Fighter Affiliation Training Unit RAF (1945-46)
Coastal Command Fighter Circus RAF (1944-45) became Coastal Command Fighter Affiliation Training Unit RAF
Fighter Command Trials Unit RAF (1966-67)
Home Command Examining Unit RAF (1951-59)
Transport Command Aircrew Examining Unit RAF (1945-46) became Transport Command Examining Unit RAF
Transport Command Development Unit RAF (1945-50) became Air Transport Development Flight RAF
Transport Command Examining Unit RAF (1946-64) became Transport Command Examining Staff RAF

Communications

Main article: List of Royal Air Force Communication units

Conversion units

Main article: List of Royal Air Force Conversion Units

The RAF have now granted all OCUs Reserve squadron status.

Operational conversion units (OCU)

Numbered operational conversion units (OCU)

226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 240, 241 & 242.

Numbered conversion units

Other conversion units

Establishments

Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (1924-1992) became Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment
Aeroplane Experimental Establishment (Home) (1920-24) became Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
Aeroplane Experimental Station (1917-20) became Aeroplane Experimental Establishment (Home)
Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment (1992-96) became Test and Evaluation Centre
Air Fighting Development Establishment (1934-40) became Air Fighting Development Unit
Air Warfare Centre (1993-)
Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment (1942-50)
Central Fighter Establishment (1944-66)
Central Photographic Establishment (1946-50)
Central Servicing Development Establishment (1950-)
Central Signals Establishment (1946-65)
Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE)
Chemical Defence Establishment
Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment
Chemical Warfare Experimental Station (CWES)
Fighter Experimental Establishment (1941) became Telecommunications Flying Unit
Home Aircraft Depot (1926-39) became RAF Henlow
Inland Area Aircraft Depot (1920-26) became Home Aircraft Depot
Instrument Design Establishment (1919-20) became Instrument Design Establishment (Home)
Instrument Design Establishment (Home) (1920-22)
Joint Warfare Establishment (1963-)
Long-Range Weapons Establishment (1944-45) became Coastal Command Anti U-Boat Devices School RAF
Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (1924-58)
Microbiological Research Establishment
Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment (PERME Westcott & PERME Waltham Abbey)
Radio Warfare Establishment (1945-46) became Central Signals Establishment
Rocket Propulsion Establishment
Royal Air Force (Cadet) College (1919-20) became Royal Air Force College
Royal Air Force Base, Calshot (1922-35) became RAF Calshot
Royal Air Force Base, Gosport (1921-35) became RAF Station, Gosport Training Squadron
Royal Air Force Station, Gosport Training Squadron (1935-??)
Royal Air Force Base, Leuchars (1920-25) became Royal Air Force Training Base Leuchars
Royal Air Force College (1920-39, 1946-)
RAF College of Air Warfare (1962-74)
Royal Air Force Flying College (1949-62) became RAF College of Air Warfare
Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine (1950-)
Royal Air Force Seaplane Establishment (1919) became School of Naval Co-operation
Royal Air Force Technical College (1947-65)
Royal Air Force Training Base, Leuchars (1925-35) became No. 1 Flying Training School RAF
Royal Aircraft Establishment (1918-88) became Royal Aerospace Establishment
Royal Aircraft Factory
Strike Command Air to Air Missile Establishment (1968-??)
Telecommunications Research Establishment
Test and Evaluation Establishment (1992-)
Testing Squadron (1916-17) became Aeroplane Experimental Station
Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (1981-)
Visual Inter-Service Training and Research Establishment (1946-52?)
War Department Experimental Ground
Winter Research Establishment (1945-??) became Winterisation Experimental Establishment
Winterisation Experimental Establishment (??-1949)
Wireless Experimental Establishment (1917-18) became Wireless Telegraphy Establishment

Ferry units

Further information: List of Royal Air Force Ferry units

Ferry units

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16.
1 (Long-Range) & 3 (Long-Range).
1 (Overseas).
2 (Home) & 4 (Home).

