80 (French) Operational Training Unit

Sgt Jean Claude Henry, RAF Ouston in the winter of 1945-6. He is dressed in full flying clothes, with headphones and radio cable. He wears a French cap. His caption for this photo reads ‘ACP’, which presumably stands for ‘Airfield Control Post’. This was a caravan towed to the end of the runway-in-use, to give signal-light or radio messages to pilots using the runway. They were also called a ‘Runway Control Caravan’, and varied greatly in their design, according to the civilian caravan that was converted. The observation dome on the roof came from an aircraft, most likely an Avro Anson gun turret. During wartime the highly visible colour scheme seems to have been black & white checks, with red & white checks adopted post-war. It is difficult to tell in this photo if it was black, or red. The white streaks and marks on the left side of the caravan seem to vary between the three photos taken, and possibly they are soap streaks from the observation dome just having been washed? This photo was probably taken by ‘Nico’, who was Sgt Henry’s colleague / friend (see photos, below). 

Another photo of Sgt Henry, standing in front of the same ACP. The towing vehicle can just be seen, and it appears to be a standard RAF Gordon Brown VIG towing tractor. In the background is the familiar RAF Ouston skyline of mature trees, on the north side of the airfield. These appear in many of the photos. 

Sgt Henry is seen here holding an electrically-powered ‘Aldis’ signal lamp, the lens cover for which is on the ground on the right of the picture. The signal lamp could be used to flash morse-code messages, or red-green lights to warn pilots of a blocked runway, or clear them to land. This was a more immediate control system than could be provided by the remote ‘Flying Control’ building (see following photo). Also of note, is the folding canvas & wood camping chair, a design which remains in use to this day. To the right rear in the photo, appears to be a temporary wind direction display board, which is two wooden boards laid in a ‘T’ shape on the grass. 

Here is a different, larger ‘ACP’, with Sgt Henry standing on the left. Notable is the mix of different uniform styles, both French and British. This photo is dated April 1945 and captioned on the back in his own hand, as shown in the next image. 80 (French) OTU did not move to RAF Ouston until July 1945, so it seems likely that this April 45 photo was taken at RAF Morpeth (also known as Tranwell), Northumberland, where the OTU was first established. This also means that Sgt Henry was with the OTU during its whole tenure at Ouston, from July 45 to March 46. 

Sgt Henry has captioned this photo ‘Sodium F-P unit’, i.e. Sodium Flare Path Unit. These mobile units would be towed into position next to the runway-in-use, for use during night flying. They contained powerful generator-driven sodium light tubes. This is a very rare photo of such a unit. 

Captioned ‘Crash Crew’, this completes Sgt Henry’s set of airfield equipment photos. These are the ‘firemen’ with their Fordson WOT1 fire fighting vehicle, known as a ‘Crash Tender’. This six wheel vehicle was the most common type in use with the RAF during WW2. When fighting a fire, the crew would don protective leather and asbestos clothing, some of which can be seen piled behind the folding canvas ‘cab’, together with helmets. The vehicle is camouflaged in medium brown paint. 

And here Sgt Henry has photographed the RAF Ouston ‘Flying Control building’, officially called a ‘Watch Office’, and known today as an ‘Air Traffic Control Tower’. RAF Ouston’s Watch Office was a standard ‘Villa’ design, as identified by the curved windows of the first floor observation room. The building is camouflaged in dark green, but post-war was repainted white. On the roof is a windsock, and a very strong wind, likely over 40 knots! The tower is surmounted by an airfield ‘ID’ identification lamp, officially called a “Pundit Beacon”, which at night will flash the airfield identification letters (see next photo). To the left in the photo, are the two emergency vehicle garages of the ‘crash crew’. Nearest the camera, on the right, are two crash-recovery ‘track-jacks’, used to lift and tow disabled aircraft off the runway. They have tracks like a tank, and tow bars for their towing vehicle to pull them. 

Here is Sgt Henry’s view from the Flying Control building, looking northwards across the runways, which would still be camouflaged with dark bitumen at this date. The ‘OS’ airfield Pundit letters have a white line under the letters to show the viewing direction. Closer to the tower is the ‘Signals Square’, with a ‘dumbell’ on the left, and this instructs aircraft to only use the paved surfaces, not the grass. On the right is the ‘Landing T’ which indicates the wind direction, and instructs aircraft to land and takeoff from the right, on this occasion. The shadow of the wind sock confirms the wind direction. Sgt Henry’s duties, if he was a Flying Control officer, would include setting out, and altering the signals square, as required. 

