Recording the History - Recalling the Memories.
RAF Slang and Acronyms - Memories are made of this.
An A to Z of RAF Acronyms and Slang.
48 A 48 hour leave pass, A 24, A 36 , 0r A 72 also applied
A.M.O's Air Ministry Orders
Ace Accumulator trolley, also someone who was good or an expert (normally applied to successful fighter pilots)
Adj A Corruption of adjutant
Air raid get a haircut
Airmens comforts reference to waaf and wraf personnel
alakeefic or alekeefic Indifferent or apathetic. Thought to be from Arabic
Albert, or Fat Albert A C-130 Hercules.
Ami American (GAF)
Angels Altitude in 1,000's of feet. One angel was 1,000ft thus 'Angels 13' was 13,000ft.
Annie Fond nickname given to the Avro Anson twin engined maid of all work
Apron aircraft movement or parking area
Archie general term for anti-aircraft fire
Arse end charlie Rear turret gunner in bombers and other types of aircraft.
Rear aircraft in a formation.
Auggies Pronounced oggies. Members of the RAuxAF.
Augured in Crashed (USAAF, USAF, USN)
AWOL absent without leave
B
Balbo A large formation of aircraft.
Bale Out To take to one's parachute. To abandon the aircraft.
Bandit Enemy Aircraft
Bang On to be correct
Bang Out Eject. Also used of getting out of a situation, eg It was a boring party, so I banged out at 9.
Bang Seat Ejection seat
Baron An officer
Barrack room lawyer An individual who thought that they knew all the answers to Kings/Queens regulations and disciplinary matters and how to avoid/get out of any air force/military legal problem
Battle bowlers Protective steel helmet
Bean stealer Married Man living in single quarters. (Not paying for food or accommadation. Stealing the single mans food)
Bearer used to describe the servant/batman employed by other ranks in tropical/semi tropical climates
Beat up A low level pass over an airfield or other point usually frowned upon
Beer Lever Joystick
BEngO Baby Engineer Officer. An officer of the Engineer Branch about to join, undergoing or just out of engineering training. By comparison with JEngO and Sengo.
Best blues reference to the best or number one uniform for parades and walking out
Bimble A walk, stroll or amble.
Binding Whining about conditions
Binding like the clappers Being unspeakably boring
Bint Young girl (from arabic)
Black A poor show or something done badly. To put up a black - to do something badly.
Black Outs WAAF knickers, navy-blue winter weights
Blighty The UK
Blitz, A solid lump of A large formation of enemy aircraft
Blonde Job A Young woman with fair hair.
Blood wagon ambulance
Blood Chit
Bod Body or person
Body Snatcher Stretcher bearer
Boffs Term for the scientists used by aircrew of the Experimental Flying Dept. at the RAE Farnborough.
Bogey Unidentified aircraft
Boggies Term used for those who did National Service
Bogus Sham, spurious
Bolshie Someone who had a chip on their shoulder
Bomphleteers Airmen engaged on early leaflet raids. See also 'Nickels'
Bondu General term in MEAF for any area of desert.
BONDU BASH TAKING A TRIP OUT IN THE SURROUNDING DESERT
Bone dome air crew crash/safety helmet
Boomerang (To) To return to base with an unservicable aircraft
Bought it killed in action, crashed, shot down, gone for a burton. See also 'Bought the Farm'
Bought the farm Crashed. Originated when USAAF pilots were obliged to pay for damages caused after crashing on private property.
Brain On A Chain RAF Police Dog, said to be more intelligent than their handlers!
Brassed Off Unhappy - diminutive of 'Browned Off' Fed up, cheesed off etc. ?derivation from the brass cleaning practice?
Brasses Refering to all brass buttons, badges, buckles and fittings on webbing and equipment. "Clean your brass", polish your buttons badges etc
Brat Specifically, an Apprentice at RAF Halton or RAF Locking. Generaly Apprentice or Boy Entrant. (from Trenchard Brat after MRAF Lord Trenchard whose idea the apprenticeship scheme was).
Breathing licence ference to the official identity card without which you could be up the creek!
Brolly A parachute
Brown Job Army Soldier
Browned Off Unhappy, Fed up
Buckshee Something for nothing, free
Bull anything related to cleaning, polishing, eg buttons, boots, webbing, accomodation, or such
Bull night weekly evening cleaning of barrack blocks and ablutions etc
Bullshit any form of cleaning/polishing. rubbish, evasion, lies, subterfuge, etc. Etc
Bumper, the heavy metal brush on the end of a pole, swung back and forth to polish barrack room floors. Bumper from what it did, Bump.
Bumph Useless paperwork or form filling
Bundoo The desert
Burton, Gone for A Burton.... The phrase 'Gone for a Burton' probably came from a pre-war advert for Burton beer; if someone was missing from a group, they had gone 'for a Burton'.
Dead, killed, crashed, gone in the drink.
Bus Driver Bomber pilot
Buttoned up Job properly completed.
Button Stick Special flat slotted “tool” used for cleaning brass uniform buttons, until the general issue of anodised buttons in the 1960’s.
C
Cab A helicopter. Also an aircraft, used a lot on the Phantom fleet (might be a navy term).
Canteen Cowboy Ladies' man
Cattle boat a troopship
cement poisoning Description of a terminal ground impact
Char and a wad The cup of tea and the bun/cake often purchased from mobile NAAFI or WVS, Salvation Army canteens or the NAFFI Club itself
Chai Tea...from Indian or Arabic derivation. Shouts from billets could be heard of CHAI! to the bearers (servants) indicating tea was wanted. Nobody indicated who they were, the bearer always seemed to know who had done the shouting!
Charp To take a nap. From Indian Charpoy - a small bed. See http://xbrat47.chatrifleclub.org/teeemm.html
Chicks fighter escort of bomber. fighters waiting for airborne tanker
Chiefie originally applied to a Flight Sergeant, but now also used for a Chief Technician
Chitty, Chit any paper/document that allowed or excused something. Excused Boots chit for example. Also used when a stores request was put in
Chop - To get the, shot down or killed in action
Chopped Removed from a course of training. Failed to make the grade.
Chopper helicopter
chuff chart A chart indicating - days done in the RAF divided by days to do - ie the greater the number the more enthusiastic the chuff chart holder would become .
Circuits and Bumps Practice circuits and landings.
Clampers Weather unfit for flying
Clapped Out Nearing end of useful life
Cloud & Clonk Weather/Ground (airborne) Radar
Colonel, The The Naafi, as in Colonel Gaddafi
Come the old soldier From army derivation. To come the old soldier, or Don't come the old soldier with me. To use experience, knowledge, service time etc to make excuses, avoid the issue, argue without insubordination etc
Completely Cheesed No hope at all.
Compo short for composite rations, tinned and field food
Controlled crash a successful and safe landing
Cope To accomplish, to deal with.
Crabbing along Flying near the ground or water
Crab, Crabs a member of the Navy, Navy Personnel.
Crate Aircraft
Crow used at the RAF Regt Depot for people invalided off the Junior Regt Officer Cse; abbreviation for Crippled Regiment Officer Wannabe
D
D. I. Drill Instructor. Usually found on schools of recruit training.
Deck, Crack down on To 'pancake' an aircraft
Deck, the The ground or surface of the sea.
Desert Lily Urinal made from a tin can
Dhobi Laundry, washing - I had to do my dhobying in cold water or in Egypt we had a dhobi wallah - a boy who did the washing. From Arabic, dhobi, to wash
Dhobi dust washing powder
Dicey Dangerous
Dicey do A hair raising or dangerous situation or operation, a close thing
Dicke autos Luftwaffe code for allied bombers "fat cars"
Dicky seat Usually refering to the second or co-pilots seat
Dim as a NAAFI candle Not too bright !
Dim as a Toc-H lamp Not too bright
Ditch, To To land an aircraft in the sea
Dog fight Aerial Combat.
Dope Information (USMC).
Drill, The right Correct method of doing anything
Drink An ocean, river or lake. The sea
Drink, In the To come down in the sea
Dud Applied to weather when unfit to fly.
Duff gen Dud or useless information
Dunlops dangling, Dunlops:- As in "Dunlops dangling", or gear down (undercarriage)
Dust bin. Rear gunner's lower position in aircraft
Duty dog orderly officer or snco also orderly dog
E
Egg beater/ whisk Helicopter
Erk Ground crew. A beginner in any job.
Egyptian PT To laze on ones bed or pit.
F
Fairy A Member of the Radio/Radar trades.
Fan Propeller
Fang Farrier Dentist
Fat Albert C130 Hercules
FFI Free From Infection, usually applicable to venereal problems
Fifteen years of undetected crime The award of the Long Service and Good conduct Medal
File 13 The waste paper basket
Finger, To remove one's To hurry or pay attention (Get your finger out)
Fish Torpedo
Fish head A Member of the Royal Navy
Fish Heads The Navy
Fizzer A disciplinary charge. On a fizzer.
Flak Anti-aircraft fire: acronym from the german FlugAbwehrKanonen.
Flaming Onions Anti-aircraft tracer
Flannel To avoid telling the truth
Flap A chaotic event. A disturbance or general excitement. (In a flap)
Flying Tadpole WW2 Handley Page Hampden Bomber also 'Flying suitcase', 'Flying panhandle'
Fox, To To do something clever or cunning
Fruit Salad medal ribbons
FUBAR USAF - F****d up beyond all recognition.
Gardening Sowing mines in water from low level.
Garry Motorized vehicle ( transportation) RAF India dirivative?
Gash Spare, available item (usually for free). Not to be confused with the Royal Navy "gash" which means "rubbish" ie "ditch the gash" meaning throw the rubbish overboard
Gen General information of any kind. (pronounced jen)
George Automatic pilot
Get Cracking Get going
Get some in applied to someone who has done very little service time
Get your ink dry. applied to someone who has not yet done any long length of service.
Get your knees brown applied to someone who still has white skin in hot climates, new arrival
Gin clear Description of cloudless sky. Applied much more frequently in the desert than in the UK, for obvious reasons... possible derivation. Submariners removed diesel oil from periscope lenses with gin - hence they were 'gin clear'.
gin palace Electronics Centre on an airfield
Ginger beer Engineeer
Gippy Tummy Gastroenteritis
Gizzit A freeby, free gift (Gizzit here)
GO Bag A V Force term for the nav bag containing the secret target and other information which went everywhere with a crew on QRA.
God Botherer Chaplain
Golden Eagle Day Pay day
Gone for a Burton Missing in action or killed
Gong A medal
Gong, To collect a To get a medal
Goolie Chit A scrap of paper issued when flying over hostile territory offering a reward to the natives to return you to the nearest Allied unit unharmed
Grease Monkey short for composite rations, tinned and field food
Greenhouse Cockpit canopy
Gremlins WW2 expression for any malfunction in an aircraft which was not readily identifiable or was of an intermittent nature. From Gremlins being of a mischeivious nature and getting into the works
Ground Wallah An officer who did not fly
Groupie The rank of group captain
Gubbins Equipment
H
Hairy Mary No 2 dress - Battle dress - from WW2 until about 1976
Halibag Halifax Bomber
Handbrake house Station Headquarters
HAVING A CLUTCH MT EXPRESSION MEANING TO HAVE A DRIVE OF A VEHICLE NOT PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN BY THAT PERSON
Hedge hopping Flying extremely low over countryside so as to seem to be hopping over hedges, power lines and telephone lines were always a hazard, as were railway bridges
Hedge-hopping Flying very low.
