Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Miscellaneous Logistic Units (including Equipment/Stores Depots and Specialised Repair and Servicing units)

Prior to 1938 the RAF operated a number of support units tasked with the storage, servicing and repair of equipment but as the RAF expanded, the number needed increased and it was decided to adopt an standard nomenclature for these units, the term selected being 'Maintenance Unit' (MU).  Some existing units were redesignated whilst new ones would be formed in the forthcoming years.  Each MU was generally tasked with a specific role but a few were often responsible for a variety of tasks.  From time to time other units have been formed to carry out aircraft assembly, modification, preparation and 3rd/4th line maintenance and these have been included in this section

No 1 Aeronautical Inspection Services Unit

This was formed on 15 July 1944 in No 206 Group to centralise certain aspects of the Aeronautical Inspection Services of HQ RAF Middle East into one unit.  It was located at Boulac and absorbed the Mechanical Test House Section of No 109 MU.

On 1 December 1946 it was amalgamated with the AIS Petroleum Section of No 103 MU and was redesignated No 1 Aeronautical Inspection Services Test Centre, moving to Kasfareet at the same time.

No 1 Aeronautical Inspection Services Test Centre

This was formed on 1 December 1946 by amalgamating No 1 Aeronautical Inspection Services Unit with the AIS Petroleum Section of No 103 MU moving to Kasfareet at the same time.  It was under the operational control of HQ RAF MedME and was administered by No 205 Group. 

On 1 January 1950 a Radio Calibration Section was formed with the following policy: -

1. To check and, where necessary, re-calibrate at stipulated intervals all approved types of radio test gear in use in the RAF in MEAF.

2. To maintain its own range of reference standards and radio equipment in an up-to-date and serviceable condition and at a high standard of accuracy (this was largely accomplished by means of 'transfer standards' sent from No 1 RECC, Henlow).

On 30 September 1954 the Master Standards Room and Material Test Section were disbanded and from 31 October 1955 the following moves took place: -

1. Petroleum, Oil, Lubricating and mechanical laboratory moved to RAF Nicosia

2. No 2 Radio Equipment Calibration Centre moved to RAF Habbaniya

3. Electrical/Instrument Test Section moved to RAF Habbaniya

4. Explosives Proof Yard moved to RAF Habbaniya

It moved to Akrotiri on 1 November 1955 being transferred to AHQ Cyprus, and disbanded on 15 February 1960, on being absorbed into No 103 MU.

No 2 Aeronautical Inspection Services Test Centre

This was formed on 1 July 1951 in FEAF to be commanded by the Chief Inspection Officer at No 390 MU, under whose control it was placed.  It was transferred to the direct control of HQ FEAF on 1 January 1958

No further details at present.

Air Command Supplies Office

This was formed at Simla on an unknown date and was closed on 14 October 1947.

Aircraft Assembly Units (MAP)

These were Ministry of Aircraft Production Units tasked with the re-assembly of American aircraft arriving in the UK from both British and French contracts.   The were located on RAF stations but were predominantly staffed by civilian personnel, but a number of RAF airmen were employed in order to gain experience on the types of aircraft being assembled prior to posting to ASUs storing the particular types.

No 1 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Speke and dealt with the assembly of Hudsons and closed on 31 March 1941.

No 2 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Aldergrove and dealt with the assembly of all types of Douglas aircraft.

No 3 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Burtonwood and dealt with the assembly of Bell P-39s, Brewster types and Glen Martin types and closed on 31 March 1941.

No 4 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Colerne and dealt with the assembly of Curtiss types and closed on 31 March 1941.

No 5 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Shawbury and dealt with the assembly of Harvards and Yales.

No 6 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Abbotsinch and dealt with the assembly of Hampdens.

No 7 Aircraft Assembly Unit

 It was formed in August 1940 at Hooton Park and dealt with the assembly of Chance Vought 156, Grumman Wildcat and Northrop types

Aircraft Assembly Unit

This was formed in July 1941 at Basrah Airport and RAF Shaibah, to carry out the erection of fighters and medium bombers for use in te Middle East and/or Iraq.

Aircraft Assembly Unit

This was formed on 5 July 1941 at Port Sudan, where  it was redesignated No 117 MU on 19 October 1941.

Aircraft Assembly Section

This was formed in October 1941 at Lagos as an alternative for the facilities at Takoradi, should they be come unusable.

Temporary Aircraft Assembly Unit

This was formed in on 10 November 1942 at Santa Cruz to assemble 50-75 Hurricanes a month in conjunction with Tata Aircraft Ltd and was redesignated Aircraft Erection Unit (India) on 30 June 1943.

Aircraft Check Unit

This was formed in BAFO on 2 August 1945 and disbanded on 24 December 1945.

No 13 Aircraft Modification Unit

This was formed in Bomber Command on 20 September 1945 at Swinderby, and disbanded on 1 August 1946.

No 437 Air Disbandment Disposal Park

This was formed in No 2 Group on 22 January 1946 at Massen and disbanded on 15 July.

No 438 Air Disbandment Disposal Park

This was formed in No 84 Group and disbanded on 15 August 1946.

No 439 Air Disbandment Disposal Park

This was formed in No 84 Group and disbanded on 15 July 1946.

Air Publications and Forms Centre

This was formed on 1 April 1949 by redesignating the Air Publications Unit at Deversoir under the operational control of HQ RAF Mediterranean and Middle East, administered by HQ, No 205 Group, with the following policy: -

1. Receipt, storage and issue of publications, diagrams, pamphlets, etc in Med ME Command.

2. Receipt, storage and issue of all amendments of above.

3. Receipt, storage and issue of office machinery in Med ME Command excepting Malta.

4. Issue of forms within Med ME Command.

5. Administrative and domestic (including MT) backing supplied by No 324 Wing.

On 1 May 1950 it moved from Deversoir to El Hamra, and on the same date its detachment at the RAOC Depot, Suez also moved to El Hamra.  Functional control was transferred from HQ, MEAF to No 206 Group on 15 June 1954, and disbanded on 1 July 1955, its task being being transferred to No 113 MU at RAF Nicosia.

Air Publications and Forms Store (Far East)

This was formed on 1 April 1949 by redesignating the Air Publications and Forms Store (Far East).   At some point it was placed in No 224 Group, but was transferred to the direct control of HQ FEAF on 1 November 1960, no further details at present.

Air Publications and Forms Store

This was formed on an unknown date at Kidbrooke under the administrative and technical control of the Air Ministry, the administrative control being transferred to No 43 Group, Maintenance Command on 1 February 1947, and then to No 28 Group, Technical Training Command on 1 April 1948.  On 22 February 1950 it was transferred to No 61 Group, Reserve Command.  On 1 January 1953 it was transferred to No 40 Group, Maintenance, by which time it was operating No 2 Site at RAF Innsworth and No 3 Site at RAF Wythall.

On 1 March 1957 administrative control was transferred to No 61 Group, Home Command, but was transferred to HQ Maintenance Command on 15 December 1958.  It moved to Woolwich at the beginning of 1973, possibly disbanding post 1980.

Air Publications and Forms Store

This was formed on 7 December 1941 at No 6 Midan, Koubber, Cairo under the control of No 206 Group and disbanded by January 1944.

Air Publications and Forms Store

This was formed in July 1942 under the control of India Command at New Delhi and was redesignated Air Publications Unit by January 1943.

Air Publications and Forms Store (Far East)

This was formed on 1 March 1947 under the operational control of HQ ACFE, administered by AHQ Malaya to take over the commitment of the Air Publications Distribution Unit of No 389 MU.  However on 1 May 1948 it was absorbed back into No 389 MU. although it retained its identity until 1 April 1949 when it was redesignated Air Publications and Forms Centre (Far East).

Air Publications and Forms Store, Gambia

This was formed in 1942 under the control of AHQ West Africa to store and distribute publications and forms to units in The Gambia.

