No. 81 Group RAF

No. 81 (Training) Group was a group within the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command during the Second World War and the post-war era.[1][2]

No. 81 Group
Active1940 - 1943
1952 - 1958
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)Fulmina Ex Igne Politiora

History

The group was formed on 16 December 1940 at RAF Sealand as part of Fighter Command to control the Operational Training Unit.[2] On 19 February 1941 it moved to Tallow Hall in Worcester and then on 22 December 1941 it was based at Avening Court in Gloucestershire.[2] It was disbanded on 15 April 1943 when all controlled units were moved to No. 9 Group.[2]

The group was reformed on 1 Jan 1952 at RAF Watnall to control all training units within Fighter Command, on 16 May 1952 it moved to RAF Rudloe Manor.[2] It was finally disbanded on 31 Mar 1958.[2]

Organisation in 1942

In July 1942, the group was organised as follows;[3]

Main article: List of Royal Air Force Operational Training Units
  • Group Headquarters, RAF Avening Court, Gloucestershire
  • No.51 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Cranfield
  • No.52 Operation Training Unit RAF, RAF Aston Down
  • No.53 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Llandow
  • No.54 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Charterhall
  • No.55 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Annan
  • No.56 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Tealing
  • No.57 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Hawarden
  • No.58 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Grangemouth (RAF Central Scotland)
  • No.59 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Crosby on Eden
  • No.60 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF East Fortune
  • No.61 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Rendal
  • No.62 Operational Training Unit RAF, RAF Usworth

Commanders

1940 to 1943
  • 16 December 1940 - Air Commodore F J Vincent[1]
  • 29 July 1942 - Air Commodore W H Dunn[1]

1952 to 1958
  • 1 January 1952 - Air Commodore L W C Bower[1]
  • January 1954 - Air Commodore C C McMullen[1]
  • 19 February 1954 - Vacant[1]
  • 2 April 1954 - Air Commodore H A V Hogan[1]
  • 15 August 1955 - Air Commodore R C Mead[1]

References
  1. "Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Group 70 - 106". www.rafweb.org. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  2. Sturtivant 2007, p. 152
  3. "Fighter Command - Jul 1942". www.rafweb.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  • Sturtivant, Ray (2007). RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912. Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
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