Hen House waaf or wraf quarters see also Waafery
Hit the silk Take to one's parachute. Bale out.
Hog Dangler RAF Police dog handler.
Homeplate A pilot's home airfield (USAAF, USAF, USN)
Housewife sewing kit
Hun Germans
Hurriback A Hurricane fighter
I
Ice Cream Man Ice Cream Man- member of the SP division.
Imshi go away, from the Arabic
In the saddle Immediately behind a target and ready to attack. (USAAF, USAF)
Indianer Luftwaffe slang for American fighters - literally 'Indians'
Irons knife,fork and spoon:- part of O.R. issue kit. Had a mug to go with it
Iron Fairy A small mechanical crane
J
Janker wallah someone on jankers
Jankers Punishment for minor offence
JEngO Junior Engineer Officer. Strictly only on a flying squadron, but somtimes used of any junior officer of the Engineer Branch.
Jerry a German, esp.German soldier.
Jerry Can Petrol container (USA origin)
Jink away Sharp manoeuvre. Evasive action of aircraft
Joystick, joystick jockey Reference to the aircraft control column, and a pilot
K
Katschmarek Luftwaffe slang for wingman, the trailing aircraft in a two plane Rotte; required to stick with leader, following his lead.
Kipper Fleet The Nimrod fleet
Kipper Kite A Coastal Command aircraft protecting fishing fleets in the North and Irish seas.
Krs King's Regulations
L
Last three the last three figures of a service number, usually required at pay parades and other occasions
Leaping Heap Harrier Jump Jet
Liberty Gharri Transport from camp to town
Line Book Collection of amusing gaffes or slips of the tongue on a squadron or Mess.
Line shoot Exaggeration - usually about oneself. Telling a tall tale. Also 'Shooting a line'.
Liney An Aircraft Mechanic.
LMF Lack of moral fibre
Lumpy Jumpers WAAF or airwoman; orig. from difference in profile of issue "woolly pully" when worn by female personnel
Mae West Life jacket which inflates if wearer falls into the sea.
Mahleesh Never mind, or indifferent. From Arabic
Mahogany Spitfire Desk 'flown' by penguins and ground wallahs
Mechanical Humming Bird name given to HS Harrier GR1 aircraft by Harrier groundcrews of No 1 Fighter Squadron - anologious to the Harriers capability of flying backwards
milk bottle Someone who has just arrived overseas and has yet to get a tan
milk run A mission to an easy target with little opposition
Minging Something that is not very nice or dirty
Mixmaster helicopter
Mooney A new arrival from UK to warmer climes like Singapore, (because their pale skin is a moon tan not a sun tan)
Mother hen senior waaf or wraf officer, see mother superior and queen bee also
Mother Superior senior wraf or waaf officer, see Queen bee also
Mudmover Ground Attack aircraft pilot
Muscle in To take advantage of a good thing
N
NATO standard Tea or coffee with milk and sugar. Usually a response to, "How do you want your tea/coffee?"
NBG NBG....no bloody good
NFI Not F***king interested!
NFL Not F***king likely!
Nickels Propaganda leaflets.
Nimrod Someone who has the look of respectability but is both ethically and morally destitute
No joy Failure, unsuccessful
Nunnery WAAF and WRAF quarters, see mother superior
O
OC Bogs and Drains OC Works Services Flight, or the equivalent. Responsible for the upkeep of the Station infrastructure.
Office Cockpit of an aircraft
Oggin The sea
Old lag Cockpit canopy
Old Man The squadron CO
Ombasha Corporal, derived from Arabic
Organise To 'win' an article. Blag.
Oxbox Airspeed Oxford aircraft.
P
Pack up, to Cease to function
Packet, to catch a To be on the receiving end of offensive fire
Pan The airfield
Pancake To land an Aeroplane
Peanut Term usually applied to members of the now obsolete Trade Group 11, Telecommunication Operator/Controllers branch.
Pebble Monkey Pebble Monkey- Trainee Rock Ape, not yet received his "Flashes". .
Peel off, To Break formation to engage enemy
Penguin Ground officers with no operational experience.
Piece of Cake An easy target with little opposition
Pig Varsity [ or Valletta ] aircraft
Pig (A) The Valetta transport a/c
Pink chit Permission to do something -- normally from wife or girl freind!
Pit Pit or pit time means bed or time spent in bed
Pit practice going to bed or taking a snooze or lay down
Play pussy Hide in clouds
Pleep A squeak.
Plonk AC2, the lowest rank in the RAF
Plug away Continue to fire. Keep after target.
Plumber A member of the Armourer trades
Pongo A member of the British Army viz - everywhere the Army goes the pongos!!
Poodle pusher RAF Police Dog Handler .
Popsie Girl friend
POSB Pronounced Posbie. Someone who is tight with their money. Originated from those who oversubscribed to their Post Office Savings Book.
Someone who had a deduction at source to their Post Office account so they never had the money to stand their round
Prang To crash
prang wagon crash or fire tender
Press on regardless unofficial motto of the RAF
Prune Inexperienced Pilot Officer from WWII cartoon character
Pukka gen Accurate or useful information.
Pulpit Cockpit of an aircraft
Pusser Duck Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft see also Shagbat and Steam Pigeon
Pyard squared Corned beef
Q
Quack medical officer, or orderly, nurse, or anyone in medical branch
Queen bee senior wraf or waaf officer, see mother superior also
Queen Mary A low loader articulated trailer for transporting a/c fuselage and wings
Quick Squirt Short sharp burst of machine gun fire
Rang the Bell Got good results
REMF Rear Eschelon MotherF*cker
Rhubarb Short cross channel seek/destroy sortie (WW2)
Rigger Member of the Airframes trade
Rigger Blood Hydraulic fluid
Rings Rank designation on an officer's sleeve
ROAD USAF - Retired On Active Duty. Used to describe an idler.
Rock ape term applied to, and used by members of RAF Regiment
Rodeo Fighter sweep
Ropey Uncomplimentary adjective - A ropey landing, A ropey type, A ropey evening, etc.
RUMBLES This was the sound made at nightime when a trainee from one board-floored hut about midnight raced thru another upsetting beds,then disappeared thru a third and into the darkness,causing those from hut 2 to upend beds in hut 3. If the upsetter was caught by the upsetees his testicles were painted with black bootpolish.
R.Os Station Routine Orders
S
Sabrinas The name for the external bulges added to the Hunter for collecting the 30mm Aden cannon shell links which, when ejected from the aircraft, were found to disrupt the airflow into the engine on the original Hunter
Scaley A married man on full allowances. Derived from the time when marriage allowance was paid and the recipients were known as Scaley because they received the Scale A level of pay.
Scopie Person employed within the Aerospace Operator trade or Fighter Control branch. AKA Scope Dope
Scrambled Egg Gold braid on officer's caps
Scran Food.
Scraper Thin ring worn with two thicker ones on uniform sleeve or shoulder identifying a Squadron Leader. From a scraper ring on a piston in a piston engine
Screamed downhill Executed a power dive
Screaming hab dabs Gastroenteritis
Screaming Tit slang for the Argosy Freighter from its engine noise and the small black radar dome on its nose
Scuffer RAF Policeman (or woman).
Self-loading freight Soldiers boarding a transport plane. Air passengers generally.
SEngO Senior Engineer Officer. Strictly only on a flying squadron, but somtimes used of any squadron leader of the Engineer Branch.
Shack Avro Shackleton
Shagbat Supermarine Walrus Seaplane use in air sea rescue duties.
Shiny/Shiney A member of the admin trades (from Shiney a**e because they wore the seats of their trousers shiney by permanently sitting down).
Shitehawk any representation of the raf eagle on shoulder, uniform badge etc.
Shooting a Line See Line shoot
Shot down in flames Crossed in love. Given a severe reprimand
Shreddies Male underwear
Shufti To look.
shufti kite Reconnaisance aircraft
Shufti-blanket Burka
Shufti-scope Torch. or An underwater face-mask
Skirt patrol, On On the lookout for a popsie
Sky pilot A chaplain
SLOps Squadron Leader Ops. Why such an important personage on a station got lumbered with such an amusing abbreviation is a minor mystery.
Snafu Situation Normal All Fouled (inoffensive alternative). Up
Snag 1.A defect, particularly technical. 2. A Leading Aircraft Apprentice at Halton.
Snake about Operational aerobatics
Snowdrop RAF Policeman (or woman) by virtue of his/her wearing a white covered cap
Soggies Breakfast cereal soaked in milk and allowed to go - soggy!
Sooty Member of the Propulsion Trade
Spacies Air Cadets (by comparison to space cadets).
Spam Can B24 Liberator Bomber
Sparks/sparkie reference to those who wore the signals badge on their sleeve or aircrew who wore the signallers brevet
Spoof A diversionary raid or operation
Sprog an inexperienced young officer, or a child or A 'new boy' fresh from training
Spun In A bad mistake. Analagous of an aircraft spinning out of control into the ground.
SqIntO pronounceed squint-o. Squadron Intellingence Officer.
Squabbling bleeder The rank of Squadron Leader
Square bashing The period of recruit training in basic drill or any form of parade
Squirt A short machine gun burst
Pukka gen Accurate or useful information.
Station Rock OC Station Regiment (or Ground Defence Training) Flight
Stationmaster Commanding officer of a Station
steam pigeon Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft see also Shagbat
STICKY BUN MERCHANT SOMEONE WHO USED SPEND THEIR TIME DRINKING TEA AND EATING STICKY BUNS IN THE N.A.A.F.I.
Stooge Deputy, Second pilot or any assistant
Stooging about Delayed landing for various reasons. Flying slowly over and area. Patrolling.
subsonic lawnmowers Name adopted by joint 15/16 sqdn Buccaneers det to Lossiemouth
Sweep Fly over enemy territory looking for targets
SWO Term for the Station Warrant Officer responsible for all discipline etc
SWO Man A description for the Station Warrant Officer.
Synthetic Not the real thing. Also applied to ground training.
Tail End Charlie Rear Gunner in a bomber or rear aircraft in a formation.
Tally ho! RAF) Am about to attack / Have sighted enemy
Tank Aircraft Apprentice NAAFI at RAF Halton
Target for Tonight Girlfriend
Tear off a strip Reprimand, take down a peg
Tee up To prepare a job, to get ready.
Tentpeg To crash like that implies
The Camp Bicycle This referred to a service or civilian female on a station who put it around a bit.
Thunderbox Chemical toilet. Any form of field toilet requiring emptying!
Tiffy Typhoon fighter/bomber, fighter/ground attack
Tin Basher An Airframe Fitter.
TIT firing button on a control stick, the tit the button, press the tit to fire
Tits Up Refers to an equipment unserviceability - going 'tits up' infers that it has fallen on its back. To land with wheels up - a mistake or cock-up! (appeared in the Daily Telegraph!)
Tommy German slang for Englishman
Tonka Panavia Tornado
Top brass Senior Officer (normally of Air Rank)
Touch bottom Crash
Toys Training equipment
Train, Driving the Leading more than one squadron into battle
Trenchard Brat An apprentice at Halton
Trog RAF Police slang for walking the wire on SSA, ESA etc
Trucky, Truckies Transport aircraft pilots
Twilights WAAF underwear, light coloured summer-weights.
Two-six command to begin moving equipment,vis: ground handling of aircraft ( in all probability had its beginning in RAF India) (two Sikhs)
U
U/S Unservicable.
