RAF training locations?

[thorthemighty]

Hi guys,


I recently got my great uncle’s service record and have matched up the locations where he did his pilot training both in the UK and Southern Rhodeshia. I was wondering if anybody has descriptions of the various bases at the time he was posted at them or additional information on what would have been flown at the bases. Additionally, I have found references to two locations being in hotels, 10 ITW in the Grand Hotel and 7 PRC in the Majestic Hotel. Does anybody have any additional information about or photos of either hotel?

Here are the locations (with general dates) my great uncle F.D. McGonigle was at before arriving at 101 Squadron/Ludford Magna in September 44.

10 Initial Training Wing (Scarborough, N. Yorkshire)
August 1941 (10 Initial Training Wing was at the requisitioned Grand Hotel, Scarborough)

Initial Training Wing (Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia)
April and October 1942

26 Elementary Flying Training School (Guinea Fowl, Gwelo, Southern Rhodesia)
July 1942

20 Service Flying Training School (Cranborne, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia)
December 1942 to July 1943

7 Personnel Reception Centre (Harrogate, Yorkshire)
August, September, October 1943
(The Majestic Hotel was host to hundreds of RAF non- commissioned Pilots, who with no immediate knowledge of their future roles in the RAF, were held there at what was known as No. 7 Personnel Reception Centre)

11 Elementary Flying Training School (Perth, Perthshire, Scotland)
September 1943

Senior Non Commissioned Offices Course (Whitley Bay, Northumberland)
October 1943

6 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (Little Rissington, Gloucestershire)
January 1944

1516 Beam/Blind Approach Training Flight (Pershore – Stratford? – , Worcestershire) (Air Historical Branch said that 1516 BAT flt was at Stratford which was a satellite of Pershore – but the only info I have found online says Pershore, can anybody clear this up?)
March 1944

6 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (Little Rissington, Gloucestershire)
March 1944

30 Operations Training Unit (Hixon, Staffordshire)
April 1944

11 Base and 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (Lindholme, W/S Yorkshire)
July to September 1944


Any assistance greatly appreciated!!


Thank you in advance,


Cheers,


Thor

[northeagle]

Hi Thor,
If you google Grand Hotel Scarborough there is a photo there. Whitley Bay was an RAF Regiment School among other things. Aircrew, especially Commonwealth, were posted there for survival training. I have never looked for the actual building but it was sighted just off the central sea front. Have a look here.
http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-W.htm#Whitley Bay

Should also be a plaque here from Scarborough

http://www.airfieldinformationexchan...el-Scarborough



Best Wishes.
Robert.

[thorthemighty]

hi robert,


thanks million for the links!!



cheers,


Thor