No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF
{{Short description|Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 53 Operational Training Unit
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| image= Sgt.-Kreb-823x322.jpg
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|caption= 55 Sgt. W.M. Krebs photographed in the cockpit of Spitfire Mk 1A P9375 in 53 OTU RAF, Heston
|dates= 1941 – 1945
|country= {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom
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|branch= {{air force|UK}}
|type= Operational Training Unit
|role= Pilot Training
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|nickname= 53 OTU
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|battles= World War Two
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|aircraft_fighter=Supermarine Spitfire
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No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF was an Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force, formed in 1941 to train Spitfire pilots, and disbanded in 1945.
History
53 OTU RAF was an Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force. It was formed at RAF Heston in February 1941 to train Spitfire pilots for Fighter Command.[https://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/OTU_3.htm 53 OTU at www.rafweb.org] Retrieved 9 May 2022 In July 1941 it moved to RAF Llandow in Wales, and in May 1943 to RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey in Lincolnshire. Pilots trained initially on Miles Master aircraft and later on Spitfires.
Had a German invasion of England taken place, 53 OTU RAF would have become No's 553 and 554 Squadron, operating from RAF Church Fenton.
When WW2 ended in Europe, No 53 OTU was disbanded at Kirton-in-Lindsey on 15 May 1945.[https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7161026 53 OTU at nationalarchives.gov.uk] Retrieved 9 May 2022
Commanding Officers
- March 1943 Wing Commander P H Hamley
- 18 May 1943 Group Captain G C Tomlinson
- 24 November 1943 Group Captain J G Hawtrey
- 18 January 1945 Group Captain M H Rhys
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7161026 53 OTU at nationalarchives.gov.uk] Retrieved 9 May 2022
- [http://aircrewremembered.com/carruthers-donald.html 53 OTU at aircrewremembered.com] Retrieved 9 May 2022
- [https://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/OTU_3.htm 53 OTU at www.rafweb.org] Retrieved 9 May 2022
{{RAF Operational Training units}}
Category:Operational training units of the Royal Air Force
Category:Military units and formations established in 1941
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945