Air Publications and Forms Store, Gold Coast

This was formed in 1942 under the control of AHQ West Africa to store and distribute publications and forms to units in Gold Coast.

Air Publications and Forms Store, Nigeria

This was formed in 1942 under the control of AHQ West Africa to sore and distribute publications and forms to units in Nigeria.

Air Publications and Forms Store, Sierra Leone

This was formed in 1942 under the control of AHQ West Africa to sore and distribute publications and forms to units in Sierra Leone.

Air Publications and Forms Unit

This was formed in late 1943/early 1944 under the control of No 218 Group at Hotchkiss Garage, Algiers and was transferred to the Middle East on 15 August 1945, being renamed the Air Publications Unit.

2nd TAF Air Publications Distributing Unit

This was formed on 1 February 1945, and was redesignated BAFO Air Publications Distributing Unit on 15 July 1945.

BAFO Air Publications Distributing Unit

This was formed on 15 July 1945 by redesignating 2nd TAF Air Publications Distributing Unit, and disbanded on 10 March 1946.

Air Publications Distributing Unit (Far East)

This was formed on an unknown date as a Section of No 389 MU, and disbanded on 1 March 1947.

Air Publications Unit

This was formed at Deversoir under the control of No 205 Group by redesignating the Air Publications and Forms Unit on 15 August 1945, on its relocation from Algiers.  It was transferred to the operational control of HQ RAF MedME on 1 December 1947.  It was redesignated the Air Publications and Forms Centre on 1 April 1949, remaining under the operational control of HQ RAF Med ME and administered by HQ, No 205 Group.

Air Supply Development Centre/Section

This was formed on 25 April 1943 at Heliopolis under the control of RAF Middle East, its functions being: -

1. Design and development of all types of equipment required for loading and unloading of guns, AFVs, etc, and ejection of supply dropping material.

2. To make firm recommendations regarding modifications to aircraft necessary to enable them to transport guns, etc and eject supplies.

3. To co-operate closely with the Army technical services in designing suitable packages and breaking down equipment to enable them to be stowed an and dropped from various types of aircraft.

4. To control, reduce to a minimum and standardise all such modifications.

5. To develop equipment for airborne forces.

It disbanded on 20 July 1945.

Aircraft Erection Unit, (India)

This was formed in on 30 June 1943 at Tata Aircraft Ltd, Santa Cruz from the Temporary Aircraft Assembly Unit and was redesignated No 304 MU on 9 September 1943.

Aircraft Erection Centre, (Iraq & Persia)

This was formed in on 2 April 1943 at Shaibah out of No 119 MU to assemble fighters, mainly Hurricanes for India and Russia, it disbanded on 5 January 1945.

RAF Erection Party, Durban/Cape Town

This was formed in on an unknown date in Durban, South Africa and moved to Brooklyn, Cape Town on 14 May 1943.  It disbanded on 31 August 1944.

Aircraft Factory, Teheran

This was formed in on 1 April 1942 at Teheran and was redesignated No 138 MU on 6 June 1942.

Air Reinforcement Centre

This was formed on 21 December 1941 at Karachi Civil Airport to handle all reinforcements of landplanes and flying boats for India and the Far East.

No 1 (Middle East) Ammunition Depot

This was formed on 25 June 1942 from No 1 Sub-depot, No 101 MU at Khataba, its fate is unknown at present.

No 3 (Middle East) Ammunition Depot

This was formed on 25 June 1942 from No 2 Sub-depot, No 101 MU at Qona, its fate is unknown at present.

ASR Major Inspection and Preparation Unit

This was formed between December 1944/January 1945 under the control of No 18 Group at Thornaby and disbanded post January 1945.

No 1 Balloon Repair Depot

This was formed at Cardington on 1 January 1940 under the control of Balloon Command but was transferred to No 43 Group, Maintenance Command as No 26 MU on 1 July.

'X' Balloon Repair Section

This was formed at Heliopolis in 1918, disbanding on 25 May 1919.

Balloon Repair Shop/Section

This was formed at Arques within No 1 Aircraft Depot in 1918, disbanding on 10 October 1919.

No 1 Balloon Repair Unit

This was formed at the RVSU, Bowlee, Manchester under the control of No 33 Group on 1 April 1944, parented by the RVSU, except for the supply of balloons and technical equipment and accounting, which was carried out by No 942/943 Squadron, Hull.  It disbanded on 15 September 1944.

As a result of the disbandment of Balloon Command, it reformed on 29 September 1944 at No 6 Balloon Centre to carry out modifications to Mark VI type balloons for conversion to RBPT type for the Admiralty and fabric work for Maintenance Command, no further details at present.

No 2 Balloon Repair Unit

This was formed at Kidbrooke on 1 August 1944, disbanding on 24 March 1945.

No 3 Balloon Repair Unit

As a result of the disbandment of Balloon Command, it reformed on 29 September 1944 at No 12 Balloon Centre to carry out modifications to Mark VI type balloons for conversion to RBPT type for the Admiralty and fabric work for Maintenance Command, no further details at present.

No 1 Balloon and Tentage Repair Unit

This was formed by redesignating No 1 Hydrogen Supply and Balloon Repair Unit at Taranto on 9 November 1944, disbanding on 15 December 1944.

Barrack Equipment Depot

This was formed under the functional control of HQ BAFO on 1 April 1950 at Fassberg, with the following policy: -

1. Provisioning of the vocabulary Section 21 equipment from UK, or Rhine Army resources as appropriate, for the Command, on stock establishments at 9 months maximum and 6 months minimum , average recurring issues.

2. Receiving, checking against entitlement , and actioning demands from BAFO Stations for Section 21 equipment

3. Receiving, storing and issuing Section 21 equipment.

4. Executing minor repairs with its own labour and arranging major repairs by contract of by RAF Station, Fassberg Station Workshop.

It began a gradual run-down on 1 December 1950 and disbanded on 15 February 1951.

Barrack Equipment Disposal Unit

This was formed in BAFO on an unknown date at Celle and disbanded on 15 September 1948.

No 1 Base Ammunition Depot

A formation date for this unit has not found but it operated in France and disbanded at Uxbridge on 24 June 1940.

No 3 Base Ammunition Depot

A formation date for this unit has not found but it operated in France and disbanded at Uxbridge on 24 June 1940.

Base Maintenance Unit, AEAF

Authority to form this unit in nucleus was given on 21 August 1943 up to a limit of 100 personnel.  By December 1943 it had reached this limit and authority was issued to increase the nucleus establishment to 250.  On 20 January 1944 it was authorised to form to in full.  On 28 January 1944 it was redesignated Forward Equipment Unit.

Bengal Maintenance Wing

This was formed in on 13 January 1943 at No 62 Free School Street, Calcutta to control ASPs and RSUs, becoming operational on 1 April but  was redesignated No 186 Wing on 1 September 1943.

Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Unit

This formed at Marham on 1 July 1948 to replace the disbanded Nos 1 & 3 Group Maintenance and Servicing Units but was later absorbed into the establishment of RAF Binbrook as the Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Section. 

It reformed at Binbrook on 21 July 1952 from the Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Section under the functional control of HQ Bomber Command and administrative control of No 1 Group.  It moved to Lindholme on 16 November 1953, where it was redesignated the Bomber Command Modification Centre on 1 September 1954.

Bomber Command Aircraft Maintenance Unit

This had been existence at Marham in 1948 but reformed on 21 July 1952 at Binbrook, after which its fate is unknown but possibly absorbed into the Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Unit.

Bomber Command Modification Centre

This was formed in No 1 Group on 1 September 1954 at Lindholme from the Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Unit.  It was transferred to No 3 Group on 1 April 1956 and moved to Hemswell on 1 August 1956, being transferred to No 1 Group on 15 July 1958.  It disbanded on 15 October 1962.

