No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 March 1947 - 4 December 1949 1 December 1951 - 23 April 1993 |
| Disbanded | 23 April 1993 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Type | Operational conversion unit |
| Role | Bomber training |
| Last home | RAF Wyton |
No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational conversion unit that disbanded during April 1993. It was active twice, initially between March 1947 and December 1949, before reforming in December 1951.
231 OCU first formed in the aftermath of the Second World War during on 15 March 1947 at RAF Coningsby. Initially the OCU was formed from a nucleus provided by No. 16 OTU and was tasked with training crews of the "wooden wonder", the de Havilland Mosquito, in the light bomber and photo reconnaissance roles. Initial operational equipment was provided by Mosquito III and Mosquito B.XVI aircraft. In this role the unit lasted nearly three years before disbanding on 4 December 1949. [1]
In keeping with its previous role when the OCU reformed on 1 December 1951 it was to train light bomber aircrews by redesignating 237 OCU. The aircraft used during the rest of the unit's operational service was the English Electric Canberra, a British first-generation, jet-powered medium bomber and most operational versions of that versatile aircraft were flown by the unit. It was reformed at RAF Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire and it moved around various stations, including RAF Bassingbourn, RAF Cottesmore Rutland and RAF Marham in Norfolk, during its operational existence. It was redesignated the Canberra Standardisation Training Flight on 15 December 1990, but reverted to 231 OCU on 13 May 1991. [1]
'D' Squadron was previously No. 204 Advanced Flying School at Bassingbourn which was disbanded on 13 February 1952. [2] 204 AFS was previously No. 204 Crew Training Unit which was formed on 28 February 1947 at Cottesmore by redesignating an element of No. 16 OTU. 204 CTU was disbanded on 15 March 1947 at Cottesmore. [3]
231 OCU was disbanded at RAF Wyton, Huntingdonshire on 23 April 1993, by which time it had trained for a variety of roles more than 8,000 aircrew from 17 different nations.
Royal Air Force Cottesmore or more simply RAF Cottesmore is a former Royal Air Force station in Rutland, England, situated between Cottesmore and Market Overton. On 15 December 2009, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced that the station would close in 2013 as part of defence spending cuts, along with the retirement of the Harrier GR9 and the disbandment of Joint Force Harrier. The formal closing ceremony took place on 31 March 2011, and the airfield became a satellite of RAF Wittering until March 2012.
Royal Air Force Abingdon, or more simply RAF Abingdon, is a former Royal Air Force station near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is now known as Dalton Barracks and is used by the Royal Logistic Corps.
No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational conversion unit. It was formed in No. 12 Group at RAF Leeming from Nos. 13 and 54 OTUs in 1947. The tasking of the OCU was the training of night fighter crews and its aircraft were the de Havilland Mosquito, Gloster Meteor, Bristol Brigand, and Gloster Javelin over the years. The OCU lasted until 1961 at Leeming when it was disbanded.
Royal Air Force Bassingbourn or more simply RAF Bassingbourn is a former Royal Air Force station located in Cambridgeshire approximately 3 mi (5 km) north of Royston, Hertfordshire and 11 mi (18 km) south west of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England.
Royal Air Force Watton or more simply RAF Watton is a former Royal Air Force station located 9 mi (14 km) southwest of East Dereham, Norfolk, England.
Royal Air Force Crosby-on-Eden, or more simply RAF Crosby-on-Eden, is a former Royal Air Force station located 5.8 miles (9.3 km) north east of Carlisle, Cumbria and 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Brampton, Cumbria. It is nowadays Carlisle Lake District Airport.
Royal Air Force Grangemouth or more simply RAF Grangemouth is a former Royal Air Force station located 3 mi (4.8 km) north east of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
Royal Air Force Bramcote or more simply RAF Bramcote is a former Royal Air Force station located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south-east of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England used during the Second World War. It later became HMS Gamecock and then Gamecock Barracks.
No. 236 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Unit which was active between 1947 and 1992 and formed by re-numbering and merging different units.
No. 237 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force Operational conversion unit.
No. 240 Operational Conversion Unit RAF is a former Royal Air Force Operational conversion unit which was formed by a series of mergers, it then became No. 27 Squadron RAF in 1993.
Royal Air Force Haverfordwest or more commonly RAF Haverfordwest, is a former Royal Air Force station located 2.1 miles (3.4 km) north of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire and 11 miles (18 km) south of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Royal Air Force Bitteswell or more simply RAF Bitteswell is a former Royal Air Force satellite station located 2.0 miles (3.2 km) west of Lutterworth, Leicestershire and 6.1 miles (9.8 km) north of Rugby, Warwickshire, England.
No. 17 Group RAF was a group of the Royal Air Force which was operational in the last year of the First World War, and throughout the Second World War.
No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF was a training unit of the Royal Air Force.
No. 7 Flying Training School is a former Royal Air Force flying training school that operated between 1935 and 1994.
Flying Boat Training Squadron RAF is a former Squadron of the Royal Air Force which was operational between 1931 and 1956 through various names.
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