There are photos of Sgt Henry’s colleague / friend in the album, and these two are captioned ‘Nico’.  Nico can be seen to be wearing a leather flying jacket, and French cap, so perhaps he was also one of the Flying Control team. 

Note the public footpath (red dotted line), which they might have used for their walk. Also, the line of the Roman Wall runs across the top of Harlow Hill, so that might have been their destination.

The author took this photo in 1972, showing the ‘Red Arrows’ Gnats taking off, with the RAF Ouston domestic buildings, and Harlow Hill prominent in the background. The likely location for the photos is marked by the arrow. 

As an introduction to Sgt Henry’s aircraft photos, here is an 80 (French) OTU Spitfire IX taxying along the perimeter taxiway, a photo likely taken from the ACP caravan while he was on duty. This photo is also of interest because it demonstrates the hilly nature of RAF Ouston, and shows some of the wartime buildings (now demolished) that were on the airfield perimeter. The location seems to be the west side of the airfield, with Stob Hill Farm off to the far right of the photo. Little can be deduced about the Spitfire, although the absence of the two canon ‘stubs’ shows that it is an early production example with a Mk.V wing. 

Possibly taken on the same occasion as the preceding photo, Sgt Henry has captioned this photo “Scramble!”. It is the only photo in the album that shows Spitfire IX coded ‘3H-B’ of 80 OTU. The serial number is barely visible, but could be BS463, and this early production serial would be compatible with the short oil cooler that is visible under the engine.  If this is BS463, then the aircraft was lost on 13th December 1945, in a collision with Spitfire BS242 over Shilton in Durham. The colour scheme is standard, but the propellor spinner appears to be dark coloured, although this may just be shadow from the sun direction. The Meteorological Square and its fencing is just visible on the right of the photo, and the background is the tree-lined northern boundary of the airfield. 

An early photo in the album by Sgt Henry, is this DH Tiger Moth which he has captioned “Transport for Leuchars”. His fur-lined flying suit would be essential for a winter open-cockpit flight to Scotland, and RAF Leuchars is near St.Andrews, half way between Edinburgh and Dundee. Perhaps he had been able to arrange a lift to go on leave and visit his Aunt Germaine in Edinburgh who raised him as an orphaned 7-year old? The Tiger Moth is BB798 (pre-war civil G-ADWB), coded ‘H9G’, of 712 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm based at RNAS Hatson, which is much further north in the Orkney Islands. The colour scheme was rarely a ‘factory finish’ on these impressed civil aircraft, and this is a puzzling example. The fencing of the Met. Square again appears in the right background, looking north. 

The Tiger Moth appears again, on the right of this photo of an American built Stinson Reliant, 4-passenger communications aircraft. It is serial number FL157, with Royal Navy titles. At this winter 1945-6 date it is last recorded as being with 740 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm. The colour scheme would be a standard dark green and brown earth camouflage on top, with yellow undersides. Visiting RAF Ouston it would probably carry VIP passengers, and this close-up would tend to confirm that. Note the reading lamp and shade that is visible in the passenger window - that is not standard military equipment! Also of note is Sgt Henry’s military-issue bicycle in front of the Reliant. 

On the same occasion, Sgt Henry has captioned this photo “Visiting Aircraft”. The Control Tower is on the right, with the ‘crash crew’ garage and vehicles nearest. The Tiger Moth is fourth from the camera; then the Stinson Reliant FL157; next is a DH Mosquito FB.6 serial TA481; and closest is another Reliant carrying the code letters ‘S9-C’ of St.Merryn Station Flight, Fleet Air Arm. Its serial number may be FK903, as St.Merryn only had two Reliants. Here is an enlarged view of it; 

A Stinson Reliant of St.Merryn Station Flight, Fleet Air Arm, possibly serial number FK903. It is painted with a standard dark green & brown camouflage on top, with yellow undersides. The code letters appear to be yellow. The Mosquito TA481, coded ‘K’ is on the right of the photo. 

The “Mossie” (as Sgt Henry captioned it) obviously captured his interest, and he took several photos. It was a newly built DH Mosquito FB.VI fighter-bomber version, serial TA481, and coded ‘K’ of 23 Group Communications Squadron, based at Brussels.The photos show that its four machine guns in the upper nose had been removed and the holes faired over. Similarly, at least two of the four canon in the lower nose. This suggests that maybe it was being used as a fast mail / courier carrier? The colour scheme is standard mid grey / green camouflage, and the propellor spinners are probably painted red, and also the code letter. It has the post-war underwing serial numbers, and also underwing roundels, which were not normally displayed on operational Mosquito fighters. Here are two more of Sgt Henry’s photos of Mosquito TA481

The RAF Ouston ‘J’ Type engineering hangar is prominent in the background, and just appearing on the right is one of the 80 (French) OTU’s Spitfire IX fighters. 