Bomber Command Supply Support Unit

This was formed in on 15 October 1956 at Binbrook in No 1 Group to support Task Force 'Challenger', moving to Luqa on 10 November, where it disbanded on 15 January 1957, its task being assumed by RAF Luqa.

Central Defect Recording Establishment

This was originally part of the Air Ministry Servicing Development Unit and was located at Kingsway in London  but moved to Wittering on 1 June 1950, its functions being: -

1. Maintenance of permanent records of all defects reported on Forms 1022.

2. Provision of details of defects reported on Forms 1022 to specialist branches as required.

3. Liaison with appropriate design authorities of the Ministry of Supply regarding remedial action taken or proposed, in connection with reported defects.

4. Production and circulation (through AP and FS) of monthly summaries of defects reported on Forms 1022.

It disbanded on 31 July 1952.

Central Supply Depot

This was formed in on 1 October 1922 at Basrah in Basrah Group but its fate is unknown.

RAF Element, No 1 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 6 December 1943 at Bengal & Assam Railway Co workshops, Kanchrapara in No 226 Group and disbanded on 7 November 1945.

RAF Element, No 2 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on in June 1943 at Southern Railway Workshops, Golden Rock, Trichinopoly  and disbanded on 31 January 1946.

RAF Element, No 3 Civil Maintenance Unit  

This was formed as CRO on 12 April 1943 at Bangalore, moving to Cawnpore on 10 January 1944 and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

RAF Element, No 4 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 1 October 1943 at Tata Aircraft Ltd, Dum Dum in No 226 Group and disbanded on 31 January 1947.

RAF Element, No 5 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 30 October 1943 at Tata Aircraft Ltd, Barrackpore in No 226 Group and disbanded on 31 December 1945.

RAF Element, No 6 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 3 March 1944 at Tata Aircraft Ltd, Poona in No 226 Group and disbanded on 30 November 1945.

RAF Element, No 7 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed at Agra  but its fate is unknown.

RAF Element, No 8 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 16 November 1943 at M/s Allen Berry Co Ltd, 62 Hazra Road, Calcutta in ACSEA, administered by No 226 Group and disbanded on 14 May 1944.

RAF Element, No 9 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 16 November 1943 at India Air Survey & Transport Co Ltd, Dum Dum in ACSEA, administered by No 226 Group and disbanded on 1 February 1945.

RAF Element, No 10 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 16 November 1943 at The Barrage Balloon Rrepair Shop, Ramrajatolla in ACSEA, administered by No 226 Group and disbanded on 25 November 1945.

RAF Element, No 11 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 22 January 1944 at Bombay in No 226 Group and disbanded on 31 March 1946.

RAF Element, No 12 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 30 March 1944 at Tata Erection Unit, Santa Cruz in No 226 Group and disbanded on 15 December 1945.

RAF Element, No 14 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 23 March 1944 at Hyderabad in No 226 Group and disbanded on 1 September 1945.

RAF Element, No 15 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 23 March 1944 at Amritsar in No 226 Group and disbanded on 6 October 1944.

RAF Element, No 16 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 23 March 1944 at Bombay in No 226 Group and disbanded on 31 January 1946.

RAF Element, No 17 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 1 December 1944 at Belchurria, Calcutta under the administrative control of No 230 Group and disbanded on 25 September 1945.

RAF Element, No 18 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 30 September 1944 at Bakshi-ka-Telab in No 226 Group and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

RAF Element, No 19 Civil Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 15 November 1944 at Barrackpore, administered by No 230 Group and disbanded on 10 November 1945.

No 1 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed on 9 April 1943 in Calcutta as No 1 CRO (MT), and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 2 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed on 22 March 1943 in Bombay as No 2 CRO (MT), and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 3 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed on 25 March 1943 in New Delhi as No 3 CRO (MT), and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 5 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed in April 1943 in Madras as No 5 CRO (MT), and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 6 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed on 1 June 1943 in Colombo as No 6 CRO (MT) and closed on 22 May 1944 on being absorbed into No 359 MU.

No 7 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed on 1 May 1943 in Karachi as No 7 CRO (MT), and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 8 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

This was formed on 12 July 1943 in Lahore as No 8 CRO (MT), and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 9 Civil Repair Organisation (India)

Coastal Command Aircraft Preparation and Modification Flight

This was formed in No 18 Group at Valley on 12 March 1951, moving to St Mawgan and No 19 Group on 28 May, where it was redesignated Coastal Command Modification Centre on 15 July 1954.

Coastal Command Modification Centre

This was formed in on 17 July 1954 at St Mawgan from the Coastal Command Preparation and Modification Unit under the functional control of HQ Coastal Command and administrative control of No 19 Group, it disbanded on 31 December 1955.

Coastal Command Preparation and Modification Unit

This was formed in on 12 May 1951 at St Mawgan in No 19 Group, from the Coastal Command Preparation Flight at Ballykelly.  It was redesignated Coastal Command Modification Centre on 15 July 1954.

Coastal Command Preparation Pool

This was formed in June 1944 at Bircham Newton in No 16 Group, from No 3504 Servicing Unit and disbanded on 1 September 1945.

Co-ordination and Liaison Branch

This was formed in New Delhi on 1 September 1943, administered by AHQ India, its function being to determine the suitability of selected items of RAF equipment for local manufacture in India.

Dakota Modification Centre

This was formed in March 1944 at Doncaster in No 46 Group to bring Dakotas, newly arrived from the USA, up to the current standard required by the Group.  It moved to Kemble where it was redesignated Transport Aircraft Modification Unit in October 1944.

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

This was formed on 1 April 1999 at St Athan by amalgamating the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency and the Naval Aircraft Repair Agency.  It provided maintenance and repair facilities to fixed and rotary wing aircraft of both services but was absorbed into the Defence Support Group on 1 April 2008.

Electronic Counter Measures Modification Centre

This was formed in No 1 Group at Finningley on 30 September 1963, disbanding on 25 January 1971.

'A' Equipment Depot (Temporary)

This was formed at Hendon on 2 February 1937 under the control of No 11 Group, taking over responsibility for clothing equipment from No 1 Equipment Depot at Kidbrooke.  It was redesignated 'A' (Temporary) MU by July 1938.

'B' Equipment Depot (Temporary)

This was formed at Citroen Works, Brook Green, Hammersmith on 11 January 1937 to handle aerodrome equipment and marine stores.  It operated a sub-depot from 1 February at the Michelin Works, Sloane Avenue SW3, with both sites being used to store ground equipment and marine craft spares, which had been stored in No 4 Stores Depot, Ruislip.  A further section opened at White City Buildings, Shepherd's Bush, London, W6 on 29 April 1937.  The Depot eventually became responsible for the the following Vocabulary Sections: -

• Section 25A, 25D & 25L - ex Ruislip

• Sections 16B to E & 17B to Z - ex-Kidbrooke

• Sections 4B, 32A, 32B & 32C - ex-Milton

• Sections 4A, 4C, 4D, 16F & 16G

• Storage and Maintenance of 550 MT vehicles.

It was redesignated 'B' Temporary MU on 1 August 1938.

C' Equipment Depot (Temporary)

This was formed at the Daimler Works, Sandy Lane, Coventry on 12 April 1937 under the control of No 24 Group, to deal with barrack equipment (Sections 21A to G) and general tools (Sections 1A to G & 3A to C), formerly handled by No 1 Equipment Depot.  It was redesignated 'C' Temporary MU on 1 August 1938.

'D' Equipment Depot (No 1 MT Storage Unit and 'D' Equipment Depot)

This was formed at Wembley on 1 February 1938, to relieve congestion at No 3 Equipment Depot, Milton.  It was amalgamated with No 1 MT Storage Unit and was initially known as "No 1MT Storage Unit and 'D' Equipment Depot" but was redesignated 'D' Temporary MU on 15 October 1938.

