No. 277 Squadron RAF

Last updated

No. 277 Squadron RAF
Active22 December 1941 – 15 February 1945
Country Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Branch Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Royal Air Force
Motto(s) Latin: Quaerendo servamus
("We save by seeking")
Insignia
Squadron BadgeA winged hand rising from water
Squadron CodeBA (December 1941 – February 1945)

No. 277 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an air-sea rescue unit in World War II.

Contents

History

A Lysander of No. 277 Squadron operating from RAF Hawkinge Westland Lysander - Hawkinge - Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945 CH7156.jpg
A Lysander of No. 277 Squadron operating from RAF Hawkinge

The squadron formed at Stapleford Tawney on 22 December 1941 and was equipped with the Westland Lysander and Supermarine Walrus. Boulton Paul Defiants and Supermarine Spitfires were then supplied for spotting downed aircrew in the English Channel.

The Vickers Warwick which could drop lifeboats was operated from November 1944 and the squadron was able to increase its area of operations with a detachment based at RAF Portreath. The squadron was disbanded on 15 February 1945.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 277 Squadron RAF [1]
FromToAircraftVariant
Dec 1941Jun 1944 Westland Lysander II
Dec 1941Feb 1945 Supermarine Walrus IA
May 1942May 1943 Boulton Paul Defiant I
Feb 1943May 1944 Supermarine Spitfire HC
Nov 1943Feb 1945 Supermarine Sea Otter
Apr 1944Feb 1945Supermarine SpitfireVB
Nov 1944Feb 1945 Vickers Warwick I

References

  1. C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN   1-85310-053-6.