Ulu The jungle
Undercart Undercarriage (or u/c Gear) of an aircraft
V
Vegetables Accoustic or magnetic mines
Vic Formation of aircraft in a v shape
Vim Tin English Electric Lightning in its original silver colour looked like a tin of Vim
W
Waafery waaf or wraf quarters see also henhouse
Wallah suffix applied to all local labour, for instance donkey wallah, water wallah, dhobi wallah, of Indian derivation
Whipper In A single aircraft used to fly around a large flypast formation during rehearsals, giving corrective guidance to any aircraft which is not quite in the right position.
Whirlybird helicopter
Whistleing Wheelbarrow Argosy
Whistling Tit Argosy, Radome on the nose plus the engine noise
Whizzo Jolly good show
Wiggly Amps What you find in electronic equipment going through the wires. From the appearance of oscilloscope displays, which measure the wiggly amps, and the unit of current. Also used more generally of electronic equipment itself.
Wimpie Fond nickname given to the Vickers Wellington bomber. Prabably derived from a newspaper cartoon character of the same name
Window Strips of metallic paper cut to the length of the frequency of a radar site when dropped gave a false radar echo
Wingco Wing Commander
Wingless wonder derogatory term applied to mainly to officers who did not wear the flying brevet and were over officious
Wiring Extremely low level flying. Has been in use for the last 41 years in the RED ARROWS.
Wizard First class, attractive, ingenious, superlative
Wizard Prang To hit a target well
Wizzo First Class
Wokka wokka Chinook helicopter. Derives from the distinctive sound of the twin rotors.
Wonders and Blunders Air Ministry Works Department, also known as works and bricks.
Working your ticket Trying to get out of the services
Y
Yonks A long Long time ago
Yug and Yugging A Yug is a wobble in the vertical plane during formation flying. Hence to yug and yugging.
Z
Zobbit A commissioned officer - normally a snooty one! Possibly derived from the Arabic 'dhabit' - literally officer.
Zot An Arrows word for a verbal de-brief given by an observer of formation aeros. Probably now defunct with the advent of video etc.
AA - Air Attache: Anti Aircraft Fire
AAC - Army Air Corps:
AAC - Anti Aircraft Co-operation
AACC - Army Air Corps Center
AACF - Anti-aircraft Co-operation Flight
AACTDC - Army Air Corpse Tactical Development Center
AACU - Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit
AAEE - Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
A&AEE - Aero plane& Armament Experimental/Evaluation Establishment
AAF - Auxiliary Air Force/Anti Aircraft Flight
AAFCE - Allied Air Forces Central Europe
AAFNE - Allied Air Forces Northern Europe
AAFSE - Allied Air Forces Southern Europe
AAGS - Air Armament & Gas School
AAITS - Airmen Aircrew Initial Training school
AAP - Air to air Missile
AAP - Aircraft acceptance Park (during WW1)/ Army Aircraft Park
AAPC - Anti Aircraft Practice Camp
AAR - Air-to Air Refueling
AAS - Air Armament School
AASF - Advanced Air Striking Force (1939/40)
AATE - Air Armament trials Establishment
AATT&DC - Army Air Transport Training & Development Center
AAU - Air Ambulance Unit/Aircraft Acceptance Unit/ Aircraft Assembly Unit
ABGS(ME) Air Bombing & Gunnery School (Middle East)
AFEE - Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment
AATTF - Anti-Aircraft and Target Towing Flight
ABC - Airborne Cigar - transmitter aboard aircraft which jammed German fighter control frequencies
ABTF - Air Bombing Training Flight
A/C - Aircraft
AC - Aircraftman
AC1 Aircraftman First Class
AC2 Aircraftman Second Class
ACAC - Aircrew Allocation Center - Brackla (1944)
ACATC - Air Cadets Adventure Training Center (Llanbeder and Windermere)
A/Cdre - Air Commodore
ACC - Army Co-operation Command
ACC - Allied Control Commission
ACC - Air Control Center
ACC - armoured car company
ACCF - Army Co-operation Command Communication Flight
ACDC - Aircrew Despatch Center (Heaton Park)
ACDW - Air Crew Disposal Wing
ACGFSOC - Air Cadet Gliding Flight Safety Officer's Course
ACCGS - Air Cadet Central Gliding School (RAF Syerston)
ACDU - Army Co-operation Development Unit
ACDU (ME) - Air Combat Development Unit (Middle East)
ACF - Air Command Far East
ACFAWF - Air Command Fare East All Weather Flight
ACFSS - Air Cadets Flying Scholarship Scheme
ACGS(OR) - Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Operational Requirements)
ACH Air Craft Hand
ACH - Advanced Chain Home
ACHU - Aircrew Holding Unit (No 1 Kidlington, No2 Penhros, No3 Pembray, No4 Grange, No7 Blyton, No8 Rufforth, No9 Gamston, No10 Burn, No11 Bruntingthorpe, No14 Millom. No15 Beccles, No 21 Filey No 22 Kirkham, No25 Aldermaston, No26 Market Harborough, No29 Witchford)
ACIs - Air Council Instructions
ACO - Advanced Chain Overseas (radar)
ACO - Air Cadet Organisation
ACM - Air Chief Marshal
ACP - Air Cadet Publication (derived from APs)
ACPNTS - Air Cadets Pilot Navigation Training Scheme
ACR - Airfield Control Radar
ACRC - Air Crew Reception Centre - (No3 ACRC St John's Wood, London - Regent's Park, London) (1 ACRC - Babbacombe)
ACRC (ME) - Air Crew Reception Centre Middle East (No. 1 ACRC (M.E.), Jerusalem (No. 5 ACRC (M.E.), Helipolis
A.C.R.C - (No 1 ACRC Babbacombe, No 2. ACRC, RAF Sale, No 6 ACRC Scarborough)
A.C.R.C - Aircrew Receiving Centre (No 4 Filey, No 7 Torquay)
ACRS - Air Crew Refresher School
ACS - Airfield Construction Squadron
ACSB - Air Crew Selection Board (No 7 ACSB Cardington)
ACSEA - Air Command South East Asia
ACSEA/ASS - Air Command South East Asia Air Service Squadron ACTC - Air Cadet Training Centre (at RAFC Cranwell)
ACU - Air Conditioning Unit
AD - Aircraft Depot
AD - Air Defence
AD - After duty (used on F259 for start of leave period.)
ADC - Air Defence Centre/Aide de Camp
ADCC - Air Defence Cadet Corps (established 1938, see ATC)
ADCS - Air Defence Cooperation Squadron
ADEM - Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean
ADF(U) - Aircraft Delivery Flight (Unit)
ADGB - Air Defence of Great Britain
ADGE - Air Defence Ground Environment
ADLS - Air Despatch Letter Service
ADM - Air Defence Missile
ADRU - Air Despatch& Reception Unit
ADU - Aircraft Delivery Unit
AE - Air Efficiency award
AEAES - Air Electronics& Air Engineers School
AEAF - Allied Expeditionary Air Forces
AEC - Assessment& Evaluation Centre
AED - Aircraft Equipment Depot
AEF - Air Experience Flight
AES - Air Electronics School/Armament Experimental Station
AEW - Airborne Early Warning
AFC - Air Force Cross
AFC - Australian Flying Corps
AFDE - Air Fighting Development Establishment
AFDS - Air Fighting Development Squadron, part of CFE
AFDU (S)- Air Fighting Development Unit/Squadron
AFE - Airborne Forces Establishment
AFEE - Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment
AFG - Air Forces Gulf
AFHQ - Airfield Headquarters
AFM - Air Force Medal
AFRU - Advance Flying & Refresher Unit
AFS - Advanced Flying School - No.201 Swinderby (1948)
AFS - Auxiliary Fighter Squadron
AFSI(I) - Advanced Flying School (India)
AFS(ME) - Advanced Flying School (Middle East)
AFTCC - Air Force Troop Carrier Command
AFTDU - Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit
AFTS - Advanced Flying Training School
AFTU - Advanced Flying Training Unit/Air Firing Training Unit
AFU - Advanced Flying Unit (No 2 AFU RAF Millom)
AFWE - Air Forces Western Europe
AG - Air Gunner
AGBS - Air Gunnery & Bombing School
AGL - Air Gun Laying
AGME - Aircraft Gun Mounting Establishment
AGRS - Advanced Ground Radio School (No. 2 RS, Yatesbury)
AGRS - Air & Ground Radio School
A&GS -Armament & Gunnery School
AGS - Aircrew Grading School
AGS - Air Gunners School (1 AGS = RAF Pembrey 2AGS = RAF Dalcross 3 AGS = RAF Castle Kennedy from June1941 to dec 1942 then moved to RAF Mona then back to Castle Kennedy10/43, 7 AGS =
Stormy Down 8 AGS = Evanton 9AGS = Llandwrog 10AGS = Castle Kennedy (moved to Barrow - date not known)
11 AGS = Andreas, Isle of Man (moved to Jurby - date not known ) 12 AGS = Bishop's Court)
AGS(ME/I) Air Gunners School (Middle East/India)
AGT - Air work& General Trading (part of the CRO)
AGT - Advanced Gliding Training (Air Cadets)
AGU - Air work Grading Unit
AHQ - Air Headquarters
AHQ(I) - Air Headquarters (India)
A&IEU - Armament & Instrument Experimental Unit
AI - Airborne Interception - night fighter radar equipment
AICF - AI Conversion Flight
AIEU - Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit
AIS - Air Interception School
AITF - AI Training Flight
ALG - Advance Landing Ground
ALS - Air Landing School (India)
ALO - Air Liaison Officer
AM - Air Marshal
AM - Air Ministry
AMDP - Air member for development & Production
AMES - Air Ministry Experimental Station
AMESS - Air Ministry Experimental Station (ground Radar Station)
AMMF - Air Ministry Meteorological Flight
AMO - Air Ministry Order/ Air Movement Order
AMSDU - Air Ministry Servicing Development Unit
AMWD - Air Ministry Works Department
ANBS - Air Navigation & Bombing School
ANS - Air Navigation School
AOC - Air Officer Commanding
AOCU - Andover Operational Conversion Unit
AOG - Aircraft On the Ground (unfit to fly)
AONS - Air Observers Navigation School
AOP - Air Observation Post
AORG - Army Operational Research Group
AOS - Air Observers School (No 4 AOS West Freugh)
AOTS - Aircrew Officers Training School
AP - Aircraft Park
AP - Air Publication
APC (S) - Armament Practice Camp (Station)
APCS - Aden Protectorate Communication Squadron
APCS & SS- Aden Protectorate Control & Support Squadron
APDU - Air Photography Development Unit
AP&DU - Aircraft Preparation& Development Unit
APF - Air Pilotage Flight
APS - Air Pilotage School/Armament Practice Station
APSF - Aden Protectorate Support Flight
APU - Aircraft Preparation Unit
ARC - Aircrew Recruiting Centre/Aircrew Reception Centre
ARD - Aircraft Repair Depot
ARF - Aircraft Repair Flight
ARF - Air Radar Fitter
ARP - Aircraft Repair Park
ARS - Aircraft Repair Section
ARU - Aircraft Repair Unit
ARWF/S - Advanced Rotary Wing Flight/Squadron
A/S - Anti Submarine
ASC - Aircrew Selection Centre
ASC - Air Support Command
ASD - Aeroplane Supply Depot
ASF - Air Survey Flight
ASF - Aircraft Servicing Flight
ASI - Air Speed Indicator
ASM - Anti Submarine Missile
ASP - Air Stores Park
ASR - Air Sea Rescue
ASR&CF - Air Sear Rescue & Communication Flight
ASRF - Air Sea Rescue Flight
ASRTU - Air Sea Rescue Training Unit
AS&RU - Aircraft Salvage & Repair Unit
AS - Air School
ASS - Air Signals School
AST - Air Service Training (CRO)
ASTOR - Airborne Stand-Off Radar
ASU - Aircraft Storage Unit
A/S - Anti Submarine
ASV - Airborne Surface Vessel, radar for maritime patrol aircraft
ASWDU - Air-Sea Warfare Development Unit
ATA - Air Transport Auxiliary
ATAF - Allied Tactical Air Force
ATC - Air Traffic Control
ATC - Armament Training Camp/Air Training Corps (succeeded ADCC, 1941)
ATDC(I) -Air Transport Development Centre (India)
ATDF - Air Transport Development Flight
ATDU - Air Torpedo Development Unit? Air Transport Development Unit
ATF - Autogiro Training Flight
ATFERO - Atlantic Ferry Organisation
ATGU - Aircrew Testing & Grading Unit
ATP - Advanced Training Poll/Aircrew Transit Pool/Air Transit Pool
ATS - Auxiliary Territorial Service (women)
ATS - Armament Training Station/Air Training Squadron
ATTDU - Air Transport Tactical Development Unit/Armament Training Unit/Aircrew Transit Unit/Air Trials Unit
ATREL - Air Transportable Reconnaissance Exploitation Laboratory
ATU - Armament Training Unit/Aircrew Transit Unit/Air Trials Unit/Advanced Training Unit
AUAS - Aberdeen University Air Squadron
AUBDS - Anti U-boat Devices School
AVG - American Volunteer Group
AVM - Air Vice Marshal
AW - Armstrong Whitworth
AWDS - All Weather Development Squadron
AWF - Air Wireless Fitter
AWF - Air Warfare Centre/All weather Flight
AWFCS - All Weather Fighter Conversion Squadron
AWOCU - All Weather Operational Conversion Unit
AWOL - Absent Without Leave
AWRE - Atomic Weapons Research Establishment
B
BABS - Blind (Beam?) Approach Beacon System
BAC - British Air Commission
B&C - Barrack & Clothing
BACB - British Air Command Berlin
BACF - Beam Approach Calibration Flight
BADU - Blind later, Beam Approach Development Unit
BAe - British Aerospace
BAFF - British Air Forces in France
BAFO - British Air Forces of Occupation
BAFSEA - British Air Force South-East Asia
BANS - Basic Air Navigation School
BARU - British Airways Repair Unit/Base Aircraft Repair Unit
BAS - Beam Approach School
BAS&HEDS Bomber Airborne Support & Heavy Equipment Dropping Squadron
BAT - Beam (originally Blind) Approach
BATDU - Blind Approach Training & Development Unit
BATF - Beam (originally Blind) Approach Training Flight
BATTS - Beam Approach Technical Training School
BBCS - Bengal/Burma Communication Squadron
BB&BLEAU - Bomb Ballistics & Blind Landing Experimental Unit
BBOC Brought Back on Charge
BBU - Bomb Ballistics Unit
BCAir - British Commonwealth Air Component, Japan
BC - Bomber Command
BC - Basic Component (Seen on some USA eqpt. used by RAF, e.g. BC453 part
of SCR274. See SCR.)
