No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit was a Royal Air Force
Operational Conversion Unit
. It first formed in the aftermath of World War II
during 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. In this role it lasted nearly three years before disbanding at the end of 1949.
In keeping with its previous role when the OCU reformed in 1951 it was to train light bomber crews. The aircraft used during the rest of the unit's operational service was the English Electric Canberra
. The unit reformed at RAF Bassingbourn
and moved around various stations before falling victim to defence cuts at RAF Wyton
in 1990. It was redesignated the Canberra Standardisation Training Flight.
On 13 May 1991 it reverted to its former designation of 231 OCU, again at Wyton, but it disbanded there 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
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Operational Conversion Unit
Operational Conversion Unit
An Operational Conversion Unit is a unit within an air force whose role is to support preparation for the operational missions of a specific aircraft type by providing trained personnel. OCUs teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and...
. It first formed in the aftermath of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
during 1947 at RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby , is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England. It has been commanded by Group Captain Martin Sampson since 10 December 2010.-Operational units:...
. 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
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
, in the light bomber and photo reconnaissance roles. In this role it lasted nearly three years before disbanding at the end of 1949.
In keeping with its previous role when the OCU reformed in 1951 it was to train light bomber crews. The aircraft used during the rest of the unit's operational service was the English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
. The unit reformed at RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Bassingbourn is a former military airbase located in Cambridgeshire approximately north of Royston, Hertfordshire and south west of Cambridge. During World War II it served first as an RAF station and then as a bomber base of the U.S. Eighth Air Force...
and moved around various stations before falling victim to defence cuts at RAF Wyton
RAF Wyton
RAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It...
in 1990. It was redesignated the Canberra Standardisation Training Flight.
On 13 May 1991 it reverted to its former designation of 231 OCU, again at Wyton, but it disbanded there on 23 April 1993, by which time it had trained for a variety of roles more than 8,000 aircrew from 17 different nations.