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.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 1945.53 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 List of Royal Air Force Operational Training Units
References
External links 53 OTU at nationalarchives.gov.uk Retrieved 9 May 2022 53 OTU at aircrewremembered.com Retrieved 9 May 2022 53 OTU at www.rafweb.org Retrieved 9 May 2022