Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Flying training units - Advanced

[Pilots | Observers | Others]

This section will give brief histories of those flying training units providing aircrew training at an advanced level only.

Pilot training units

Advanced Flying School (India)

This was formed from Nos 1 (I) AFU, 1 (I) SFTS and 151 OTU  on 1 April 1946 at Ambala under the control of No 1 (Indian) Group and was transferred to No 2 (Indian) Group in preparation for being absorbed into the RIAF on 1 June 1947.

Advanced Flying Training School

This was formed in November 1941 at Kluang but is presumed to have been lost in the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942.

No 1 (Indian) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed on 13 December 1943 at Ambala and was absorbed into Advanced Flying School (India) on 1 April 1946.

No 2 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 2 SFTS on 14 March 1942 at Brize Norton under the control of No 23 Group.  It utilised RLGs at Akeman Street and Southrop and disbanded on 13 July 1942.

No 3 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 3 SFTS on 1 March 1942 at South Cerney under the control of No 23 Group.  In July 1942 its pupil capacity was increased from 200 to 225.  From 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course.  Its capacity was reduced on 1 June 1945 from 350 plus 85 reserve to 280 plus 70 reserve but on 12 July it was reduced further to 205 plus 50 reserve.

It utilised RLGs at Bibury, Long Newnton, Lulsgate Bottom, Southrop, Chedworth, Babdown Farm, Charmy Down and Moreton Valence being redesignated No 3 SFTS on 17 December 1945.

No 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 5 SFTS on 1 April 1942 at Ternhill under the control of No 21 Group.  It utilised RLGs at Molesworth, Calveley, Chetwynd, Perton, Tatenhill, Bratton, Condover, Atcham and Wrexham.  On 10 April 1945 it capacity was reduced from 240 plus 50 Reserve to 210 plus 50 Reserve with th e course length being reduced from four to three weeks.  Its capacity was reduced on 1 June 1945 from 210 plus 50 reserve to 60 plus 15 reserve, but on the same date it took over the Fleet Air Arm commitment of 200 from No 9 (P)AFU. 

On 9 October 1945 the Naval capacity was reduced from 200 to 140 and the course lengths increased from 6 to 7 weeks (winter) and 4 to 5 weeks (summer).  Its capacity was again reduced, on 1 April 1946 to 60 plus 15 reserve.

It utilised a RLG at Atcham before moving to Hibaldstow on 12 April 1946, where it was absorbed into No 7 STFS at Kirton-in-Lindsey finally being  and disbanded into No 2 (P) RFU on 6 August 1947.

No 6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit  

This was formed from No 6 SFTS on 1 April 1942 at Little Rissington under the control of No 23 Group.  From 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course.  Its capacity was reduced on 12 July 1945 from 280 plus 70 reserve to 205 plus 50 reserve. 

It utilised RLGs at Windrush, Chipping Norton, Aleman Street and Moreton Valence being redesignated No 6 SFTS on 17 December 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx (1943)                        Gp Capt M H Kelly

No 7 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed on 1 June 1942 at Peterborough under the control of No 21 Group with Sibson as a satellite and utilised RLGs at Horsey Toll, Sutton Bridge and Kings Cliffe.  On 12 June 1944 it was advised that it was planned to be re-roled as a Holding Unit and on 8 August, Sutton Bridge replaced Sibson as its satellite, reverting to being a RLG.  In September 1944 it began training Free French pilots being redesignated No 7 SFTS on 21 December 1944.

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx                        Wg Cdr ? Brown

xx xxx 1943                       Gp Capt J Norwood

xx xxx 1943                       Gp Capt R B Councell

xx Jun 1944                       Gp Capt J R Addams

No 9 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 9 SFTS on 14 February 1942 at Hullavington under the control of No 23 Group.  With the formation of the ECFS on 1 April 1942, the training capacity of No 9 (P) AFU was reduced to 100.  It utilised RLGs at Babdown Farm and Castle Combe.  Due to the formation of No 3 FIS (A) at Hullavington, this unit moved to Errol on 31 July/1 August 1942, with the first intake commencing training on 9 August.  From 5 March 1944 its capacity was increased from 100 to 200, with course being of 4 weeks duration in Summer and 6 weeks in Winter.