Completing the line-up of “Visiting Aircraft”, was this Avro Lancaster Mk.II, LL619, of the Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Farnborough. This bomber never saw operational service and it was used only for armament trials and experiments. It is recorded as being taken out of service and scrapped in January 1946, so this photo (and the others taken on the same occasion) must be dated shortly before that, given the low winter sunshine. It looks like some equipment is being unloaded, and also that the rear gun turret is of particular interest. 

Two more visiting aircraft, but not on the same occasion as those above. Furthest from the camera is an Airspeed Oxford I, serial number NM799, code letter ‘V’ (there is probably another letter in front of the ‘V’), of the RAF Finningley Station Flight, near Doncaster. This 6-seat aircraft would be used for communications and passenger transport. Near the camera is a 3-seat Percival Proctor III, serial number HM475, maybe from the North Weald Station Flight near London. Its engine seems to be receiving attention, and here are three more photos of it, below. 

It has two white code letters on the fuselage, which appear to be ‘K’ (or ‘X’) and ‘A’. Both the Oxford, and the Proctor are painted in the standard camouflage of green / brown on top, with yellow undersides. Also of note, in these two photos, is the steel-mesh tracking that has been laid on the grass parking area, to stop wheels from sinking into soft ground.  Another of Sgt Henry’s engine close-ups, shows the DH Gipsy-Queen II of Percival Proctor III, serial number HM475. The Met Square is visible behind, and part of the Crash Crew garage to the right. 

There is another photo of the Airspeed Oxford I, NM799, which also seems to be receiving attention to one of its engines. This Oxford has prominent fairings on its main undercarriage legs, and these were not normally fitted to Oxfords used for pilot and navigation training. So, this is further evidence that this was a ‘posh’ Oxford, used for transporting senior officers. 

And continuing this theme, aircraft did not get more ‘posh’ than this Douglas C-47 Dakota, serial number KG770, of 24 Squadron RAF Hendon, London. This was the King’s aircraft, in its polished natural metal finish. There is no clue in the photo as to the date, or the occasion, so it may have just been carrying senior officers, rather than Royalty. King George VI did tour Britain in July 1945, as part of the celebrations of VE-Day, but the North-East of England was not part of that tour. 

Another set of Sgt Henry’s photos illustrate Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) aircraft, but the photos do not seem to have been taken on a particular occasion, and the visits may have been quite separate. This first aircraft is a Supermarine Sea Otter, serial number JN242. There is no recorded history for this aircraft, but this photo shows that it was allocated to the Royal Navy, rather than the RAF. The type was used for air-sea rescue, being an amphibian capable of landing on water. A feature that clearly attracted Sgt Henry’s attention, as illustrated by two more detailed photos that he took. 

Also Royal Navy, is this Airspeed Oxford I, serial number X6838, coded ‘P2H’ of 762 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, based variously during the winter of 1945-6 at RNAS Dale (South Wales); RNAS Halesworth (Suffolk); and RNAS Ford (Lee-on-Solent). 762 Sqdn trained pilots on twin-engined aircraft, and this Oxford carries the yellow triangle markings denoting ‘blind-flying’. It does not have the numerous aerials normally associated with such aircraft, so its training role was presumably ‘flying-blind’, and the yellow triangles were a warning to other pilots that the trainee could not keep a good look-out. On the right of the photo is a Coles Crane crash recovery vehicle, in the ‘crash crew’ garage. The camouflage is the standard geen/brown on top, with yellow undersides and fuselage band.  The aircraft's code letter 'H' is repeated, in yellow, on the nose.

Sgt Henry took five photos of two visiting Fairey Barracuda Mk.II aircraft, but the photos are badly damaged, so only two have been restored, so far. This is serial number DN633, coded ‘AC-F’ of 736 Squadron Fleet Air Arm from St.Merryn, Cornwall. The other Barracuda is coded ‘AC-E’, serial not known. The Barracuda was a strike aircraft, with torpedoes or dive-bombing, and 763 Sqdn was an OTU, prior to new pilots embarking on a carrier. The camouflage is the ‘temperate sea scheme’ of grey/green on top, with pale green ‘sky’ under .The code letters are yellow. The Barracuda was a type adopted by the French services, post-war, so that may have been the reason for this visit. 

