No. 42 Squadron RAF

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No. 42 Squadron RAF
42 Squadron RAF.jpg
Squadron badge
Active
  • 1916–1918 (RFC)
  • 1918–1919
  • 1936–1945
  • 1945–1945
  • 1946–1947
  • 1952–2011
  • 2023 – present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
BranchEnsign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force
Type Operational conversion unit
RolePoseidon and Wedgetail flight crew and engineer training
Part of ISTAR Force
Station RAF Lossiemouth
MottoFortiter in re (Latin for 'Bravely into action')
Aircraft
Insignia
Tail codesQD (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939; probably not used) [1] [2]
AW (Sep 1939 – Jun 1942 and 1943 – Dec 1945) [3] [4]
QM (Oct 1946 – Oct 1947) [5] [6]
A (Jun 1952 – 1956) [7] [8]

No. 42 Squadron, also known as No. 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron or No. 42 (TB) Squadron, is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It reformed at RAF Lossiemouth on 21 September 2023 as the operational conversion unit for both the Boeing Poseidon MRA1 and Boeing Wedgetail AEW1. [9]

Contents

The squadron served during the First World War as an army co-operation squadron and during the Second World War in various roles. Between 1992 and 2010, it was based at RAF Kinloss as the operational conversion unit for the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2, until the retirement of the aircraft in March 2010.

History

First World War (1916–1918)

Formed on 1 April 1916 from crews of No. 19 Squadron Royal Flying Corps at RAF Filton, No. 42 Squadron spent the First World War flying reconnaissance sorties. Using Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2 (and later Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8), the squadron spent time on both the Western Front and the Austro-Italian Front. The squadron was based at La Gorgue in northern France from 1 September to 8 November 1916. [10]

Interwar period (1919–1938)

On returning to England after the war, the squadron was disbanded at RAF Netheravon on 26 June 1919. [11] [12] On 14 December 1936, 'B' flight of No. 22 Squadron was expanded into a new No. 42 Squadron. [11] [13]

Second World War (1939–1945)

In 1939, No. 42 Squadron was based at RAF Bircham Newton in Norfolk. Initially the unit was equipped with the Vickers Vildebeest before re-equipping with the Bristol Beaufort in January 1940.

Bristol Beauforts of No. 42 Squadron, March 1941 Bristol Beaufort Mk I of No. 42 Squadron RAF, based at Leuchars in Scotland, March 1941. CH2775.jpg
Bristol Beauforts of No. 42 Squadron, March 1941

The squadron also operated as a bomber unit in the Burma campaign flying the Bristol Blenheim during 1942 and as a fighter-bomber unit flying the Hawker Hurricane during 1943. The squadron disbanded on 30 June 1945, but the following day No. 146 Squadron was renumbered to No. 42 Squadron to operate the Republic Thunderbolts Mk.II. [13] The squadron flew the Thunderbolt until the Burma campaign ended and thereafter disbanded on 30 December 1945 at Meiktela. [11] [12]

Cold War (1946–1990s)

Beaufighter and Shackleton

On 1 October 1946, No. 254 Squadron at RAF Thorney Island in West Sussez was renumbered to No. 42 Squadron. Equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter, it was a strike unit in RAF Coastal Command until disbanded on 15 October 1947. [13] [12]

On 28 June 1952, No. 42 Squadron was reformed at RAF St. Eval, Cornwall, flying the Avro Shackleton MR.1 in the maritime reconnaissance role. [12] In 1954, the squadron began to re-equip with the Shackleton MR.2. [14] On 11 January 1955, two Shackletons of No. 42 Squadron (WG531 and WL743) disappeared while operating near Fastnet Rock off the south-western coast of Ireland. [15]

A Avro Shackleton MR.2 of No. 42 Squadron at Blackbushe Airport, September 1956 Avro 696 Shackleton MR.2 WG533 42.H BLA 06.09.56 edited-1.jpg
A Avro Shackleton MR.2 of No. 42 Squadron at Blackbushe Airport, September 1956

No. 42 Squadron Shackletons used to regularly visit RAF Khormaksar in Aden before the Aden Emergency, undertaking colonial policing. [16] [17]

No. 42 Squadron relocated to RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall in October 1958. [14] In 1961, the squadron deployed to Jamaica to provide support for relief operations after Hurricane Hattie struck the Caribbean and British Honduras. [18] It converted to the Shackleton MR.3 in December 1965. [14] In 1966, the squadron deployed to Mahajanga, Malagasy Republic, to take part in the Beira Patrol which enforced the blockade of the port of Beira in Mozambique to prevent oil shipments to Rhodesia. [18]

