No. 81 Group RAF

No. 81 Group RAF, commonly abbreviated as 81 Group or 81 Gp, was an organizational formation of the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command. It was not a commercial brand or an independent company, but a military headquarters used to administer and coordinate flying-training and operational-conversion units. Its principal function was to prepare aircrew and squadrons for fighter operations by supervising units equipped with aircraft such as the Bristol Blenheim, Bristol Beaufighter, Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, North American Mustang, de Havilland Vampire, Gloster Meteor, and Sikorsky Hoverfly. The group was first established on 16 December 1940 at RAF Sealand during the Second World War. In its initial form it controlled Operational Training Units, which trained pilots and other aircrew before they joined operational formations. Its headquarters moved to Tallow Hall in Worcester in February 1941 and later to Avening Court in Gloucestershire in December 1941. The group structure changed as the training system developed. Early subordinate units included Nos. 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58 Operational Training Units, operating a mixture of Blenheims, Beaufighters, Spitfires, and Hurricanes. By 1942 and early 1943, the group administered a much broader network of operational training establishments distributed across England, Wales, and Scotland. The wartime organization included units at locations such as Cranfield, Aston Down, Llandow, Rhoose, Charterhall, Annan, Tealing, Hawarden, Grangemouth, East Fortune, Rednal, and other stations. The changing aircraft inventory reflected the varied demands placed on Fighter Command's training system. Some units prepared fighter pilots on Spitfires and Hurricanes, while others trained crews for twin-engined Blenheim and Beaufighter operations. In March 1943, the group also included units using North American Mustangs and Avro Ansons, illustrating the broad range of conversion and support training under its supervision. No. 81 Group was disbanded on 15 April 1943, when its controlled units were transferred to No. 9 Group. It was subsequently re-formed on 1 January 1952 at RAF Watnall to control training units within the post-war Fighter Command structure. The reconstituted group moved to RAF Rudloe Manor in Wiltshire on 16 May 1952. Its responsibilities in the 1950s covered operational conversion and related training activity in the jet age. In April 1953, its organization included conversion units operating de Havilland Vampires and Gloster Meteors, a control-and-reporting school, and No. 1906 Air Observation Post Flight operating Sikorsky Hoverfly helicopters. The Central Flying School was transferred to the group on 1 November 1954. The second incarnation ended on 31 March 1958, when No. 81 Group was finally disbanded. Across its two periods of existence, the formation represented the RAF's use of centralized command structures to manage the transition from wartime piston-engine training to post-war jet and helicopter operations. Its historical significance lies in the training and conversion network it coordinated rather than in consumer-facing products, commercial ownership, or market activity.