'E' Equipment Depot

This was formed on 11 February 1938 at Alexandra South Dock, Newport and was probably redesignated 'E' (Temporary) Maintenance Unit around 1 August 1938.

No 393 Equipment Depot

This was formed in Hong Kong on 31 March 1946 under the control of HQ RAF Hong Kong, disbanding on 1 April 1947

No 431 Equipment Depot

This was formed from No 431 Equipment Park, probably in Eindhoven, on 27 April 1946, under the control of No 85 Group but it was at Altona by 19 October 1948.  The Barrack Equipment Holding Section was operated as a detachment at Luneburg until 1 November 1949 when it moved to Fassberg. The Command Reserve MT Pool was also moved to Fassberg as a detachment, date unknown.  It was transferred to HQ BAFO on 1 May 1950 and disbanded on 1 July 1950 to form RAF Station, Altona and Nos 401 and 402 Air Stores Parks, but at some point was reformed at Altona, disbanding again on 18 October 1953.

It reformed on 18 October 1953 from 2nd TAF Base Equipment Park at Grove but disbanded again on 1 December 1955

Temporary Equipment Depot

This was formed at White City Buildings, Shepherds Bush, London W6 on 29 April 1937 as an element of 'B' Equipment Depot and was used for the storage and supply of airscrews and MT spares.  Its fate is unknown.

No 1 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was formed on 1 June 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at Balderton but was redesignated No 254 MU on 14 June.

No 2 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was due to form from 23 May 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at an unknown location, but was redesignated as a Maintenance before formation was completed.

No 3 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was due to form from 23 May 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at an unknown location, but was redesignated as a Maintenance before formation was completed.

No 4 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was formed on 1 June 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at Fulbeck but was redesignated No 255 MU on 14 June.

No 5 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was due to form from 23 May 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at an unknown location, but was redesignated as a Maintenance before formation was completed.

No 6 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was due to form from 23 May 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at an unknown location, but was redesignated as a Maintenance before formation was completed.

No 7 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was formed on 1 June 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at Barkston Heath but was redesignated No 256 MU on 14 June.

No 8 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was formed on 11 June 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at Toome but was redesignated No 257 MU on 14 June.

No 9 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was due to form from 23 May 1945 for the disposal of ground equipment at an unknown location, but was redesignated as a Maintenance Unit before formation was completed.

No 432 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was formed on 8 September 1945 under the control of BAFO, and disbanded on 27 April 1946.

No 433 MT Disposal Unit

This was formed on 27 October 1945 under the control of BAFO and disbanded on 27 April 1946.

No 433 Equipment Disposal Depot

This was formed on 1 February 1947, in BAFO, at Slade and disbanded on 30 June 1948.

Equipment Disposal Unit

This was formed on 1 December 1947, in BAFO, at Celle, no further details at present.

2nd TAF Equipment Liaison Unit

This was formed in 2nd TAF on and unknown date and disbanded on 1 June 1945.

Equipment and Supplies Depot

This was formed in No 85 Group on 30 December 1944 at Bicester, no further details.

Explosives Demolition Site

This was formed at Norton Disney on 19 September 1957, under the control of No 93 Maintenance Unit, No 40 Group, no further details at present.

No 275 Explosives Disposal Unit

This was formed in Maintenance Command on 17 November 1945, no further details at present.

Fighter Command Control and Reporting Maintenance Unit

This was formed in No 81 Group but a date has not been found, it was redesignated the School of Control and Reporting on 16 March 1953.

Fighter Command Modification Centre

This was formed in on 1 June 1958 at North Weald in No 11 Group from No 2 FCMC, moving to Horsham St Faith on 15 October 1958, where it disbanded on 11 September 1961, its task being transferred to RAF Horsham St Faith.

No 1 Fighter Command Modification Centre

This was formed in on 11 March 1957 at Leconfield in No 81 Group from No 11 Group Modification Centre, moving to Driffield and No 13 Group on 2 October 1957, where it disbanded on 1 June 1958.

No 2 Fighter Command Modification Centre

This was formed in on 11 March 1957 at North Weald in No 11 Group from No 12 Group Modification Centre and was redesignated Fighter Command Modification Centre on 1 June 1958.

Fleet Air Arm Maintenance Unit

This was formed in No 17 Group at Gosport from a number of miscellaneous FAA Repair units on 1 May 1940.  During 1941 it began to concentrate its work on Coastal Command aircraft and on 3 July 1942 was redesignated No 3502 Servicing Unit.

Flying Training Command Modification Centre

This was formed at Hullavington under the functional control of HQ FTC and administrative control of No 23 Group on 16 August 1954 and disbanded on 31 July 1956.

Forward Air Ammunition Park

This was formed in France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force on 17 October 1939.

Forward Equipment Unit

This was formed by redesignating the Base Maintenance Unit, AEAF at Stapleford Tawney on 28 January 1944, moving to Bicester on 17 February.  It was transferred to the control of No 84 Group on 1 April but by 15 April it had been transferred to No 85 Group.  It was taken over by Maintenance Command on 1 January 1945 and disbanded into No 246 MU.  For a detailed description of it role, click here.

No 2 Forward Equipment Unit

This was formed in ACSEA at Rangoon on 29 July 1945 under the control of HQ RAF Burma, taking over the commitments of Nos 75 and 92 Air Stores Parks.  On 1 November 1945 it absorbed No 98 ASP, and disbanded on 15 September 1947, its commitment being taken over by an Equipmet and Disposal Section established on RAF Mingaladon.

Forward Filling Depots

Riseley FFD was transferred from USAAF to Maintenance Command on 31 October 1945.

Little Heath FFD was transferred from the Ministry of Supply to Maintenance Command on 28 June 1946.

No 511 Forward Repair Unit/The Forward Repair Unit

The nucleus of this unit was formed on 6 June 1943 as No 511 Aircraft and MT Repair Unit at Henlow but by 19 October it had been redesignated No 511 Forward Repair Unit.  It moved to Odiham under the control of HQ AEAF on 16 November and was transferred to No 43 Group in 10 January 1944.  It then reverted to AEAF under No 85 (Base) Group on 1 April and was redesignated the The Forward Repair Unit.  It operated from the UK immediately following the invasion but in September the advanced element moved to Old Sarum to begin the journey to the continent.  It was composed of three main sections, Base Aircraft Salvage Unit (BASU), Base Aircraft Repair Unit (BARU) and Base MT Repair Unit (BMTU)  Each of the sections made its way to the continent independently as follows: -

Advanced Element

The main HQ element moved to Odiham on 7 November 1944 by which time the various element were at the locations as shown above.  However, its existence on the continent was brief as it disbanded on 28 November with the BASU becoming No 3 Base Recovery Depot, BARU becoming No 151 Repair Unit (Aircraft) and the BMTU becoming No 5 MT Base Depot.

For a detailed description of its role, click here.

General Equipment Park

An opening up party was formed on 15 April 1953 at Bruggen in No 83 Group under the functional and administrative control of No 431 Equipment Depot.  It opened on 1 September 1953 under the functional and administrative control of HQ, 2nd TAF with local parenting provided by RAF Bruggen, and was redesignated No 431 Maintenance Unit on 1 October 1960.

General Reconnaissance Aircraft Preparation Pool

This was formed on 7 May 1944 at Haverfordwest in No 19 Group to provide an adequate supply of Wellingtons, Liberators and Halifaxes for the Group.  It moved to St Davids on 1 October, where disbanded in January 1946.

Glider Servicing Echelons

These were formed in Nos 38 and 46 Groups on 15 March 1944 from the disbanding No 2 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit and located as follows: -

No 19 Glider Servicing Echelon

This was formed on 10 August 1945 at Raipur under the operational control of No 238 Wing, administered by HQ, No 229 Group. no further details at present.

