No. 501 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No 501 Squadron was the fourteenth of the twenty-one flying units in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
, the volunteer reserve part of the British Royal Air Force
. The squadron won seven battle honour
s, flying Hurricane
, Spitfire
and Tempest
fighter aircraft during World War II
, and was one of the most heavily engaged units in RAF Fighter Command
. In particular, the Squadron saw extensive action during the Battle of France
and Battle of Britain
. At present the unit is not flying anymore and has a Force Protection role.
) Squadron as part of the Special Reserve squadrons on 14 June 1929, made up of volunteers and regulars, flying D.H.9As
, which were later replaced with Westland Wapiti
s and later still with Westland Wallace
s. In 1936 it became "No 501 (County of Gloucester
) Squadron", changing the name to embrace a larger area of recruitment. On 1 May 1936 it was transferred to the Auxiliary Air Force and in July of that year the squadron converted to Hawker Hart
s. In March 1938 these were exchanged for Hawker Hind
s, but at the end of 1938 No. 501 squadron was transferred from RAF Bomber Command
to RAF Fighter Command
, and Hawker Hurricane
s began to arrive in March 1939.
, near Bristol. On 10 May 1940, with the attack on France, the Squadron became part of the Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) and moved to France where it saw extensive action, stationed at airfields as Bétheniville
, Anglure
, Le Mans
and Dinard
. Sgt. J.H. 'Ginger' Lacey of 501 Squadron shot down three enemy aircraft in a single day to win the Croix de Guerre. (He later returned to England with five victories). After the retreat from France through Saint Helier
, Jersey
, its battle-hardened pilots were re-organised at RAF Croydon
and then moved on to RAF Middle Wallop and later RAF Gravesend
(now Gravesend Airport
). It subsequently served at RAF Kenley
, south London, commanded by S/L. Harry Hogan, until 17 December 1940 by which time the squadron had claimed 149 enemy aircraft destroyed.
The squadron re-equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire
in April 1941 and the squadron moved to Northern Ireland in October 1942. In April 1943 the squadron returned to Tangmere for bomber escort work – some pilots being issued with the Spitfire Mk IXc and in August 1944 converted to the Hawker Tempest Mk V at Manston. Between November 1943 and October 1944 the squadron formed part of Air Defence of Great Britain
and flew the Tempest Mk.V
on "Anti-Diver" patrols
.
The squadron was disbanded at RAF Hunsdon the end of the war on 20 April 1945.
During World War II the pilots of no. 501 squadron had flown 11,140 operational sorties, in which they shot down 201 enemy aircraft and at least 84 V-1 flying bomb
s.
VM
, CV and 3 bars, DFC
, DFM
, who shot down five German aircraft on 24 August 1940 to become the first of only two pilots to achieve "Ace-in-a-day" status during the Battle of Britain
. Among others who achieved fighter ace
status were Ken Mackenzie, "Ginger" Lacey
, Stanisław Skalski, Robert Dafforn, Kenneth Lee. Lacey was one of the highest scoring pilots in the Battle of Britain. Squadron Leader Joseph Berry, DFC & 2 bars, was the top scoring V-1 (flying bomb) ace of the squadron, though he claimed only 10 of his 61 victories whilst flying 501 squadron In addition to these unmanned missiles he also shot down three enemy aircraft.
. In February 1957, Flt Lt John Crossley flew Vampire FB.9
jet WR260 beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge
, before a fatal crash into Leigh Woods
. This was the last recorded -and only jet aircraft- flight under that bridge. The Squadron was disbanded in March 1957, along with all the other Auxiliary units.