In the background of this photo are four Spitfire IXs of 80 (French) OTU, and this enlarged view of the nearest Spitfire shows that it is coded ‘3H-X’, and the two letters of its serial number are ‘EN - - -’.  Also, it has the early wing with no canon stubs. 80 OTU had four ‘EN’ serialled Spitfires, only one of which was transferred to France, namely EN129. However, EN122 crashed at Ouston on 3rd January 1946, within the timescale of these photos. At the rear of the Barracuda photo is a very early ‘3-blade propellor’ Spitfire, with no canons, a mark not used by 80 OTU. It may be a visitor. 

Here is Sgt Henry’s close-up view of Fairey Barracuda II, DN633, ‘AC-F’ of 736 Sqdn FAA. The tall undercarriage allows a torpedo to be carried under the fuselage, and the cumbersome flap under the wing acts to slow the aircraft for landing on aircraft carriers, and also as an airbrake to slow the aircraft in a steep dive when dive-bombing. The long canopy can seat a crew of three, with a gun for defence in the rear folding cockpit. The wings on these aircraft fold for stowing the aircraft on an aircraft carrier. Radar aerials are mounted above the wing tips. 

Here is the other Barracuda II, coded ‘AC-E’ of 736 Sqdn at RNAS St. Merryn. These three photos are very badly marked and damaged. They have not (yet) been restored, other than some adjustment to even out the lighting and contrast. There is a Miles two seat aircraft to the right in the second photo, and this may be a Martinet target tug, which has a different cockpit canopy, compared to the trainer version. The Barracuda is ‘picketed’ i.e. tied down, using metal stakes and rope under the wing tips. This would indicate that the aircraft is staying for a few days. 

Which brings us to Sgt Henry’s photos of the 80 (French) OTU Spitfire IX aircraft. In serial number order they are, BS353, coded 3H-? is on the left, with BS395, coded 3H-Y on the right. Here is another view of this pair, with, in the distance ‘3H-P’ (the only time ‘P’ is seen in the photos). 

Here is part of the full, unrestored image, that shows enough of the tail of BS353 to confirm its identity. 

Here is a crop and restored enlargement of the photo of BS395 ‘3H-Y’. It is also an early Spitfire IX, with a short oil cooler under the engine, but it does have the later wing with canon stubs. Initially it seemed to have no visible serial number, but the enlarged crop shows that it has the very early style of serial, marked in smaller characters at the top of the rear fuselage band. 

The next of Sgt Henry’s Spitfires is MA476, coded 3H-U. It is a late production Spitfire IXc with canon stubs, and long oil cooler. It is seen outside the engineering hangar, with the trolley generator plugged in, and the tail tied down, ready for an engine test. It has a dark coloured propellor spinner, possibly black, reason unknown. It may denote that it is an Instructor’s aircraft. 

This photo is included because none of the other Spitfire photos show the underwing markings. Underwing serials were applied from the end of the War, to discourage low flying by pilots, but the Spitfire did not have much space available to apply the serial. This photo (which has been enhanced) seems to show that the underwing roundels were removed, to create space for a large serial. Also, the undersurface appears to be dark painted, with a light coloured serial. This is unlikely, as the standard under surface colour was light grey. Perhaps the serial was painted with gloss black, and the gloss is merely reflecting the light, and appears to be light against the shadow under the wing. Did all of the 80 OTU Spitfires have these large underwing serials, with no underwing roundels? 

Again showing the enthusiasm of Sgt Henry for aircraft engines, here is his close-up of the Rolls Royce Merlin 63 engine of Spitfire IX, MA476, ‘3H-U’. Also in close-up in this photo, are the two 20 mm canon, and outboard next to them are the ‘canon stubs’ of the “Universal wing”. These are where an additional pair of canons could be fitted in place of the four machine guns in the outer wing. In practice, this rarely happened. Another recognition feature of the late-production Spitfire IX, is the longer oil cooler mounted underneath the engine, plus, of course, the four-bladed propellor of the mark IX. This was needed to absorb the extra power of the Merlin 63 engine. 

