No. 281 Squadron RAF

Last updated

No. 281 Squadron RAF
Active29 March 1942–22 November 1942
22 November 1943 – 24 October 1945
Country Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Branch Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Royal Air Force
Role air-sea rescue
Motto(s) Latin: Volamus Servaturi
("We fly to save")
Insignia
Squadron BadgeThe head of a St. Bernard's dog affrontée, pendant from the collar a barrel shaped flash [1]
Squadron CodesFA (Mar 1942 – Oct 1945)

No. 281 Squadron was a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue squadron during the Second World War.

Contents

History

No. 281 Squadron was formed at RAF Ouston, England on 29 March 1942 [2] as an air-sea rescue squadron. The squadron was equipped with the Supermarine Walrus, a British single-engine amphibious biplane, and the Avro Anson, a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. The squadron disbanded on 22 November 1942 when it was absorbed by 282 Squadron. [1]

The squadron reformed at RAF Thornaby on 22 November 1943 [2] equipped with Vickers Warwick, a multi-purpose twin-engined aircraft. The squadron moved to Tiree in February 1945 to provide air-sea rescue cover for Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

At the end of the Second World War the squadron disbanded at RAF Ballykelly on 24 October 1945. [1] [2]

Aircraft operated

FromToAircraftVersion
Apr 1942Jun 1943 Boulton-Paul Defiant Mk.I
Feb 1943Nov 1943 Supermarine Walrus Mks.I, II
Apr 1943Nov 1943 Avro Anson Mk.I
Nov 1943Oct 1945 Vickers Warwick Mks.I, IV
April 1944Oct 1945 Supermarine Sea Otter Mk.II
Sep 1945Oct 1945 Vickers Wellington Mks.XIII, XIV

[1] [2] [3]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Halley 1988, p. 346.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jefford 2001, p. 85.
  3. ↑ Rawlings 1982, pp. 251–252.

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References

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