No 20 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed on 16 November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

No 22 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 225 October 1945

No 23 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 24 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 25 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 26 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 27 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 28 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 29 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 30 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 31 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 32 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 33 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 34 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 35 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 36 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  I

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 37 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 38 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded in No 227 Group on 15 February 1946.

No 39 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.  It later moved as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 40 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 41 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 42 Glider Servicing Echelon

The nucleus formed on 12 October 1944 in the UK for service with ACSEA and the unit officially formed in November 1944 at Bitha in No 223 Group.

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 43 Glider Servicing Echelon

It disbanded on 15 February 1946.

No 38 Group Parachute Maintenance and Servicing Unit

This was formed at Netheravon on 1 February 1944 to replace the disbanded Parachute Maintenance Section.  It moved to Upper Heyford in May 1949, where it disbanded on 10 June 1950.

Hamilton Glider Erection Detachment

This was formed in 1943 at Lasham by General Aircraft Ltd, moving to West Raynham on 10 November and then North Luffenham on 29 December, after which its fate is unknown.

No 1 Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit

This was formed as the Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit on 1 May 1943 at Hurn to repair, maintain and modify the gliders of No 38 Wing.  It moved to Netheravon on 6 May, where it became No 1 HGMU on 16 August and it amalgamated with No 235 MU to form No 1 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit on 1 February 1944.

No 2 Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 16 August 1943 at Snailwell in No 12 Group, comprising 24 Sections, to store, repair, maintain and modify the heavy gliders stored around the country on 24 Bomber Command station it disbanded on 15 March 1944 and was replaced by 15 Glider Servicing Echelons under the control of No 1 HGSU.

No 1 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit

This was formed on 1 February 1944 from No 1 HGMU and No 235 MU.  On 15 March 1944 it took over  No 2 HGMU and was divided into 24 Sections.

Its sections were: -

No 44 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit

This was formed on an unknown date and was transferred to HQ MedME on 9 February 1946.

Hercules Power Plant Repair & Assembly Centre

This was formed at Hullavington on 24 June 1963 but its fate is unknown.

No 1 Hydrogen Supply & Balloon Repair Unit

Originally formed as No 1 Hydrogen Unit on 27 May 1943 at Bone, it was later renamed as above to supply hydrogen to the Beach Balloon Parties.  It moved to Tindja on 31 May and then boarded a LST on 29 November, arriving in Taranto on 4 December it was transferred from MACAF to No 214 Group on 25 October 1944, being redesignated Balloon and Tentage Repair Unit on 9 November.

Instrument Repair Flight

This was formed on 28 September 1940, possibly at RAF Heliopolis, comprising of three mobile sections, two being located at Heliopolis to work with Egyptian base units whilst the third was attached to No 52 RSU in the Sudan.

Kittyhawk Repair Unit

This was formed at Ismailia on 10 April 1942 being redesignated No 3 (Middle East) Aircraft Repair Unit on 15 May.

No 1 Lancaster Servicing Unit

This was formed at Pomigliano on 1 July 1945 and on 15 February 1946 was redesignated No 3510 Servicing Unit (Bomber).

No 2 Lancaster Servicing Unit

This was formed at Bari on 1 July 1945 and disbanded on 15 February 1946 .

Levant Canberra Servicing Unit

This was formed at Takali on 1 May 1957, but disbanded on 31 December 1957, its task being transferred to RAF Akrotiri.

HQ Link Trainer Maintenance Parties

This was formed in September 1943 at Bombay to control Nos 1, 2 and 3 Link Trainer Maintenance Parties, no further details.

No 1 Link Trainer Maintenance Party

This was formed in September 1943 at Bombay, no further details.

No 2 Link Trainer Maintenance Party

This was formed in September 1943 at Lahore, no further details.

No 2 Link Trainer Maintenance Party

This was formed in September 1943 at Cawnpore, no further details.

RAF Maintenance Base - Safi

This was formed on 1 July 1955 under the functional and administrative control of AHQ Malta to take over the tasks of Nos 137 and 397 Maintenance Units, no further details at present.

RAF Maintenance Control (Continental Contingents)

This was formed at Uxbridge on 18 December 1939 and was due to move to France as soon as possible after 19 December.  It was to be commanded by an Air Commodore, to be known as the 'Maintenance Officer-in-Chief '(MO-in-C) with a small staff of officers and airmen and was to be responsible for the co-ordination and control of the maintenance services of the RAF Continental Contingents.  Whilst it would operate independently, it was administered by HQ RAF Air Component of the BEF.  Following the formation of HQ BAFF, it ceased to function as an independent unit, being absorbed into the establishment of the HQ BAFF, but remained located at GHQ and continued to be administered by HQ RAF Component.

Establishment: -

RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar

This was formed on 16 June 1948 at Seletar by amalgamating Base HQ Seletar, Nos 314, 389, 390 MU and the Command Photographic Reproduction Section.  It was redesignated RAF Base, Seletar on 1 June 1951.

It reformed on 1 May 1953 at Seletar from No 390 MU and RAF Station Seletar but disbanded on 1 December 1960, being split into Nos 389 and 390 MUs.

 No 1 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Ludendorf and disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 2 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Duren  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 3 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Buckheim  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 4 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Hangelar  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 5 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Hangelar  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 6 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Merheim  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 7 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Merheim  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 8 Maintenance Party

This was formed on by 1919 at Bickendorf  disbanded on 30 June 1919.

No 1 Group Maintenance and Servicing Unit

This had been formed from No 1 Group Major Servicing Unit by March 1946 at Lindholme, moving to Scampton on 10 April, where it disbanded into the Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Unit on 1 July 1948.

No 3 Group Maintenance and Servicing Unit

This had been formed from No 3 Group Major Servicing Unit by August 1946 at Wyton, moving to Mildenhall on 15 August, where it disbanded into the Bomber Command Acceptance and Modification Unit on 1 July 1948.

'A' Maintenance Unit

This Maintenance Unit was formed by July 1938 at RAF Hendon and was transferred to No 40 Group on 6 March 1939.  It moved to the Palace of Industry in Wembley on 28 June 1939 and was redesignated 'A' MU Sub-unit under the control of 'B' MU on 1 July 1939.  From late 1940, the clothing and barrack stores were removed from Universal Equipment Depot to provide space for more important equipment and these were transferred to 'Lettered' Equipment Depots.  These depots assumed responsibility for the issue of clothing and barrack stores to the area covered by the relevant UED.  This depot assumed responsibility for clothing from No 3 MU.

On 1 June 1941 it absorbed both 'B' and 'D' Maintenance Units and it was transferred to No 55 Wing on 1 August 1942 and was redesignated No 212 MU on 1 December 1943.

'B' Maintenance Unit

This was formed from 'B' Equipment Depot on 1 August 1938 at Citroen Works, Brook Green, Hammersmith, probably under the control of No 24 Group.  It was transferred to Maintenance Command on 1 January 1939 and then No 40 Group on 6 March.

From late 1940, the clothing and barrack stores were removed from Universal Equipment Depot to provide space for more important equipment and these were transferred to 'Lettered' Equipment Depots.  These depots assumed responsibility for the issue of clothing and barrack stores to the area covered by the relevant UED.  This depot assumed responsibility for barrack stores from No 3 MU.  It was  absorbed into 'A' MU on 1 June 1941.

Sub-sites: -

Commanding Officers: -

16 May 1938               Gp Capt J A Stone

'C' Maintenance Unit

This was formed from 'C' Equipment Depot on 1 August 1938 at the Daimler Works, Sandy Lane, Coventry, probably under the control of No 24 Group.  It was transferred to Maintenance Command on 1 January 1939 and then No 40 Group on 6 March 1939.  It was destroyed by enemy action on 14 November 1940.

