List of Royal Air Force heavy conversion units

With the introduction of the four-engined heavy bombers (for example the Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax and Short Stirling) into the Royal Air Force it introduced Heavy Conversion Units. The Heavy Conversion Units began forming in late 1941 to convert crews trained on medium bombers on to the heavy bombers before moving on the Operational Training Units to gain experience before posting to the operational squadrons. After the end of the war their role was taken over by the Operational Conversion Units. Although the units had nominal bases it was usual for different flights and individual aircraft to be detached nearer the operational bases. Some of the Heavy Conversion Units were involved in bombing operations over Germany.

No. 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Waterbeach in January 1942 to train crews for the Short Stirling. During 1942 it flew 49 operational sorties for Bomber Command with a loss of five aircraft. It moved to RAF Wratting Common in May 1944. In March 1945 it moved to RAF Woolfox Lodge to train on the Avro Lancaster before it was disbanded in July 1945.

No. 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Marston Moor in January 1942 to train crews on to the Handley Page Halifax. During 1942 it flew 42 operational sorties for Bomber Command with a loss of three aircraft. It was disbanded in June 1945.

No. 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Polebrook in January 1942 to convert crews for the Consolidated Liberator for duties in the Middle East, moving to RAF Burn in June 1942. The unit was disbanded in October 1942.Reformed at RAF Chedburgh in November 1943 to train crews on the Short Stirling. Moved to RAF North Luffenham as a Avro Lancaster unit and finally to RAF Lindholme in November 1946 before it became No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF in March 1947.

No. 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Swinderby in May 1942 to convert crews on the Avro Manchester and after a move in July 1942 to RAF Wiglsey also operated the Avro Lancaster. During 1942 it flew 12 operational sorties with a loss of two aircraft. The unit was disbanded in September 1945.

No. 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Lindholme October 1942 to convert crews on to the Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax. The unit was disbanded in November 1945.

No. 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Stradishall in October 1942 to convert crews on to the Short Stirling and later Avro Lancasters. Disbanded December 1944.

No. 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Riccall in October 1942 to convert crews on to the Handley Page Halifax, Disbanded in April 1945.

No. 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit RCAF

Formed at RAF Leeming in October 1942 as a Canadian conversion unit with the Handley Page Halifax. Moved to RAF Topcliffe in March 1943. The unit received some Avro Lancasters from November 1944 as the Canadian squadrons were converting to the type. Unit was disbanded in September 1945.

No. 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Swinderby in October 1942 to convert crews on to the Avro Manchester, Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax. The Halifaxes were replaced with Short Stirlings in December 1943. Disbanded in November 1946 when it was absorbed by No. 1653 HCU.

No. 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Waddington in November 1942 to convert crews on to Avro Manchester and Avro Lancaster. It was planned to re-equip with the Handley Page Halifax but received Short Stirlings to replace the Manchesters and Lancasters (which had been withdrawn for use by operational squadrons). Unit was disbanded in August 1945.

No. 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Blyton in January 1943 to convert crews on to the Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster. The unit was disbanded in April 1945.

No. 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Rufforth in March 1943 to convert crews on to the Handley Page Halifax. The unit was disbanded in May 1945.

No. 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit RCAF

Formed at RAF Croft in May 1943 to convert Canadian crews on the Handley Page Halifax. It moved to RAF Dishforth in April 1944. The unit received some Avro Lancasters from November 1944 as the Canadian squadrons were converting to the type. Unit was disbanded in April 1945. The unit had the Canadian name "Caribou".

No. 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Mepal in April 1943 to convert crews on to the Handley Page Halifax and Short Stirling. It moved to RAF Woolfox Lodge in June 1943 and moved again to RAF Tilstock in January 1944 to teach crews in the airborne forces role. It made two further moved to RAF Saltby and RAF Marston Moor before it became a Heavy Transport Conversion Unit in August 1945.

No. 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit RCAF

Formed at RAF Dalton in June 1943 to convert Canadian crews on to the Handley Page Halifax. It moved to RAF Wombleton in October 1943. The unit received some Avro Lancasters from January 1945 as the Canadian squadrons were converting to the type. Unit was disbanded in August 1945. The unit had the Canadian name "Mohawk".

No. 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Lindholme in June 1943 to convert crews on to the Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax. It made two moved; to RAF Faldingworth in October 1943, and RAF Sandtoft in February 1944. The unit was disbanded in November 1945.

No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Badlerton in August 1943 to convert crews on to the Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax but was disbanded in November 1943. The unit reformed again in July 1944 at RAF Bottesford to convert crews on to the Avro Lancaster until it was disbanded in March 1946.

No. 1669 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Langar in August 1944 convert crews on to the Handley Page Halifax until it was disbanded in March 1945.

No. 1673 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Salbani in February 1944 to convert crews on to the Consolidated Liberator. It moved to RAF Kolar in April 1944 and was disbanded in November 1944.

No. 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Aldergrove in October 1943 to provide conversion training for the martime patrol role in Coastal Command. Aircraft included the Boeing Fortress, Handley Page Halifax, Consolidated Liberator. After a number of moves around Northern Ireland the squadron was disbanded at RAF Lossiemouth in November 1945.

No. 1675 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF

Formed at RAF Lydda in October 1943 to convert crews on to the Consolidated Liberator. It moved to RAF Abbot Sueir in August 1944 and was disbanded in October 1945.

References

* Ray Sturtivant, "Flying Training And Support Units since 1912, 2007, Air-Britain, UK, ISBN 0 85130 365 X