No. 281 Squadron RAF

No. 281 Squadron RAF
Active	29 March 1942 – 22 November 1942 22 November 1943 – 24 October 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	air-sea rescue
Motto(s)	Latin: Volamus Servaturi ("We fly to save")
Insignia
Squadron Badge	The head of a St. Bernard's dog affrontée, pendant from the collar a barrel shaped flash [1]
Squadron Codes	FA (Mar 1942 – Oct 1945)

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

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

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

^{[1] [2] [3]}

Notes

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

References

• Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN   0-85130-164-9.
• Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of All RAF Squadrons and Their Antecedents Since 1912, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN   1853100536. (second revised edition 2001. ISBN   1-84037-141-2.)
• Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN   0-7106-0187-5.

External links

• squadron histories nos. 281–285 sqn