Jump to content

No. 521 Squadron RAF: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Aircraft operated: PR Mk IVs used Not Mk Vs. Add source
 
(24 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force}}
⚫
{{Infobox Military Unit|
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
⚫
{{Infobox military unit|
|unit_name= No. 521 Squadron RAF
|unit_name= No. 521 Squadron RAF
|image=
|image=
|caption=
|caption=
|dates= 1 August 1942 - 31 March 1943<br> 1 September 1943 - 1 April 1946
|dates= 1 August 1942 – 31 March 1943<br> 1 September 1943 – 1 April 1946
|country= {{flagicon|UK}} [[United Kingdom]]
|country= {{flagicon|UK}} [[United Kingdom]]
|allegiance=
|allegiance=
|branch= [[Image:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|23px]] [[Royal Air Force]]
|branch= [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|23px]] [[Royal Air Force]]
|type=
|type=
|role= [[meteorological]]
|role= [[meteorological]]
Line 39: Line 42:
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry
|identification_symbol_2= '''5O''' (Jun 1944 - Apr 1946)<ref>{{harvnb|Bowyer and Rawlings|1979|p=81.}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Flintham and Thomas|2003|p=57.}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2= '''5O''' (Jun 1944 – Apr 1946)<ref>{{harvnb|Bowyer|Rawlings|1979|p=81.}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Flintham|Thomas|2003|p=57.}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2_label= Squadron Codes
|identification_symbol_2_label= Squadron Codes
}}
}}
'''No. 521 Squadron''' of the [[Royal Air Force]] was a [[World War II|Second World War]] meteorological observation unit operating from [[Norfolk]].
'''No. 521 Squadron''' of the [[Royal Air Force]] was a [[World War II|Second World War]] meteorological observation unit operating from [[Norfolk]].


==History==
==History==
{{See also|RAF Coastal Command during World War II}}

===First formation===
===First formation===
The Squadron began on 4 February 1941 as '''No. 401 (Met) Flight''' of [[RAF Bomber Command]]. When all the meteorological flights were put under [[RAF Coastal Command]] it became '''No. 1401 (Met) Flight'''. On 1 August 1942 at [[RAF Bircham Newton]] the flight combined with [[No. 1403 Flight RAF|1403 flight]] to form No. 521 (met) Squadron.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sturtivant and Hamlin|2007|p=120.}}</ref>
The Squadron began on 4 February 1941 as '''No. 401 (Met) Flight''' of [[RAF Bomber Command]]. When all the meteorological flights were put under [[RAF Coastal Command]] it became '''No. 1401 (Met) Flight'''. On 1 August 1942 at [[RAF Bircham Newton]] the flight combined with [[No. 1403 Flight RAF|1403 flight]] to form No. 521 (Met) Squadron. It took part in [[RAF Coastal Command during World War II#Coastal Command Meteorological operations|Coastal Command's Meteorological operations]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=120.}}</ref>
The squadron had inherited from its 1401 flight aircraft such as [[Gloster Gladiator]] biplanes and some [[Hawker Hurricane]]s. From 1403 flight came its [[Bristol Blenheim]]s and [[Lockheed Hudson]]s. Later the squadron received some [[Supermarine Spitfire]]s and [[de Havilland Mosquito]]s. The operations of the original Flights and later the Squadron was taking meterological information for weather forecasting - previously provided by merchant shipping to the [[Met Office]]. The aircraft would take measurements of temperature and [[humidity]] in set areas over the [[North Sea]] from an altitude of 40,000&nbsp;ft downwards. The squadrons Mosquitos would operate on "PAMPA" flights that took them deep into occupied Europe to assess the weather over target areas for the bombers. On 31 March 1943 at Bircham Newton the squadron was split into nos. [[No. 1401 Flight RAF|1401]] and [[No. 1409 Flight RAF|1409 (Met) Flight]]s.<ref name="Rawlings1982p254">{{Harvnb|Rawlings|1982|p=254.}}</ref><ref name="Halley1988p399">{{Harvnb|Halley|1988|p=399.}}</ref><ref name="Jefford2001p97">{{Harvnb|Jefford|2001|p=97.}}</ref>
The squadron had inherited from its 1401 flight aircraft such as [[Gloster Gladiator]] biplanes and some [[Hawker Hurricane]]s. From 1403 flight came its [[Bristol Blenheim]]s and [[Lockheed Hudson]]s. Later the squadron received some [[Supermarine Spitfire]]s and [[de Havilland Mosquito]]s. The operations of the original Flights and later the Squadron was taking meteorological information for weather forecasting – previously provided by merchant shipping to the [[Met Office]]. The aircraft would take measurements of temperature and [[humidity]] in set areas over the [[North Sea]] from an altitude of 40,000&nbsp;ft downwards. The squadron's Mosquitoes would operate on "PAMPA" flights that took them deep into occupied Europe to assess the weather over target areas for the bombers. On 31 March 1943 at Bircham Newton the squadron was split into nos. Nos. 1401 and [[No. 1409 Flight RAF|1409 (Met) Flight]]s.<ref name="Rawlings1982p254">{{Harvnb|Rawlings|1982|p=254.}}</ref><ref name="Halley1988p399">{{Harvnb|Halley|1988|p=399.}}</ref><ref name="Jefford2001p97">{{Harvnb|Jefford|2001|p=97.}}</ref>


