No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF

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Brief History

Royal Air Force Operational Training Units (OTU) were training units that prepared aircrew for operations on a particular type or types of aircraft or roles. No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit was formed on 18 May 1942 at RAF Fraserburgh by merging the Photographic Reconnaissance Conversion Flight of No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance from RAF Squires Gate and "K" (Photographic Reconnaissance Advanced Training) Flight of No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Detling.

It trained aircrew on a wide range of photo-reconnaissance aircraft including the Supermarine Spitfire and the De Havilland Mosquito. In 1947 following the cessation of the war it was disbanded to become No. 237 Operational Conversion Unit RAF.

Trainees

• † Alan Wesley Hain