List of Royal Air Force schools
This is a list of schools within the Royal Air Force, including the empire flying training scheme, civilian and service elementary training schemes, and gliding schools.
Schools
[edit]The Royal Air Force operated many schools to train aircrew in the many and various skills required to operate an air force.
- No. 1 Air Gunners School RAF (1941–45) [1]
- No. 2 Air Gunners School RAF (1941–45) [1]
- No. 3 Air Gunners School RAF (1942–45) [1]
- No. 4 Air Gunners School RAF (1942–44) [1]
- No. 6 Air Gunners School RAF (1942) [1]
- No. 7 Air Gunners School RAF (1941–44) [1]
- No. 8 Air Gunners School RAF (1941–44) [1]
- No. 9 Air Gunners School RAF (1941–42) [1]
- No. 10 Air Gunners School RAF (1941–46, 1946–47) [1]
- No. 11 Air Gunners School RAF (1943–47) [1]
- No. 12 Air Gunners School RAF (1943–45) [1]
- No. 13 Air Gunners School RAF (1943–45) [2]
Air Navigation School
- No. 1 Air Navigation School RAF (1947–54, 1957–70) [3]
- No. 2 Air Navigation School RAF (1947–70) [3][4]
- No. 3 Air Navigation School RAF (1948–51, 1952–54) [3]
- No. 4 Air Navigation School RAF (1952) became No. 5 Air Navigation School RAF [3]
- No. 5 Air Navigation School RAF (1945–47, 1951–52, 1952–53) [3]
- No. 6 Air Navigation School RAF (1952–53) [3]
- No. 7 Air Navigation School RAF (1947) became No. 2 Air Navigation School RAF[3]
- No. 10 Air Navigation School RAF (1945–48) [3]
- No. 31 Air Navigation School RAF (1940–45) [5]
- No. 32 Air Navigation School RAF (1941–42) [5]
- No. 33 Air Navigation School RAF (1941–44) [5]
Air Observers School
- No. 1 Air Observers School RAF (1938–39, 1941–42) became No. 1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 2 Air Observers School RAF (1938–39, 1941–42) became No. 2 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 3 Air Observers School RAF (1939, 1941–42) became No. 3 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 4 Air Observers School RAF (1939, 1941–43) became No. 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF[6]
- No. 5 Air Observers School RAF (1939, 1941–44) became Air Navigation and Bombing School RAF [6]
- No. 6 Air Observers School RAF (1942–43) became No. 6 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 7 Air Observers School RAF (1939, 1943–44) became No. 7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 8 Air Observers School RAF (1939) became No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF [6]
- No. 9 Air Observers School RAF (1939, 1941–42) became No. 9 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 10 Air Observers School RAF (1939–40, 1941–42) became No. 10 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF [6]
- No. 24 Combined Air Observers School RAF (1941–43) became No. 24 Bombing, Gunnery and Navigation School RAF [7]
Air Observers Navigation School
- No. 1 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–41) [5]
- No. 2 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–40) [5]
- No. 3 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–40, 1941) became No. 3 Air Observers School RAF [5]
- No. 4 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–41) [5]
- No. 5 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–40, 1940) became No. 45 Air School, SAAF [5]
- No. 6 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–40) became No. 6 Air Observers School RAF [5]
- No. 7 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–40) [5]
- No. 8 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939) [5]
- No. 9 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–40) [5]
- No. 10 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939) [5]
- No. 11 Air Observers Navigation School RAF (1939–41) [5]
Bombing and Gunnery School
- No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–41) became No. 1 Air Gunners School RAF [8]
- No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1941) became No. 2 Air Observers School RAF [8]
- No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–40) [8]
- No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–41) became No. 4 Air Observers School RAF [8]
- No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–41) became No. 5 Air Observers School RAF [8]
- No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–41) became No. 7 Air Gunners School RAF [9]