===Second formation===
===Second formation===
Line 66: Line 71:
|-
|-
| August 1942 || March 1943 || [[Supermarine Spitfire]] || P.R Mk.IV<ref>Matusiak 2007, p. 21.</ref>
| August 1942 || March 1943 || [[Supermarine Spitfire]] || P.R Mk.IV<ref>Matusiak 2007, p. 21.</ref>
|-
!colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | After re-formation
|-
|-
| September 1943 || December 1943 || [[Handley Page Hampden]] || Mk.I
| September 1943 || December 1943 || [[Handley Page Hampden]] || Mk.I
Line 86: Line 93:
|-
|-
| December 1945 || April 1946 || [[Handley Page Halifax]] || Mk.VI
| December 1945 || April 1946 || [[Handley Page Halifax]] || Mk.VI
|}
{{Close table}}


==Squadron bases==
==Squadron bases==
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|+Bases and airfields used by no. 521 Squadron RAF, data from<ref name="Rawlings1982p254"/><ref name="Halley1988p399"/><ref name="Jefford2001p97"/><ref>[http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/521C.html rafcommands]</ref>
|+Bases and airfields used by no. 521 Squadron RAF, data from<ref name="Rawlings1982p254"/><ref name="Halley1988p399"/><ref name="Jefford2001p97"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/521C.html |title=rafcommands |access-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211175553/http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/521C.html |archive-date=11 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
! From !! To !! Base !! Remark
! From !! To !! Base !! Remark
|-
|-
Line 100: Line 107:
|-
|-
| 3 November 1945 || 1 April 1946 || [[RAF Chivenor]], [[Devon]] ||
| 3 November 1945 || 1 April 1946 || [[RAF Chivenor]], [[Devon]] ||
|}
{{Close table}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 106: Line 113:


==References==
==References==

===Notes===
===Notes===
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. ''Squadron Codes, 1937-56''. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
*{{cite book |last=Bowyer |first=Michael J.F. |first2=John D.R. |last2=Rawlings |title=Squadron Codes, 1937–56 |location=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd. |year=1979 |isbn=0-85059-364-6 }}
* Delve, Ken. ''The Source Book of the RAF''. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
*{{cite book |last=Delve |first=Ken |title=The Source Book of the RAF |location= Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing |year= 1994 |isbn=1-85310-451-5}}
* Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. ''Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938''. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
*{{cite book |last1=Flintham |first1= Vic |first2= Andrew |last2=Thomas |title=Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938 |location=Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing Ltd. |year=2003 |isbn=1-84037-281-8}}
* Halley, James J. ''The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
*{{cite book |last=Halley |first=James J. |title=The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988 |year=1988 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.|isbn=0-85130-164-9 }}
* Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]], BA, RAF(Retd.). ''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 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
*{{cite book |last= Jefford |first= C.G. |title= RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 |year=2001 |edition=2nd |publisher=Airlife Publishing Ltd. |location=Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK |isbn=1-85310-053-6 }}
*{{cite book |last=Matusiak |first= Wojtek |title=Merlin PR Spitfires |series=Classic Warbirds No. 10 |location= Wellington, New Zealand |publisher= Ventura Publications |year= 2007 |isbn=0-9582296-2-7}}
* 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.
*{{cite book |last=Rawlings |first= John D.R. |title=Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft |location=London |publisher= Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. |year= 1982 |isbn=0-7106-0187-5}}
* Smith, Graham. ''Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War''. Countryside Books, 1997.
*{{cite book |last=Smith |first= Graham |title=Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War |publisher= Countryside Books |year= 1997}}
* Sturtivant, Ray, [[Imperial Service Order|ISO]] and John Hamlin. ''RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
*{{cite book |last=Sturtivant |first= Ray, ISO |first2=John |last2=Hamlin |title=RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912|location= Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. |year= 2007 |isbn=0-85130-365-X}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|No. 521 Squadron RAF}}
* [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/521squadron.cfm Squadron history on MOD site ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165538/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/521squadron.cfm Squadron history on MOD site ]
* [http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/521C.html Stations used by no. 521 sqn]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101211175553/http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/521C.html Stations used by no. 521 sqn]
* [http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn521-540.htm Squadron histories for nos. 521-540 sqn on RafWeb's Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141106103235/http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn521-540.htm Squadron histories for nos. 521–540 sqn on RafWeb's Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation]


==Related content==
{{RAF squadrons}}
{{RAF squadrons}}
{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Royal Air Force}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:No. 521 Squadron Raf}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:No. 521 Squadron Raf}}
[[Category:Aircraft squadrons of the Royal Air Force in World War II]]
[[Category:Meteorological organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons|521]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons|521]]
⚫
[[Category:Military weather units and formations]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the Royal Air Force in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Norfolk|521]]
⚫
[[Category:Military in Norfolk]]

Latest revision as of 18:50, 27 October 2023

No. 521 Squadron RAF
Active1 August 1942 – 31 March 1943
1 September 1943 – 1 April 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Rolemeteorological
Part ofNo. 16 Group RAF, Coastal Command[1]
Insignia
Squadron Codes5O (Jun 1944 – Apr 1946)[2][3]

No. 521 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a Second World War meteorological observation unit operating from Norfolk.