This Spitfire IX is a mystery, but clearly coded ‘3H-F’. The last numeral of the serial can be seen to be ‘5’, and the top of the first numeral can only be a ‘3’, or a ‘5’. There are visible part-numbers on the fin, including the letters ‘CBAF’, which means that it was built at the Castle Bromwich factory near Birmingham. It then became a process of elimination, to look through all the possible Spitfire serials containing these elements. There were many, but most could be eliminated because they were lost in action, or accidents, or served overseas. The possibilities were whittled down to MH505, but there is no record of it serving with 80 OTU. However, it is recorded as being retained by the manufacturer for a long time during 1945-6, and its glossy and smart paint finish would suggest that it had not seen much recent active service. Therefore, it is assumed that it did come to 80 OTU as a replacement or loaned Spitfire, but that its official record card was not updated (not an unusual occurrence). There is no record of its eventual fate, and it does not seem to have been transferred to France in March 1946, so perhaps it was ‘on loan’ from the manufacturer. 

Many Souffan has kindly supplied this full version of the Christian Martell photo, which is stated to be the last photo of him taken at RAF Ouston, possibly in early August 1945, shortly before his fatal accident.

Ouston's flying control is prominent in the background, and to the left is the tail of a French Air Force SNCAN NC.701 Martinet, serial number 17, a light transport and navigation trainer. During the war the French SNCAN aircraft factory had been commandeered to built the German Siebel S.204A aircraft, and they continued producing it after the Liberation.

Also visible in the photo is a camouflaged DH.89a Dominie twin engined biplane, used for training and light transport. It may well be the Dominie that was on the strength of 80 (French) OTU, and this would be the only known photo of it.  Originally in Sgt Henty's photo album was a photo captioned "RAF Ouston from Dominie", but unfortunately the photo was missing when the album was found, and only the caption remains.

Many Souffan has also kindly supplied this photo of Christian Martell's Spitfire IX, MH388, taken after his fatal crash when he was trying to land back at Ouston after engine failure, but clipped some trees on the airfield boundary. As can be seen, the aircraft caught fire and Martell died on his way to hospital. His personal initials 'CM' are marked as the code, a privilege reserved for ranks of Wing Commander, and above.  The rudder on the tailplane has had the fabric burnt off, and this does show that MH388 had a fabric covered rudder, rather than the alternative thin metal sheet. The tailwheel leg can also be seen, and the wheel itself is now in the collection of NESLAM, the North East Aviation Museum at Usworth, Sunderland. The wheel was found and retained by the local farmer, and only recently donated to the museum.

Sgt Henry captioned these photos “Packing Up”, and this is assumed to date them to March or early April 1946, when 80 OTU left Ouston, together with many of their aircraft, and arrived at Meknes airfield in Morocco, where the OTU continued and retained their RAF code letters ‘3H’. This photo is taken from the Flying Control, with the Spitfire IX aircraft in the foreground; then four of their Miles Master II trainers; a solitary Harvard trainer; and six of their Miles Martinet target tugs to the rear, which will include serials HP316; MS907; and MS909 which transferred to France in March 1946. 

The 2nd photo has readable serial numbers, so Spitfire IX ‘3H-E’ is MH840, and ‘3H-J’ is MH353. Close examination of these photos has confirmed that all of the Spitfires have been fitted with long-range ‘slipper tanks’ under the fuselage. This would be the final preparation before their departure for the long flight to France. 

The 3rd photo is similar, with ‘3H-E’, MH840 nearest, and ‘3H-J’, MH353 alongside. The other code letters that can be read include (clockwise from ‘J’); ‘M’; ‘W’; ?; ‘O’; ?; ‘A’; ‘U’; and ‘I’. However, it is obvious that the second-from-the-rear on the right, has a very glossy paint scheme, with its propellor spinner in the French colours. Here are two closer crops of it; 

At this date, March / April 1946, it must be the Commander’s aircraft, Jacques Andrieux, and it appears to have smaller code letters to the rear of the fuselage roundel. After consulting with French historian, Many Souffan, editor of the book “Jaco le Manifique”, we concluded that this Spitfire IX is MH666, with Jaco’s personal initials ‘JA’ in front of the fuselage roundel, and his favourite squadron code letter ‘Z’ to the rear of the roundel, shown as ‘3HZ’. 

‘Jaco’ had also used the code letters ‘DL-V’ when flying Spitfires earlier in the RAF, with 91 Squadron.  So, it can be no coincidence that another of Sgt Henry’s visiting aircraft photos, shows a Spitfire F.21, LA244, coded ‘DL-V’ of 91 Squadron. This was after ‘Jaco’ had left 91 Sqdn, and they re-equipped. 

Apparently taken on a late winter evening, LA244 is being refuelled at RAF Ouston, with the 450 Gal. fuel bowser on the right, and Flying Control to the left. 