BCAS - Bomber Command Armament School
BCATP - British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
BCBS - Bomber Command Bombing School
BCCF(S) - Bomber Command Communication Flight (Squadron)
BCDU - Bomber Command Development Unit
BCFFU - Bomber Command Film Flight Unit
BCHU - Bomber Command Holding Unit
BCIR&EF Bomber Command Instrument Rating & Examining Flight
BCIS - Bomber Command Instructors School
BCJCF - Bomber Command Jet Conversion Unit
BCMC - Bomber Command Modification Centre
BCOF - British Commonwealth Occupation Force
BCRS - Bomber Command Radar School
BCTAE - British Commonwealth Trans Antarctic Expedition
Bde - Brigade
BDR - Battle Damage Repair
BDT - Bomber Defence Training
BDTF - Bomber Defence Training Flight
BDU - Bombing Development Unit/ Bomber Development Unit
BDU - Balloon Development Unit
BDU - Bomb Disposal Unit
BEF - British Expeditionary Force
BER - Beyond Economical Repair
BEM - British Empire Medal
BFTS - British Flying Training School (No.1 Terrell, Texas, No. 3 BFTS Miama Oklahoma)
B&GF - Bombing & Gunnery Flight
B&GS - Bombing & Gunnery School
BGT - Basic Gliding Training (Air Cadets)
BHFU - BloodHound Firing Unit (Aberporth)
BHSU - BloodHound Support Unit (West Raynham)
BLEU - Blind Landing Experimental Unit
BLS - Bombing Leaders School
BMH - British Military Hospital
BoB - Battle of Britain
BobMF - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
BRD - Base Repair Depot
BSDU - Bomber Support Development Unit
BSRU - Base Signal Radar Unit
BSTU - Bomber Support Training Unit
BTF - Bomber Towing/Training Flight
BTU - Bombing Trials Unit
BU - Broken Up
BWF - Bristol Wireless Flight, Yatesbury
(C) - Coastal
C&SM - Sheet metal & Copper Smith
CA - Controller, Aircraft (Air Ministry)
CAACU - Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
CACS - Central Air Command Section
CACF - Coast Artillery Co-operation Flight
CACU - Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit
CAEU - Casualty Air Evacuation Unit
Cal Flt - Calibration Flight
CF/Unit - Camouflage Flight/Unit
C&M - Care and Maintenance
Cam-ship - Catapult-armed Merchant ship
CAMO - Camouflage Unit
CANS - Civil Air Navigation School
CAP - Captain
CAOS - Combined Air Observers School
CARD - Central Aircraft Repair Depot
CASEVAC - Casualty Evacuation
CASTS - Combined Anti Submarine Tactical School
CAT - Damage Category
CAT - College of Air Training, Hamble
CATCS - Central Air Traffic Control School
CAW - College of Air Ware fare
CBE - Central Bomber Establishment
CBCF - Coastal Battery Cooperation Flight
CBCS - Coastal Battery Cooperation School
CC - Confined to camp
CCAPMF - Coastal Command Aircraft Preparation& Training Unit
CCDU - Coastal Command Development Unit
CCFATU - Coastal Command Fighter Affiliation & Training Unit
CCRC - Combat Crew Replacement Centre
CCSDF - Coastal Command Special Duties Flight
CCF/U - Check and Conversation Flight/Unit
CCGS - Coat sal Command Gunnery School
CC(F)IS - Coastal Command (Flying) Instructors School
CCLPP - Coastal Command Land plane Pilots Pool
CCPP - Coastal Command Preparation Pool
CCTDU - Coastal Command Tactical Development Unit
CCTF - Coastal Command Training Flight/Combat Cairo Task Force Cd - Command
CD - Coast Defence
CDCF - Coastal Command Cooperation Flight
CDDU - Coast Defence Development Unit
CDG - Croix de Guerre
CEDIT - Command Engineering Development & Investigation Unit
CEF - Casualty Defence Flight
CEW - Centimetric Early Warning
CF - Communication Flight
CF - Conversion Flight (number Prefix)
CFCCU - Civilian Fighter Control Cooperation Flight
CFCS - Ventral Fighter Control School
CFE - Central Fighter Establishment
CFF - Combined Forces in France
CFI - Communications Flight Iraq
CFI - Chief Flying Instructor
CFI&P - Communication Flight Iraq & Persia
(C)FPP - Civilian Ferry Pilots Pool
CF(S) - Communications Flight (Squadron)
CFS - Central Flying School
CFWD = Communication Flight Western Desert
CGIS - Central Gliding Instructors School
CGM - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
CGMF - Central Glider Maintenance Flight (RAF Syerston )
CGS - Central Gunnery School
CGS - Central Gliding School
CH - Chain Home (Radar chain)
CHEL - Chain Home Extra Low (Radar)
CHL - Chain Home Low (Radar chain)
CLE - Central Landing Establishment
CLS - Central Landing School
Cmd - Command
CMF - Central Med Forces
CMU - Civilian Maintenance Unit
CN&CS - Central Navigation & Control School
CNS - Central Navigation School (No 1 CNS Rivers, Manitoba)
CNVTS - Central Night Vision Training School
CO - Commanding Officer (can also be OC)
CO - Chain Overseas (Overseas version of CH)
CO - Chain Overseas Low (CHL)
COD - Command Ordinance Depot
Comm(s) Communication(s)
COTU - Coastal Operational Training Unit
Conv - Conversion
CPE - Central Photographic Establishment
CPF - Coastal Patrol Flight
CRC - Control and reporting center
CRD - Controller of Research & Development
CRDF - Cathode Ray Direction Finding
CRF - Controller of Research & Development
CRE - Central Reconnaissance Establishment
CRO - Central Records Office
CRU - Civilian Repair Unit (Example, 1CRU at the Cowley "shadow"
factory.)