Nimrod

In April 1971, No. 42 Squadron began to convert to the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.1. [13] [12]

No. 42 Squadron was the first Nimrod unit to arrive at Wideawake Airfield, Ascension Island, when two Nimrods landed on 6 April 1982, shortly after the invasion of the Falkland Islands. [19] In October 1984, one of the squadron's crews won the Fincastle Trophy at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. [19] On 29 August 1985, a Nimrod MR2 helped locate the wreck of the Virgin Atlantic Challenger. [19]

In June 1990, No. 42 Squadron won the Fincastle Trophy once again, this time at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia. [19] In October 1990, the squadron deployed its crews to Seeb International Airport, Oman, and later in January 1991 to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, as part of Operation Granby. [20] Nimrod MR2 XV244 (Battle Star 42) was credited with fourteen mission markings and four ship kills while deployed. [21] One of the squadron's crews were credited with having achieved the highest number of assisted kills – six, achieved operating in a high air threat environment. [21]

A Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 of No. 42 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, May 1992 Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 (801), UK - Air Force AN1835961.jpg
A Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 of No. 42 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, May 1992

Disbanded as a front-line unit in October 1992, the unit was later reformed as No. 42 (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Kinloss, Moray, taking over from No. 236 OCU as the Nimrod operational conversion unit (OCU). [20]

21st century (2000– present)

No. 42 (R) Squadron made the Nimrod's last visit to Gibraltar on 20–21 March 2010 as part of Operation Active Endeavour. [22] The squadron flew its last Nimrod MR2 flight on 30 March 2010 with XV232 visiting Rockall, St. Kilda, RAF St. Mawgan, RAF Valley and RAF Lossiemouth. [22] It was originally expected that the squadron would serve as the OCU for the BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4, however it was cancelled as part of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, [21] with No. 42 (R) Squadron formally disbanding alongside the other Nimrod units on 26 May 2011. [23]

Poseidon and Wedgetail

The unit was reformed as No. 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron on 21 September 2023 at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray. The squadron is the operational conversion unit for both the Boeing Poseidon MRA1 and Boeing Wedgetail AEW1. No. 42 (TB) Squadron's first Poseidon sortie was flown on 26 September 2023. [9]

Aircraft operated

No. 42 Squadron have operated the following aircraft: [11] [13] [12] [24]

Heritage

The squadron's badge features a figure of the Greek mythological figure Perseus, on a terrestrial globe. [25] [26] Perseus represents the Bristol Perseus engine, which No. 42 Squadron was the first to use. He was known always to achieve his objective and destroy his enemies and stands in front of a globe to signify his activities over many lands and seas. [25]

The squadron's motto is Fortiter in re ( Latin for 'Bravely into action'). [27] [13]

Battle honours

No. 42 Squadron has received the following battle honours. [14] Those marked with an asterisk (*) may be emblazoned on the squadron standard.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 12.
  2. ↑ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 51.
  3. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 18.
  4. ↑ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 63.
  5. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 86.
  6. ↑ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 155.
  7. ↑ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 126.
  8. ↑ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 192.
  9. 1 2 "Number 42 Squadron reforms at RAF Lossiemouth". RAF. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "La Gorgue". Anciens Aérodromes (in French). 7 March 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Rawlings 1982 , p. 65.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jefford 2001 , p. 42.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Halley 1988 , p. 95.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Barrass, M. B. (2015). "No. 42 Squadron". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  15. ↑ "Accident Avro Shackleton MR.2 WL743, 11 Jan 1955". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "Visiting military aircraft". radfanhunters.co.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  17. ↑ "RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 1) [ALLOCATED TITLE]". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  18. 1 2 Hill, David. "BALLYKELLY - THE SHACKLETON ERA 1952-1971". The Shackleton Association. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "Target Lock: BAE Systems Nimrod". Target Lock. 4 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  20. 1 2 "42 Squadron". www.raf.mod.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 December 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  21. 1 2 3 "Aircraft History: The Nimrod MR.2 Leaves Royal Air Force Service". Global Aviation Resource. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  22. 1 2 Hastings, David. "BAE System Nimrod: Squadron Service". Target Lock. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  23. ↑ "Squadron Disbandment Parade". www.raf.mod.uk. Royal Air Force. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  24. ↑ Coleman 1992 , p. 110.
  25. 1 2
  26. ↑
  27. ↑ Rawlings 1982 , p. 65.

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN   0-85059-364-6.
  • Coleman, Ian (1992). Resolute in Action: The History of 42 Squadron RAF, 1916–1992. St Mawgan, Cornwall, UK: Blackfords of Cornwall.
  • 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, Wing Commander 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.

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