No. 520 Squadron RAF

No. 520 Squadron RAF was a meteorological squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

No. 520 Squadron RAF
Active20 September 1943 – 25 April 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Rolemeteorological
Part ofHQ RAF Gibraltar, Coastal Command[1]
Motto(s)Tomorrow's Weather Today[2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA dove holding in the beak an olive branch[2]
Squadron Codes2M (Sep 1943 – Apr 1946)[3][4]

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Gibraltar on 20 September 1943 from 1403 Flight.[5][6] Equipped with Lockheed Hudsons, it was tasked with collecting meteorological data from both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. In February 1944 it was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifaxes and these were supplemented by Supermarine Spitfires, although the Spitfires were replaced with Hawker Hurricanes a few months later. In September 1944 the squadron absorbed 1500 (BAT) Flight and its Miles Martinets, which were used for target towing.[2] The squadron also operated the Hudson again and also the Vickers Warwick. The squadron continued to serve for a while after the war was over, and was even given an air-sea rescue task,[2] using the Warwicks, but was disbanded at Gibraltar on 25 April 1946.[5]

Aircraft operated
Hawker Hurricane IIC
Aircraft operated by no. 520 Squadron RAF, data from[2][5][7]
FromToAircraftVariant
September 1943March 1944Lockheed HudsonMk.III
September 1943June 1944Gloster GladiatorMk.II
February 1944June 1945Handley Page HalifaxMk.V
February 1944June 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.Vb
June 1944April 1946Hawker HurricaneMk.IIc
September 1944December 1945Miles MartinetMk.I
January 1945October 1945Lockheed HudsonMk.III
April 1945April 1946Handley Page HalifaxMk.III
August 1945April 1946Vickers WarwickMk.I
October 1945January 1946Lockheed HudsonMk.VI

Squadron bases
Bases and airfields used by no. 520 Squadron RAF, data from[2][5][7]
FromToBaseRemark
20 September 194325 April 1946RAF Gibraltaralready in use with 1403 Flight since 6 March 1943[6]

See also

References

Notes
  1. Delve 1994, pp. 64, 73.
  2. Halley 1988, p. 398.
  3. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 75.
  4. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 56.
  5. Jefford 2001, p. 97.
  6. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 120.
  7. Rawlings 1982, p. 254.

Bibliography
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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