. 501 Squadrons Gunners provide a reserve of trained manpower for 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, No 4 Force Protection Wing. In 2003, its personnel deployed as part of Operation Telic
, the liberation of Iraq. The squadron continues to deploy personnel on Force Protection duties in this region. In 2006 the first 501 Squadron Gunners deployed with 2 Squadron RAF Regiment to Afghanistan, carrying out force protection duties of Kandahar airfield and surrounding areas. This has been continued with members of both Regiment and FP roles mobilising with 1 Squadron RAF Regiment tour of the region (8 August to 9 March). Between November 2006 and April 2007 501 Squadron Gunners also deployed with the Queens Colour Squadron, 63 Squadron RAF Regiment to Basra Iraq.
*=Remained in service after replacement as main equipment
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
, the volunteer reserve part of the British Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. The squadron won seven battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s, flying Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
, Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
and Tempest
Hawker Tempest
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war....
fighter aircraft during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was one of the most heavily engaged units in RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
. In particular, the Squadron saw extensive action during the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
and Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. At present the unit is not flying anymore and has a Force Protection role.
Formation and early years
The squadron was originally formed as a day-bomber unit named No 501 (City of BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
) Squadron as part of the Special Reserve squadrons on 14 June 1929, made up of volunteers and regulars, flying D.H.9As
Airco DH.9A
The Airco DH.9A was a British light bomber designed and first used shortly before the end of the First World War. Colloquially known as the "Ninak" , it served on in large numbers for the Royal Air Force following the end of the war, both at home and overseas, where it was used for colonial...
, which were later replaced with Westland Wapiti
Westland Wapiti
The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat general purpose military single-engined biplane of the 1920s. It was designed and built by Westland Aircraft Works to replace the Airco DH.9A in Royal Air Force service....
s and later still with Westland Wallace
Westland Wallace
The Westland Wallace was a British two-seat, general-purpose biplane of the Royal Air Force, developed by Westland as a follow-on to their successful Wapiti. As the last of the inter-war general purpose biplanes, it was used by a number of frontline and Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons...
s. In 1936 it became "No 501 (County of Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
) Squadron", changing the name to embrace a larger area of recruitment. On 1 May 1936 it was transferred to the Auxiliary Air Force and in July of that year the squadron converted to Hawker Hart
Hawker Hart
The Hawker Hart was a British two-seater biplane light bomber of the Royal Air Force , which had a prominent role during the RAF's inter-war period. The Hart was designed during the 1920s by Sydney Camm and built by Hawker Aircraft...
s. In March 1938 these were exchanged for Hawker Hind
Hawker Hind
-See also:-Bibliography:* Crawford, Alex. Hawker Hart Family. Redbourn, Hertfordshire, UK: Mushroom Model Publications Ltd., 2008. ISBN 83-89450-62-3....
s, but at the end of 1938 No. 501 squadron was transferred from RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...
to RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
, and Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
s began to arrive in March 1939.
In World War II
When war was declared in September 1939, 501 Squadron was based at RAF FiltonRAF Filton
RAF Filton was a World War II, Royal Air Force Sector Airfield situated at Filton Aerodrome about 5 miles north of the city centre of Bristol, England....
, near Bristol. On 10 May 1940, with the attack on France, the Squadron became part of the Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) and moved to France where it saw extensive action, stationed at airfields as Bétheniville
Bétheniville
Bétheniville is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France....
, Anglure
Anglure
Anglure is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France....
, Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
and Dinard
Dinard
Dinard is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany in north-western France.Dinard is on the Côte d'Émeraude of Brittany. Its beaches and mild climate make it a popular holiday destination, and this has resulted in the town having a variety of famous visitors and residents...
. Sgt. J.H. 'Ginger' Lacey of 501 Squadron shot down three enemy aircraft in a single day to win the Croix de Guerre. (He later returned to England with five victories). After the retreat from France through Saint Helier
Saint Helier
Saint Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 28,000, roughly 31.2% of the total population of Jersey, and is the capital of the Island . The urban area of the parish of St...
, Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
, its battle-hardened pilots were re-organised at RAF Croydon
Croydon Airport
Croydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
and then moved on to RAF Middle Wallop and later RAF Gravesend
RAF Gravesend
RAF Gravesend was a Fighter Airfield during the Battle of Britain, and was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:*No. 610 Squadron RAF from 26 May 1940*No. 604 Squadron RAF from 3 July 1940*No. 501 Squadron RAF from 25 July 1940...
(now Gravesend Airport
Gravesend Airport
Gravesend Airport, located to the east of the town of Gravesend, Kent, England operated from 1932 until 1956. It was initially a civil airfield, and became a Royal Air Force station shortly after opening.-Civil operation:...
). It subsequently served at RAF Kenley
RAF Kenley
The former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
, south London, commanded by S/L. Harry Hogan, until 17 December 1940 by which time the squadron had claimed 149 enemy aircraft destroyed.
The squadron re-equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
in April 1941 and the squadron moved to Northern Ireland in October 1942. In April 1943 the squadron returned to Tangmere for bomber escort work – some pilots being issued with the Spitfire Mk IXc and in August 1944 converted to the Hawker Tempest Mk V at Manston. Between November 1943 and October 1944 the squadron formed part of Air Defence of Great Britain
Air Defence of Great Britain
The Air Defence of Great Britain was a RAF command comprising substantial Army and RAF elements responsible for the air defence of the British Isles...
and flew the Tempest Mk.V
Hawker Tempest
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war....
on "Anti-Diver" patrols
Operation Diver
Operation Diver was the British codename for their countermeasures against the V-1 flying bomb campaign launched by the German Luftwaffe in 1944 against London and other parts of Britain...
.
The squadron was disbanded at RAF Hunsdon the end of the war on 20 April 1945.
During World War II the pilots of no. 501 squadron had flown 11,140 operational sorties, in which they shot down 201 enemy aircraft and at least 84 V-1 flying bomb
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
s.
Notable squadron members
The squadron included several notable pilots of World War II, including Sergeant Pilot Antoni (Toni) GlowackiAntoni Glowacki
Antoni Glowacki DFC, DFM, was a Polish Second World War fighter pilot flying with Polish Squadrons attached to the RAF, who is notable for shooting down five German aircraft on 24 August 1940 during the Battle of Britain, becoming one of only two pilots who gained "Ace-in-a-day" status during that...
VM
Virtuti Militari
The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
, CV and 3 bars, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, DFM
Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...
, who shot down five German aircraft on 24 August 1940 to become the first of only two pilots to achieve "Ace-in-a-day" status during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. Among others who achieved fighter ace
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
status were Ken Mackenzie, "Ginger" Lacey
James Harry Lacey
Squadron Leader James Harry "Ginger" Lacey DFM & Bar was one of the top scoring Royal Air Force fighter pilots of the Second World War and was the second highest scoring British RAF fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain, behind P/O Eric Lock of No. 41 Squadron RAF...
, Stanisław Skalski, Robert Dafforn, Kenneth Lee. Lacey was one of the highest scoring pilots in the Battle of Britain. Squadron Leader Joseph Berry, DFC & 2 bars, was the top scoring V-1 (flying bomb) ace of the squadron, though he claimed only 10 of his 61 victories whilst flying 501 squadron In addition to these unmanned missiles he also shot down three enemy aircraft.
Into the jet age
The squadron was reformed on 10 May 1946 as an Auxiliary Air Force fighter squadron at RAF FiltonRAF Filton
RAF Filton was a World War II, Royal Air Force Sector Airfield situated at Filton Aerodrome about 5 miles north of the city centre of Bristol, England....
. In February 1957, Flt Lt John Crossley flew Vampire FB.9
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
jet WR260 beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Brunel died in 1859, without seeing the completion of the bridge. Brunel's colleagues in the Institution of Civil Engineers felt that completion of the Bridge would be a fitting memorial, and started to raise new funds...