CPF - Coastal Patrol Flight
Cpl - Corporal
CRO - Civilian Repair Organisation
CRP - Civilian Repair Party
CRS - Control and reporting school
CS(A) - Controller of Supply (Air)
CSDE - Central Servicing Development Establishment
CSE - Central Signals Establishment
CSF - Central Signals Establishment
CSE - Communications and Support Flight
Cse - Course
CSS Communications and Support Squadron
CSU - Communications and Support Unit
CSPDE - Combined services Project Development Unit
CTTS - Communications & Target-towing Squadron
CTTS - Civilian Technical Training School
CTU - Combat Training Unit/Crew Training Unit
CTS - Combat Training School
CTW - Combat Training Wing
CU - Conversion Unit/Camouflage Unit?Communications Unit
Cu - Converted
CV - Common Valve (Tri-service radio valve prefix, e.g., CV1052)
CW - Communication Wing
CWGC - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
CWP - Contractor's Working Party
CzTU - Czechoslovak Training Unit
DAF - Desert Air Force
DAFTF - Desert Air Force Training Flight
DATCO - Deputy Air Traffic Controller
DBF - Destroyed by Fire
DBR - Damaged beyond repair
DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medal
DDR - East Germany Deutsche Democratic Republic - also GDR
Del/Dly - Delivery
Det/Dett - Detachment (detachment to another unit or Squadron)
DEW - Distant Early Warning (The DEW-line radar system)
D/F - Direct Finding (Station)
DFC - Distinguished Flying Cross
DFCS - Day Fighter Combat School, part of CFE
DFLS - Day Fighter Leaders School
DFM - Distinguished Flying Medal
DGA - Director General of Aviation
DGRD - Director General of Research & Development
DHFS - Defence Helicopter Flying School
DI - Drill Instructor
DI - Daily Inspection (This was done every morning on the Aircraft)
Disb - Disbanded
DME - Distance Measuring Equipment
DNCO - Did Not Complete Operation - see Boomerang
DOB - Deployed Operating Base
DSO - Distinguished Service Order
DTC - Descent Through Cloud
DTD - Directorate of Technical Development
DTN - Defence Teleprinter Network
DTD - Director of Technical Development (Air Ministry)
DTEO - Defence Test & Evaluation Organisation
DUAS - Durham University Air Squadron
DWI - Directional Wireless Installation (Magnetic Minesweepers)
E
EAAS - Empire Air Armament School
EAC - Eastern Air Command
EAF - East Africa Flight
EANS - Empire Air Navigation School
EAOS - Elementary Air Observer School
EASSU - Enemy Aircraft Storage & Servicing Unit
EATS - Empire Air Training Scheme
EBTS - Elementary and Basic Training School (Coastal Command)
EC - Escadrille de Chasse (Small French Fighter Unit)
EC - Engagement Controller (Bloodhound missile)
ECDU - Electronic Countermeasures Development Unit/Engine Control Demonstration Unit
ECFS - Empire Central Flying School
ECI - Engineer Control Instructors ECM - Electronic Countermeasures
ECU - Electronic Countermeasures Unit
EDD - Equipment Disposal Unit
EFS - Empire Flying School
EFTS - Elementary Flying Training School - (No 1 EFTS RAF Hatfield/Malton Canada, No.18 Fairoaks 1942 - 15 EFTS Regina. 23 EFTS Davidson , Manitoba (moved to Yorkton January 1945)
EGS - Elementary Gliding School
EGTS - Elementary Glider Training School
ELG - Emergency Landing Ground
EMCS - Eastern Mediterranean Communication Flight
EMUAS - East Midlands University Air Squadron
EP - Equipment Park
E&RFTS - Elementary& Reserve Flying Training School
ERS - Empire Radio School/Engine Repair Section
ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival
ETO - European Theatre of Operations
ETPS - Empire Test Pilots School
EOWS - Elementary Observer Wireless School
EU - Equipment Unit
EUAS - Edinburgh University Air Squadron
Evd - Evaded Capture
EWAU - Electronic Ware fare Avionics Unit
EWE&TU - Electronic Ware fare Experimental & Training Unit
E&WS - Electrical & Wireless School
EWS - Emergency Water Supply
F
F2E - Fitter II (Engines)
FAA - Fleet Air Arm
FAP - First Aid Post
FAGS - Fleet Aerial Gunners School
FATU - Flight Affiliation Training Unit/Fighter Armament Training Unit
FBDF - Flying Boat Development Flight
F-BFTS - France-Belgium Flying Training Unit
FBO - Fixed Base Operations
FBSU - Flying Boat Servicing Unit
FBSU - Flying Boat Servicing Unit
FC - Ferry Control/Fighter Command/Flying Control
FCCRS - Fighter Command Control & Reporting School
FCCS/F Fighter Command Communication Squadron/Flight
FCCU - Fighter Control Cooperation Unit
FCIRS/F - Fighter Command Instrument Rating Squadron/Flight
FCITF/S - Fighter Command Instrument Training Flight .Squadron
FCMPC - Fighter Command Missile Practice Camp
FCPU - Ferry Command Preparation Unit
FCRS - Fighter Command Radar School
FCS - Fighter Command School
FCS - Facility Checking Squadron
FCTU - Fighter Command Trials Unit
FDF - Fighter Defence Unit
F/E - Flight Engineer
FE - Far East
FEAF - Far East Air Force
FEAFES - Far East Air Force Examination Squadron
FECEF - Far East Casualty Evacuation Unit
FEE - Fighter Experimental Establishment
FEFEW - Far East Flying Boat Wing
FETDU - Far East Tactical Development Unit
FETS - Far East Training Squadron
FETW - Far East Training Wing
FF - Fighter Flight/Ferry Flight/Free French
FFAF - Free French Air Force
FFDPF - Free French Desert Patrol Flight
FFFF - Free French Fighter Flight
FFI - Free From Infection
FIDO - Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation
F I DS/U - Fighter Interception Development Squadron/Unit
FIS - Flying Instructors School
F I U - Fighter Interception Unit
F/L - Flight Lieutenant
Flot - Flotille
FLS - Fighter Leaders School
Flt - Flight
F M A -Flight Mechanic Airframes
F M E Flight Mechanic Engines
FMS - Facilities Management Squadron
FMS - Field Maintenance Squadron
FSMO - Full Service Marching Order
F/O - Flying Officer
FP - Ferry Pool
FPP - Ferry Pilots Pool
FPU - Ferry Preparation Unit/Film Production Unit
FR - Fighter - reconnaissance
FRD - Forward Repair Depot
FRS - Flying Refresher School
FRU - Field Repair Unit/Fleet Requirements Unit
F/S - Flight Sergeant
FS - Fighting School
FSAF&G - Fleet School of Aerial Fighting & Gunnery School
FSDS - Fighter Support Development Squadron
FSP - Forward Staging Post
FSS - Ferry Support Squadron/Flying Selection Squadron
FSTS - Fire and Security Training School
FSTU - Fighter Support Training Unit
FTC - Flying Training Command
FTCPF - Flying Training Command Practice Flight
FTF/U - Ferry Training Flight/Unit
FTFlt - Ferry Training Flight
FTLU - French Tactical Liaison Unit
FTR - Failed to Return
FTS - Flying Training School (Prefixed s in wartime { 3FTS = RAF South Cerney 11FTS = RAF Shawbury}
FTU - Ferry Training Unit/Floatplane Training Unit/Flight Trials Unit
FU - Ferry Unit
FWS - Fighter Weapons School
F w - Feldwebel/Focke Wulfe
G
GATU -Ground Attack Training Unit
G/C Group Captain
GC - Gliding Centre/Groupe de Chasse
GCA - Ground Controlled Approach
GCAOS - Ground Controlled Approach Operation School
GCAS - Ground Controlled Approach Squadron
GCATU - Ground Controlled Approach Training Unit
GCF - Gunnery Co-operation Flight/Group Communication Flight
GCHQ - Government Communications HQ
GCI - Ground Controlled Interception
GCS - Ground Controlled Squadron
GCT - Ground Combat Training
GD - General Duties
GDC - Group Disbandment Centre
GDGS - Group Defence Gunnery School
GE - George Cross
GED - Ground Equipment Depot
GEP - General Equipment Park
GES - Glider Exercise Squadron
GEU - Glider Exercise Unit
GG - Ground Gunnery
GGS - Ground Gunnery School
GI - Ground Instructional
GIC - Gliding Induction Course (Air Cadets)
GIF - Glider Instructors Flight
GIS - Glider Instructors School
GL - Gun Laying (radar)
(G) OTU - Glider operational Training Unit
Gnd - ground
Gnr - Gunner
GOC - General Officer Commanding
Gp - Group
GP - General Purpose
GP CF - Group Conversion Flight
GP/DA - Group Disposal Account (book-keeping exercise for damaged aircraft)
GPEU - Glider Exercise Unit
GPIS - Glider Pilot Instructors School
GPUTF - Glider Pick-up Training Unit
GPR - Glider Pilot Regiment
GR - General reconnaissance
GR&ANS - General Reconnaissance and Air Navigation School
GRF - Ground Radar Fitter
GRICS - Ground Radio Installation Clearance Service (security clearance for visitors)
GRS - General Reconnaissance School (31 GRS Charlote town Price Edward Island)
GRSF - Ground Radio Servicing Flight
GRSS - Ground Radio Servicing Squadron
GRU - General Reconnaissance Unit
GRU/F - General Reconnaissance Unit/Flight
GS - Gliding School
GS - Grading School
GSE - Glider Servicing Echelon
GSF - Glider Servicing Flight
GSU - Group Support Unit
GTF - Gunnery Training Flight
GTPS - Glider & Tug Pilots School
GTS - Glider Training Squadron/Glider Training School
GU - Grading Unit
GUAS - Glasgow University Air Squadron
GWDS - Guided Weapon Development Squadron
GWF - Ground Wireless Fitter
GWTS - Guided Weapon Training Squadron H
H
H2S Airborne radar navigational and target location aid
H2X - American version of H2S
HAAPC - Heavy antiaircraft Practice Camp
HAD - Home Aircraft Depot
(HB) - Heavy Bomber
(HB)CU - (Heavy Bomber) Conversion Unit
HCCS - Home Command Communications Squadron
HCEU - Home Command Examining Unit
HCF - Helicopter Communications Flight/Home Communications Flight
HCU - Heavy Conversion Unit
HD - Home Defence
Hdlg Sqn - Handling Squadron
HDU - Helicopter Development Unit
HE - High Explosive
HE - (movements) Home Establishment?
HFDF - High Frequency Direction Finding ("Huff-Duff")
HFF - Heavy Freight Flight
HFU - Home Ferry Unit
HGCU - Heavy Glider Conversion Unit
HGMU - Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit
HGSU - Heavy Glider Servicing Unit
HGTU - Heavy Glider Training Unit
HKAAF - Hong KOng Auxiliary Air Force
HKFS - Hong Kong Fighter Squadron
HKVA - Hong Kong Volunteer Air Force
HMS - His/Her Majesty's Ship
HMT - His/Her Majesty's Transport Ship
HOCF = Helicopter Operational Conversion Flight
Hptm - Hauptman
HQ - Headquarters
HQ AC - Headquarters Air Cadets (RAFC Cranwell)
HQ ATA - Head Quarters Air Transport Auxiliary
HQ EFT - Headquarters Elementary Flying Training
HQ FPP - Head Quarters Ferry Pilots Pool
HQ P&SS - Headquarters Provost & Security Services - 'Snowdrops'
HQ PTC - Headquarters Personnel & Training Command (RAF Innsworth)
HQ STC - Headquarters Strike Command
HQ TAF - Head Quarters Tactical Air Force
HQME - Headquarters Middle East
HQTTCPS - Head Quarters Technical Training Command Publicity Section
HS Flt - High Speed Flight
HST - High Speed Telegraphist
HTCU - Heavy Transport Conversion Unit
(HTS)CU - (Heavy Transport Support) Conversion Unit
I
(I) - India
IAAD - Inland Area Aircraft Depot
IAAS - Inland Area Aircraft School
IAF - Indian Air Force
IAFVR - Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve
IAP - Izvidacki Avijacijcki Puk, (Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment)
IAPF - Inland Area Practice Flight
IAvMed - Institution of Aviation Medical CCF Iraq Command Communication Flight
i/c - In charge
ICF/S - Italy Communication Flight/Squadron
IDF - Iraq Defence Flight
IE - Initial Establishment
IFDU - Intensive Flying Development Unit
IFF - Identification Friend or Foe
IFIS - Irish Flying Instructors School
IFS - Instrument Flying Squadron
IFTS - Initial Flying Training School
IFTU - Instrument Flying Training Unit/Intensive Flying Trials Unit