Ferry crew pools

1, 2 & 3.

Ferry pilots pools

1, 2, 3, 7 (Service), 9 (Service).

Ferry pools

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8 (Service).

Ferry training units

301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 & 313.
308 Ferry Training and Test Flying Unit.
309 Ferry Training and Aircraft Despatch Unit.
313 Ferry Training and Conversion Unit.

Other ferry units

Foreign air arms

Burmese Volunteer Air Force (1940-42) became Communication Flight, Dum-Dum
Central Flying School (Southern Rhodesia) (1944-45)
Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (1949-51) became Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force (Air Component) (1939-41)
Kenya Auxiliary Air Unit (1939-??)
Kenya Pool (1941) became Pilot and Aircrew Pool
Norwegian Training Base (1945)

Polish Fighting Team ("Skalski's Circus"), attached to 145 Squadron (1943)
Polish Training Unit (1940) became No. 18 (Polish) Operational Training Unit RAF
Straits Settlements Volunteer Air force (1936-40) became Malayan Volunteer Air Force (1940-??)
WAAF (Polish) Holding Unit
Yugoslav Holding Unit (1944-45)

In Rhodesia, the Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces, active 1935-39, became the Rhodesian Air Unit, and then the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (1939-40). The SRAF was absorbed into the RAF proper in April 1940 and re-designated No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF. Later the Rhodesian Air Training Group RAF was created.

Maintenance units

Main article: List of Royal Air Force Maintenance units

Operational Training Units (OTU)

Main article: List of Royal Air Force Operational Training Units

OTUs were created during World War II to take the pressure off operational squadrons, which previously would have had training Flights. Post war, they became OCUs.

Coastal

1 (Coastal), 2 (Coastal), 3 (Coastal), 4 (Coastal), 8 (Coastal), 9 (Coastal), 111 (Coastal), 131 (Coastal) & 132 (Coastal).

Normal

5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 & 86.

Other

Other units

Numbered other units

'Q' Unit RAF (1920)
'Z' Unit, British Somaliland RAF (1919-20)
No. 1 Air Sea Rescue Unit (North Africa) RAF (1943) became No. 1 Air Sea Rescue Flight (North Africa) RAF
No. 1 British Airways Repair Unit (Middle East) RAF (1943-44) became No. 168 Maintenance Unit RAF
No. 2 British Airways Repair Unit (Middle East) RAF (1943-44)
No. 1 Camouflage Unit RAF (1939-44)
No. 2 Camouflage Unit RAF (1939-40) became Photographic Development Unit RAF
No. 1 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF (1957-61)
No. 2 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF (1957-61)
No. 3 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF (1957-61)
No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit RAF (1937-41 & 1942-43)
No. 1 Engine Consumption Unit RAF (1942) became No. 1 Engine Control Demonstration Unit RAF
No. 1 Engine Control Demonstration Unit RAF (1942-45)
No. 1 Fighter Support Training Unit RAF (1946)
No. 3 Fighter Support Training Unit RAF (1945-46) became No. 1 Fighter Support Training Unit RAF
No. 1 General Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1939-44)
No. 2 General Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1940)
No. 3 General Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1940)
No. 1 Grading Unit (Airwork) RAF (1952-53)
No. 2 Grading Unit (Airwork) RAF (1952-53)
No. 1 Practice Flying Unit RAF (1940)
No. 1 Royal Air Force Film Production Unit RAF (1944-47) became Film Production Unit Library RAF
No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF (1944)
No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF (1943-44)
No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF (1944) became No. 55 OTU
No. 4 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF (1944) became No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF
No. 1 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF (1978-92)
No. 2 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF (1978-81 & 1981-92) became No. 7 FTS
No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit RAF (1943-44 & 1945-47)
No. 2 Torpedo Training Unit RAF (1942-43)
No. 2 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF (1942-44) became No. 2 Ferry Unit RAF
No. 3 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF (1943-44) became No. 3 Ferry Unit RAF
No. 4 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF (1943-44) became No. 4 Ferry Unit RAF
No. 2 Group Support Unit RAF (1944-45) became No. 2 Group Disbandment Centre RAF
No. 83 Group Support Unit RAF (1944-45) became No. 83 Group Disbandment Centre RAF
No. 84 Group Support Unit RAF (1944-45) became No. 84 Group Disbandment Centre RAF
No. 88 Group Support Unit RAF (1945)
No. 11 (Landplane) Preparation and Modification Unit RAF (1945-46)
No. 12 (Flying Boat) Preparation and Modification Unit RAF (RAF Calshot) (1945-46)
No. 201 Crew Training Unit RAF (1947) became No. 201 Advanced Flying School RAF
No. 202 Crew Training Unit RAF (1947) became No. 202 Advanced Flying School RAF
No. 204 Crew Training Unit RAF (1947) became No. 204 Advanced Flying School RAF
2nd Tactical Air Force Air Sea Rescue Unit RAF (1955-61)
2nd Tactical Air Force Development Unit RAF (1953) became No. 1323 (Canberra) Flight RAF
2nd Tactical Air Force Support Unit RAF (1954)