, before a fatal crash into Leigh Woods
Leigh Woods
Leigh Woods is a 2 square kilometre area of woodland on the south-west side of the Avon Gorge, opposite the English city of Bristol and north of the Ashton Court estate. It has been designated as a National Nature Reserve. Small mountain biking circuits are present in the woods and the area is a...
. This was the last recorded -and only jet aircraft- flight under that bridge. The Squadron was disbanded in March 1957, along with all the other Auxiliary units.
Present role
In June 2001 No. 501 squadron was reformed in the Force Protection role as 501 (Operational Support) Squadron in 2001 at RAF Brize NortonRAF Brize Norton
RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, about west north-west of London, is the largest station of the Royal Air Force. It is close to the settlements of Brize Norton, Carterton and Witney....
. 501 Squadrons Gunners provide a reserve of trained manpower for 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, No 4 Force Protection Wing. In 2003, its personnel deployed as part of Operation Telic
Operation Telic
Operation TELIC was the codename under which all British military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the Invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May 2011...
, the liberation of Iraq. The squadron continues to deploy personnel on Force Protection duties in this region. In 2006 the first 501 Squadron Gunners deployed with 2 Squadron RAF Regiment to Afghanistan, carrying out force protection duties of Kandahar airfield and surrounding areas. This has been continued with members of both Regiment and FP roles mobilising with 1 Squadron RAF Regiment tour of the region (8 August to 9 March). Between November 2006 and April 2007 501 Squadron Gunners also deployed with the Queens Colour Squadron, 63 Squadron RAF Regiment to Basra Iraq.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1929 | March 1930* | Avro 504 Avro 504 The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during... |
N | Used for training |
| March 1930 | November 1930 | Airco DH.9A Airco DH.9A The Airco DH.9A was a British light bomber designed and first used shortly before the end of the First World War. Colloquially known as the "Ninak" , it served on in large numbers for the Royal Air Force following the end of the war, both at home and overseas, where it was used for colonial... |
||
| September 1930 | March 1933* | Westland Wapiti Westland Wapiti The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat general purpose military single-engined biplane of the 1920s. It was designed and built by Westland Aircraft Works to replace the Airco DH.9A in Royal Air Force service.... |
Mk.IIa | |
| January 1933 | July 1936 | Westland Wallace Westland Wallace The Westland Wallace was a British two-seat, general-purpose biplane of the Royal Air Force, developed by Westland as a follow-on to their successful Wapiti. As the last of the inter-war general purpose biplanes, it was used by a number of frontline and Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons... |
Mk.I | |
| March 1936 | July 1936 | Westland Wallace | Mk.II | |
| June 1935 | March 1937 | De Havilland Tiger Moth De Havilland Tiger Moth The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft... |
Mk.I | Used for training |
| January 1936 | October 1939 | Avro Tutor | Mk.I | Used for training |
| July 1936 | March 1938* | Hawker Hart Hawker Hart The Hawker Hart was a British two-seater biplane light bomber of the Royal Air Force , which had a prominent role during the RAF's inter-war period. The Hart was designed during the 1920s by Sydney Camm and built by Hawker Aircraft... |
Mk.I | One example used for training till May 1939 |
| March 1938 | March 1939* | Hawker Hind Hawker Hind -See also:-Bibliography:* Crawford, Alex. Hawker Hart Family. Redbourn, Hertfordshire, UK: Mushroom Model Publications Ltd., 2008. ISBN 83-89450-62-3.... |
Mk.I | One example used for training till February 1941 |
| March 1939 | December 1939 | Fairey Battle Fairey Battle The Fairey Battle was a British single-engine light bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company in the late 1930s for the Royal Air Force. The Battle was powered by the same Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engine that gave contemporary British fighters high performance; however, the Battle was weighed... |
Used for training | |
| March 1939 | May 1941 | Hawker Hurricane Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force... |