History

[edit]
See also: RAF Coastal Command during World War II

First formation

[edit]

The Squadron began on 4 February 1941 as No. 401 (Met) Flight of RAF Bomber Command. When all the meteorological flights were put under RAF Coastal Command it became No. 1401 (Met) Flight. On 1 August 1942 at RAF Bircham Newton the flight combined with 1403 flight to form No. 521 (Met) Squadron. It took part in Coastal Command's Meteorological operations[4] The squadron had inherited from its 1401 flight aircraft such as Gloster Gladiator biplanes and some Hawker Hurricanes. From 1403 flight came its Bristol Blenheims and Lockheed Hudsons. Later the squadron received some Supermarine Spitfires and de Havilland Mosquitos. The operations of the original Flights and later the Squadron was taking meteorological information for weather forecasting – previously provided by merchant shipping to the Met Office. The aircraft would take measurements of temperature and humidity in set areas over the North Sea from an altitude of 40,000 ft downwards. The squadron's Mosquitoes would operate on "PAMPA" flights that took them deep into occupied Europe to assess the weather over target areas for the bombers. On 31 March 1943 at Bircham Newton the squadron was split into nos. Nos. 1401 and 1409 (Met) Flights.[5][6][7]

Second formation

[edit]

The squadron reformed on 1 September 1943 at RAF Docking, a satellite of the Bircham Newton station, adding to its original equipment Handley Page Hampdens, but doing without the earlier Mosquitos and Blenheims. In December 1943 the squadron received Lockheed Venturas to replace its Hudsons. Additional Hurricanes arrived in August 1944, to supplement the aging Gladiators, which were still on strength. Hudsons arrived again in September 1944, because the Venturas were needed elsewhere. In October 1944 the squadron moved a few miles to the other satellite of Bircham Newton, RAF Langham. For long-range missions the squadron received some Boeing Fortresses in December 1944, which were supplemented after the end of the war with Handley Page Halifaxes, by which time the squadron operated from RAF Chivenor, where the unit disbanded on 1 April 1946.[5][6][7]

Aircraft operated

[edit]
Aircraft operated by no. 521 Squadron RAF, data from[5][6][7]
From To Aircraft Version
August 1942 March 1943 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV
August 1942 March 1943 de Havilland Mosquito Mk.IV
August 1942 March 1943 Gloster Gladiator Mks.I, II
August 1942 March 1943 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III
August 1942 March 1943 Supermarine Spitfire P.R Mk.IV[8]
After re-formation
September 1943 December 1943 Handley Page Hampden Mk.I
September 1943 January 1944 Lockheed Hudson Mks.III
September 1943 April 1945 Gloster Gladiator Mks.I, II
September 1943 November 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX
December 1943 October 1944 Lockheed Ventura Mk.V
August 1944 February 1946 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc
September 1944 March 1945 Lockheed Hudson Mk.VI
December 1944 February 1946 Boeing Fortress Mk.II
May 1945 February 1946 Boeing Fortress Mk.III
December 1945 April 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.VI

Squadron bases

[edit]
Bases and airfields used by no. 521 Squadron RAF, data from[5][6][7][9]
From To Base Remark
1 August 1942 31 March 1943 RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk Det. at RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire
1 September 1943 30 October 1944 RAF Docking, Norfolk Det. at RAF Skitten, Caithness, Scotland
30 October 1944 3 November 1945 RAF Langham, Norfolk Det. at RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, Wales
3 November 1945 1 April 1946 RAF Chivenor, Devon

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 64,72,79.
  2. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 81.
  3. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 57.
  4. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 120.
  5. ^ a b c d Rawlings 1982, p. 254.
  6. ^ a b c d Halley 1988, p. 399.
  7. ^ a b c d Jefford 2001, p. 97.
  8. ^ Matusiak 2007, p. 21.
  9. ^ "rafcommands". Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2010.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • 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, 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.
  • Matusiak, Wojtek (2007). Merlin PR Spitfires. Classic Warbirds No. 10. Wellington, New Zealand: Ventura Publications. ISBN 0-9582296-2-7.
  • 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.
  • Smith, Graham (1997). Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War. Countryside Books.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to No. 521 Squadron RAF.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=No._521_Squadron_RAF&oldid=1182194870"