- No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–41) became No. 8 Air Gunners School RAF [9]
- No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1939–41) became No. 9 Air Observers School RAF [9]
- No. 10 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1940–41) became No. 10 Air Observers School RAF [9]
- No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School RAF (1941–44) [9]
Civil Air Navigation School
- No. 1 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1938–39) became No. 1 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [10]
- No. 2 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1938–39) became No. 2 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [10]
- No. 3 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1938–39) became No. 3 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [10]
- No. 4 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1938–39) became No. 4 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [10]
- No. 5 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1939) became No. 5 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [11]
- No. 6 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1939) became No. 6 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [11]
- No. 7 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1939) became No. 7 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [11]
- No. 8 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1939) became No. 8 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [11]
- No. 9 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1939) became No. 9 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [11]
- No. 10 Civil Air Navigation School RAF (1939) became No. 10 Air Observers Navigation School RAF [11]
Fighting School
- No. 1 Fighting School RAF (1918–19) [12]
- No. 2 Fighting School RAF (1918–19) [12]
- No. 3 Fighting School RAF (1918–19) became No. 7 Training Squadron RAF [12]
- No. 4 Fighting School RAF (1918–20) [12]
- No. 5 Fighting School RAF (1918–19) [12]
Lancaster Finishing School
- No. 1 Lancaster Finishing School RAF (1943–44) [13]
- No. 3 Lancaster Finishing School RAF (1943–45) [13]
- No. 5 Lancaster Finishing School RAF (1943–45) [13]
- No. 6 Lancaster Finishing School RAF (1945) became No. 1384 (Heavy Transport) Conversion Unit RAF [13]
Middle East Training School
- No. 1 Middle East Training School RAF (1942–43) became No. 1 (Middle East) Central Gunnery School RAF [14]
- No. 2 Middle East Training School RAF (1942–43) [14]
- No. 3 Middle East Training School RAF (1942–44) [14]
- No. 4 Middle East Training School RAF (1942–44) [14]
- No. 5 Middle East Training School RAF (1942–44) [14]
Radio School
- No. 1 Radio School RAF (1941–43, 1943–98,[15] 2003-present)[citation needed]
- No. 2 Radio School RAF (1940–42, 1943–65) [16]
- No. 3 Radio School RAF (1940–42, 1943–64) [16]
- No. 4 Radio School RAF (1943–51) became No. 1 Air Signallers School RAF [16]
- No. 6 Radio School RAF (1943–45, 1950–52) [16]
- No. 10 Radio School RAF (1943–45) [16]
- No. 11 Radio School RAF (1942–44) [16]
- No. 12 Radio School RAF (1943–46) [16]
- No. 14 Radio School RAF (1944–46) became Empire Radio School RAF [16]
Signals School
- No. 1 Signals School RAF (1940–43) became No. 1 Radio School RAF [17]
- No. 2 Signals School RAF (1940–43) became No. 2 Radio School RAF [17]
- No. 3 Signals School (India) RAF (1943–44) [17]
- No. 3 Signals School RAF (1940–43) became No. 3 Radio School RAF [17]
- No. 4 Signals School RAF (1941–43) became No. 4 Radio School RAF [17]
Technical Training schools
- No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF (1920–93 & 1994–)[18]
- No. 2 School of Technical Training RAF (1920–21) became Boys Wing, Cranwell & (1938–1995) merged into No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF.[18] Reformed on 20 July 2023 and took responsibility for the activities of the Aerosystems Engineer and Management Training School.[19]
- No. 3 School of Technical Training RAF (1935–39 & 1939–44 & 1959–74)[18]
- No. 4 School of Technical Training RAF (1938-present)[18]
- No. 5 School of Technical Training RAF (1939–50 & 1967–68) became No. 3 Squadron of No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit RAF[18]
- No. 6 School of Technical Training RAF (1939–48)[18]
- No. 7 School of Technical Training RAF (1940–44)[18]
