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.
To hone aircrew weapons skills armament practice camps and stations have been used and these are listed here.
Armament practice camp
unit | previous identity | formed at | formed | aircraft | disbanded | disbanded at | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Aldergrove | 5 November 1941 | Westland Lysander I/III Miles Martinet TT.I | 1 September 1945 | RAF Aldergrove | [14] | |
No. 2 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Thorney Island | 5 November 1941 | Westland Lysander II Miles Martinet TT.I | 1 September 1945 | RAF Bradwell Bay | Absorbed by the Armament Practice Station, Spilsby RAF [14] | |
No. 3 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Leuchars | 5 November 1941 | Westland Lysander II Miles Martinet TT.I | 1 September 1945 | RAF Leuchars | [14] | |
No. 4 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Talbenny | December 1942 | Westland Lysander II Miles Martinet TT.I | 1 September 1945 | RAF Talbenny | [14] | |
No. 11 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1487 Flight RAF No. 1498 Flight RAF | RAF Fairwood Common | 18 October 1943 | Hawker Typhoon Ib Master II Miles Martinet TT.I Supermarine Spitfire IX | 1 July 1945 | RAF Fairwood Common | Combined with No. 18 APC to become No. 1 APS RAF [14] |
No. 12 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1486 Flight RAF | RAF Llanbedr | 18 October 1943 | Martinet II Hawker Hurricane IV | 21 February 1945 | RAF Llanbedr | [14] |
No. 13 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1492 Flight RAF | RAF Weston Zoyland | 18 October 1943 | Martinet II Hurricane IV | 21 February 1945 | RAF Llanbedr | [14] |
No. 14 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1490 Flight RAF | RAF Ayr | 18 October 1943 | Martinet II Master II Typhoon Spitfire | 4 October 1945 | RAF Warmwell | [14] |
No. 15 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1491 Flight RAF | RAF Peterhead | 18 October 1943 | Martinet I & TT.I | 21 February 1945 | RAF Peterhead | [14] |
No. 16 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1489 Flight RAF | RAF Hutton Cranswick | 18 October 1943 | Martinet I & TT.I | 21 February 1945 | RAF Hutton Cranswick | [14] |
No. 17 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1488 Flight RAF | RAF Southend | 18 October 1943 | Martinet I & TT.I Master II Typhoon Ib Spitfire IX | 4 October 1945 | RAF Warmwell | [14] |
No. 18 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1493 Flight RAF | RAF Gravesend | 18 October 1943 | Martinet I & TT.I Hurricane Master Typhoon Spitfire | 1 July 1945 | RAF Fairwood Common | Combined with No. 11 APC to become No. 1 APS RAF [14] |
No. 20 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1571 Flight RAF | RAF Ratmalana | 30 January 1944 | Hurricane IIb Harvard IIb Vultee Vengeance I | 26 September 1945 | RAF Sigiriya | [14] |
No. 21 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1572 Flight RAF | RAF St Thomas Mount | 30 January 1944 | Vengeance II Harvard IIb Vickers Wellington IC | 18 June 1945 | RAF Cholavarum | [14] |
No. 22 Armament Practice Camp | No. 1573 Flight RAF | RAF Amarda Road | 30 January 1944 | Spitfire VIII Harvard IIb Vengeance I | November 1946 | RAF Ranchi | [14] |
No. 23 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Salbani | 10 March 1944 | Harvard IIb Vengeance I | 31 May 1945 | RAF Dhubalia | [14] | |
No. 24 Armament Practice Camp | B.170 Westerland | 15 July 1945 | Martinet TT.I Master II Hawker Tempest V | 17 July 1946 | RAF Sylt | Disbanded into Training Squadron, RAF Sylt [14] | |
No. 25 Armament Practice Camp | B.170 Westerland | 15 July 1945 | Martinet TT.I Master II Tempest V Mosquito VI | 17 July 1946 | RAF Sylt | Disbanded into Training Squadron, RAF Sylt [14] | |
No. 26 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Nicosia | 15 April 1948 | Bristol Beaufighter TT.10 Gloster Meteor T.7 & F.8 de Havilland Vampire T.11 | 19 February 1951 | RAF Nicosia | [14] | |
