operational training unit raaf operational training unit operational conversion unit royal_australian_air_force raaf world war formed december victoria relocated following year primary role train multi engined aircraft operations peak activity august operating aircraft numerous aircraft personnel conducted transport missions new_guinea maritime patrols southern australian waters following end hostilities unit disbanded december history world war royal_australian_air_force raaf established operational training units convert recently graduated pilots advanced trainers combat aircraft add fighting ability flying skills learned operational training unit formed victoria december control inaugural commanding officer wing commander unit purpose train pilots air observers wireless air gunners multi engine aircraft operations courses commenced december preliminary training pilots went week conversion observers gunners underwent instruction training included bombing gunnery navigation action ship recognition maritime reconnaissance meant temporary location home victoria accommodation available october school personnel relocated june july base living quarters recreational buildings tents fully accommodate influx raaf rented hotels airmen december detached flight consisting personnel including air maintenance crews sent help fulfill urgent transport requirements new_guinea force joined military civil aircraft pressed service form operated december january flew sorties carrying troops tons equipment lost enemy action friendly fire damaged april complement grown personnel day period beginning april unit relocated trips fleet aircraft included training courses commenced new base day completed students course future prime minister group captain served commanding officer august february set australian record january landed atop foot retrieve injured took measures concerns crews australian built appeared mysterious fault caused fatalities time moved suffered accidents involving organised display benefit students open day base october ordered extensive ground testing aircraft accidents continued occur ultimately efforts wing commander immediately prior death western australian coast nature problem recognised overcome maintaining training program required periodically release instructors students aircraft maritime patrols protect australian shipping lanes april attached squadron new_south_wales convoy escort anti submarine duties year later deployed south australia carry day escort dutch transport ship ordered locate destroy german shelled greek tanker kingston south australia december submarine sunk apparently frightened presence aircraft raaf units vicinity intensive training regime included night flying operated round clock flying effort reached peak august aircraft flights instructing students unit time logged flying hours trained total war suffered aircraft accidents operational fights australia new_guinea resulting loss killed missing post war saw disbandment raaf operational training units dissolved december
No. 1 Operational Training Unit RAAF