'D' Maintenance Unit

This was formed from No 1 MT Storage Unit and 'D' Equipment Depot on 15 October 1938 at Wembley, probably under the control of No 24 Group.  It was transferred to Maintenance Command on 1 January 1939 and then No 40 Group on 6 March 1939.  It redesignated 'D' Maintenance Sub-Unit under 'B' MU on 1 July 1939 and was absorbed into 'A' MU on 1 June 1941.

'E' Maintenance Unit (Temporary)

This was initially designated 'E' (Temporary) Equipment Unit and formed on 11 February 1938 at Alexandra South Dock, Newport, under the control of No 24 Group.  The purpose of the unit was to take the overflow of certain equipment from Nop 2, 'A' and 'C' Maintenance Units.

It was redesignated 'E' (Temporary) MU on 1 August 1938 and was transferred to Maintenance Command on 1 January 1939, No 40 Group on 6 March 1939.

From late 1940, the clothing and barrack stores were removed from Universal Equipment Depot to provide space for more important equipment and these were transferred to 'Lettered' Equipment Depots.  These depots assumed responsibility for the issue of clothing and barrack stores to the area covered by the relevant UED.  This depot assumed responsibility for clothing and barrack stores from No 7 MU.

It was transferred to No 55 Wing on 2 August 1942 and was redesignated No 214 MU on 1 December 1943.

'F' Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 15 October 1938 from No 2 MT Storage Depot at Kenley within Maintenance Command, being transferred to the control of No 40 (Maintenance) Group on 6 March 1939.  It moved to RAF Waddington on 15 April 1939 and to Kettering on 13 October 1941 where it was redesignated No 2 MT Store and later No 236 Maintenance Unit.

Commanding Officers: -

xx xxx xxxx               Flt Lt H Cartwright

'G' Maintenance Unit

This was formed from No 3 MT Storage Unit on 15 October 1938 at Mousehold, near Norwich under the control of Maintenance Command.  Control was transferred to No 40 Group on 6 March 1939.  It was fate is unknown on unknown.

'H' Maintenance Unit

This was formed from No 1 Aircraft Storage Unit Waddington on 15 October 1938 at Waddington but was absorbed into No 5 MU on 2 March 1939.

It was reformed on 20 March 1939 at Heath Hall Works, Dumfries under the control of No 40 Group.  From late 1940, the clothing and barrack stores were removed from Universal Equipment Depot to provide space for more important equipment and these were transferred to 'Lettered' Equipment Depots.  These depots assumed responsibility for the issue of clothing and barrack stores to the area covered by the relevant UED.  This depot assumed responsibility for clothing and barrack stores from No 14 MU.

Control was transferred to No 55 Wing on 1 August 1942 and it was redesignated No 220 MU on 1 December 1943.

Commanding Officers: -

xx xxx 1938                    Sqn Ldr E H Pownall (No 1 ASU)

28 Sep 1938                   Flt R E P Paynter (No 1 ASU)

'K' Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 21 August 1939 at Anglo-Cider Mills, Shepton Mallet under the control of No 42 Group as a civilian manned storage unit for certain raw materials controlled by DMP and was administered by No 11 MU, Chilmark.  Administration was transferred to No 7 MU at Quedgeley in No 40 Group on 9 October 1939 before being transferred to MAP as No 6 MAP Store, Shepton Mallet on 1 January 1941.

'L' (Temporary) Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 6 December 1939 as a Clothing Equipment Bond at Stanley Street, Salford under the control of No 40 Group, but was attached to No 35 MU for administration.  It was absorbed into 'R' MU, Glossop on 1 June 1941.

'M' Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 10 June 1940 as an Equipment Holding Unit at Kidbrooke.  In April 1941 it became a depository unit to hold overflow stock from 'E' MU and was absorbed into 'A' MU as an appendage on 1 August 1941.

'O' (Temporary) Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 22 July 1940 as a Furniture Storage centre at Sheffield,  Its fate is unknown.

'P' Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 15 June 1940 at Ruislip as a under the control of No 40 Group.  In April 1941 it became a depository unit to hold overflow stock from 'E' MU after which its fate is unknown.

'Q' Maintenance Unit

From late 1940, the clothing and barrack stores were removed from Universal Equipment Depot to provide space for more important equipment and these were transferred to 'Lettered' Equipment Depots.  These depots assumed responsibility for the issue of clothing and barrack stores to the area covered by the relevant UED.  This was formed on 27 July 1940 as a Clothing and Barrack Equipment Depot at Templeborough Works, Tinsley Road, Sheffield, and assumed responsibility for clothing and barrack stores from No 35 MU.  As the result of a reorganisation in January 1941, it disbanded, becoming Site 3 of 'R' Maintenance Unit, Glossop

'R' Maintenance Unit/'R' Maintenance Unit, Glossop/Hadfield

This was formed on 27 July 1940 Great Universal Stores, Devonshire Street, Ardwick, Manchester and assumed responsibility for clothing and barrack stores from No 35 MU.  As the result of a reorganisation in January 1941, it absorbed 'Q' Maintenance Unit and was renamed 'R' Maintenance Unit, Glossop, moving to Hadfield Mills, Glossop, which also became No 1 Site.  The original location of 'R' MU at Ardwick became No 2 Site, whilst the disbanded 'Q' MU became No 3 Site.  It assumed responsibility for issues in No 35 MUs's area from 18 February 1941 at which point the sites were re-=organised as shown below: -

Sub-sites: -

From 16 February 1941 its title was changed to 'R' Maintenance Unit, Hadfield and on 1 June 1941 it absorbed 'L' Maintenance Unit at Salford.  Control was transferred to No 55 Wing on 1 August 1942 and on 19 October it moved to Stanley Street, Salford.  It was redesignated No 221 MU on 1 December 1943.

'S' Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 1 March 1941 as a Clothing and Barrack Equipment Depot at Nottingham Ice Rink, Stoney Street, Nottingham, and assumed responsibility for clothing and barrack stores from No 16 MU..  Control was transferred from No 40 Group to No 55 Wing on 1 August 1942 and on 28 May 1943 it moved to 33 Stoney Street, Nottingham, where it was redesignated No 227 MU on 1 December 1943.

'T' Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 15 May 1942 as a civilian manned Barrack and Clothing Depot at Wakefield.  Control was transferred from No 40 Group to No 55 Wing on 1 August 1942 and it was redesignated No 230 MU on 1 December 1943.

'Z' (Temporary) Maintenance Unit

This was formed in 1941 at Seletar.  It is presumed to have been lost to the Japanese.

No 1 (India) Maintenance Unit

This was formed from the Aircraft Depot India on 20 January 1942 at Drigh Road under the control of Air Forces in India.  It was redesignated No 301 MU on 18 March 1942.

Officers Commanding: -

20 Jan 1942                                Gp Capt J McFarlane

[Personnel and unit movements]

No 2 (India) Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 1 January 1942 at Allahbad under the control of Air Forces in India.  It was redesignated No 302 MU on 18 March 1942.

No 3 (India) Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 3 December 1941 at Ambala under the control of Air Forces in India.  It was redesignated No 303 MU on 18 March 1942.

No 4 (India) Maintenance Unit

This was formed on 1 February 1942 at Asansol under the control of Air Forces in India.  It was redesignated No 304 MU on 18 March 1942.

Maintenance Wing North West India

This was formed on 23 August 1943 at Peshawar under the control of No 226 Group to administer FRDs, RSUs and Equipment Parks in North-West India.  It was redesignated No 187 Wing on 1 September 1943.

Maintenance Wing (Malta)

This was formed in April 1943 at Kalafrana, Malta under the control of AHQ Malta but disbanded on 1 November 1943.

Maintenance Wing, Tal Handak (Malta)

This was formed in late 1942 at Tal Handak in Malta under the control of AHQ Malta for the repair and maintenance of all aircraft on the island and the salvage of aircraft and MT.  Its fate is unknown.

No 5 Group Major Servicing Section

This was formed at Syerston on 6 April 1945 but its fate in unknown.