It was disbanded on 21 June 1945, with its Fleet Air Arm commitment being transferred to No 5 (P) AFU.

No 11 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 11 SFTS on 14 March 1942 at Shawbury under the control of No 21 Group, utilising RLGs at Wheaton Aston, Bratton and Perton.  On 1 August 1943 its existing RLGs were transferred to the newly formed No 21 (P) AFU and it took over Condover as its satellite and Bridleway Gate as its RLG.  At the same time its capacity was reduced from 306 plus 40 (BAT) and 50 Reserve to 219 plus 31 (BAT) and 50 Reserve.

It later also used Montford Bridge as a RLG and moved to Calveley on 1 February 1944, from where it used RLGs at Wrexham and Cranage.  From 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course.  On 28 December 1944 its capacity was again reduced, from 250 plus 70 Reserve, to 200 plus 50 Reserve and at the same time it changed to training single engine pilots from twin-engine pilots but the capacity was raised on 10 April 1945 to 230 plus 60 Reserve.

It was disbanded on 21 June 1945.

No 12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 12 SFTS on 4 April 1942 at Grantham (later renamed Spitalgate) under the control of No 21 Group.  It utilised RLGs at Harlaxton and Balderton and in the winter of 1943/44 was forced to operate from Woodvale and Poulton,owing to the state of the airfield at Spitalgate with the detachment at Woodvale remaining until 17 August.  The situation at Spitalgate was eventually improved by the laying of Sommerfeld Track runways.  Its initial capacity was set at 200 pupils but from 24 May 1944 this wsa reduced to 140 plus 35 reserve.

Initially operating Oxfords, these were changed for Blenheims but from July 1944 it began reverting to Oxfords and by the end of August Oxfords comprised about a third of the unit strength.  In November 1944 Beauforts began to be received to replace the Blenheim Vs but by the end of the year only three had been received and over 60 Blenheims were still in use.  The unit began its move to Hixon, with Cranage as a satellite, on 2 February 1945 which was completed by on 8 February.  Flying ceased on 31 May and the unit disbanded on 21 June 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

 1 Apr 1942:                            Gp Capt C W Mackey

28 Sep 1943                            Gp Capt J Cox

13 Mar 1945                          Gp Capt C Walter

No 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 14 SFTS on 26 January 1942 at Ossington under the control of No 21 Group with a pupil capacity of 150, which was increased to 200 on 27 April 1942.  It utilised RLGs at Gamston, Balderton, Dunholme Lodge, Langer, Skellingthorpe, and Wigsley, before moving to Banff on 25 May 1943.  At the same time it was expanded, with satellites at Fraserburgh, Dallachy, to te following populations: -

It late used an RLG at Brackla, being disbanded on 1 September 1944.

No 15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed at Leconfield from No 15 SFTS on 1 February 1942 on moving from Kidlington under the control of No 21 Group with a total pupil capacity of 200, half of these being located at the satellite at Kirmington.  It utilised RLGs at Acaster Malbis, Caistor and Tatenhill, the latter as a satellite following the return of Kirmington to Elsham Wold.  The whole unit moved to Andover on 15 December 1942, retaining Tatenhill as a satellite.  Transferring to No 23 Group on 1 February 1943 it now made use of RLGs at Greenham Common, Grove, and Ramsbury.  On 28 October 1943 it moved yet again, to Babdown Farm with Castle Combe and Long Newnton as its RLGs.  From 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course, disbanding on 19 June 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

11 Feb 1942:                           Sqn Ldr J M Wells (SAO)

22 Feb 1942                            Gp Capt W V Strugnell

10 Dec 1942                            Gp Capt C N Lowe

No 17 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from  on 29 January 1942 at Watton under the control of No 21 Group, with a pupil capacity of 100.  It made use of a RLG at Bodney before moving to Calveley on 1 May 1943, from where it continued using Bodney as its RLG along with Watton and Wrexham, finally being disbanded on 1 February 1944.

