# List of Beam approach beacon system units

This is a List of Beam Approach beacon system Units of the Royal Air Force.
The first system to guide RAF aircraft safely down onto a runway was called the Standard Blind Approach (SBA) system and was trialled in the late 1930s. It was also being used by a few civil airports. By late 1941 the word 'Blind' was changed to 'Beam' as it was felt that blind did not give a reassuring feel to a system used when visibility was very low. The word Standard came from Standard Radio, the name of the company that made the equipment under license from the German company that designed it. However the equipment was also 'standard' fit on RAF aircraft. The change from Blind to Beam is evidenced in the two sets of Unit names in the tables below.
There were no physical beams in the system at all, rather it relied on a heavily distorted dipole radiation pattern using a single transmitter. Instead of 'beams' it used a single heavily distorted toroid that was flipped left and right with a periodicity that simulated a morse code letter, the plane of equal field strength in this arrangement being mathematically equal to a line of zero width - a perfect 'beam' from an imperfect, cheaper, and simple radio transmitter. SBA was not automatic, the pilot flew the aircraft at all times.
The Beam Approach Beacon System (BABS) is an automatic radar landing system developed in the early 1940s but not used until much later when it replaced the SBA system.

## Blind Approach Training flights

| Name | Formed | Location | Aircraft | Disbanded at | Disbanded | Unit became |
| 1 Blind Approach Training Flight | 12 January 1941 | Abingdon | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley | Abingdon | 8 November 1941 | 1501 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 2 Blind Approach Training Flight | February 1941 | Linton-on-Ouse | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley | Driffield | 8 November 1941 | 1502 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 3 Blind Approach Training Flight | 27 January 1941 | Mildenhall | Vickers Wellington | Mildenhall | 8 November 1941 | 1503 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 4 Blind Approach Training Flight | 17 December 1940 | Wyton | Vickers Wellington | Wyton | 8 November 1941 | 1504 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 5 Blind Approach Training Flight | 1 January 1941 | Honington | Vickers Wellington Airspeed Oxford | Honington | 8 November 1941 | 1505 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 6 Blind Approach Training Flight | 6 January 1941 | Waddington | Bristol Blenheim Handley Page Hampden Airspeed Oxford Douglas Boston | Waddington | 8 November 1941 | 1506 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 7 Blind Approach Training Flight | 18 January 1941 | Finningley | Bristol Blenheim Handley Page Hampden Airspeed Oxford | Finningley | 8 November 1941 | 1507 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 8 Blind Approach Training Flight | January 1941 | Wattisham | Bristol Blenheim | Horsham St Faith | 8 November 1941 | 1508 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 9 Blind Approach Training Flight | January 1941 | Thornaby | Vickers Wellington Airspeed Oxford | Dyce | 8 November 1941 | 1509 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 10 Blind Approach Training Flight | January 1941 | Leuchars | Vickers Wellington Airspeed Oxford | Leuchars | 8 November 1941 | 1510 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 11 Blind Approach Training Flight | 22 September 1941 | Upwood | Airspeed Oxford | Upwood | October 1941 | 1511 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 12 Blind Approach Training Flight | 22 September 1941 | Dishforth | Airspeed Oxford | Dishforth | October 1941 | 1512 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 13 Blind Approach Training Flight | 22 September 1941 | Honington | | Honington | October 1941 | 1513 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 14 Blind Approach Training Flight | 22 September 1941 | Coningsby | | Coningsby | October 1941 | 1514 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 15 Blind Approach Training Flight | 22 September 1941 | Swanton Morley | Airspeed Oxford | Swanton Morley | October 1941 | 1515 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 16 Blind Approach Training Flight | 22 September 1941 | Topcliffe | | Llanbedr | October 1941 | 1516 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 17 Blind Approach Training Flight | October 1941 | Wattisham | Airspeed Oxford de Havilland Tiger Moth | Ipswich | October 1941 | 1517 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 20 Blind Approach Training Flight | 10 October 1941 | Breighton | Airspeed Oxford de Havilland Tiger Moth | RAF Holme | October 1941 | 1520 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 21 Blind Approach Training Flight | October 1941 | Stradishall | Airspeed Oxford | Stradishall | October 1941 | 1521 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 22 Blind Approach Training Flight | October 1941 | Docking | Airspeed Oxford | Docking | October 1941 | 1522 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 23 Blind Approach Training Flight | October 1941 | Little Rissington | | Little Rissington | October 1941 | 1523 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 24 Blind Approach Training Flight | October 1941 | Bottesford | Airspeed Oxford | Bottesford | October 1941 | 1524 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 25 Blind Approach Training Flight | October 1941 | Brize Norton | | Brize Norton | October 1941 | 1525 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| 26 Blind Approach Training Flight | 3 October 1941 | Andover | Airspeed Oxford | Thruxton | October 1941 | 1526 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |

