No. 81 Group RAF

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

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]

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, , 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,
  • 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. ^ a b c d e f g h "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. ^ a b c d e f 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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