No 1 Group Major Servicing Unit

This was formed at Lindholme on 19 October 1945 and was redesignated No 1 Group Maintenance and Servicing Unit by March 1946.

No 3 Group Major Servicing Unit

This was formed at Wyton on 19 October 1945 and was redesignated No 3 Group Maintenance and Servicing Unit by August 1946.

Marine Craft Repair Unit

This was formed at Colombo on an unknown date and was redesignated No 376 Maintenance Unit on 4 December 1944.

Master Provision Office

This was formed at No 107 MU, Kasfareet on 20 July 1941 but the following month moved to Khank and joined No 106 MU.  It later returned to No 107 MU, where it was amalgamated with the Stock Control Office and was redesignated Provision and Stock Control Office, No 107 MU on 1 April 1949.

Master Provision Office (R)

This was formed at Leighton Buzzard in about March 1941 under the technical control of No 40 Group, to cover items of ground RDF equipment in use in No 60 Group and in Overseas Commands.

Provision and Stock Control Office

This was formed at No 107 MU, Kasfareet on 1 April 1949 by amalgamating the Master Provision Office with the Stock Control Office.

Medical Stores Depot

This was formed on an unknown date, but was disbanded on 26 May 1945 and was replaced by No 248 Maintenance Unit.

FEAF Medical Stores Depot

This was formed on an unknown date, and was renamed Reserve Medical Store in March 1952, being placed under the functional and administrative control of the RAF Hospital, Changi.  No further details at present.

No 1 (Middle East) Advanced Aircraft Depot

This was formed on 1 May 1942 at Burg-el-Arab from the Advanced Aircraft Depot and was redesignated No 136 MU on 25 May 1942.

No 2 (Middle East) Advanced Aircraft Depot

This was formed on 1 May 1942 at Beersheba and was disbanded on 10 February 1943.

No 3 (Middle East) Advanced Aircraft Depot

This was formed on 15 May 1942 at Ishkanariya and was redesignated No 137 MU on 25 May 1942.

Miscellaneous Aircraft Supply Centre

This was formed on 15 April 1942 at HQ, No 41 Group to deal with all aspects of civil aircraft impressed into military service, including : -

1. arrangements for the supply of airframe and engine spares.

2. advising on the disposal of unserviceable airframes and engines.

3. advising on the most economical allocation of such aircraft/engine, either as new issues or as replacements.

4. the Impressment of aircraft/engines as laid down in AMO A500/41.

Its fate is currently unknown.

No 11 Group Modification Centre

This was formed at Odiham on 1 December 1954, under the functional control of HQ Fighter Command and administrative control of No 11 Group.  It moved to Leconfield on 10 March 1956 , where it was redesignated No 1 Fighter Command Modification Centre on 11 March 1957.

No 12 Group Modification Centre

This was formed at Horsham St Faith on 1 December 1954, under the functional control of HQ Fighter Command and administrative control of No 11 Group.  It moved to North Weald and was redesignated No 2 Fighter Command Modification Centre on 11 March 1957.

Parachute Collection and Distribution Unit

This was formed at Cardington on 1 November 1962 in Transport Command, no further details at present.

Parachute Servicing Unit

This was formed at Monopoli on 1 June 1944 but was redesignated No 28 Repair Unit on 27 June.

Parachute Support Unit

This was formed by amalgamating The Balloon Unit with the Transport Command Parachute Servicing Unit at Hullavington on 1 July 1967.  It was transferred from No 46 Group to No 38 Group on 10 November 1975 but was absorbed into RAF Hullavington on 2 August 1982.

RAF Port Detachment, Basrah

This was formed on an unknown date and was redesignated the Stores Depot, Basrah on 1 December 1921.

Port Depot Detachment, Bombay

This was formed on an unknown date and disbanded on 30 April 1922.

Provision Office, North Africa

Originally on the establishment of No 351 MU, it became a separate unit in Algiers on 9 June 1944 under the operational control of HQ MAAF and administered by No 218 Group.  It disbanded on 30 September 1945.

Publications and Forms Store

This was formed between June 1943 and January 1944 under the control of India Command at New Delhi and disbanded by January 1943.

RAF Reclamation and Retreading Unit

This was formed from the RAF Retreading Unit between June 1943 and January 1944 under the control of Middle East Command at Heliopolis and was split into Nos 1 & 2 Tyre Reclamation Repair Units between June and December 1944.

Repair Depot, Eastleigh

This was formed on 1 February 1941 at RAF Eastleigh, Kenya, its fate is unknown.

No 1 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

A formation date for this section, in ACSEA, has not been found but it was redesignated No 20 Section in April 1944.

No 2 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

A formation date for this section, in ACSEA, has not been found but it was redesignated No 21 Section in April 1944.

No 3 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

A formation date for this section, in ACSEA, has not been found but it was redesignated No 23 Section in April 1944.

No 4 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

A formation date for this section, in ACSEA, has not been found but it was redesignated No 24 Section in April 1944.

No 5 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

A formation date for this section, in ACSEA, has not been found but it was redesignated No 25 Section in April 1944.

No 20 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

This was formed in April 1944 by redesignating No 1 Section, and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 21 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

This was formed in April 1944 by redesignating No 2 Section, and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 23 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

This was formed in April 1944 by redesignating No 3 Section, and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 24 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

This was formed in April 1944 by redesignating No 4 Section, and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 25 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

This was formed in April 1944 by redesignating No 5 Section, and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

No 26 RAF Section of Repairable Equipment Depot

This was formed on 30 April 1944 at Karachi under the operational control of ACSEA but administered by No 226 Group, through No 32 MU, and disbanded on 1 December 1945.

RAF Retreading Unit

This was formed between July 1942 and January 1943 under the control of RAF Middle East at Tura and was redesignated the RAF Reclamation and Retreading Unit between June 1943 and January 1944.

No 1 Royal Hellenic Air Force Technical Unit

The original formation and disbandment dates have not yet been found, but it reformed at Gazn on 15 November 1944 under the administrative control of AHQ Levant and HQ RHAF.  It comprised a Technical training Section and two Aircraft Maintenance Sections, one being attached to No 168 MU and the other to RAF Qastina.  Its fate is unknown.

Salonika Aircraft Park

This was formed on in December 1917 at Mikra Bay from 'Z' Aircraft Park and disbanded on 24 April 1919.

2nd TAF Modification Unit/RAF Germany (2ndTAF) Modification Unit

This was formed on 2 January 1956 at Buckeburg, under the direct control of HQ 2nd TAF.  It moved to Laarbruch on 1 February 1958 where it came under the control of No 83 Group.  Its tasking was transferred to No 420 MU and it disbanded on 31 December 1961.

Small Arms Ammunition Park

A formation date for this unit has not found but it operated in France and disbanded at Uxbridge on 24 June 1940.

Special Installation Flight/Squadron

This was formed on around August 1942 at Colerne in No 218 MU as the Special Installation Flight to install radar equipment into a wide range of aircraft type.  On 29 February 1948 it was transferred to No 32 MU at St Athan, then to No 49 MU at Colerne on 5 October 1953 and then to No 60 MU at Dishforth on 1 March 1962.  It moved with No 60 MU to Leconfield on 2 February 1966 after which its fate is unknown although by this time it was the titled Special Installation Squadron.

Special Installation Unit

This was formed on 13 October 1942 at Defford and was still in existence until at least September 1946, after which its fate is unknown.

Administration of Stores Depots and the Packing Depot

1. The instructions contained in this order define the division of responsibility between the Air Ministry and Headquarters, Inland Area, in regard to the administration and control of stores depots and the Packing Depot.

2. All communications, returns, etc., will be made as stated either direct between the depot and the Air Ministry or referred through the usual service channels to Headquarters, Inland Area.

3. The attachment of airmen for courses in the erection etc, of hangars tentage etc, at No 3 Stores Depot, Milton, will he arranged direct with the CO, Home Aircraft Depot.

