No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (1 (C)OTU), was a training unit of the Royal Air Force, within No. 17 Group RAF, which was part of RAF Coastal Command. The unit was established during April 1940 by the redesignating of an existing RAF Coastal Command unit,[1] and disbanded during October 1943.[2][3]
History
Blackburn Botha L8123 'A', of No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, running up its engines at RAF Silloth,
Forming on 1 April 1940, at RAF Silloth, by redesignating the Coastal Command Landplane Pilots School,[5]No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit initially trained aircrews for RAF Coastal Command landplanes and was equipped with Avro Anson, Lockheed Hudson, Bristol Blenheim, a British light bomber, and Bristol Beaufort aircraft. However, with the creation of more OTU's the unit started to specialise in training Lockheed Hudson aircrew.[1][5]
Blackburn Botha I, L6162, of No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, preparing for departure on a training flight at RAF Silloth
Liberator GR IIIA, LV345 'E', parked in a dispersal at Aldergrove, County Antrim, at the culmination of its service with of No. 86 Squadron RAF, and shortly before joining the Liberator Flight of No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit
No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit was equipped with numerous types and variants of aircraft:[5]
