operational training unit raaf operational training unit operational conversion unit royal_australian_air_force world war formed new south wales october train pilots wireless air gunners operate dive bombers school equipped aircraft accidents common operational conversion units suffered fatal crashes existence disbanded april handing operational training unit history world war royal_australian_air_force raaf established operational training units convert recently graduated air crews advanced trainers combat aircraft add fighting ability flying skills learned operational training unit formed october new south wales convert crews vengeance dive bomber ordered raaf eventually delivered inaugural commanding officer wing commander pilots wireless air gunner arrived squadron october undertook vengeance conversion course ran november end month strength stood seven augmented january unit students flew commencing vengeance conversion course employing advanced powerful trainers teaching combat techniques carried high risk generally suffered higher accident rates flying training schools march crashed near killing crewmen died vengeance crashed burned near cross country exercise august august vengeance flew trees apparently pulling late dive resulting fatalities vengeance blew flight dive bombing practice september killing crewmen october vengeance dive bombing exercise crashed sea near newcastle crewmen reported missing believed killed suffered fatalities vengeance struck hill near cross country flight november vengeance hit water exploded april failing recover dive killing man crew december squadron leader took command temporary basis handing flight lieutenant april withdrawn operations theatre having flown combat mission march disbanded april small detachment remained hand base advance party operational training unit following day rest transferred july time disbanded school accumulated flying hours hours
No. 4 Operational Training Unit RAAF