## Beam Approach Training flights

| Name | Formed | Location | Aircraft | Disbanded at | Disbanded | Unit became |
| 1501 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Abingdon | | Stanton Harcourt | 15 November 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1502 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Driffield | | Leconfield | 15 August 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1503 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Mildenhall | | Lindholme | 6 August 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1504 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Wyton | | Newmarket | 21 August 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1505 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Honington | | Upper Heyford | 3 February 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1506 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Waddington | | Skellingthorpe | 21 October 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1507 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Finnigley | | Gransden Lodge | 27 November 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1508 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Swanton Morley | | Unk | 1 March 1944 | Became 1508 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1509 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Thornaby | | Dyce | 14 August 1944 | Absorbed |
| 1510 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 November 1941 | Leuchars | | Unk | March 1943 | Became 1510 (BABS) Flight |
| 1511 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Upwood | | Unk | 15 September 1945 | Became 1511 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1512 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Dishforth | | Banff | 30 August 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1513 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Honington | Airspeed Oxford Avro Anson | Bramcote | 1 December 1946 | Became 1513 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1514 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Coningsby | | Fiskerton | 9 January 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1515 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Swanton Morley | Airspeed Oxford | Colby Grange | 1 June 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1516 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Llanbedr | | Unk | 15 September 1945 | Became 1516 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1517 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Wattisham | | Wheaton Aston | 17 December 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1518 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 3 November 1941 | Scampton | | Edzell | 30 August 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1519 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | November 1941 | South Cerney | | Feltwell | 3 July 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1520 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Holme-on-Spalding-Moor | | Sturgate | 29 May 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1521 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Stradishall | | Unk | 15 September 1945 | Became 1521 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1522 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Docking | | Watchfield | April 1942 | Absorbed |
| 1523 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Little Rissington | | Little Rissington | 17 December 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1524 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Bottesford | | Tollerton | 9 January 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1525 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Brize Norton | | Docking | 26 June 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1526 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | October 1941 | Thruxton | | Hampstead Norris | 9 November 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1527 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 29 October 1941 | Prestwick | | Unk | 15 September 1945 | Became 1527 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1528 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 22 November 1941 | West Malling | | Unk | 15 September 1945 | Became 1528 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1529 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 22 November 1941 | Wittering | | Fairford | 16 February 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1530 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 14 August 1942 | Hunsdon | | Wittering | 1 August 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1531 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 20 July 1942 | Cranage | | Cranage | 29 May 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1532 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 15 October 1942 | Hullavington | | Babdown Farm | 15 June 1942 | Disbanded |
| 1533 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 27 October 1942 | Church Lawford | | Church Lawford | 3 April 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1534 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 7 December 1942 | Shawbury | | Shawbury | 29 May 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1535 (RCAF Beam Approach Training) Flight | 15 December 1942 | Middleton St George | | Topcliffe | 30 August 1943 | Disbanded |
| 1536 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | March 1943 | Grantham | Airspeed Oxford | Spitalgate | 8 May 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1537 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 4 May 1943 | Upavon | | Little Rissington | 4 April 1947 | Disbanded |
| 1538 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 15 April 1943 | Croughton | | Croughton | 18 October 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1539 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 15 April 1943 | South Cerney | | South Cerney | 1 June 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1540 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 15 April 1943 | Lulsgate Bottom | | Weston Zoyland | 17 December 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1541 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 17 May 1943 | Stracathro | | Stracathro | 11 July 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1542 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | July 1943 | Dallachy | | Dallachy | 30 August 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1544 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 24 January 1944 | Errol | | Errol | 30 August 1944 | Disbanded |
| 1545 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | March 1945 | Wheaton Aston | | Halfpenny Green | 17 December 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1546 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 8 May 1944 | Faldingworth | | Faldingworth | 9 January 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1547 (Beam Approach Training) Flight | 1 June 1945 | Watchfield | | Watchfield | 1 January 1947 | Disbanded |
| 1551 (Beam Approach Calibration) Flight | 20 November 1942 | Bicester | | Bicester | 15 April 1943 | Merged |