4. Stores depots and the Packing Depot are administered by the Air Ministry direct for all purposes with the exception of the following services, for which Headquarters, Inland Area, is responsible: -

   1. When RAF personnel are concerned: -

      1. Discipline, including the area education scheme.

      2. Use of MT on repayment.

      3. Accidents to MT

      4. Allowances, billeting and railway warrants.

      5. Equipment used in officers' messes and quarters.

      6. Observations on cash accounts concerning pay and allowances.

      7. Disciplinary action in connection with test flights.

      8. Publications for personal use.

      9. RAF non-public funds.

   2. Other services: -

      1. Medical administration.

      2. Fire services (Packing Depot only).

      3. Telephones (Packing Depot only).

      4. Lands, roads, lighting and water.

      5. Work services, Part III.

      6. Secret and confidential publications other than technical.

      7. Station defence scheme in emergency.

      8. AOC's annual inspection of the services described above.

Source - Air Ministry Order A282/1935 dated 14 November 1935.

No 1 Stores/Equipment  Depot

This depot previously existed from 1 January 1917 as Greenwich Stores Depot until moving to Kidbrooke and being redesignated No 1 Stores Depot on 13 September 1917, it disbanded sometime after 1 May 1919 but reformed on 1 March 1920 at Kidbrooke.  It was redesignated No 1 Equipment Depot on 2 February 1937 and was redesignated No 1 Maintenance Unit on 9 April 1938.

No 2 Stores Depot

This was formed on 1 April 1924 at Broadheath, Altrincham in No 3 Group, its function being the custody and supply of pyrotechnics and all ammunition, including bombs.

It operated a Sub-Depot at Pulham in Norfolk, where a temporary MT storage unit was established on 16 March 1936.

It was redesignated No 2 Maintenance Unit on 9 April 1938.

No 3 Stores/Equipment Depot

It was formed on 1 January 1917 as Milton Stores Depot at Milton, Steventon in Berkshire and was redesignated No 3 Stores Depot, coming under the control of No 1 Group on 1 April 1918.   It was redesignated No 3 Equipment Depot on 2 February 1937 and then No 3 Maintenance Unit on 9 April 1938.

No 4 Stores/Equipment  Depot

It was formed on 13 September 1917 at No 1 Albany Street, London NW, moving moved to Ruislip on 22 August 1918.  It was redesignated No 4 Equipment Depot on 2 February 1937 and then No 4 Maintenance Unit on 9 April 1938.

No 5 Stores Depot

This was formed on 13 September 1917 at Fulham from the Balloon Stores Depot and by November 1918 had moved to the Empress Hall in Earl's Court.  It moved to Kingsnorth on 27 November 1919 and was transferred from Coastal Area to Southern Area at the same time but was redesignated Balloon Stores Depot (Home) on 16 March 1920.

It had reformed by 1939 at Cheltenham but was redesignated No 7 MU on 15 April 1939.

No 6 Stores Depot/The Packing Depot

This was formed on 13 September 1917 at West Ascot from the Transport Stores Depot and by 31 December 1918 was at the Royal Ascot Hotel in the town, where it was redesignated The Packing Depot on 21 September 1920.

It had reformed by 1938 at Carlisle but was redesignated No 14 MU on 26 September 1938.

No 7 Stores Depot

This was formed on 7 February 1918 at Hurst Park and was redesignated No 1 (MT) Depot on 7 March 1918.

It reformed on 11 May 1918 at Mexborough in North Eastern Area, moving to Doncaster on 12 February 1919, where it disbanded in January 1920.

It had reformed, once again, by 1938 at Stafford but was redesignated No 16 MU on 9 April 1938.

No 11 Stores Depot

This was formed on 1 April 1937 at Chilmark but was redesignated No 11 MU on 20 March 1939.

No 24 Stores Depot

This was formed on 10 February 1938 at Ternhill from No 4 ASU but was redesignated No 24 MU on 28 March 1938.

No 26 Stores Depot                                  

his was formed on 10 March 1938 at Cardington from No 2 ASU but was immediately redesignated No 26 MU.

No 27 Stores Depot

This was formed on 10 March 1938 at Shawbury from No 3 ASU but was immediately redesignated No 27 MU.

Stores Depot

This was formed from 'X' Aircraft Depot in May 1920 at Aboukir and merged with the Engine Repair Depot on 7 October 1925 to form the RAF Depot, Middle East.

Stores Depot, Basrah

This was formed by redesignating the RAF Port Detachment, Basrah on 1 December 1921, no further details at present.

Strike Command Air to Surface Missile Support Unit

This was formed from the Martel Servicing and Support Unit at Marham on 30 April 1968 and may still be in existence in some form.

Subsidiary Repair Depot

This was formed at Abu Sueir on 7 September 1939 to provide operational units with serviceable aircraft but was probably absorbed into No 102 MU.

Supplies Depot

This was formed at Cranwell on 1 December 1943 when the Supplies Depot Section of RAF Station, Cranwell became an independent unit in No 27 Group.  On 1 April 1946 it was transferred to Flying Training Command, its fate in unknown.

Supply Control Centre/RAF Supply Control Centre

This was formed as the Supply Control Centre at Hendon on 1 July 1961 under the functional control of the Air Ministry (DGE) and administrative control of Maintenance Command, and was retitled RAF Supply Control Centre on 1 January 1962, no further details at present.

HQ Task Force Hard Rock

This was formed under the control of No 41 Group on 1 March 1957 at Wellesbourne Mountford to undertake the construction of the instrumentation station for the Hebrides Guided Weapons Establishment.

Technical Training Command Major Servicing Flight/Unit

This was formed as the Technical Training Command Major Servicing Flight on 15 November 1947  under the control of No 27 Group at Debden, being redesignated the Technical Training Command Major Servicing Unit on 1 December 1948.  On 12 June 1950, it was transferred to the control of the RAF Technical College, through the Signals Division, and disbanded on 31 December 1954.

Transport Aircraft Modification Section

This was formed on in March 1944 at Doncaster as a modification centre in No 44 Group, operated by Scottish Aviation Ltd.  It moved to Kemble in October, joining No 46 Group and was retitled the Transport Command Modification Section at the same time.  Control was transferred to No 47 Group in January 1945 and it was redesignated No 2 TAMU on 1 August 1945.

No 1 Transport Aircraft Modification Unit

This was formed on 14 June 1945 at Tempsford in No 47 Group, being transferred to No 48 Group on 1 November.  It moved to Honington and joined No 46 Group on 1 April 1946, where it was redesignated Transport Command Major Servicing Unit on 5 October 1946.

No 2 Transport Aircraft Modification Unit

This was formed on 1 August 1945 at Kemble from the Transport Aircraft Modification Section and disbanded on 28 March 1946.

Transport Command Modification Centre

This was formed on 1 September 1954 at Dishforth and it disbanded on 1 April 1957.

Transport Command Parachute Servicing Unit

This was formed in No 38 Group at Bicester on 3 June 1950, moving to Upper Heyford on 1 September and was transferred to the direct control of HQ Transport Command on 24 November 1951. Its fate is unknown.

No 1 Tyre Reclamation and Repair Unit

This was formed from part of RAF Reclamation and Retreading Unit on 15 November 1944 under the control of No 206 Group at Heliopolis and disbanded on 15 December 1945, its commitments being transferred to the Servicing Wing, RAF Heliopolis.

No 2 Tyre Reclamation and Repair Unit

This was formed from part of RAF Reclamation and Retreading Unit on 10 March 1944 under the control of No 218 Group at Algiers and disbanded on 14 October 1945.

Royal Yugoslav Air Force Technical Unit

This was formed in Middle East Command on 1 September 1943asa section of No 107 MU at Kasfareet but its fate is unknown.

This entry was last updated on 03/04/25^©

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