IGT - Initial Gliding Training (Air Cadets)
ILF - Independent Liaison Flight
ILS - Instrument Landing System
Int - Interned
IoM - Isle of Man
I/O - Intelligence Officer
IR - Immediate Reserve
IRF - Independent Reconnaissance Flight
IRIS - Inspector of Radio Installation Services
IRRU - Instant Readiness Reserve Unit
IR&SU - Immediate Reserve & Support Unit
ISF - Internal Security Flight
ITF/S - Instrument Raining Flight/Squadron
ITS - Initial Training School
ITW - Initial Training Wing (1 ITW Cambridge and No. 1 Receiving Wing Babacombe 1939 Sept - 1944 Feb, 2 ITW Cambridge 1940 July - 1944 May, 3 ITW. St Leonards on Sea and Torquay 1939 Sept.-1944 Feb, 4 ITW Bexhill on Sea and Paignton 1939 Sept - 1944 Feb, 5 ITW Hastings and Torquay 1939 Nov - 1943 Dec, 6 ITW Aberystwyth 1940 July - 1944 May, 7 ITW Newquay 1940 Sept - 1944 July, 8 ITW Newquay 1940 Nov - 1944 May, 9 ITW Stratford on Avon 1941 June - 1944 may, 10 ITW Scarborough 1940 Dec - 1944 March, 11 ITW Scarborough 1941 March - 1944 Apr, 12 ITW St Andrews 1941 May - 1944 Apr, 13 ITW Torquay 1941 June - 1944 March, 14 ITW St Leonards in Sea and Bridlington 1941 Sept - 1943 Feb, 15 ITW Bridlington 1943 Nov - 1944 Apr, 16 ITW Whitley Bay 1943 Oct - 1944 Jan, 17 ITW Scarborough 1941 Oct - 1944 Feb, 18 ITW Bridgnorth 1943 Jan - 1944 Apr, 19 ITW Bridgnorth and Bridlington 1943 March - 1944 Apr, 20 ITW Bridlington and Usworth 1943 May - 1944 March, 21 ITW Torquay 1943 May - 1944 Feb, 23 ITW Filey/Stormy Down, 50 ITW Bridgnorth 1944 June-1945 June, 70 ITW Bridlington 1944 Apr.-Oct, 81 ITW Bridgnorth 1944 Apr.-July)
J
JAPIC - Joint Air Photographic Interpretation Centre
JARIC - Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre
JASS - Joint Anti-Submarine School
JATE - Joint Air Transport Establishment
JCU - Jet Conversion Unit (Bomber Command Jet Conversion Unit)
JEFTS - Joint Elementary Flying Training Squadron
JEHU - Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit
JFACT&SU - Joint Forward Air Controllers Training & Standards Unit
JGWTU - Joint Guided Weapons Training Unit
JHDU - Joint Helicopter Development Unit
JNCO - Junior NCO
JPTU - Jet Provost Trials Unit
JTF - Jet Training Flight
JSPI - Joint School of Photographic Interpretation
JSSC - Joint Services Staff College
JSSPT - School for Jungle Self Preservation Training
JSTU - Joint Services Trials Unit
J/T - Junior Technician
JTU - Joint Trials Unit
JWE - Joint Warfare Establishment
K
KAAU - Kenya Auxiliary Air Unit
KAF - Kenya Air Force
KD - Khaki drill
KF - King's Flight
KLFS - Kula Lumpur Fighter Squadron
KRs - King's Regulations
KUAS - Kent University Air Squadron
L
LAAGS - Light Anti-Aircraft Gunnery School
LAAPC - Light Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp
LAC - Leading Aircraftman
LACW - Leading Aircraft woman
LAS - Light Aircraft School
LCF - Lincoln Conversion Flight
LCP - Launch Control Post (Bloodhound missile)
LFS - Lancaster Finishing School (1 LFS RAF Hemswell 3 LFS Feltwell)
LG - Landing Ground
LLB - Low Level Bombing
LLF - Light Liaison Flight
LLTU - Leigh Light Training Unit
LMG - Light Machine Gun (Bren)
LNSF - Light Night Striking Force, of Mosquitoes of 8 Group
LRDG - Long Rang Desert Group
LRFU - Long Rang Ferry Unit
LRDF - Long Range Development Flight
LRDU - Long Range Development Unit
LRWRE - Long Range Weapons Research Establishment
LST - Landing Ship, Tank
LTW - Lyneham Transport Wing
LRWE - Long Range Weapons Research Establishment
LW - Light Warning (radar)
M
MAAF - Mediterranean Allied Forces/Malayan Auxiliary Air Force
MAC - Mediterranean Air Command
MACAF - Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force
MACP - Medic Air Command Post { Tedders's H.Q. La Marsa, Tunis ]
MAD - Marine Acceptance Depot
MAED - Marine Aircraft Experimental Depot
MAEE - Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment
MAEU - Marine Aircraft Experimental Unit
MAFIS - Midlands Area Flying Instructors School
MAP - Ministry of Aircraft Production
MAREL - Moveable Air Reconnaissance Exploitation Unit
MASFS - Midlands area School of Special Flying
MASR&CF - Malta Air Sea Rescue & Communications Flight
MATAF - Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Forces
MATZ - Military Air Traffic Zone
MC - Military Cross
MCA - Ministry of Civil Aviation
MCC&FF - Maintenance Command Communication and Ferry Flight
MCJTF - Maintenance Command Jet Training Flight
MCS - Metropolitan Communication Squadron
MC&TTS - Malta Communication & Target Towing Flight
MCU - Mosquito Conversion Unit/ Meteorological Conversion Unit
MCU - Marine Craft Unit
M&D - Medicine and Duties
Me - Messerschmitt
ME - Middle East
MEAC - Middle East Air Command
MEAF - Middle East Air Force
MEAFITF - Middle East Air Force Instrument Training Flight
MEAFTTU - Middle East Air Force Target Towing Unit
MEAS - Middle East Armament School
MECGS - Middle East Central Gunnery School
MedMe - Mediterranean and Middle East
MEF - Middle East Forces
MEFC - Middle East Ferry Control
MENVTS - Middle East Night Vision Training School
MEP&AP - Middle East Pilot & Aircrew Pool
Met Res - Meteorological Research
METS - Middle East Training School
MEW - Microwave Early Warning (radar)
MFH - Military Field Hospital
MFNU - Malta Night Fighter Unit
MFPU - Mobile Field Photographic Unit
MG - Machine gun/Motor Generator
MGSP - Mobile Glider Servicing Party
MI - Military Intelligence
Min Tech - Ministry of Technology
MID - Mentioned in Dispatches
Mk - Mark
MKV - Mark V fire tender
MMESTF/S - Mediterranean& Middle East Special Transport Flight/Squadron
MO - Medical Officer
MOA - Ministry of Aviation
MOD - Ministry of Defence
MOD(PE) Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive)
MORU - Mobile Operations Room Unit
MOS - Marine Observation School
MoS - Ministry of Supply
MOTU - Marine Operational Training Unit
MRES - Missing Research and Enquiry Service
MRF - Meteorological Research Flight
MRS - Maritime Recognisance School
MR squadron - Medium Reconnaissance squadron
MRT - Mountain Rescue Team
MRU - Medical Rehabilitation Unit (Collaton Cross, Devon)
MRU - Mobile Radio Unit
MSFU - Merchant Ship Fighter Unit
MSR -- Morse Slip Reader
MSU - Mobile Signals Unit
MSU - Maintenance Sub Unit
MT - Mechanical Transport
MTBD - Mechanical Transport Base Unit
MTD - Mechanical Transport Driver
MTLRU - Mechanical Transport Light Repair Unit
MTO - Mechanical Transport Officer
MTMA - Military Terminal Manoeuvring Area
MTRU - Motor Transport Repair Unit
MTSS - Mechanical Transport Servicing Section
MTU - Mosquito Training Unit
MU - Maintenance Unit
MUG - Mid Upper Gunner
N
NA - North Africa
NAAFI - Navy, Army, Air Force Institute
NARD - Northern Aircraft Repair Depot
NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Nav - Navigator
Navaid - Navigational aid
Navex - Navigation Exercise
NAWW - Night All-weather Wing
NCS - Northern Communication Squadron
NCU - Night Conversion Unit
NCO - Non Commissioned Officer
N/E -Non Effective Used in all cases of loss of life e.g. Posted to No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge N/E missing
NEA - Non effective Airframe
NEAR - Near East Air Force
NEAFIS - North Eastern Air Flying Instructors School
NEI - Netherlands East Indies
NFD - No further Data
NFDS/W/U - Night Fighter development Squadron/Wing/Unit
NFF - Night Fighter Flight
NFLS - Night Fighter Leaders School
NFT - No further trace
NFT - Night Flying Test
NFTS - Night Fighter Training Squadron
NI CF - Night Conversion FlighPilot Training Flight
NT - No Trace
NTB - Norwegian Tt
NMSU - Nimrod Major Servicing Unit
NORAD - North American Air Defence (Command)
NOTAM - Notice To Airmen
NRC - Nuclear Reporting Cell
NSDU - Navigation synthetic Development Unit
NSPTF - Navigators Staff raining Base
NTS - (Night) Training Squadron
NTU - Navigation Training Unit, Pathfinder Force
NTU - No take up
NVITS - Night Vision Instructors Training School
NVTS - Night Vision Training School
NwAAF - North West African Air Forces
NwAASC - North West African Air Service Command
NwACAF - North West African Coastal Air Force
NwASAF - North West African Strategic Air Forces
NwATAF - North West African Tactical air Force
NwATBF - North West African Training Bomber Force
NwATC - North West African Training Command
NZF - New Zealand Flight
O
OADF/U - Overseas Aircraft Delivery Flight/Unit
(O)AFU - Observers Advanced Flying Unit (No10 (O) AFU - Dumfries.
OANS - Observers Air Navigation School
OAPU - Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
OAR - Obusna Aeroplansva Radionica, (District Aviation Workshop)
OATS - Officers Advanced Training School
(O)ATU - Observers Advanced Training Unit
Oblt - Oberleutnant
Obs - Observation (USAAF)
OBS - Observer School
OC - Officer Commanding (or CO)
OCTU - Officer Cadet Training Unit
OCU - Operational Conversion Unit
OEU - Operational Evaluation Unit
OIC - Officer's Initial Course (for RAFVR (T) officers, conducted at ACTC)
OO - Orderly Officer
OP: -Operation
OFU - Overseas Ferry Unit
OP - Observation Post
Op - Operator
Opl - Operational
ORB - Operations Record Book (Form 540), monthly summaries: Form 541 for accompanying Appendices containing important details of specific events
ORS - Operational Research Section
ORTU - Operational & Refresher Training Unit
OS - Observers School
(O)SoAG - Observers School of Reconnaissance& Aerial Gunnery
OSC - Officers Senior Course (for RAFVR (T) officers, conducted at ACTC)
OSC - Overseas Staff College
OSR&AP - Observers School of Reconnaissance& Aerial Gunnery
OTSCU - Officer Training School Conversion Unit
OTU - Operational and Refresher Training Unit
OTW - Operational Training Wing
OUAS - Oxford University Air Squadron
P
PACT - Pre Aircrew Training
PAF - Polish Air Force
(P)AFU - Pilots Advanced Flying Unit (No. 2 Brize Norton, No. 3 South Cerney, No. 5 Ternhill, No. 6 Little Rissington, No. 7 Peterborough)
PAR - Precision Approach Radar
PAS/U - Pilotless Aircraft Section Unit
PATP - Packed Aircraft Transit Pool
PCCS - Protectorate Communication & Support Unit
PD - Packing Depot
PDC - Personnel Despatch Centre (No 1 West Kirby, No2 Wilmslow, No 5 Padgate Dec1941 Sept.-1945, No 5 Blackpool Feb 1946 - Aug 1950 , No 11 Padgate July 1944, No 11 (RAAF Brighton and Charmy Down May 1943 - March 1946, No12 Padgate, No11 RAAF Brighton/Charmy Down, No 101 Kirkham May - Dec 1945, No 102 Cardington May 16945 - Sept 1946, No103 Long Kesh, No 104 Hednesford, No105, Wythall, No121 Ramleh)
PDC - Port Defence Committee
PDRC - Personnel Dispatch and Reception Centre
PDS - Post Design Services
PDU - Personnel Dispersal Unit (No. 5 PDU, Innsworth)
PDU - Photographic Development Unit
PEE - Proof & Experimental Establishment Shoeburyness
PEFTS - Polish Elementary Flying Training School
PES - Parachute Exercise Squadron
PF - Practice Flight
PFF - Pathfinder Force
PFFNTU - Pathfinder Force Navigational Training Unit
PFS - Parachute Flying Section/Primary Flying School
PFTS - Polish Flying Training School
PFU - Practice Flying Unit
PGTF - Polish Grading & Testing Flight
PGTS - Parachute& Glider Training School
PHU - Personnel Holding Unit
PI - Practice Interception
PIU - Photographic Intelligence Unit
PMC -Personnel Management Centre, President of the Messing Committee.