Many Souffan has kindly supplied this photo of Commander Jacques Andrieux, taken at an earlier medal presentation when he had the rank of Lieutenant.  Many Souffan is also the editor of the French book shown on the right, this being a photo of this author's copy of the book.

In addition to the ‘packing up’ photos shown above, is this badly damaged photo. It has had some basic restoration to allow it to be shown here. It seems to be an earlier stage in the gathering of the aircraft that were to go to France. There are six Spitfire IX, with no discernable identities, although the one on the left may be ‘3H-I’. To the rear are five Miles Master II trainers, and further back are probably three Miles Martinet target tugs. Nevertheless, this poor photo does convey some information - the Spitfies are all ‘picketed’ with metal stakes and rope under their wingtips - so not expecting to fly for some days. Also, none of the Spitfires have yet had the long-range ‘slipper tanks’ fitted under the fuselage. 

80 (French) OTU were also equipped with Miles Master II advanced two-seat trainers, some eight of which were transferred to France in March 1946. Sgt Henry took this photo of DL546, coded ‘17’, outside the engineering hangar at Ouston, with work being done on its engine. The Masters did not carry the ‘3H’ code of 80 OTU, just a two digit number marked in white. DL546 did not go to France, and it was struck-off-charge in June 1946. Perhaps they gave up trying to fix the engine? It is painted in the standard trainer colour scheme of green / brown camouflage on top, with yellow undersides, and a yellow fuselage band where the roundel is. 

Also of interest in this photo, is the large 'patch' on the hangar door, just above the aircraft tail.  This patch can be seen on other photos, and it is possible that it is where the door has been repaired following the Luftwaffe raid in 1940, resulting in a severe hangar fire and the loss of two aircraft inside the hangar. See the separate  webpage,  Luftwaffe Air Raids 

Sgt Henry took several photos of another Miles Master II, serial number W9077, coded ‘14’. This aircraft is not recorded as serving with 80 OTU, but it did serve with 59 OTU at nearby RAF Acklington, Northumberland. So it may have been on loan, or come to Ouston for engineering work, but otherwise it seems identical to 80 OTU’s Masters, with the addition of yellow on the upper wing tips. It did not go to France, and was scrapped in March 1948. 

Perhaps the most unexpected of Sgt Henry’s photos, is this distant view of a North American Harvard IIb trainer, with a different style of ‘3H’ code of 80 OTU, namely 'HA-3H'.  There is no record that 80 (French) OTU were equipped with the Harvard at RAF Ouston. The serial number can not be made out, and the code ‘HA’ is a mystery. Perhaps the ‘H’ stands for Harvard, and subsequent aircraft would have been coded ‘HB’; ‘HC; etc? In any event, the “Packing Up” photo shown earlier (above), does seem to include a solitary Harvard among the groups of aircraft about to go to France. So, there may be a French record of it. Otherwise, the French did not start general use of Harvard trainers until 1949. The colour scheme in the photo is the standard Harvard all-over yellow, with post-war style RAF roundels. 

The ‘Packing Up’ process in March 1946, seems to have included this visit by a French Air Force transport. Sgt Henry has captioned it as a Junkers Ju 52/3m, but it is probably a French built AAC-1 Toucan. It is painted silver overall, with French roundels, but it is too far away for its construction number to be made out on the rudder. There is also a very small print in the album, taken from inside, in flight. So, Sgt Henry and other personnel may have been flown out of Ouston, rather than making the long journey to France and Morocco by land and sea. 

And here is Sgt Henry’s photo taken from inside the AAC-1 Toucan in flight. The French Air Force roundel can be seen near the wing tip. The direction of flight seems to be southwards, and possibly there is a coastline just beyond the wingtip. In his photo album, the above very small ‘contact print’ of the AAC-1 Toucan wing, is followed by two more small contact prints, that may be the next in his historical sequence. The first is labelled ‘Dieppe’, as shown here, and this would have been his first sight of France, on a southerly flight from RAF Ouston, after crossing the English Channel. 

If the next small contact print is the third in this historical sequence, then it shows a busy airport scene, which might be the place where they landed. 

However, the civil DC-3 airliner in the foreground might cast double on this having been their destination airport. It is an Irish ‘Aer Lingus’ DC-3 Dakota, registered EI-ACE, which entered service in February 1946. This might not be a civil airport, because there are three military DC-3 / C-47s in the photo, two in camouflage, and one in metal finish with an RAF or French Air Force roundel visible on the wing. However, the first Aer Lingus post-war scheduled service was from Dublin to Paris in June 1946, and it would be normal for such a regular service to be preceded by a ‘proving flight’, and / or business meetings, and demonstration flights to the press and travel trade. 