No. 81 Group RAF was created during the expansion of the Royal Air Force's wartime training and command system. On 16 December 1940, Fighter Command established the group at RAF Sealand to oversee Operational Training Units. These units provided the bridge between basic flying instruction and assignment to operational squadrons, giving newly trained aircrew experience with the aircraft, tactics, and procedures required for combat service. The headquarters moved to Tallow Hall in Worcester on 19 February 1941 and subsequently to Avening Court near Stroud in Gloucestershire on 22 December 1941. During its first period, the group administered a changing collection of training units. At the beginning of 1941, its organization included Nos. 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58 Operational Training Units. Their equipment included Bristol Blenheims and Beaufighters, Supermarine Spitfires, and Hawker Hurricanes. The mixture reflected the need to train personnel for both single-engine fighter and twin-engine fighter roles. By May 1942, the formation had expanded considerably. It controlled units numbered 51 through 61, with some gaps, operating from a network of airfields across England, Wales, and Scotland. The units used Spitfires, Hurricanes, Blenheims, and Beaufighters, and several operated from more than one airfield. This distributed structure enabled Fighter Command to place training close to available airfields, aircraft, maintenance facilities, and operational sectors. In March 1943, the group still administered a substantial network. The organization included training units using North American Mustangs, Spitfires, Hurricanes, Blenheims, Beaufighters, and Avro Ansons. The presence of the Anson-equipped No. 62 Operational Training Unit indicates that the group's responsibilities also included aircraft and crew functions supporting the wider fighter-training system. The first incarnation of No. 81 Group ended on 15 April 1943. Its controlled units were transferred to No. 9 Group, and the headquarters was disbanded. This change formed part of a broader adjustment to the RAF's wartime command arrangements rather than the termination of the underlying training requirement. After the Second World War, the RAF re-established No. 81 Group on 1 January 1952 at RAF Watnall in Nottinghamshire. The revived group again operated within Fighter Command and was tasked with controlling training units. It moved to RAF Rudloe Manor in Wiltshire on 16 May 1952. The post-war organization reflected the rapid technological changes affecting the RAF. By April 1953, the group included Nos. 229, 238, and 233 Operational Conversion Units operating de Havilland Vampires, No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit operating Gloster Meteors, No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit also operating Meteors, No. 1906 Air Observation Post Flight operating Sikorsky Hoverfly helicopters, and the School of Control and Reporting at RAF Middle Wallop. Operational Conversion Units prepared trained personnel to operate particular aircraft types and to function within operational squadrons. Their inclusion in No. 81 Group shows how the post-war formation supported the transition from initial training to front-line readiness. The group also acquired responsibility for the Central Flying School on 1 November 1954, further connecting it with RAF flying standards and instructional expertise. The reformed group had several senior commanders, including Air Commodores L. W. C. Bower, C. C. McMullen, H. A. V. Hogan, and R. C. Mead. It was finally disbanded on 31 March 1958. No. 81 Group therefore had two distinct periods: a wartime formation active from December 1940 to April 1943, and a post-war formation active from January 1952 to March 1958. Its legacy is administrative and operational, centered on the RAF's institutional management of pilot, aircrew, conversion, control, and observation training.

• 1958

  Final disbandment

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The post-war No. 81 Group was finally disbanded on 31 March 1958.

• 1954

  Central Flying School transferred

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The Central Flying School became part of No. 81 Group on 1 November 1954.

• 1952

  Re-formation at RAF Watnall

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The group was re-formed on 1 January 1952 to control training units within the post-war Fighter Command structure.

• 1952

  Move to RAF Rudloe Manor

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The re-formed headquarters moved from RAF Watnall to RAF Rudloe Manor on 16 May 1952.

• 1943

  First disbandment

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  No. 81 Group was disbanded on 15 April 1943, with its controlled units transferred to No. 9 Group.

• 1941

  Headquarters moved to Worcester

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  The group headquarters moved to Tallow Hall in Worcester on 19 February 1941.

• 1941

  Headquarters moved to Avening Court

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  On 22 December 1941, the headquarters relocated to Avening Court in Gloucestershire.

• 1940

  Formation at RAF Sealand

  [1]No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org

  No. 81 Group was formed on 16 December 1940 within Fighter Command to control Operational Training Units.

A Royal Air Force Fighter Command headquarters focused on coordinating training, operational conversion, and related aviation-support units.

• Military aviation training · 1940

  Operational Training Units

  During its wartime existence, No. 81 Group coordinated Operational Training Units that prepared pilots and other aircrew for assignment to operational formations. These units operated aircraft including the Spitfire, Hurricane, Blenheim, Beaufighter, Mustang, and Anson, with individual establishments specializing in different aircraft and roles.

• Military aviation conversion training · 1952

  Operational Conversion Units

  In the post-war period, the group administered Operational Conversion Units that transitioned trained personnel onto specific front-line aircraft types. The listed units operated jet aircraft such as the de Havilland Vampire and Gloster Meteor, helping the RAF adapt its training structure to the jet era.

• Air defence training · 1953

  School of Control and Reporting

  The School of Control and Reporting at RAF Middle Wallop formed part of the post-war organization listed under No. 81 Group. It represented the group's broader responsibility for training associated with the direction, coordination, and reporting of air operations.

• Air observation · 1953

  No. 1906 Air Observation Post Flight

  No. 1906 Air Observation Post Flight was listed within the group's 1953 organization at RAF Middle Wallop. It operated Sikorsky Hoverfly helicopters, adding rotary-wing observation capability to the formation's otherwise predominantly fixed-wing training portfolio.

1. 1No. 81 Group RAFen.wikipedia.org