- No. 8 School of Technical Training RAF (1940–65)[20]
- No. 9 School of Technical Training RAF (1939–42 & 1959–74)[20]
- No. 10 School of Technical Training RAF (1940–58)[20]
- No. 11 School of Technical Training RAF (1940–45 & 1945–47)[20]
- No. 12 School of Technical Training RAF (1940–65)[20]
- No. 13 School of Technical Training RAF (1940) became No. 14 School of Technical Training RAF[20]
- No. 14 School of Technical Training RAF (1940–44) became No. 14 (Polish) School of Technical Training RAF & (1951–52)[20]
- No. 14 (Polish) School of Technical Training RAF (1945–48)[20]
- No. 15 School of Technical Training RAF (1948–53)[20]
- No. 16 (Polish) School of Technical Training RAF (1945–46)[20]
- No. 21 School of Technical Training RAF (1941–43 & 1943–46)[20]
Aerial Fighting and Gunnery schools
- No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF (1918) became No. 1 Fighting School RAF [21]
- No. 2 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF (1918) became No. 2 Fighting School RAF [21]
- No. 3 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF (1918) became No. 3 Fighting School RAF [21]
- No. 4 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF (1918) became No. 4 Fighting School RAF [21]
Navigation and Bomb Dropping schools
- No. 1 School of Aerial Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (1918) became No. 1 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF [21]
- No. 2 School of Aerial Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (1918) became No. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF [21]
- No. 3 School of Aerial Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (1918) became No. 3 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF [22]
- No. 4 School of Aerial Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (1918) became No. 4 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF [22]
- No. 1 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (−1919) became School of Air Pilotage RAF [21]
- No. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (−1919) became School of Air Pilotage RAF [21]
- No. 3 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (−1919) [22]
- No. 4 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping RAF (−1919) [22]
Recruit Training schools
- No. 1 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 2 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 3 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 4 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 5 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 6 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 7 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 8 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 9 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 10 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 11 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 12 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 13 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
- No. 15 School of Recruit Training RAF[citation needed]
Various schools
- No. 1 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery RAF (1917–18) became No. 1 (Observer) School of Aerial Gunnery RAF [21]
- No. 1 (Coastal) Engine Control Demonstration Unit RAF (1943–44) became Engine Control Instruction Flight RAF [23]
- No. 1 (Middle East) Central Gunnery School RAF (1943) became Royal Air Force (Middle East) Central Gunnery School RAF [14]
- No. 1 (Observers) School of Aerial Gunnery RAF (1918–19, 1919) [24]
- No. 1 (Training) Wireless School RAF (1917–19) became Electrical and Wireless School RAF [25]
- No. 1 Air Armament School RAF (1937–44) [26]
- No. 1 Air Electronics School RAF (1957–60) became Air Electronics School RAF [27]
- No. 1 Air Gunnery School (India) RAF (1943–45) [2]
- No. 1 Air Signallers School RAF (1951–57) became No. 1 Air Electronics School RAF [28]
- No. 1 Basic Air Navigation School RAF (1951–53) [29]
- No. 1 Beam Approach School RAF (1941–46) [30]
- No. 1 Blind Approach School RAF (1941) became No. 1 Beam Approach School RAF [30]
- No. 1 Coastal Defence Training Unit RAF (1933–35) became Coastal Defence Development Unit RAF [23]
- No. 1 Electrical and Wireless School RAF (1938–40) became No. 1 Signals School RAF [31]