No. 27 Armament Practice Camp | RAF Butterworth | 1 January 1949 | Harvard IIb Beaufighter TT.10 Meteor TT.8 Vampire FB.9 | 20 September 1954 | RAF Butterworth | [14] | |
Armament Practice Camp, Butterworth | RAF Butterworth | 1 April 1955 | Harvard IIb Meteor T.7 & F.8 Vampire T.11 | 30 April 1956 | RAF Butterworth | [14] | |
Armament Practice Camp (Middle East Air Force) | RAF Nicosia | 31 January 1956 | Meteor T.7 & F.8 Vampire T.11 | 10 January 1957 | RAF Habbaniya | [14] |
Armament practice station
unit | previous identity | formed at | formed | aircraft | disbanded | disbanded at | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armament Practice Station, Acklington RAF | No. 2 APS | RAF Acklington | 1 May 1946 | Martinet TT.I Mosquito T.3, FB.6 & TT.35 Spitfire LF.16e | 27 July 1956 | RAF Acklington | [14] |
Armament Practice Station, Lübeck RAF | RAF Lubeck | 1 May 1946 | Mosquito T.3 & FB.6 Meteor F.3 & F.4 | 30 September 1948 | RAF Lubeck | [15] | |
Armament Practice Station, Spilsby RAF | RAF Spilsby | 1 December 1945 | Martinet TT.I Master II Mosquito VI Spitfire XVI | 1 August 1946 | RAF Spilsby | Disbanded to form part of APS Acklington RAF [15] | |
Armament Practice Station, Sylt RAF as Training Squadron, RAF Sylt | RAF Sylt | 17 July 1946 | Martinet TT.I Tempest TT.5 Mosquito T.3 & TT.35 | 29 February 1948 | RAF Sylt | [15] | |
Armament Practice Station, Sylt RAF as Armament Training Flight | Training Squadron, RAF Sylt | RAF Sylt | 1 June 1949 | Martinet TT.I Mosquito T.3 Vampire FB.5 | April 1957 | RAF Sylt | Reformed [15] |
Armament Practice Station, Sylt RAF | Armament Training Flight | RAF Sylt | April 1957 | Martinet TT.I Mosquito T.3 Vampire FB.5 | 16 October 1961 | RAF Sylt | Renamed [15] |
No. 1 Armament Practice Station RAF | No. 11 APC No. 18 APC | RAF Fairwood Common | 1 July 1945 | Martinet II Master II Tempest V Spitfire XVI | 1 May 1946 | RAF Fairwood Common | [15] |
No. 2 Armament Practice Station RAF | RAF Bradwell Bay | 1 July 1945 | Martinet TT.I Master II Mosquito III | 1 May 1946 | RAF Spilsby | Became APS Acklington RAF [15] | |
No. 3 Armament Practice Station RAF | RAF Hawkinge | 10 August 1945 | Martinet TT.I Master II Spitfire IX | RAF Charterhall | 17 March 1946 | [15] | |
No. 3 Armament Practice Station RAF | RAF Charterhall | 7 November 1946 | Martinet TT.I | RAF Charterhall | 26 March 1947 | Reformed [15] |
Armament training camp
Armament training station
unit | previous identity | formed at | formed | aircraft | disbanded | disbanded at | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 1 ATC | RAF Catfoss | 1 April 1938 | Henley Tiger Moth II | 3 September 1939 | RAF Catfoss | [15] |
No. 1 Armament Training Station (BAFF) RAF | RAF Pembrey | 24 July 1940 | RAF Pembrey | [15] | |||
No. 2 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 2 ATC | RAF Aldergrove | 1 April 1938 | Hind Wallace I & II | 17 April 1939 | RAF Aldergrove | Became No. 3 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 3 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 3 ATC | RAF Sutton Bridge | 1 April 1938 | Gordon Henley | 3 September 1939 | RAF Sutton Bridge | Disbanded into No. 4 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 4 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 4 ATC | RAF West Freugh | 1 April 1938 | Seal Wallace I & II | 17 April 1939 | RAF West Freugh | Became No. 4 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 5 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 5 ATC | RAF Penrhos | 1 April 1938 | Henley Miles Magister I | 18 September 1939 | RAF Jurby | Became No. 5 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 6 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 6 ATC | RAF Woodsford | 1 April 1938 | Seal Henley | 3 September 1939 | RAF Warmwell | Became part of No. 10 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 7 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 7 ATC | RAF Acklington | 1 April 1938 | Seal Henley | 15 November 1938 | RAF Acklington | Became No. 2 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 8 Armament Training Station RAF | No. 8 ATC | RAF Evanton | 1 April 1938 | Henley Gordon | 3 September 1939 | RAF Evanton | Became No. 8 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