Mks.I, II and X | |
| August 1940 | January 1943 | Miles Magister Miles Magister -See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Amos, Peter. Miles Aircraft = The early years. Tonbridge: Air-Britain, 2009. ISBN 978 0 85130 410 6... |
Used for training | |
| April 1941 | June 1941 | Supermarine Spitfire Supermarine Spitfire The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s... |
Mk.I | |
| May 1941 | September 1941 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.IIa | One example (P8799) soldiered on till July 1943 |
| September 1941 | January 1942 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.Va | R7334, nicknamed "Perfect" |
| September 1941 | July 1944 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.Vb | |
| 1942 | November 1942 | Miles Master Miles Master -See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Amos, Peter and Don Lambert Brown. Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. ISBN 0-85177-787-0.... |
Used for training | |
| May 1942 | October 1942 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.Vc | |
| November 1943 | July 1944 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.IX | |
| July 1944 | April 1945 | Hawker Tempest Hawker Tempest The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war.... |
Mk.V | |
| August 1946 | November 1953 | Harvard T-6 Texan The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s... |
T.2b | Used for training |
| October 1946 | May 1949 | Supermarine Spitfire | LF.16e | |
| November 1948 | June 1951 | de Havilland Vampire De Havilland Vampire The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served... |
F.1 | |
| September 1949 | February 1957 | Gloster Meteor Gloster Meteor The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force... |
T.7 | Used for training |
| March 1951 | March 1957 | de Havilland Vampire | FB.5 | |
| February 1955 | February 1957 | de Havilland Vampire | FB.9 | |
| September 1955 | February 1957 | Gloster Meteor | F.8 | Used for training |
*=Remained in service after replacement as main equipment
Squadron Stations
| From | To | Base | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 June 1929 | 28 November 1939 | RAF Filton RAF Filton RAF Filton was a World War II, Royal Air Force Sector Airfield situated at Filton Aerodrome about 5 miles north of the city centre of Bristol, England.... , Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean.... |
|
| 28 November 1939 | 10 May 1940 | RAF Tangmere RAF Tangmere RAF Tangmere was a Royal Air Force station famous for its role in the Battle of Britain, located at Tangmere village about 3 miles east of Chichester in West Sussex, England. American RAF pilot Billy Fiske died at Tangmere and was the first American aviator to die during World War II... , West Sussex West Sussex West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming... |
|
| 10 May 1940 | 16 May 1940 | Bétheniville Bétheniville Bétheniville is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.... , France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
|
| 16 May 1940 | 2 June 1940 | Anglure Anglure Anglure is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.... , France |
|
| 2 June 1940 | 11 June 1940 | Le Mans Le Mans Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux... , France |
|
| 11 June 1940 | 17 June 1940 | Dinard Dinard Dinard is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany in north-western France.Dinard is on the Côte d'Émeraude of Brittany. Its beaches and mild climate make it a popular holiday destination, and this has resulted in the town having a variety of famous visitors and residents... , France |
|
| 17 June 1940 | 21 June 1940 | RAF Saint Helier Saint Helier Saint Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 28,000, roughly 31.2% of the total population of Jersey, and is the capital of the Island . The urban area of the parish of St... , Jersey Jersey Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and... , Channel Islands Channel Islands The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey... |
|
| 21 June 1940 | 4 July 1940 | RAF Croydon Croydon Airport Croydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport... , Surrey Surrey Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of... |
|