- No. 1 Grading School RAF (1951–52) became Airwork Grading Unit RAF [32]
- No. 1 Ground Defense Gunners School RAF (1939–42) became No. 3 RAF Regiment School [33]
- No. 1 Initial Training School RAF (??-1947, 1948–53, 1953–66) became Aircrew Officers Training School RAF [34]
- No. 1 Marine Observers School RAF (1919) [35]
- No. 1 Observers School RAF (1918) became No. 2 Marine Observers School RAF [24]
- No. 1 Officers Advanced Training School RAF (1944–46) became Officers Advanced Training School RAF [24]
- No. 1 Parachute and Glider Training School RAF (1947–50) became No. 1 Parachute School RAF [36]
- No. 1 Parachute School RAF (1950–53) became No. 1 Parachute Training School RAF [36]
- No. 1 Parachute Training School RAF (1944–47, 1953–) [37]
- No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting (1917–18) became No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF [21]
- No. 1 School of Air Navigation RAF (1940) became No. 31 Air Navigation School RAF [22]
- No. 1 School of Army Co-operation RAF (1939–41) became No. 41 OTU [22]
- No. 1 School of General Reconnaissance RAF (1940) became No. 61 Air School SAAF [38]
- No. 1 School of Photography RAF (1942–45) became School of Photography RAF [38]
- No. 1 Torpedo Refresher School RAF (1943–44) [39]
- No. 2 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery (1917–18) became No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF [40]
- No. 2 Air Armament School RAF (1937–38, 1938–40) became No. 3 Ground Armament School RAF [26]
- No. 2 Air Signallers School RAF (1952–53) [28]
- No. 2 Aircrew Grading School RAF (1951–52) [41]
- No. 2 Basic Air Navigation School RAF (1951–53) [29]
- No. 2 Electrical and Wireless School RAF (1938–40) became No. 2 Signals School RAF [31]
- No. 2 Grading School RAF (1951–52) became Airwork Grading Unit RAF [32]
- No. 2 Marine Observers School RAF (1918–19) [35]
- No. 2 Observers School RAF (1918–19) became No. 1 (Observers) School of Aerial Gunnery RAF [24]
- No. 2 Officers Advanced Training School RAF (??-1946) [24]
- No. 2 School of Aerial Fighting (1917–18) became No. 2 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF [21]
- No. 2 School of Air Navigation RAF (1940–42) became Central Navigation School RAF.[22] Advance air party proceeded from St Athan to RAF Cranage in October 1940; courses commenced within a few days; disbanded by redesignation in 1942.
- No. 2 School of Army Co-operation RAF (1939–41) became No. 6 OTU [22]
- No. 2 School of General Reconnaissance RAF (1940) [38]
- No. 2 Torpedo Refresher School RAF (1943) [39]
- No. 2 Wireless School RAF (1917–19) [42]
- No. 24 Bombing, Gunnery and Air Navigation School RAF (1943–45) [7]
- No. 29 Elementary Navigation and Air Gunnery School (Southern Rhodesia) RAF (1941–45) [43]
- No. 3 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery (1917–18) became No. 1 (Observer) School of Aerial Gunnery [40]
- No. 3 Electrical and Wireless School RAF (1940) became No. 3 Signals School RAF [31]
- No. 3 Parachute Training School RAF (1944–47) passed to Indian Control [37]
- No. 3 Radio Direction Finding School RAF (1942) became No. 11 Radio School RAF [44]
- No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance RAF (1940–46) became School of General Reconnaissance RAF [38]
- No. 4 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery RAF (1917–18) became No. 2 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF [40]
- No. 4 Parachute Training School RAF (1944–45) [37]
- No. 93 Group Screened Pilots School RAF (1943–44) [45]
- Advanced Air Firing School (1917–18) [46]
- Advanced Bombing and Gunnery School (Middle East) RAF (1943–45) [46]
- Aerial Erector School RAF[citation needed]
- Aerial Fighting and Gunnery School (1918–19) [47]
- Aerial Fighting School, Heliopolis (1917–18) became No. 5 Fighting School RAF [47]
- Air Armament School (1932–37) became No. 1 Air Armament School RAF [26]
- Air Electronics and Air Engineers School (1967–76) [27]
- Air Electronics School (1960–67) became Air Electronics and Air Engineers School [48]
- Air Electronics, Engineer and Loadmaster School (1983–97) became Navigator and Airmen Aircrew School [27]
- Air Fighting School (Middle East) (1941–42) [1]
- Air Landing School (1941–44) [49]
- Air Navigation and Bombing School (1944–45) became No. 5 Air Navigation School RAF [3]