In any event, this seems to be a very rare photo of EI-ACE, and no other photos of it have been found wearing this particular colour scheme. The large presentation of the civil registration on the upper wings and fuselage, seems to suggest that this was intended to show that Ireland was a neutral country, not directly involved in the recently ended war in Europe. 

Another of his small contact prints, Sgt Henry has dated this photo "March 1946". It is included among several other ship/port/harbour photos, but with no location.  The date would suggest that these French airmen are either enroute to France (from Newcastle upon Tyne), or from France to Morocco. The airman on the right looks like Commander Jacques Andrieux, but French historian Many Souffan states that he flew to France from RAF Ouston.

Also in Sgt Henry’s album is this photo of a French Air Force Dewoitine DW 250 fighter. It is not certain that this photo was taken at Ouston, but the background could be looking south across the airfield, with the camp buildings and the Tyne Valley in the distance. No identity is visible, but the ‘arrow head’ marking along the fuselage was applied to Vichy aircraft, before the liberation of France in 1944. 

This is a shop-bought pre-painted ‘Easy model’ of a Vichy DW 250, included here to show the complex colour scheme that is likely to be on the aircraft in the photo above. 

Also in Sgt Henry’s photo album is this formal photo of an unknown Free French airman. He is wearing the winged badge of a Free French paratrooper / special forces airman. 

List of  80 OTU aircraft at RAF Ouston

Supermarine Spitfire IX                     [abbreviations: FAF - to French Air Force; SOC - struck off charge; SS - sold for scrap; MU - Maintenance unit]

Serial              Code Letters                   Fate                                                                                                                                       Markings

AB511                                                            accident at Ouston 19/12/5 engine cut on takeoff

BS152                                                             SOC 3/46

BS183                  3H-H                               to FAF 4/46                                                                                                                     standard                       

BS247                                                              SOC 12/45 following accident

BS353                  3H-G                                SOC 6/46                                                                                                                         coloured 'roundel' spinner

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             'JG' on black disc under nose

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Instructor Jacques Guinamard

BS386

BS395                  3H-Y                                                                                                                                                                                 standard

BS401                                                              to FAF 3/46

BS463                  3H-B ?                             collision with BS242 13/12/45 Durham

BS542                                                              to FAF 3/46

BS549                                                              SOC 6/47

EN122                 3H-X ?                             crashed Ouston 3/1/46 SOC                                                                               One of these two partly appears in a photo

EN129                 3H-X?                              to FAF 3/46

EN398                                                             del. 5/45 - to 29 MU 3/46        Highest scoring Spitfire of all time - former 'JE-J' Wg Cmdr Johnnie Johnson

EN473                                                             SS 11/49

MA222                                                            FAF 3/46

MA309                                                            FAF 3/46

MA314                                                            FAF 4/46

MA420                                                            FAF 3/46

MA422                                                            

MA476                3H-U                                FAF 3/46                                                                                                                         Dark (black) spinner, standard camo

MA528                                                            FAF 3/46

MA593

MA601

MA747                                                             SOC 7/46

MA818                                                             FAF 3/46

MH353               3H-J                                  FAF 3/46

MH388               CM                                     fatal crash Ouston 31/8/45 - Commander 'Charles Martell' - standard colours with 'CM' code and 'roundel' spinner

MH505               3H-F                                  temporary loan from manufacturer?                                                       standard but glossy camo

MH666             JA-3HZ                              FAF 3/46 - Commander Jacques Andrieux - 'roundel' spinner, high gloss camo, codes each side of fuselage roundel

MH840              3H-E                                   FAF 4/46

MH876                                                             Cat.B accident

MH909                                                             crashed Ouston 4/1/46

Visible Code Letters in photos - 14 Spitfires went to France in March/April 1946 - there are 16 code letters listed here.

A; B (BS463?);  E (MH840);  F (MH505);  G (BS353);  H (BS183);  I;  J (MH353);  M;  O;  P;  U (MA476);  W;  X (EN--- serial);  Y (BS395);  Z (MH666).

