Dates: 1946 -
With the reduction of the RAF after World War II, the need for new aircrew was considerably reduced and the 150 or so Operational Training Units were gradually reduced in size and many were disbanded. It was decided to continue with the idea of separating type conversion and crew familiarisation from operational activities and Operational Conversion Units (OCUs)were established in their place.
OCUs teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons. The Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force practice this method of training.
Some historic RAF Operational Conversion Units are:
226 Operational Conversion Unit (1946 - 1991)
Role: Fighter pilot training on Tempests, Hornets, Meteors. Lightnings, and Jaguars.
Stations:
RAF Molesworth
RAF Bentwaters
RAF Stradishall
RAF Middleton St George
RAF Coltishall
RAF Lossiemouth
227 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1950)
Role: Air Observation Post aircrew training.
Stations:
RAF Andover
RAF Middle Wallop
228 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1991)
Role: Night fighter crew training on Mosquitoes, Meteors, Javelins, and Phantoms.
Stations:
RAF Leeming
RAF Leuchars
RAF Coningsby
229 Operational Conversion Unit (1950 - 1992)
Role: Fighter pilot training on Vampires, Sabres, Hunters, and Tornado crews (air defence).
Stations:
RAF Leuchars
RAF Chivenor
RAF Coningsby
230 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1981)
Role: Bomber crew training on Lancasters, Lincolns, and Vulcans.
Stations:
RAF Lindholme
RAF Scampton
RAF Upwood
RAF Waddington
RAF Finningley
231 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1993)
Role: Light bomber and photo reconnaissance crew training on Mosquitoes and Canberras.
Stations:
RAF Coningsby
RAF Waddington
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Marham
RAF Wyton
232 Operational Conversion Unit (1955 - 1986)
Role: V bomber and tanker aircrew training on Valiants and Victors.
Stations:
RAF Gaydon
RAF Marham
233 Operational Conversion Unit (1952 - 1992)
Role: Fighter pilot training on Vampires, Hunters and Harriers.
Stations:
RAF Pembrey
RAF Wittering
235 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1953)
Role: Flying boat aircrew training on Sunderlands.
Station:
RAF Calshot
236 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1992)
Role: Reconnaissance aircrew training on Beaufighters, Lancaster, Spitfires, Neptunes, Shackletons and Nimrods.
Stations:
RAF Kinloss
RAF St Mawgan
237 Operational Conversion Unit (1947 - 1991)
Role: Photo reconnaissance training on Mosquitoes, Spitfires, and Canberras. Subsequently the Buccaneer OCU.
Stations:
RAF Benson
RAF Leuchars
RAF Benson
RAF Bassingbourn
238 Operational Conversion Unit (1952 - 1958) - Night fighter radar training on Brigands, Balliols, Meteors, and Valettas.
Station:
RAF Colerne
240 Operational Conversion Unit (1948 - 1993)
Role: Medium-range transport, then support helicopter aircrew training on Dakotas, Valettas, Devons, Wessexes, Pumas and Chinooks.
Stations:
RAF North Luffenham
RAF Odiham
241 Operational Conversion Unit (1948 - 1993)
Role: Heavy transport aircrew training on Yorks, Halifaxes, Hastings, Britannias, Belfasts, VC10s, and Tristars.
Stations:
RAF Dishforth
RAF Brize Norton
242 Operational Conversion Unit (1951 - 1992)
Role: Transport aircrew training on Dakotas, Valettas, Devons, Yorks, and Halifaxes. Subsequently the Hercules OCU.
Stations:
RAF Dishforth
RAF Thorney Island
The current Operational Conversion Unit Squadrons in the Royal Air Force (2008) are:
15 Squadron - assigned to the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit at Lossiemouth in April 1992.
17 Squadron - reformed in May 2005 at Coningsby in Lincolnshire to become the Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit.
20 Squadron - assigned to the Harrier OCU at Wittering in 1992.
29 Squadron - reformed in September 2003 as the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit.
41 Squadron -<