- Air Navigation School, India (1942) became General Reconnaissance and Air Navigation School RAF [5]
- Air Navigation School (1935–36) became School of Air Navigation [3]
- Air Observation Post School (1950–53) became Light Aircraft School [5]
- Air Observers School, North Coates (1936–37) became No. 2 Air Armament School RAF [6]
- Air Pilotage School (1919–23, 1931–32, 1933–35) became Air Navigation School [50]
- Airborne Interception School (1952) became No. 238 Operational Conversion Unit RAF [51]
- Airborne Interception/Air-to-Surface Vessel School (1940) became No. 3 Radio School RAF [52]
- Aircrew Officers Training School (1967–67) [41]
- Airfield Controllers School (1942–48) [41]
- All-Weather Fighter Leaders School (1950–58) became All-Weather Fighter Combat School [53]
- Armament and Gunnery School (1922–32) became Air Armament School [54]
- Artillery and Infantry Co-operation School (1917–18) became Royal Air Force and Army Co-operation School RAF [55]
- Artillery Observation School, Egypt (1918–19) [55]
- Artillery Observation School (1917–18) became Artillery Observation School, Egypt [55]
- Blind Approach School (1940–??) became No. 1 Blind Approach School RAF [30]
- Bomber Command Bombing School (1952–68) became Strike Command Bombing School [56]
- Central Air Traffic Control School RAF (1963–) [57]
- Central Gunnery School (1939–54) became Fighter Weapons School RAF and the Coastal Command Gunnery School RAF [58]
- Central Landing School (1940) became Central Landing Establishment [58]
- Central Navigation and Control School RAF (1950–63) became Central Air Traffic Control School RAF [58]
- Central Navigation School RAF (1942–44, 1949–50) became Central Navigation and Control School RAF [10]
- Central Squadron and Flight Commanders School (1945–46) [10]
- Coastal Command Anti U-Boat Devices School RAF (1945) [59]
- Coastal Command Flying Instructors School RAF (1945) became Coastal Command Instructors School RAF [23]
- Coastal Command Gunnery School RAF (1955) [23]
- Coastal Command Instructors School RAF (1945–46) [23]
- Coastal Command Landplane Pilots Pool RAF (1939–40) became No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF [23]
- Coastal Command Tactical Development Unit RAF (1940) became Coastal Command Development Unit RAF [23]
- Coastal Defence Development Unit (1935–36) [23]
- Electrical and Wireless School (1919–38) became No. 1 Electrical and Wireless School RAF [31]
- Empire Air Armament School (1944–49) [43]
- Empire Air Navigation School (1944–49) became Central Navigation School RAF [43]
- Empire Central Flying School (1954–46) became Empire Flying School [43]
- Empire Flying School (1946–49) [43]
- Empire Radio School (1946–49) became Royal Air Force Technical College, Signals Division [60]
- Empire Test Pilots' School (1944–) [60]
- Fighter Command Control and Reporting School (1945–53) became School of Control and Reporting RAF [61]
- Fighter Leaders School (1943–44) [62]
- Fighter Weapons School (1955–1958) [12]
- Fleet School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery (1918–20) became RAF Base, Leuchars [33]
- Franco-Belgium Air Training School (1940–41) [63]
- General Reconnaissance and Air Navigation School (India) (1942–44) [63]
- General Reconnaissance School (1942) became General Reconnaissance and Air Navigation School (India) [63]
- Grand Fleet School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery (1918–??) became Fleet School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery [33]
- Ground Defence Gunners School (1939) between No. 1 Ground Defence Gunners School RAF [33]
- India Detachment, Chinese Air Force Cadet School (??-1946) [64]
- Light Aircraft School RAF (1953–57) Control Passed to the Army Air Corps [13]
- Machine Gun School (1915–16) became School of Aerial Gunnery [65]
- Marine Observers School RAF, Aldeburgh (1918–19) became No. 1 Marine Observers School RAF [35]
- Marine Observers School RAF, Leysdown (??-1918) [35]
- Navigation School (1926–36) became School of Air Navigation RAF [66]
- Navigation Training School RAF (1939–40) [66]
- Observers School of Reconnaissance and Aerial Photography RAF (1918–19) [24]
- Officers Advanced Training School (1944) became No. 1 Officers Advanced Training School RAF [24]
- Parachute Training Centre (1940) became Central Landing School RAF [37]