Miles Master II - 2 seat advanced trainer

Serial                  Code                                    Fate                                                                                                                                Markings

AZ282                                                               crashed on approach Ouston 16/12/45

AZ529                                                               FAF 3/46                                                                                                                      Also served with Ouston Station Flight

AZ602                                                               SOC 3/48

AZ778                                                               FAF 3/46

AZ813                                                               FAF 3/46

W9077                 14                                      SOC 3/48  - Only recorded with 59 OTU Acklington, also 56 OTU - standard trainer colours, white code

DK804                                                              FAF 3/46

DK956                                                              FAF 3/46

DL546                   17                                      SOC 6/46                                                                                                                              standard trainer colours, white code

DL854                                                               SOC 6/45 - Acklington SF / Ouston SF / 57 OTU

DL861                                                               FAF 3/46

DL862                                                               SOC 6/46 - also with Ouston SF

DL892                                                               SOC 6/46 - also with Ouston SF

DL960                                                               SOC 6/46 - also with Ouston SF

DM110                                                             FAF 3/46

DM201                 14                                      FAF 3/46                                                                                                                             photo as '14' at Meknes, Morocco

DM218                 16 ?                                   SOC 11/46                                                                                                                         photo at Meknes

Note;  photos at Meknes show codes '13', '15', and '34', serial numbers not visible

Miles Martinet TT.1 - 2 seat target tug

HP316                                                               FAF 3/46

MS905                                                               iced and crashed Ouston 16/11/45

MS907                                                               FAF 3/46

MS909                                                               FAF 3/46

PX164                                                                SOC 1/47

Note;  photos at Meknes show '11' (serial not visible), serial --468 (code not visible), and '20' serial NR586

This poor quality photo has been published in various places, and this is from this author's own copy of "Spitfire - The History", Morgan & Shacklady, Key, 1987. The photo shows Spitfire IX, BS183, coded '3H-H', after it had been transferred to Morocco. The roundels have been repainted in the French colours, and a prominent 'Cross of Lorraine' badge added to the forward fuselage. Otherwise, the aircraft is as it left RAF Ouston.

Another photo kindly supplied by Many Souffan, shows a former Ouston Spitfire IX, after repainting in French colours, with a decorated propellor spinner, and the 'Cross of Lorraine' badge on the fuselage. It is assumed that the photo was taken in Morocco.

Most intriguing of the photos kindly supplied by Many Souffan, is this one captioned "Take off of 81 Sqdn Spitfire over Ouston Farm".  The five Spitfires in the photo can not be the Spitfire V version used by 81 Sqdn, because they are the later mark IX , identifiable by their four-blade propellors. They all have the early version of the mark IX wing, with its prominent canon blisters on top.  Most intriguing of all, all five are fitted with the under-fuselage long-range slipper tanks. This would normally be done for ferry flights, rather than combat or training missions.  The farm building roof in the photo, is not "Ouston Farm", which still exists, and looks quite different. However, it might be 'Stobb Hill Farm', at the south-eastern end of the main runway, but the trees in the photo are wrong. Unless, they were there in 1946, and cleared away when the main runway was extended for jet operations circa 1951.

81 Squadron, as captioned on the photo, did have French pilots, and they did operate from RAF Ouston in 1942, so there is a link by which the photo could have become associated with 80 (French) OTU.

So, it is possible that this does show the final departure of a flight of 80 (French) OTU Spitfires, bound for France and Morocco. Thus, a fitting end to this description of the French OTU at RAF Ouston.

Personnel Postscript

Many Souffan has provided this summary of what happened to the French personnel based at RAF Ouston.

"OTU 80 at Ouston was more than a training center; it was also an administrative center for the French, with over a hundred secretaries and female soldiers.

The officers, pilots, and some pilots left with the planes (Spitfires) and one or two Halifaxes. The remaining personnel left by boat via Newcastle Port during April 1946.

Command of the base was initially entrusted to Major Christian Martell until his fatal accident on August 31, 1945. After his death, Lieutenant François Guinamard served as acting commander for more than three weeks before the arrival of Captain Jacques "Jaco" Andrieux at the end of September 1945 and until April 1946.

In the French archives, there is a file on Ouston and OTU 80. There is nothing of interest about the aircraft, but at the end, there is a list of all departing personnel. I have attached the details of a sheet on which I found, for the only time, the name of Sergeant Henry."

Comment - there is reference to some pilots leaving in one or two Halifax bombers. The radial engined Halifax bomber is not dissimilar in appearance to the radial engined Lancaster II bomber, an example of which is included in the Sgt Henry photo album.  So this reference to the 'Halifax' could be a mistaken reference to the Lancaster II  that is included in Sgt. Henry's photos.