Other units

Advanced Flying Training Unit RAF (1943-45) became Tactical and Weapon Development Unit RAF
Advanced Flying Unit RAF, Sétif (1943-44)
Air Combat Development Unit (Middle East) RAF (????)
Air Defence Co-operation Unit RAF (1942) became No. 26 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
Air Defence Unit RAF, Tanganyika (1939)
Air Fighting Development Unit RAF (1940-44) became Air Fighting Development Squadron RAF
Air Fighting Training Unit RAF (1943-44)
Air Gunnery Training Unit RAF (1943-44)
Air Ministry Servicing Development Unit RAF (1947-50) became Central Servicing Development Establishment RAF
Air Movements Development Unit RAF (1958-65) became Air Transport Development Unit RAF
Air Photographic Development Unit RAF (1947-50)
Air Transport Development Centre (India) RAF (1944-??) became RAF Element, Air Transport Development Centre]]
Air Transport Development Unit RAF (1965-67) became Joint Air Transport Establishment
Air Transport Tactical Development Unit RAF (1944-45) became Transport Command Development Unit RAF
Air Sea Rescue Training Unit RAF (1943-44)
Air/Sea Warfare Development Unit (ACSEA) RAF (1944-45)
Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit RAF (1945-70)
Airborne Forces Research Centre RAF
Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit RAF (1943-44) became Air Transport Tactical Development Unit RAF
Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF (1941-42) became No. 1 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF
Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit RAF (1943-58)
Aircrew Testing and Grading Unit RAF (1945) became Transport Command Aircrew Examining Unit RAF
Airwork Grading Unit RAF (1952) became No.1 and No. 2 Grading Units (Airwork)
Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF (1936-37) became No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit RAF (1946-55) became Armament and Instrument Experimental Establishment
Armament Experimental Station RAF (1917-20)
Army Co-operation Development Unit RAF (????)
Beam Approach Development Unit RAF (1942-43) became 'A' Flight, Signals Development Unit RAF
Blind Approach Training and Development Unit RAF (1939-40) became Wireless Intelligence Development Unit RAF
Blind Landing Experimental Unit (1945-49) became Bomb Ballistic and Blind Landing Experimental Unit RAF
Bomb Ballistic and Blind Landing Experimental Unit RAF (1949-50) became Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit RAF
Bomb Ballistic Unit RAF (1944-49) became Bomb Ballistic and Blind Landing Experimental Unit RAF
Bomber Development Unit RAF (1940-41)
Bomber Support Development Unit RAF (1944-45) became Radio Warfare Establishment RAF
Bombing Development Unit RAF (1942-45)
Bombing Trials Unit RAF (1942-55)
British Airways Repair Unit (Middle East) (1942-43) became No. 1 British Airways Reapir Unit (Middle East) RAF
Central Interpretation Unit
Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF (1952-57)
Coast Defence Development Unit RAF (-1935) became Coastal Defence Development Unit RAF
Electronic Warfare and Avionics Unit RAF (1976-93) became Electronic Warfare Operational Support Establishment RAF
Enemy Aircraft Storage and Servicing Unit RAF (1945-46)
Engine Consumption Unit RAF (1942) became No. 1 Engine Consumption Unit RAF
Experimental Air Ambulance Service RAF (1925-26)
Experimental Co-operation Unit RAF (1938)
Far East Tactical Development Unit RAF (1943-45)
Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit
Fighter Armament Trials Unit RAF (1946-56)
Fighter Interception Development Unit RAF (1944)
Fighter Interception Unit (1940-44) became Fighter Interception Development Unit RAF
Fleet Requirements Unit RAF (1938-39)
Floatplane Training Unit RAF (1939) became Floatplane Training Squadron RAF
Flying Boat Practice Camp RAF (1932)
GEE (TR1335) Training Unit RAF (1941-42) became No. 1418 GEE (TR1335) Trials Flight RAF
Glider Exercise Unit RAF (1941) became Glider Exercise Squadron RAF