- Parachute Training School (India) (1941–42) [37]
- Rhodesian Central Flying School (1941–42) became No. 33 Flying Instructors School RAF [67]
- Royal Air Force (Belgian) Training School (1944–46) transferred to Belgian Air Force control [68]
- Royal Air Force (Middle East) Central Gunnery School (1943–45) [14]
- Royal Air Force and Army Co-operation School RAF (1918–19) became School of Army Co-operation RAF [67]
- Royal Air Force and Navy Co-operation School (1919) became Royal Air Force Seaplane Establishment [68]
- Royal Air Force School of Army Co-operation (1943–44) became School of Air Support RAF [22]
- Royal Air Force School, India (1921–22) [69]
- School for Anti-Submarine Inshore Patrol Observers RAF (1918) became Marine Observers School RAF [70]
- School for Marine Operational Pilots RAF (1918–19) [70]
- School for Wireless Operators (1916–17) became Wireless School [70]
- School of Aerial Co-operation with Coastal Artillery RAF (1918–19) became Coastal Battery Co-operation School RAF [21]
- School of Aerial Fighting (Canada) (1918) [21]
- School of Aerial Fighting and Bomb Dropping RAF (1918) became No. 4 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery RAF [21]
- School of Aerial Gunnery and Bombing (1921–22) became Armament and Gunnery School RAF [21]
- School of Aerial Gunnery, (Canada) (1917–18) became School of Aerial Fighting (Canada) [21]
- School of Aerial Gunnery, Aboukir (1917–18) became No. 5 Fighting School RAF [21]
- School of Aerial Gunnery, Hythe (1916–17) became No. 1 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery [21]
- School of Aerial Gunnery, Loch Doon (1917–18) [21]
- School of Aerial Navigation RAF (1920) became School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation RAF [21]
- School of Air Navigation (1936–40) became No. 1 School of Air Navigation RAF [22]
- School of Air Pilotage (1919) became Air Pilotage School RAF [22]
- School of Air Sea Rescue (1943–45) became Survival and Rescue Training Unit RAF [22]
- School of Air Support (1944–47) became School of Land/Air Warfare RAF [22]
- School of Air Traffic Control (1946–50) became Central Navigation and Control School RAF [22]
- School of Air Transport (1944–46) [22]
- School of Army Co-operation (1919–20, 1920–39) became No. 1 School of Army Co-operation RAF [22]
- School of Artillery Co-operation (Canada) (1918) [22]
- School of Aviation Medicine RAF (1945–50) became RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine [22]
- School of Control and Reporting RAF (1953–57) became School of Fighter Plotting RAF [61]
- School of Fighter Control RAF (1957–61) [22]
- School of General Reconnaissance (1938–40, 1946–47) [38]
- School of Land/Air Warfare (1947–63) became Joint Warfare Establishment [38]
- School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation (1920–28) [38]
- School of Naval Co-operation (1919–20, 1923–39) [38]
- School of Photography, Maps and Reconnaissance (1917–19) became Photographic Park, Farnborough RAF [38]
- School of Photography RAF (1919–41, 1945–72) [38]
- Specialised Low Attack Instructors School (India) RAF (1943–45) became Ground Attack Training School RAF [71]
- Specialised Low Attack Instructors School RAF (1942–44) became Fighter Leaders School RAF [71]
- Staff Navigators School (Middle East) RAF (1944–45) [72]
- Strike Command Bombing School RAF (1968–74) [73]
- Temporary Air Observer's School RAF (1938) [74]
- Test Pilots School RAF (1944) became Empire Test Pilots' School [39]
- The Officers Advanced Training School RAF (1946–62) became Junior Command and Staff School [24]
- Torpedo Aeroplane School RAF (1918) became No. 201 Training Depot Station RAF [39]
- Torpedo Bombing School (1942) became No. 5 Middle East Training School RAF [39]
- Torpedo Training School (1919–20) [39]
- Wireless and Observers School, Brooklands (1916–17) became Artillery and Infantry Co-operation School [75]
- Wireless and Observers School, Eqypt (1919) [75]
- Wireless School, Brooklands (1916) became Wireless and Observers School, Brooklands [42]
- Wireless School, Egypt (1918–19) became Wireless and Observers School, Eqypt [42]
- Wireless Telephony School (1918) [42]
Flying training schools
[edit]To train pilots for the Royal Air Force, there have been many flying training schools, which are listed here.