| 4 July 1940 | 25 July 1940 | RAF Middle Wallop Army Air Corps Middle Wallop Army Air Corps Middle Wallop is a British Army base near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop. The base hosts 2 Regiment Army Air Corps and the School of Army Aviation. The role of 2 Regiment is training and so AAC Middle Wallop is the base where most Army Air Corps pilots begin their careers... , Hampshire Hampshire Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force... |
|
| 25 July 1940 | 10 September 1940 | RAF Gravesend RAF Gravesend RAF Gravesend was a Fighter Airfield during the Battle of Britain, and was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:*No. 610 Squadron RAF from 26 May 1940*No. 604 Squadron RAF from 3 July 1940*No. 501 Squadron RAF from 25 July 1940... , Kent Kent Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of... |
|
| 10 September 1940 | 17 December 1940 | RAF Kenley RAF Kenley The former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:... , Surrey |
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| 17 December 1940 | 9 April 1941 | RAF Filton, Gloucestershire | |
| 9 April 1941 | 25 June 1941 | RAF Colerne RAF Colerne RAF Colerne now known as Colerne Airfield or AEF Colerne is a former World War II RAF Fighter Command and Bomber Command airfield located on the outskirts of the village of Colerne, Wiltshire... , Wiltshire Wiltshire Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers... |
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| 25 June 1941 | 5 August 1941 | RAF Chilbolton RAF Chilbolton RAF Station Chilbolton is a former World War II airfield in Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southeast of Andover; about southwest of London... , Hampshire |
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| 5 August 1941 | 3 July 1942 | RAF Ibsley RAF Ibsley RAF Station Ibsley is a former World War II airfield in Hampshire, England. The airfield is located near the village of Ibsley, approximately north of Ringwood; about southwest of London... , Hampshire |
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| 3 July 1942 | 24 August 1942 | RAF Tangmere, West Sussex | |
| 24 August 1942 | 8 October 1942 | RAF Middle Wallop, Hampshire | |
| 8 October 1942 | 10 October 1942 | RAF Hawkinge RAF Hawkinge RAF Hawkinge was an airfield in Kent, near to the south coast and the closest airfield to the French coast.It took part in the Battle of Britain and it was home to No. 79 Squadron RAF. After the war, the station hosted the Home Command Gliding Centre, and is fondly remembered by many Air Cadets as... , Kent |
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| 10 October 1942 | 19 October 1942 | RAF Middle Wallop, Hampshire | |
| 19 October 1942 | 30 April 1943 | RAF Ballyhalbert RAF Ballyhalbert RAF Ballyhalbert was a Royal Air Force station at Ballyhalbert on the Ards Peninsula, County Down. RAF Kirkistown was a satellite to the larger Ballyhalbert.... , County Down County Down -Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:... , Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west... |
det. at RAF Eglinton City of Derry Airport City of Derry Airport is an airport located northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. It is located on the south bank of Lough Foyle, a short distance from the village of Eglinton and from the city centre... , County Londonderry County Londonderry The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists... , Northern Ireland |
| 30 April 1943 | 17 May 1943 | RAF Westhampnett RAF Westhampnett Royal Air Force Station Westhampnett, more commonly known as RAF Westhampnett, was a Royal Air Force station, located in the village of Westhampnett near Chichester, in the English County of West Sussex.... , West Sussex |
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| 17 May 1943 | 5 June 1943 | RAF Martlesham Heath RAF Martlesham Heath RAF Martlesham Heath is a former Royal Air Force airfield in England. The field is located 1½ miles SW of Woodbridge, Suffolk.- RFC/RAF prewar use:Martlesham Heath was first used as a Royal Flying Corps airfield during World War I... , Suffolk Suffolk Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east... |
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| 5 June 1943 | 12 June 1943 | RAF Woodvale RAF Woodvale RAF Woodvale is a Royal Air Force Station located south of Southport, Merseyside in a small town called Formby. Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, it did not open until 7 December 1941... , Merseyside Merseyside Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool... |