Glider Pilot Exercise Unit RAF (1942-43) became Operational and Refresher Training Unit RAF
Glider Training Unit RAF (1942)
Gransden Lodge Navigation Training Unit RAF (1943) became Navigation Training Unit RAF
Gremlin Task Force – Japanese aircraft and crew transport operations (1945-46)
Ground Attack Training Unit RAF (1945) became Tactical and Weapon Development Unit RAF
Gunnery Research Unit RAF (1940-45)
Instant Readiness Reserve Unit RAF (1979-81) became Lightning Augmentation Flight RAF
Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit
Joint Air Transport Evaluation Unit
Joint Concealment Centre (Royal Air Force Component) RAF (1952-58)
Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit RAF (1955-60) became No. 225 Squadron RAF
Joint Forward Air Controller Training and Standards Unit
Jungle Target Research Unit RAF (1944-45)
Long-Range Development Unit RAF (1938)
Loran Training Unit RAF (1944-45) became Coastal Command Anti U-Boat Devices School RAF
Majunga Detachment Support Unit RAF (-1971) became No. 204 Squadron RAF
Marine Aircraft Experimental Unit RAF (1920-24) became Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment RAF
Merchant Ship Fighter Unit (1941-43)
Middle East Advanced Crew Training Unit RAF (1942-??)
Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit
Missing Research and Enquiry Service (1944–1949)
Mobile Catering Support Unit RAF
Navigation Training Unit RAF (1943-46)
Night Ground Attack Trials Unit RAF (1952-??)
Operational and Refresher Training Unit RAF (1943-46) became No. 1385 (Heavy Transport Support) Conversion Unit RAF
Overseas Experimental Unit RAF (1960-66)
Parachute Test Unit RAF (1950-55)
Photographic Development Unit RAF (1940) became Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit RAF (1943-47) became Air Photographic Development Unit RAF
Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1940) became No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
Pilot Refresher Training Unit RAF (1942) became Refresher Flying Training School RAF
Pilotless Aircraft Unit RAF (1940-46)
Radar Research Flying Unit RAF (1955-77) became Radar Research Squadron RAF
Radio Engineering Unit RAF (1950-??)
Research and Development Unit RAF (1943-46)
Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – 'The Red Arrows' (1965-)
Royal Air Force Element, Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia (1943-46)
Royal Air Force Element, Helicopter Development Unit (1961-65) became Short-Range Transport Development Unit RAF
Royal Air Force Film Production Unit (1941-44) became No. 1 Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
Royal Air Force Film Unit (1944-??)
Search and Rescue Training Unit
Special Duties (Radio) Development Unit RAF (1944) became Bomber Support Development Unit RAF
Special Installation Unit RAF (1942-46)
Staff Pilot Training Unit RAF (1942 & 1943-45)
Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit (SAOEU) (1987-)
Strike Command Development Unit RAF (1968)
Survival and Rescue Training Unit (1945-49)
Tactical and Weapon Development Unit (India) RAF (1945)
Tactical Weapons Unit RAF (1974-78) became No. 1 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF
Target Towing Section, Shallufa RAF (1953-54)
Telecommunications Flying Unit RAF (1941-55) became Radar Research Flying Unit RAF
Torpedo Development Section RAF (-1939)
Torpedo Development Unit RAF (1939-43) became Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit RAF
Torpedo Training Unit RAF (1936-43) became No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit RAF
Transport Support Practice Camp (BAFO) RAF (1948)
Transport Support Practice Camp RAF (1947-48)
Transport Support Training Unit RAF (1944-45) became No. 1334 (Transport Support) Conversion Unit RAF
Tropical Experimental Unit RAF (1947-60) became Overseas Experimental Unit RAF
Wireless Development Unit RAF (1939) became Station Flight, Perth
Wireless Intelligence Development Unit RAF (1940) became No. 109 Squadron RAF
Wireless Testing Park (1916-17) became Wireless Experimental Establishment