No 18 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

According to No 15 (P) AFU's ORB, this was formed on 1 June 1942 at Goxhill but on 10 June Goxhill was transferred to Fighter Command and the unit was disbanded.  The unit eventually formed from No 1 FIS (A) on 27 October 1942 at Church Lawford under the control of No 23 Group with a capacity of 100 plus 25 reserve.  Snitterfield was taken over as a satellite on 27 April 1943 whilst under construction.  From 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course.

It utilised RLGs at Ashbourne, Hockley Heath, Honiley, Leamington, Snitterfield and Warwick before moving to Snitterfield on 3 April 1945, where it disbanded on 29 May 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

  1 Jun 1942:                            Gp Capt L T N Gould

No 19 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from two flights of No 2 FIS on 20 October 1942 at Dalcross under the control of No 21 Group with a capacity of 50 plus 12 reserves.  It utilised RLGs at Forres, Elgin, Leanach, Tain and Brackla, where it disbanded on 25 February 1944 with its remaining students, instructors and aircraft being transferred to No 21 (P) AFU.

No 20 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed on 10 March 1943 at Kidlington under the control of No 23 Group.  It utilised RLGs at Kiddington, Kingston Bagpuize, which provided a capacity of 73 pupils plus 50 reserve and 31 on BAT courses.  Satellites at Croughton and Weston-on-the-Green, each provided a further 73 training places each and the Unit.  From 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course, disbanding on 21 June 1945.

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx (1944)                    Gp Capt J Noakes

No 21 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from a nucleus provided by No 11 (P) AFU on 1 August 1943 at Wheaton Aston under the control of No 21 Group.  It utilised RLGs at Bratton and Perton with a capacity of 110 plus 15 (BAT) and 25 Reserve, with its first intake commencing on 15 August.  It later also used Peplow, Seighford and Tatenhill as RLGs and from 18 March 1944 it began providing a week's air experience to groups of 24 Flight Engineers who had completed their ITW course.  Its capacity was reduced on 1 June 1945 from 250 plus 70 reserve to 220 plus 55 reserve.

On 25 February 1944 it absorbed the remnants of No 19 (P) AFU and on 17 December 1945 its pupil capacity was increased from 220 plus 55 reserve to 245 plus 62 reserve and this was further reduced on 16 July 1946 to 100 plus 25 reserve.  It moved to Moreton-in-Marsh on 5 December 1946, where its capacity was raised to 185 by the addition of the 60 Refresher places transferred from the CFS.  It merged with No 1 RFS to form No 1 (P) RFU on 6 August 1947.

Autogiro Training Flight

This was formed on 2 April 1940 at Odiham under the control of No 22 Group and was redesignated Autogiro Section, No 5 RMU on 1 July 1940 at Duxford.

'A' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed within No 210 TDS on 8 August 1918 at Calshot,  and disbanded in June 1919.

'B' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed within No 210 TDS on 8 August 1918 at Calshot and disbanded in June 1919.

'C' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed in No 4 Group on 8 August 1918 at Felixstowe and disbanded on 19 March 1919.

'D' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed in No 4 Group on 8 August 1918 at Felixstowe and disbanded on 19 March 1919.

'E' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed in No 4 Group on 8 August 1918 at Felixstowe and disbanded on 19 March 1919.

'F' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed in No 28 Group on 15 August 1918 at Houton Bay and disbanded on 25 November 1918.

'G' Boat Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed in No 22 Group on 15 August 1918 at Dundee and disbanded on 25 November 1918.

Seaplane Training Flight

This was formed by 1925 at Calshot in No 10 Group and was redesignated the Seaplane Training Squadron on 1 October 1931.

Seaplane Training School

This was formed on 21 April 1921 at a detachment of the School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation and was redesignated the School of Naval Co-operation on 19 April 1923.