No. 9 Armament Training Station RAF | RAF Stormy Down | 1 June 1939 | Henley | 3 September 1939 | RAF Stormy Down | Became No. 7 Air Observers School RAF [15] | |
Temporary Armament Training Station, Leuchars RAF | Temporary ATC, Leuchars | RAF Leuchars | 1 April 1938 | Henley Gordon | 3 September 1939 | RAF Leuchars | Disbanded into No. 8 Air Observers School RAF [15] |
Temporary Armament Training Station, North Coates Fitties RAF | RAF North Coates Fitties | 1 April 1938 | 15 August 1938 | RAF North Coates Fitties | [15] | ||
No. 1 Armament Training Unit RAF as Temporary Armament Training Unit RAF | RAF Peshawar | 10 March 1942 | Hart Harvard | 12 May 1943 | RAF Bairagarh | Became No. 1 AGS RAF [15] |
Base | Formed On | Operated at | Disbanded On | Became | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 1 July 1943 | RAF Lindholme | 5 November 1944 | 71 Base | [16] |
12 | 25 April 1943 | RAF Binbrook | 12 April 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
13 | 1 December 1943 | RAF Elsham Wolds | 15 December 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
14 | 16 December 1943 | RAF Ludford Magna | 25 October 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
15 | 7 October 1944 | RAF Scampton | 20 October 1945 | Disbanded | Previously 52 Base [16] |
31 | 24 April 1943 | RAF Stradishall | 1 November 1944 | 73 Base | [16] |
32 | 1 March 1943 | RAF Mildenhall | 15 November 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
33 | 25 August 1943 | RAF Waterbeach | 1 September 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
41 | 5 March 1943 | RAF Marston Moor | 7 November 1944 | 74 Base | [16] |
42 | 1 March 1943 | RAF Pocklington | 1 September 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
43 | 6 June 1943 | RAF Driffield | 1 September 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
44 | 15 April 1944 | RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor | 1 September 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
51 | 5 March 1943 | RAF Swinderby | 3 November 1944 | 75 Base | [16] |
52 | 10 May 1943 | RAF Scampton | 7 October 1944 | 15 Base | [16] |
53 | 14 November 1943 | RAF Waddington | 15 November 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
54 | 1 January 1944 | RAF Coningsby | 15 November 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
55 | 15 April 1944 | RAF East Kirkby | 15 November 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
56 | 1 October 1944 | RAF Syerston | 25 April 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
61 (RCAF) | 25 March 1943 | RAF Topcliffe | 9 November 1944 | 76 Base | [16] |
62 (RCAF) (Beaver) | 18 June 1943 | RAF Linton-on-Ouse | 15 August 1945 | RCAF Control | [16] |
63 (RCAF) | 1 May 1944 | RAF Leeming | 30 August 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
64 (RCAF) | 1 May 1944 | RAF Middleton St. George | 14 June 1945 | RCAF Control | [16] |
71 | 5 November 1944 | RAF Lindholme | 15 November 1945 | Disbanded | Previously 11 Base [16] |
72 | 7 October 1944 | RAF Bottesford | 1 April 1945 | Disbanded | [16] |
73 | 1 November 1944 | RAF North Luffenham | 1 August 1945 | Disbanded | Previously 31 Base [16] |
74 | 7 November 1944 | RAF Marston Moor | 10 June 1945 | Disbanded | Previously 41 Base [16] |
75 | 3 November 1944 | RAF Swinderby | 1 October 1945 | Disbanded | Previously 51 Base [16] |
76 (RCAF) | 9 November 1944 | RAF Topcliffe | 1 September 1945 | Disbanded | Previously 61 Base [16] |
The RAF have now granted all OCUs Reserve squadron status. [24]
|
|
In Rhodesia, the Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces, active 1935-39, became the Rhodesian Air Unit, [50] and then the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (1939–40). [50] 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 [50] was created.