Pools

No. 1 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF (1942) became Middle East Advanced Crew Training Unit RAF
No. 2 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF (1942)
No. 1 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 12 OTU
No. 2 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 13 OTU
No. 3 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 15 OTU
No. 4 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 10 OTU
No. 5 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 16 OTU
No. 11 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 6 OTU
No. 12 Group Pool RAF (1939-40) became No. 5 OTU
Pupil Pilots Pool RAF (1943-47)
No. 1 Pupil Pilots Pool RAF (1941-43)
No. 2 Pupil Pilots Pool RAF (1941-43)
No. 3 Pupil Pilots Pool RAF (1941-43) became Pupil Pilots Pool RAF
Aircrew Transit Pool RAF (1943-44) became No. 3 Refresher Flying Unit RAF
Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF (1941-42) became No. 1 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF
Pilots Reinforcement and Reserve Pool RAF (1940) became Reinforcement and Reserve Pool RAF
Pool of Pilots, Joyce Green RAF (1919)
Pool of Pilots, Manston RAF (1918) became Pool of Pilots, Joyce Green RAF
Pilot Training Unit and Reinforcement Pool RAF (1939-40)
Reinforcement and Reserve Pool RAF (1940) became Training Unit and Reserve Pool RAF
Training Unit and Reserve Pool RAF (1940) became No. 70 OTU

Photographic reconnaissance

No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1940-42 & 1982-92)
No. 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1941-43) became No. 680 Squadron RAF
No. 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (India) (1942-43) became No. 681 Squadron RAF
No. 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1940-41 & 1941-42) became 3 PRU RAF (India)
No. 4 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1941-43) became No. 682 Squadron RAF
No. 5 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1942) became 3 PRU RAF (India)

Refresher flying units

1 (Pilots) & 2 (Pilots)
1, Planned but cancelled, 2, Planned but cancelled, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9.