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| 12 June 1943 | 21 June 1943 | RAF Westhampnett, West Sussex | |
| 21 June 1943 | 21 January 1944 | RAF Hawkinge, Kent | |
| 21 January 1944 | 4 February 1944 | RAF Southend London Southend Airport London Southend Airport or Southend Airport is a regional airport in the district of Rochford within Essex, England.During the 1960s, Southend was the third-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It remained London's third-busiest airport in terms of passengers handled until the end of the 1970s,... , Essex Essex Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west... |
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| 4 February 1944 | 30 April 1944 | RAF Hawkinge, Kent | |
| 30 April 1944 | 2 July 1944 | RAF Friston Friston Friston is a village in Suffolk, England. It is southeast of Saxmundham, its post town, and northwest of Aldeburgh. The River Alde bounds the village on the south. The surrounding land is chiefly arable. The soil becomes partly marshy in the lower grounds... , Suffolk |
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| 2 July 1944 | 2 August 1944 | RAF Westhampnett, West Sussex | |
| 2 August 1944 | 22 September 1944 | RAF Manston RAF Manston RAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996. The site is now split between a commercial airport Kent International Airport and a continuing military use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre , following on from a long... , Kent |
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| 22 September 1944 | 3 March 1945 | RAF Bradwell Bay Bradwell-on-Sea Bradwell-on-Sea is a village in Essex, England. The village is on the Dengie peninsula. It is located about north-northeast of Southminster and is east from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the District of Maldon in the parliamentary constituency of Maldon whose boundaries were... , Essex |
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| 3 March 1945 | 20 April 1945 | RAF Hunsdon, Essex | |
| 10 May 1946 | 5 September 1951 | RAF Filton, Gloucestershire | |
| 5 September 1951 | 8 October 1951 | RAF Tangmere, West Sussex | |
| 8 October 1951 | 10 March 1957 | RAF Filton, Gloucestershire |
Commanding officers
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| July 1929 | August 1929 | Flt/Lt. Flight Lieutenant Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"... L.P. Winters |
| August 1929 | January 1932 | S/Ldr. Squadron Leader Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these... R.S. Sugden, AFC Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"... |
| January 1932 | January 1934 | S/Ldr. W. Eliott William Elliott (RAF officer) Air Chief Marshal Sir William Elliott GCVO, KCB, KBE, DFC & Bar, ADC, RAF, was a senior Royal Air Force commander.-RAF career:... , DFC Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against... |
| January 1934 | June 1936 | S/Ldr. H.G. White |
| June 1936 | June 1936 | Flt/Lt. H.M. Pearson |
| June 1936 | December 1936 | Flt/Lt. E.S. Finch |
| December 1936 | March 1937 | Flt/Lt. H.R.L. Hood |
| March 1937 | July 1937 | Flt/Lt. F.W. Stannard |
| July 1937 | June 1940 | S/Ldr. M.V.M. Clube |
| June 1940 | November 1940 | S/Ldr. H.A.V. Hogan |
| November 1940 | June 1941 | S/Ldr. E. Holden, DFC |
| June 1941 | August 1941 | S/Ldr. A.H. Boyd, DFC |
| August 1941 | June 1942 | S/Ldr. C.F. Currant Bunny Currant Wing Commander Christopher Frederick "Bunny" Currant, DSO, DFC & Bar was a British fighter ace in the Second World War.-Early life and enlistment in the RAF:Currant was born on 14 December 1911 in Luton, Bedfordshire... , DFC |
| June 1942 | September 1942 | S/Ldr. J.W. Villa, DFC & Bar Medal bar A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... |
| September 1942 | May 1943 | S/Ldr. A.J. Robinson |
| May 1943 | October 1943 | S/Ldr. E. Barthold |
| October 1943 | August 1944 | S/Ldr. M.G. Barnett, RNZAF |
| August 1944 | November 1944 | S/Ldr. J. Berry, DFC |
| November 1944 | April 1945 | S/Ldr. A. Parker-Rees, DFC |
| August 1946 | December 1946 | Flt/Lt. R.F.W. Cleaver, DSO Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September... , DFC (acting) |
| December 1946 | September 1949 | S/Ldr. T. James |
| September 1949 | September 1950 | S/Ldr. A.C. Henderson, DFC |
| September 1950 | October 1952 | S/Ldr. P.J. Simpson, DSO, DFC |
| October 1952 | May 1955 | S/Ldr. G.B. Mercer |
| May 1955 | March 1957 | S/Ldr. M.C. Collings |