P/O - Pilot Officer
POR Personnel Occurrence Records
POTU - Polish Operational Training Unit
POW - Prisoner of War
PPF - Parachute Practice Flight
PPI - Plan Position Indicator (Rotating radar display)
PPP - Pupils Pilots Pool
PR - Photographic Reconnaissance
PRC - Personnel Reception Centre (No3 Bournemouth, No7 Harrogate/Market Harborough 1942/46, No 29 Drigh Road, Sind 1942 Mar.-1945 July, No30 Ambala, No106 Cosford, No108 Cosford)
PRDU/E - Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit/ Establishment
PRFU/S - Pilots Refresher Flying Unit/School
PRTU - Pilot Refresher Training Unit
PRRP - Pilots Reserve & Reinforcement Poll (Middle East)
PSI - President of the Service(s?) Institute, hence PSI Funds
PRU - Photographic Reconnaissance Unit/Pilot Replacement Unit
PRU - Personnel Reception Unit (29 PRU Drigh Road)
PS - Parachute School
PSP - Perforated Steel Planking (for runways)
PTC - Parachute Training Centre/Personnel Transit Camp
PTC - Personnel Transit Centre (No 4PTC - Liverpool July 1941 - Feb 1946, No 6 PTC - Endsleigh Hotel, London 1942 Sept.-1947 Feb, No7 PTC - Chittagong 1944 Apr.-1945 Sept, No 8 PTC - Ratmalana 1946 Feb.-June, No 10 PTC - Glasgow 1942 Sept.-1946 Apr, No 14 PTC - 2nd T.A.F. 1944 Feb.-1945 Oct, No16 PTC - Nyetimber 1944 Mar.-July, No 17 PTC - 2nd T.A.F. 1944 Jan.-1945 Nov, No19 PTC - R.A.F. Station, Hethel 1948 Jan.-Apr, No 20 PTC - H.M.S. GOSLING, Warrington 1945 Apr.-Oct, 21 PTC - Kasfareet 1942 July-1945 Dec, 22 PTC - Almaza 1941 Dec.-1945 Dec, No23 PTC - Helwan 1941 Nov.-1943 Aug, No 24 PTC - Aboukir 1942 July-1945 Dec, No 25 PTC - C.M.F. 1942 July-1945 Jan, No26 PTC - Habbaniya later Rangoon 1942 Mar.-1946 Nov, No27 PTC - Shaibah and Margil, Basrah 1942 Sept.-1944 June, No28 PTC - Hadera 1942 Sept.-1944 July, No36 PTC - Hastings, West Africa 1943 Mar.-1945 July, No37 PTC - Accra, West Africa 1943 Aug.-1944 Mar, No 38 PTC - C.M.F. 1943 Apr.-1946 June, No39 PTC - Shallufa 1943 Mar.-1945 June, No40 PTC - Almaza and Aleppo, C.M.F. 1943 July-1945 Oct, No53 PTC - Santo Spirito, Bari 1944 Sept.-1946 Mar, No54 PTC - Taranto 1944 Sept.-1946 Jan, No55 PTC - Fort De L'eau 1944 Nov.-1946 Apr, No 60 PTC - Trichinopoly 1945 Aug.-1948 June, No64 PTC - Madras 1945 Nov.-1948 Apr)
PTF - Parachute Test Flight
PTI - Physical Training Instructor
PTS - Parachute Training school/Squadron/ Section
PTU - Parachute Test Unit/ Parachute Training Unit
PTURP - Pilots Training Unit & Reinforcement Pool (see also TURP)
PV - Positive Vetting
PWF - Psychological Warfare Unit
PWR - Personnel Warning Roster
Q
QCS - Queen's Colour Squadron (RAF Regiment)
QF - Queens Flight
QFI - Qualified Flying Instructor
QRs - Queen's Regulations
R
(R) Reserve
R - Receiver
RAAF - Royal Australian Air Force / Royal Auxiliary Air Force
RAuxAF - Royal Auxiliary Air Force
RACON - Radar beacon
R&D - Research & Development
RAE - Royal Aircraft/Aerospace Establishment
RAF - Royal Air Force
RAF(B)ITS - Royal air Force (Belgium) Initial Training School
RAFA - RAF Association
RAFALO - RAFA Liaison Officer
RAFARS - Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society
RAFASU - RAF Armament Support Unit (formerly BCAS)
RAFBF - RAF Benevolent Fund
RAFC - Royal Air Force College
RAFD - RAF Depot - No.1 Uxbridge 1939
RAFFC - Royal Air Force Flying College
RAFG - Royal Air Force Germany
RAFM - RAF Mission
RAFM - Royal Air Force Mesopotamia
RAFMB - Royal Air Force Maintenance Base
RAFMS - Royal Air Force Music Services
RAFNI - Royal Air Force Northern Ireland
RAFO - Reserve of Air Force Officers
RAFRS - Royal Air Force Regiment School
RAFSAA - RAF Small Arms Assn.
RAFSC - Royal Air Force Staff College
RAFSCOCF - Royal Air Force Staff College Overseas Communication Flight
RAFTC - Royal Air Force Technical College
RAFVR - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
RAP - Reserve Aircraft Pool
RAP - Recognised Air Picture
RAPDS - Recognised Air Picture Display System
RAPO - Records And Pay Office
RAS - Reserve Aeroplane School
RAT Flight - Radio Aids Training Flight
RATG - Rhodesian Air Training Group
RATW - Rhodesian Air Training Wing
RC - Recruiting Centre (No1 Penarth/Melksham, No2 Cardington, No3 Padgate, No4 Bridgnorth, No5 West Kirby, No6 Wlmslow, No7 Morecambe, No8 Arbroath, No9 Blackpool, No11 Skegness, No12 Bournemouth, No13 Greenham Common, No 14 Weston-super-mare, No 15 Blackpool (1941-43, No16Grtat Yarmouth1941/46, No22 Whitley Bay )
RCAF - Royal Canadian Air Force
RCASU - Radar Controlled Air Survey Unit
RCFS - Rhodesian Central Flying School
RCGIS - Reserve Command Gliding Instructors School
RCIFF - Reserve Command Intensive Flying Flight
RCITF - Reserve Command Instrument Training Flight
RCTF - Reserve Command Training Flight
RCM Squadron Flight - Radio Counter Measures Squadron Flight
RDAF - Royal Danish Air Force
RDF - Radio Direction Finder
RDFCF - Radio Direction Finding Calibration Flight
RDFS - Radio Direction Finding School
RDU - Radar Development Unit
RDUK - Repairable at Depot in UK
REAF - Royal Egyptian Air Force
Recce - Reconnaissance
REU - Radio Engineering Unit
Revd - Reverend
RFF - Refresher Flying Flight
RFS - Reserve Flying School
RFTS - Refresher Flying Training School
RFU - Refresher Flying Unit
R/G - Rear Gunner
RHAF - Royal Hellenic Air Force
RIAF - Royal Indian Air Force
RIMU - Radio Installation Maintenance Unit
RLF - Rapid Landing Flight
RLG - Relief Landing Ground
RM - Royal Marine
RMAF - Royal Malaysian Air Force
RMF - Radar (Radio) Meteorological Flight
RMS - Royal Mail Ship
RMU - Radio Maintenance Unit
RN - Royal Navy
RNAF - Royal Norwegian Air Force
RNAS - Royal Naval Air Station/Service
RNAW - Radar Navigation Aids Wing
RNCU - Radar Navigation Conversion Unit
RNEFTS - Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School
RNethAF - Royal Netherlands Air Force
RNFS - (Royal Naval Fighter Squadron
RNZAF - Royal New Zealand Air Force
ROC - Royal Observer Corps
ROS - Repairable on Site
RP - Regimental Police
RPAF - Royal Pakistan Air Force
RPDS - Radar Photographic Display System
RRE - Radar Research Establishment
RRF(U) - Radio Reconnaissance Flight (Unit)
RRFU - Radar Research Flight
RRH - Remote Radar Head
RRU - Raid Reporting Unit
RS - Radio School (No.10 Carew Cheriton)/Reserve School/Reserve Squadron
RS&RE - Royal Signals & Radar Establishment
R&SS - Repair & Salvage Section
R&SU - Repair & Salvage Unit
RSS - Radio Servicing Section
RSO - Range Safety Officer
RSU - Repair & Servicing Unit /Repair and Salvage Unit
R/T radio telegraphy/ Radio Telephony
RTD - Return To Depot
RTO - Rail Transport Officer
RTP - Recruit Training Pool (No1 RTP - Catfoss (sept 1940 - May 1940), No2 RTP - North Coates (sept 1939 - Nov 1942) , No3 RTP Sutton Bridge (sept 1939 - Nov 1940) , No5 RTP Finningley (July 1938 - March 1940), No6 RTP Upwood (Aug 1938 - May 1940), No7 RTP Dishforth (Aug 1938 - April 1940))
RTU - Return To Unit
RU - Reception Unit (No. 2 RU, Cardington)
RU - Repair Unit
RW - Receiving Wing (1 RW Torquay - 9RW Stratford upon Avon)
RWE - Radio Warfare Establishment
RYAFTU - Royal Yugoslav Air Force Technical Unit
S
SAA - Small Arms Assn.
SAAF - South African air Force
SAC - Senior Aircraftman
SACEUR - Supreme Allied Commander Europe
SAOEU - Strike Aircraft Operational Evaluation Unit
SAFU - South Atlantic Ferry Unit
SAGM - Surface to Air Guided Missile
SAGW - Surface to Air Guided Weapon
SAM - Surface to Air Missile
SAN - School of Air? Navigation
SAP - School of Air Pilotage
SAPI - semi armour piercing ..incendiary (?)
