No. 81 (OTU) 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
Active	1940 - 1943 1952 - 1958
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Motto(s)	Fulmina Ex Igne Politiora

The group was formed on 16 December 1940 at RAF Sealand as part of Fighter Command to control Operational Training Units.[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 March 1958.[2]

Organisation

1 January 1941

The group was organised as follows;[3]

• Group Headquarters at Antumn Avenue, Worcester
  • No. 54 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Church Fenton with Blenheim & Beaufighter
  • No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Aston Down with Spitfire, Hurricane & Blenheim
  • No. 56 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge with Hurricane
  • No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Hawarden with Spitfire
  • No. 58 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Grangemouth with Spitfire

1 May 1942

The group was organised as follows;[3]

• Group Headquarters, RAF Avening Court, Stroud, Gloucestershire
  • No. 51 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Cranfield with Blenheim & Beaufighter
  • No. 52 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Aston Down with Spitfire
  • No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Llandow and RAF Rhoose with Spitfire
  • No. 54 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Charterhall and RAF Winfield with Blenheim & Beaufighter
  • No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Annan and RAF Longtown with Hurricane
  • No. 56 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Tealing and RAF Kinnell with Hurricane
  • No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Hawarden with Spitfire
  • No. 58 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Grangemouth and RAF Balado Bridge with Spitfire
  • No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Crosby on Eden and RAF Longtown with Hurricane
  • No. 60 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF East Fortune and RAF Macmerry with Blenheim & Beaufighter
  • No. 61 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Rednal and RAF Montford Bridge with Spitfire

1 March 1943

The group was organised as follows;[3]

• Group Headquarters, RAF Avening Court, Stroud, Gloucestershire
  • No. 41 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Hawarden and RAF Poulton with Mustang & Hurricane
  • No. 51 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Cranfield and RAF Twinwood Farm with Blenheim & Beaufighter
  • No. 52 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Aston Down with Spitfire
  • No. 53 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Llandow and RAF Rhoose with Spitfire
  • No. 54 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Charterhall and RAF Winfield with Blenheim & Beaufighter
  • No. 55 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Annan and RAF Longtown with Hurricane
  • No. 56 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Tealing and RAF Kinnell with Hurricane and Spitfire
  • No. 57 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Eshott and RAF Boulmer with Spitfire
  • No. 58 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Grangemouth and RAF Balado Bridge with Spitfire
  • No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Milfield, RAF Brunton and RAF Boulmer with Hurricane
  • No. 61 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Rednal and RAF Montford Bridge with Spitfire
  • No. 62 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Usworth with Anson

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

Citations

Bibliography

• Falconer, J (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
• Sturtivant, Ray (2007). RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912. Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.