No. 17 Operational Training Unit RAF

Brief History

RAF OTUs were the last stage of training for aircrew before they were assigned to an operational unit. By this stage, individuals had undertaken all their preparatory and qualifaction training, and shortly after arrival the the OTU, if they were operating a crewed aircraft, they would be 'crewed up' with the other men with whom they would go to war. This was done on an almost random basis by men just picking each other out in the crowd until they had got the necessary mix of 'musterings' (Pilot, Navigator, Wireless Operator / Air Gunners depending on the aircraft) to make up their crew with whom they would fly, until separated by death, injury, illness or re-posting.

No. 17 Operational Training Unit RAF (17 OTU) was formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 Group RAF Bomber Command at RAF Upwood to train light bomber crews using the Bristol Blenheim aircraft. The field was frequently unable to be used due to water soaked fields, and the squadron moved to RAF Silverstone in April 1943 to train night bomber crews on the Vickers Wellington. It was re-designated No. 201 Advanced Flying School in March 1947.

Unit Personnel

• Phillip Herbert Martin DFC & Bar 2 Nov 1943 - 15 Feb 1944