No. 187 Squadron RAF

No. 187 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that was a transport unit towards the end of World War II.

No. 187 Squadron RAF
Active1 April 1918–1919
1 February 1945 – 1 Dec 1946
1 February 1953 – 2 Sept 1957
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)Versatile[1]
Insignia
Squadron BadgeA buzzard carrying a propeller in its claws
Squadron codesPU (Feb 1945 - Dec 1946)

History

Formation in World War I

The squadron formed on 1 April 1918 as a night training unit and disbanded in 1919 without acquiring its own aircraft.

Formation in World War II

The squadron reformed on 1 February 1945 at RAF Merryfield and equipped with Halifax transport aircraft. It then equipped with Dakotas for trooping flights to India and then destinations in Europe including Bari, Italy. The squadron disbanded in Austria on 1 November 1946 upon renumbering as No. 53 Squadron RAF.

Postwar period

On 7 February 1952 No. 2 Home Ferry Unit was established at Aston Down. On 1 February 1953 the unit was renamed No. 187 Squadron.

The squadron ferried aircraft in the UK and to Germany before it was finally disbanded on 2 September 1957.

Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by No. 187 Squadron RAF[2]
FromToAircraftVariant
Feb 1945Mar 1945Handley Page HalifaxIII
Mar 1945Oct 1946Douglas DakotaII
Feb 1953Sep 1957Avro AnsonC.19
Mar 1955Sep 1957Vickers VarsityT.1
Apr 1955Sep 1957Avro AnsonC.12

References
  1. Pine, LG (1983). A Dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge & K. Paul. p. 249. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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