## Radio Aids Training flights

| Name | Formed | Location | Disbanded at | Disbanded | Unit became |
| 1508 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 20 September 1945 | Unk | Unk | 20 November 1945 | 1508 (Acclimatisation) Flight |
| 1510 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 9 August 1947 | Unk | Bircham Newton | 15 September 1948 | Absorbed |
| 1511 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Unk | Wheaton Aston | 1 August 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1513 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Unk | Bramcote | 1 December 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1516 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Unk | Snaith | 11 April 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1521 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Unk | Longtown | 1 April 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1527 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Unk | Prestwick | 28 February 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1528 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Unk | Fairford | 4 March 1946 | 1555 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| 1552 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Melbourne | Full Sutton | 26 October 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1553 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Melbourne | Melbourne | 1 October 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1554 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Melbourne | Melbourne | 1 October 1945 | Disbanded |
| 1555 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Fairford | Bircham Newton | 31 August 1947 | Disbanded |
| 1556 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 15 September 1945 | Stradishall | Fairford | 1 April 1946 | Disbanded |
| 1559 (Radio Aids Training) Flight | 1 October 1946 | Oakington | Bircham Newton | 9 August 1947 | Disbanded |

## Other units

| Name | Formed | Location | Aircraft | Disbanded at | Disbanded | Unit became |
| No. 1508 (GEE Training) Flight RAF | 1 March 1944 | Unk | Unk | Ouston | 8 August 1944 | 'C' Flight of No. 62 OTU |
| No. 1510 (BABS) Flight RAF | March 1943 | | Anson | | 9 August 1947 | 1510 (Radio Aids Training) Flight |
| Blind Approach Training and Development Unit RAF | 22 September 1939 | Boscombe Down | Anson, Whitley | Boscombe Down | 14 October 1940 | Wireless Intelligence Development Unit |
| Beam Approach Calibration Flight RAF | October 1941 | | Oxford, Anson | Bicester | 20 November 1942 | 1551 (Beam Approach Calibration) Flight |
| Beam Approach Training Flight, Church Lawford RAF | March 1942 | Church Lawford | | Church Lawford | 27 October 1942 | 1533 (Beam Approach Training) Flight |
| Beam Approach Training Flight, Nanyuki RAF | | Nanyuki | | Nanyuki | 26 June 1942 | Absorbed by No. 70 OTU |
| Blind Approach Calibration Flight RAF | 12 July 1941 | Watchfield | Oxford, Anson | | October 1941 | Beam Approach Calibration Flight |
| Beam Approach Development Unit RAF | 4 October 1942 | Watchfield | Anson, Oxford, Master | Hinton-in-the-Hedges | 15 April 1943 | 'A' Flight, Signals Development Unit RAF |
| Blind Landing Experimental Unit | 1 October 1945 | Woodbridge | Anson | Martlesham Heath | 1 November 1949 | |