SAR - Search & Rescue
SAR - Sanostacna Aeroplansva Radionica, (Independent Aviation Workshop)
SARD - Southern Aircraft Repair Depot
SARTU/S - Search and Rescue Training Unit/Squadron
SAS - Servicing Aircraft Section
SASO - Senior Air Staff Officer
SATCO - Senior Air Traffic Controller
Satt - Satellite
SBA - Standard Beam Approach
S/C Sergeant Chef
SC - Salvage Centre
SC - Strike Command
SCBS - Strike Command Bombing School
SCCS - Strike Command Communication Squadron
SCDU - Strike Command Development Unit
SCF - Squadron Conversion Flight
SCR - School of Control & Reporting
SCR - Signal Corps Radio (Seen on some USA eqpt. used by RAF, e.g. SCR274)
SCS - Southern Communication Squadron/Special Communication Squadron
SD - Special Duty/Special Duties/Stores Depot
SD155. - Operational Memorandum
SDF - Special Duties Flight
SD(R)DU - Special Duties (Radio) Development Unit
SDU - Signals Development Unit
SEAAC - South East asia Air Command
SEAC - South East Asia Command
SEACF - South Eastern Area Communication Flight
SEAFIS - South Eastern Area Flying Instructors School
SEASI - South Eastern Area School of Instruction
SEF - Special Experimental Flight
SEP - Special Erection Party (Gibraltar)
SEngO - Senior Engineering Officer/Station Engineering Officer
SF - Station Flight
SFC - School of Flying Control
SFCS - Squadron & Flight Commanders School
SFF - Service Ferry Flight/Special Forces Flight
(S)FPP - (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool
SFT - School of Flying Training
SFTS - Service Flying Training School (2 SFTS, Brize Norton[1941],
5 SFTS Brantford Canada, 18 SFTS Gimli, Manitoba 36 SFTS - Penhold Canada
37 SFTS - Calgary 38 SFTS - Estevan, Sask.)
SFU - Signal Flying Unit
Sgt - Sergeant
SGR - School of General Reconnaissance
SGR&AN - School of General Reconnaissance & Air Navigation (India)
SHAEF - Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force
SHQ - Station Head Quarters
SIF - Special Instruction Flight
SIF/U - Special Installation Flight/Unit
SIGINT - Signals Intelligence
Sigs - Signals
SITF - Station Instrument Training Flight
SIU - Signals Intelligence Unit
SIS - Secret Intelligence Service
S/L or S/Ldr - Squadron Leader
SL - Sick leave
SLAIS - Specialised Low Attack Instructors School
SLAW - School of Land/Air Warfare
SLC - Search-Light Control
SLG - Satellite Landing Ground
SMR - School of Maritime Reconnaissance
SN-2 - German night fighter radar
SNC - School of Naval Cooperation
SNCO - Senior None Commissioned Officer
S of AN - School of Air Navigation
SofRT - School of Recruit Training
S of TT - or STT -School of Technical Training (1 S of TT = RAF Halton 2S of TT = Cosford (Flight mechanic & Engines), 4S of TT = RAF St. Athan 5 Sof TT =RAF Locking)
SoAC - School of Army Co-operation
SoAF - School of Air Fighting
SoAF&G - School of Air Fighting and Gunnery
SOAF&BD - School of Air Fighting & Bomb Dropping
SoAFTT(1) - School of Air Force Technical Training (India)
SoAG - School of Air Gunnery
SoAN&BD - School of Aerial Navigation & Bomb Dropping
SoASR - School of Air Sea Rescue
SoAS - School of Air Navigation
SoAT - School of Air Transport
SoATC - School of Air Traffic Control
SOC - Struck off Charge
SOC - Sector Operations Control
SOE - Special Operations executive
SOF - Special Operations Flight
SoFP - School of Fighter Plotting
SofP - School of Photography
Soi - School of Instruction
SoN&BD - School of Navigation & Bomb Dropping
SoNC&AN - School of Naval Cooperation & Aerial Navigation
SoMA - School of Military Aeronautics
SoPT - School of Parachute Training
SoSF - School of Special Flying
SoWT - School of Wireless Telephony
SP - Staging Post
SP - Service Police
SPTU - Staff Pilots Training Unit
Sq/Sqn/Sqd - Squadron
SR - Strategic Reconnaissance
SRAF - Southern Rhodesian Air Force
SRCU - Short Range Conversion Unit
SRF - School of Refresher Flying/Sea Rescue Flight/Search& Rescue Flight
SROs - Station Routine Orders
SRTS - Short Range Transport Squadron
SRTU - Survival& Rescue Training Unit
SRU - Strategic Reconnaissance Unit
SRW - Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
S/S - Staff Sergeant
SS - Signals School/Salvage Section
SSC - Senior Supervisor's Course (for senior QGI's, conducted at
ACCGS - similar to regular Flying Supervisors Course)
SSOs - Station Standing Orders
SSF - Special Service Flight/Special Survey Flight
SSQ - Station Sick Quarters
SSTT - Supplementary School of Technical Training
SSU - Sentry Standards Unit
SSVAF - Straight Settlement Volunteer Air Force
STDU - Synthetic Training development Unit
STDU - Special Torpedoe Development Unit
STF - Seaplane Training Flight/Special Training Flight
Stn - Station
STS - Seaplane Training Squadron/Special Transport Flight
STT - School of Technical Training
S&TT - Station & Target Towing
SU - Support Unit/Servicing Unit
Supy - Supernumery
SWAFIS - South Western Areas Flying Instructors School
SWTS - Supplementary Wireless Telegraphy School
SWO - Station Warrant Officer
SWUAS - South Wales University Air Squadron
T
T - Transmitter
TACEVAL - Tactical Evaluation
TADU - Target Aircraft Development Unit/Training Aids Development Unit
TAF - Tactical Air Force
TAFSU - Tactical Air Force Support Unit
TAG - Telegraphist Air Gunner (Fleet Air Arm)
TAMU - Transport Aircraft Maintenance/Modification Unit
TARU - Transport Aircraft Repair Unit
TB - Torpedo Bomber
TBF - Torpedo Bomber Fighter
TBS - Torpedo & Bombing School
TC - Training Command (Later Transport Command)
TCAEU - Transport Command Aircrew Examining Unit
TCASF - Transport Command Air Support Flight
TCBU - Transport Command Base Unit
TCDU/F - Transport Command Development Unit
TCEU - Transport Command Examining Unit
TCFCS - Transport Command Flight Commanders School
TCICU - Transport Command Initial Conversion Unit
TCMF - Transport Command Meteorological Flight
TCNVTS - Transport Command Night Vision Training School
TCPS - Transport Command Practice Flight
TCU - Transport Conversion Unit
TDS - Training Depot Station
TDU/F/S - Torpedo Development Unit/Flight/Section
TDU - Tactical Development Unit
TEE - Test & Evaluation Establishment
TEU - Tactical Exercise Unit
TF - Training Flight/Task Force
TFF - Target Facilities Flight
TFPP - Temporary Ferry Pilots School/ Training Ferry Pilots Pool
TFP - Training Ferry Pool
TQF - The Queens Flight
TFS/F - Target Facilities Squadron
T/F/Sgt. Temporary Flight Sergeant
TFU - Telecommunications Flying Unit - Defford 1941-57
TPS - Test Pilots School
TI - Target Indicator
TI - Trial Installation
TIMEX - Time-expired
T/O - Take off
Tourex - Tour-Expired
TPO - Teleprinter Operator
T/R - Transmitter/Receiver
TRE - Telecommunications Research Establishment
Trg - Training
TRS - Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron/Torpedo Refresher School
Tru - Transportable Radar Unit
TS - Training School/Training Squadron
TSCU - Transport Support Conversion Unit
T/Sgnt. - Temporary Sergeant
TSPC - Transport Support Practice Camp
TSR - Torpedo Spotter reconnaissance
TSTU - Transport Support Training Unit
TT - Target Towing
T.T.- Trade Training
TTC - Technical Training Command
TTF - Target Towing Flight/Towed Target Flight/Tanker Training Flight/Torpedo Training Flight/Transport Training Flight
TSTS - Trade Selection Test Section
TT&G - Target Towing & Gunnery
TTS = Torpedo Training School/Squadron
TTU - Torpedo Training Unit/ Target Towing Unit
TU - Training Unit
TURP - Training Unit & Reserve School
TWDU - Tactical weapons Development Unit
T/W/O - Temporary Warrant Officer
TWU - Tactical Weapons Unit
U
U/C Undercarriage
UHF - Ultra High Frequency (radio)
u/i - Unidentified
us - unserviceable
USAAC - United States Army Air corps
USAAF - United States Army Air Force
UAS - University Air Squadron
UED - Universal Equipment Depot
UKADGE - UK Air Defence Ground Environment
UKADR - UK Air Defence Region
UOR - Urgent Operational Requirement
USAAC/F United States Army Air Corpse/Flight
u/t - under training
V
VC - Victoria Cross
VCAS - Vice Chief of the Air Staff
VCR - Valve, Cathode-Ray (cathode-ray tube)
VGS - Volunteer Gliding School
VHF - Very High Frequency (radio)
VISTRE - Visual Inter-service Training & Research Establishment
VOR - VHF Omnidirectional Range (Radio navigation aid)
VOS - Vazdvhoplovna Oficirsva Skola, (Aviation Officers School)
VR - Vazovhoplovna Radionica, (Aviation Repair Workshop)
VTB Vazdvhoplovna-Tehnicki Battalion, (Aviation Technical Battalion)
W
WAAF - Women's Auxiliary Air Force
WACS - West Africa Communication Squadron
WARD - WEstern Aircraft Repair Depot
W/Cdr - Wing Commander
WCAD - War Casualty Accounts Department
WCS - Western Communication Squadron
WDCF/U - Western Desert Communication Flight/Unit
WDU - Wireless Development unit
WEE - Wireless Experimental Establishment
Wef - With Effect From
WEM - Wireless Electrical Mechanic
Wg - Wing
WIDU - Wireless Intelligence Development Unit
WL - Wing Leader
W/O - Warrant Officer
WO1 - Warrant Officer First Class
WO2 - Warrant Officer Second Class
W/Op - Wireless Operator
WOp/AG - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
WOS - Wireless & Observers School/Wireless operators School
WOT1 War Office Type 1 fire tender
WOU - Wireless Operators Unit
WRAF - Women's Royal Air Force
WRAFVR (T) - Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training branch) (disbanded with WRAF)
WS - Wireless School
WT - Wireless Telegraphy
WTt - Wireless Telephony
WTP - Wireless Testing Park
WTS - Wireless Telephony School/WEapons Training Squadron
Bloodhound specific Acronyms and RAF Slang
Bloodhound: surface-to-air guided weapon produced by Bristol Aircraft and Ferranti, originally against a War Office requirement, later against a number of Air Ministryrequirements for the RAF. MoS codename was Red Duster. Suggestion of a nuclear warhead was made as early as 1955; Indigo Hammer and Pixie were both considered. Decision taken in 1958 that only a new command-guidance version of Bloodhound, to meet Air Ministry requirement OR.1166, would have a nuclear warhead. The warhead requirement OR.1167, also of 1958, would have been met by Indigo Hammer or later Tony (in RO106). The nuclear commandguidance weapon was cancelled in 1961 but conventional versions of Bloodhound saw many years’ service with the RAF. (Manufacturer’ trade name).
GWRU Guided Weapons Research Unit
Specific to Bloodhound and BHFU Aberporth
BHFU BloodHound Firing Unit (Aberporth Trials Unit)
M.O.T.E Missile Overall Test Equipment.
T.86 Target illuminating radar Type 86 code name Firelight
T.87 Target illuminating radar Type 87code name Scorpion
L.C.P Launch Control Post
P.I.P Pressurised Instrumentation Package. (Telemetry Equipment)
W.R.E.B.U.S Weapons Research Establishment Break Up System (Range Safety- Missile Destruction from the ground)
RAF Form 700. This was an Aircraft Servicing Form. The Bloodhound missile was considered an “aircraft”, so Form 700 was used in all servicng aspects on the Bloodhound Missile system until computers came into general service.
YOU MAY NEED TO USE CTRL + & CTRL- TO READ SOME CONTENT
I make no claim to be the hard working collector or author of the following acronyms and phrases. I came across them some years ago, but cannot now trace their on-line origin.
However, this sometimes humorous collection is so nostalgic to most ex RAF servicemen that it seems a shame not to give them more general exposure.
Should the author come to light I will give him the publicity he deserves, or remove them from this site if requested to do do.
If you are ex-RAF long retired, this list WILL bring back memories.
For example.
In the four decades since I left the “mob”, I never again came across the term “Shreddies”, RAF slang for underpants, or “Drawers Cellular” as they were officially called.
Ie “My Shreddies were lost in the laundry sir.”
I think the few I told this fact over the years did not really believe me but now at last I find it here on this list : “Shreddies”........” Confirmed!