Numbered schools
[edit]Central Flying School
- No. 2 Central Flying School RAF (1940–42) became No. 1 Flying Instructors School RAF[58]
Advanced Flying School
- No. 201 Advanced Flying School RAF (1947–54) became No. 11 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 202 Advanced Flying School RAF (1947, 1951–54) became No. 7 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 203 Advanced Flying School RAF (1947–49, 1949–54) became No. 8 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 204 Advanced Flying School RAF (1947–52) became 'D' Squadron of No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit RAF[46]
- No. 205 Advanced Flying School RAF (1950–54) became No. 4 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 206 Advanced Flying School RAF (1951–54) became No. 5 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 207 Advanced Flying School RAF (1951–54)[46]
- No. 208 Advanced Flying School RAF (1951–54) became No. 10 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 209 Advanced Flying School RAF (1952–54) became No. 12 Flying Training School RAF[46]
- No. 210 Advanced Flying School RAF (1952–54)[46]
- No. 211 Advanced Flying School RAF (1952–54) became No. 211 Flying Training School RAF[47]
- No. 215 Advanced Flying School RAF (1952–54)[47]
Basic Flying Training School
- No. 1 Basic Flying Training School RAF (1950–53)[29]
- No. 2 Basic Flying Training School RAF (1951–53)[29]
- No. 3 Basic Flying Training School RAF (1951–53)[29]
- No. 4 Basic Flying Training School RAF (1951–53)[29]
- No. 5 Basic Flying Training School RAF (1952–53)[29]
(Basic) Flying Training School
(Advanced) Flying Training School
Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59
Elementary Flying Training School
- 1 (India), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 25 (Southern Rhodesia), 26, 26 (Southern Rhodesia), 27, 27 (Southern Rhodesia), 28, 28 (Southern Rhodesia), 29, 30, 30 (Kenya), 31, 32, 33, 34 (Canada), 35 (Canada), 36 (Canada)
Flying Instructors School
- 1 (1942) became 1 (Advanced) (1942) became No. 18 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF
- 2 (1940, 1942) became 2 (Advanced) (1942–45)
- 3 (Advanced) (1942–45)
- 4 (Supplementary) (1940–42) became 4 (1942) became 4 (Elementary) (1942–43)
- 5 (Supplementary) (1941–42) became 5 (1942) became 5 (Elementary) (1942)
- 6 (Supplementary) (1941–42) became 6 (1942) became 6 (Elementary) (1942) became No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School RAF
- 7 (1942) became 7 (Advanced) (1942–46) became Central Flying School
- 10 (Elementary) (1942–46) became Central Flying School
- 11 (1944–47)
- 12 (Operational) (1944–45) became Coastal Command Flying Instructors School RAF
- 33 Southern Rhodesia (1942–44) became Central Flying School, Southern Rhodesia
Flying Refresher School
- No. 101 Flying Refresher School RAF (1951–52) became No. 215 Advanced Flying School RAF [76]
- No. 102 Flying Refresher School RAF (1951) became No. 207 Advanced Flying School RAF [76]
- No. 103 Flying Refresher School RAF (1951) became No. 207 Advanced Flying School RAF [76]
- No. 104 Flying Refresher School RAF (1951–52) became No. 6 Air Navigation School RAF [76]
Flying Training School
Refresher School
- No. 1 Refresher School RAF (1946–47) became No. 1 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit RAF [77]
- Refresher Flying Training School RAF (1942) became No. 1 Refresher Flying Training School RAF[77]
- No. 1 Refresher Flying Training School RAF (1942) [77]
Reserve Flying School
School of Special Flying
- No. 1 School of Special Flying RAF (1918) became Southwestern Area Flying Instructors School RAF [78]
- No. 2 School of Special Flying RAF (1918) became Northeastern Area Flying Instructors School RAF [78]
Service Flying Training School
Other schools
[edit]- Advanced Flying School (India) (1946–47) [47]
- Central Flying School (India) (1944–45) [58]
- Central Flying School (Southern Rhodesia) (1944–45) [67]
- Defence Helicopter Flying School (1997–) [79]
- Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, Kenya (1940) became No. 30 Elementary Flying Training School RAF [80]
- Empire Flying School (1946–49) became Royal Air Force Flying College [43]
- Flying Instructors School, El Khanka (1918–19) [81]
- Flying Instructors School (India) (1944) became Central Flying School (India) RAF [81]
- Flying Instructors School, The Curragh (1918–19) [81]
- Flying Instructors School, Upavon (1919–20) became Central Flying School [81]
- Flying Instructors Training School (1943–44) became No. 11 Flying Instructors School RAF [76]
- Flying Refresher School (1949–51) became No. 101 Flying Refresher School RAF [76]
- Joint Elementary Flying Training School (1993–) [82]
- Midland Area Flying Instructors School (1918–19) [66]
- Midland Area School of Special Flying (1918) became Midland Area Flying Instructors School [66]
- Netheravon Flying School (1919) became No. 1 Flying Training School RAF [66]
- Northeastern Area Flying Instructors School (1918–19) [83]
- Northern Area Flying Instructors School (1919–20) [83]
- Northwestern Area Flying Instructors School (1918–19) [83]
- Refresher Flying Training School (1942) became No. 1 Refresher Flying Training School RAF [77]
- Reserve Flying School, Brough (1924–35) became No. 4 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF [84]
- Reserve Flying School, Coventry (1923–31) became Reserve Flying School, Hamble [84]
- Reserve Flying School, Filton (1923–35) became No. 2 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF [84]
- Reserve Flying School, Hamble (1931–35) became No. 3 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF [84]
- Reserve Flying School, Renfrew (1924–28) [84]
- Reserve Flying School, Stag Lane (1923–35) became No. 1 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF [84]
- Royal Air Force College Service Flying Training School (1939–44) became No. 17 Service Flying Training School RAF [68]
- Royal Air Force Liaison Office, Chinese Elementary Flying Training School (1943–46) [64]
- Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School (1973–93) became Joint Elementary Flying Training School [70]
- School of Refresher Flying (1962–77) became Refresher Flying Squadron RAF [38]
- School of Special Flying (Canada) (1918) [78]
- School of Special Flying, Gosport (1917) became No. 1 School of Special Flying [78]
- Southeastern Area Flying Instructors School (1918–19) [85]
- Southwestern Area Flying Instructors School (1918–19) [85]
Gliding schools
[edit]As well as powered aircraft, the Royal Air Force has operated a large number of gliders both for military tasks and for Cadet training.
Regular Gliding Schools
[edit]Volunteer Gliding Schools
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lake 1999, p. 16.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lake 1999, p. 19.
- ^ "No 2 School of Air Navigation". RAFweb.org. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Lake 1999, p. 20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lake 1999, p. 21.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 51.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 39.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 40.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 47.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 48.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 72.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 134.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 139.
- ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 215.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lake 1999, p. 160.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 186.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 289.
- ^ Lane, Flight Lieutenant Christina (Winter 2023). "The Reformation of No.2 School of Technical Training". Cosford Apprentice. p. 17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 291.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Lake 1999, p. 180.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lake 1999, p. 181.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lake 1999, p. 50.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lake 1999, p. 142.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 288.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 13.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 14.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 23.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 36.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 37.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 58.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 117.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 118.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 132.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 137.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 154.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 155.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lake 1999, p. 182.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 282.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 35.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 27.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 292.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 64.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 159.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 125.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lake 1999, p. 10.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 11.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 15.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 18.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 22.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 26.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 25.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 43.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 31.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 34.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 38.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 42.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 46.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 49.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 65.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 70.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 71.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 109.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 176.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 135.
- ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 140.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 173.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 174.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 177.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 179.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 188.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 277.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 278.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 281.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 291.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 103.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 161.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 183.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 211.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 61.
- ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 102.
- ^ Lake 1999, p. 133.
- ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 141.
- ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 171.
- ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 187.
- ^ a b c Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 109.
- ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 88.
Bibliography
[edit]- Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Lake, Alan (1999). Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
- Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.
- Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.