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.
Numbered other units
Other units
sector | formed on | formed at | disbanded on | disbanded at | became | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 (Northern) | April 1963 | RAF Leconfield | April 1968 | RAF Boulmer | Sector South | [105] |
12 (East Anglia) | April 1963 | RAF Horsham St Faith | April 1968 | Neatishead | Sector North | [105] |
13 (Scotland) | April 1963 | RAF Boulmer | March 1965 | RAF Boulmer | Disbanded into 11 Sector | [105] |
15 | May 1944 | RAF Ford | July 1944 | Martragny | Disbanded | [105] |
17 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Kenley | July 1944 | Crepon | Disbanded | [105] |
18 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Chailey | July 1944 | RAF Chailey | Disbanded | [106] |
19 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Appledram | July 1944 | RAF Appledram | Disbanded | [106] |
20 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Thorney Island | July 1944 | RAF Thorney Island | Disbanded | [106] |
21 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Sopley Park | July 1944 | RAF Ibsley | Disbanded | [106] |
22 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Hurn | July 1944 | Le Fresnoy | Disbanded | [106] |
24 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Wartling | March 1945 | St Denis Westrem | Disbanded into 85 Group Unit | [106] |
25 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Hornchurch | March 1945 | Everburg | Disbanded into 85 Group Operations Room | [106] |
North | April 1968 | RAF Neatishead | January 1992 | RAF Neatishead | Disbanded | [105] |
South | April 1968 | RAF Boulmer | January 1992 | RAF Boulmer | Disbanded | [105] |
Caledonian Sector HQ RAF | October 1951 | RAF Barnton Quarry | November 1957 | RAF Barnton Quarry | Disbanded | [107] |
Eastern Sector HQ RAF | July 1946 | RAF Horsham St Faith | July 1958 | RAF Coltishall | Disbanded | [108] |
Essex Sector HQ RAF | October 1945 | RAF North Weald | June 1946 | RAF North Weald | Metropolitan Sector HQ | [109] |
Fighter Sector Z RAF | September 1943 | Amriya | October 1943 | Amriya | No. 335 Wing | [110] |
Fighter Sector HQ Digby RAF | July 1945 | RAF Blankney | November 1945 | RAF Blankney | Lincolnshire Sector HQ | [111] |
Fighter Sector HQ Exeter RAF | January 1945 | RAF Exeter | November 1945 | RAF Exeter | Western Sector HQ | [112] |
Lincolnshire Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Blankney | July 1946 | RAF Blankney | Eastern Sector HQ | [111] |
Metropolitan Sector HQ RAF | May 1946 | RAF North Weald | November 1957 | RAF North Weald | Disbanded | [113] |
Norfolk Sector HQ RAF | August 1945 | RAF Horsham St Faith | July 1946 | RAF Horsham St Faith | Eastern Sector HQ | [114] |
Northern Sector HQ RAF | December 1950 | RAF Linton-On-Ouse | November 1957 | RAF Church Fenton | Disbanded | [114] |
Scottish Sector HQ RAF | November 1949 | RAF Turnhouse | October 1951 | RAF Leuchars | Station Flight, Caledonian Sector | [105] |
Southern Sector HQ RAF | January 1946 | RAF Nether Wallop | November 1957 | RAF Rudloe Manor | Disbanded | [115] |
South Eastern Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Biggin Hill | June 1946 | RAF North Weald | Metropolitan Sector | [115] |
Western Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Exeter | July 1946 | RAF Exeter | Southern Sector HQ | [112] |
Yorkshire Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Church Fenton | December 1950 | RAF Patrington | Northern Sector HQ | [116] |
|