Sectors


sector	formed on	formed at	disbanded on	disbanded at	became
11 (Northern)	April 1963	RAF Leconfield	April 1968	RAF Boulmer	Sector South
12 (East Anglia)	April 1963	RAF Horsham St Faith	April 1968	Neatishead	Sector North
13 (Scotland)	April 1963	RAF Boulmer	March 1965	RAF Boulmer	Disbanded into 11 Sector
15	May 1944	RAF Ford	July 1944	Martragny	Disbanded
17 (Fighter)	May 1944	RAF Kenley	July 1944	Crepon	Disbanded
18 (Fighter)	May 1944	RAF Chailey	July 1944	RAF Chailey	Disbanded
19 (Fighter)	May 1944	RAF Appledram	July 1944	RAF Appledram	Disbanded
20 (Fighter)	May 1944	RAF Thorney Island	July 1944	RAF Thorney Island	Disbanded
21 (Base Defence)	May 1944	RAF Sopley Park	July 1944	RAF Ibsley	Disbanded
22 (Fighter)	May 1944	RAF Hurn	July 1944	Le Fresnoy	Disbanded
24 (Base Defence)	May 1944	RAF Wartling	March 1945	St Denis Westrem	Disbanded into 85 Group Unit
25 (Base Defence)	May 1944	RAF Hornchurch	March 1945	Everburg	Disbanded into 85 Group Operations Room
North	April 1968	RAF Neatishead	January 1992	RAF Neatishead	Disbanded
South	April 1968	RAF Boulmer	January 1992	RAF Boulmer	Disbanded
Caledonian Sector HQ RAF	October 1951	RAF Barnton Quarry	November 1957	RAF Barnton Quarry	Disbanded
Eastern Sector HQ RAF	July 1946	RAF Horsham St Faith	July 1958	RAF Coltishall	Disbanded
Essex Sector HQ RAF	October 1945	RAF North Weald	June 1946	RAF North Weald	Metropolitan Sector HQ
Fighter Sector Z RAF	September 1943	Amriya	October 1943	Amriya	No. 335 Wing
Fighter Sector HQ Digby RAF	July 1945	RAF Blankney	November 1945	RAF Blankney	Lincolnshire Sector HQ
Fighter Sector HQ Exeter RAF	January 1945	RAF Exeter	November 1945	RAF Exeter	Western Sector HQ
Lincolnshire Sector HQ RAF	November 1945	RAF Blankney	July 1946	RAF Blankney	Eastern Sector HQ
Metropolitan Sector HQ RAF	May 1946	RAF North Weald	November 1957	RAF North Weald	Disbanded
Norfolk Sector HQ RAF	August 1945	RAF Horsham St Faith	July 1946	RAF Horsham St Faith	Eastern Sector HQ
Northern Sector HQ RAF	December 1950	RAF Linton-On-Ouse	November 1957	RAF Church Fenton	Disbanded
Scottish Sector HQ RAF	November 1949	RAF Turnhouse	October 1951	RAF Leuchars	Station Flight, Caledonian Sector
Southern Sector HQ RAF	January 1946	RAF Nether Wallop	November 1957	RAF Rudloe Manor	Disbanded
South Eastern Sector HQ RAF	November 1945	RAF Biggin Hill	June 1946	RAF North Weald	Metropolitan Sector
Western Sector HQ RAF	November 1945	RAF Exeter	July 1946	RAF Exeter	Southern Sector HQ
Yorkshire Sector HQ RAF	November 1945	RAF Church Fenton	December 1950	RAF Patrington	Northern Sector HQ

Signals units

Main article: List of communications units and formations of the Royal Air Force

1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 26, 33, 50, 54, 59, 71, 81, 90 & 91.
101, 112, 117, 123, 144 & 146.
235, 244, 264, 271, 276 & 280.
303, 336, 367, 388 & 399.
405, 409, 425, 432, 444, 469 & 487.
500, 585 & 591.
615 & 646.
719, 721, 724 & 751.
815, 840 & 889.
926, 962, 966 & 993.
1001.
Signals Development Unit RAF
Signals Flying Unit RAF

Training wings

No. 1 Combat Training Wing RAF (1943-44) became No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF

No. 2 Combat Training Wing RAF (1943) became No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF

References

Citations

^ Lake 1999, p. 31.
^ Lake 1999, p. 36.
^ Lake 1999, p. 42.
Lake 1999, p. 53.
^ Lake 1999, p. 128.
^ Lake 1999, p. 133.
^ Lake 1999, p. 282.
^ Lake 1999, p. 289.
^ Lake 1999, p. 290.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 53.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 54.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 55.
^ Lake 1999, p. 141.
^ Lake 1999, p. 142.
^ Lake 1999, p. 156.
^ Lake 1999, p. 157.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 78.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 79.
^ Lake 1999, p. 39.
^ Lake 1999, p. 40.
Lake 1999, p. 49.
^ Lake 1999, p. 50.
^ Lake 1999, p. 71.
Lake 1999, p. 130.
^ Lake 1999, p. 288.
"RAF - Operational Conversion Units". Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
^ Lake 1999, p. 13.
^ Lake 1999, p. 26.
^ Lake 1999, p. 15.
^ Lake 1999, p. 25.
Lake 1999, p. 44.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 90.
^ Lake 1999, p. 47.
^ "Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Health and Safety | Porton Down Volunteers | Porton Down - A Brief History". Archived from the original on 8 December 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 192.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 194.
^ Lake 1999, p. 132.
Lake 1999, p. 182.
^ Lake 1999, p. 135.
Lake 1999, p. 136.
^ Lake 1999, p. 161.
^ Lake 1999, p. 174.
^ Lake 1999, p. 175.
Lake 1999, p. 176.
Lake 1999, p. 181.
^ Lake 1999, p. 177.
^ Lake 1999, p. 278.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 308.
^ Lake 1999, p. 291.
^ Lake 1999, p. 292.
^ Lake 1999, p. 41.
^ Lake 1999, p. 173.
^ Lake 1999, p. 131.
^ Lake 1999, p. 134.
^ Lake 1999, p. 158.
Lake 1999, p. 136, 278.
^ Lake 1999, p. 293.
^ Lake 1999, p. 23.
^ Lake 1999, p. 48.
^ Lake 1999, p. 65.
^ Lake 1999, p. 72.
^ Lake 1999, p. 109.
^ Lake 1999, p. 118.
^ Lake 1999, p. 280.
Lake 1999, p. 283.
^ Lake 1999, p. 119.
Lake 1999, p. 124.
^ Lake 1999, p. 125.
^ Lake 1999, p. 102.
^ Lake 1999, p. 56.
^ Lake 1999, p. 279.
^ Lake 1999, p. 11.
^ Lake 1999, p. 14.
Lake 1999, p. 16.
Lake 1999, p. 17.
^ Lake 1999, p. 19.
Lake 1999, p. 22.
^ Lake 1999, p. 27.
Lake 1999, p. 28.
Lake 1999, p. 34.
Lake 1999, p. 37.
^ Lake 1999, p. 38.
Lake 1999, p. 58.
^ Lake 1999, p. 66.
Lake 1999, p. 70.
Lake 1999, p. 101.
^ Lake 1999, p. 110.
Lake 1999, p. 111.
^ Lake 1999, p. 140.
"Flight 6 December 1945 p612". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
Lake 1999, p. 127.
Lake 1999, p. 238.
^ Lake 1999, p. 137.
Lake 1999, p. 138.
Hadaway, Stuart (January 2021). "Identification methods of the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service, 1944-52". Forensic Science International. 318. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science: 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110487. ISSN 0379-0738. OCLC 643724208.
Lake 1999, p. 154.
^ Lake 1999, p. 155.
Lake 1999, p. 159.
Lake 1999, p. 186.
Lake 1999, p. 187.
Lake 1999, p. 188.
Lake 1999, p. 277.
^ Lake 1999, p. 281.
^ Lake 1999, p. 139.
^ Lake 1999, p. 120.
Lake 1999, p. 121.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 270.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 271.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 86.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 104.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 113.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 120.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 201.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 309.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 223.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 228.
^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 273.
Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 339.
^ Lake 1999, p. 51.

Bibliography

Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, C.G. (2001) . RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
Lake, Alan (1999). Flying Units of the RAF. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.

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