Seaplane Training Squadron

This was formed from the Seaplane Training Flight on 1 October 1931 at Calshot, moving to Invergordon in September 1939 and then to Wig Bay in 1940, where it was absorbed into No 4 OTU on 16 March 1941.

Observer training units

No 1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 1 AOS on 1 February 1942 at Wigtown under the control of No 25 Group.  It was transferred to No 29 Group on 1 July 1942, reverting to No 25 Group on 14 March 1945.  On 1 June 1945 its capacity was reduced from 300 to 197 made up as follows: -

It disbanded on 12 November 1945.

No 2 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 2 AOS on 18 February 1942 at Millom under the control of No 25 Group.  It was transferred to No 29 Group on 1 July 1942, and from January 1944 its capacity was reduced from 320 to 300.  On 10 June 1944, a new course was introduced for Meteorological Assistants, bringing the course structure to the following: -

It reverted to No 25 Group on 14 March 1945 and disbanded on 9 January 1945.

No 3 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 3 AOS on 11 April 1942 at Bobbington under the control of No 25 Group.  On 1 June 1945 its capacity was reduced from 300 to 250 made up as follows: -

Training ceased on 13 November 1945 and disbanded on 11 December 1945.

No 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 4 AOS on 11 June 1943 at West Freugh under the control of No 29 Group and disbanded on 21 June 1945.

No 6 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 6 AOS on 11 June 1943 at Staverton under the control of No 25 Group and disbanded on 12 December 1944.

No 7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 7 AOS on 15 February 1944 at Bishops Court under the control of No 29 Group, with a capacity of 300, losing its commitment for training Air Gunners.  It disbanded on 31 May 1945.

No 8 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed on 15 November 1943 at Mona under the control of No 25 Group.. Due to limited accommodation it's capacity was initially limited to 180 u/t (60 x navigators, 60 x Air Bombers and 60 x Wireless Operator/Air Gunners).  The course duration was 4 weeks in summer and 6 weeks in winter, with first intake 20 of each trade commencing on 30 November 1943.   From January its capacity was increased from 180 to 200 and disbanded on 14 June 1945.

No 9 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 9 AOS on 1 May 1942 at Penrhos under the control of No 25 Group, and from January 1944 its capacity was reduced from 320 to 300.  By 15 July 1944 its commitment had changed to train a peak of 120 WOM/AGs, but from this date that was changed to 120 Air Gunners, which was cancelled from 25 November 1944.  It disbanded on 14 June 1945.

No 10 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

This was formed from No 10 AOS on 1 May 1942 at Dumfries under the control of No 25 Group.  It was transferred to No 29 Group on 1 July 1942 and disbanded on 11 June 1945.

Advanced Ship Recognition Flight

This was formed from an Advance Ship Recognition Course, which had started at Castletown on 12 November 1942 on 7 January 1943 at Skeabrae under the control of No 29 Group.  Its task was to provide observers and navigators to practice their ship recognition and to practice the bombing of moving targets from medium and high altitudes. and was redesignated No 1476 (Advanced Ship Recognition) Flight on 9 February 1943.

Tucano Air Navigation Squadron

This was formed on 1 April 2003 at Linton-on-Ouse, as part of No 1 FTS and was redesignated No 76 (Reserve) Squadron on 1 May 2007.

Other flying training units

Advanced Bombing & Gunnery School (Middle East)

This was formed on 1 January 1943 at El Ballah and disbanded on 20 November 1945.

Advanced Flying Training Unit, Setif

This was formed from the Fighter Pilots Practice Flights at Setif and Blida on 1 July 1943 at Setif.  It was tasked with providing operational training to fighter pilots in the Mediterranean theatre disbanded on 31 March 1944.

Middle East Advanced Crew Training Unit

This was formed from No 1 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircraft Pool on 29 October 1942 at Gordon's Tree, Sudan but its fate is unknown.

[Pilots | Observers | Others]

This page was last updated on 23/09/24

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