No. 29 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 29 Squadron of the Royal Air Force
was first raised in 1915, and is one of the world's oldest fighter squadrons. The second British squadron to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon
, it is currently the Operational Conversion Unit
(OCU) for the RAF's newest fighter.
"pusher"
fighter, and was posted to France in March 1916 - helping to end the Fokker Scourge
and establish Allied air superiority in time for the Battle of the Somme.
By late 1916 the DH.2 was outclassed by new German fighters
, but No. 29 kept its pushers until March 1917, when it was re-equipped with Nieuport 17
s. These were replaced with later Nieuport types, such as the Nieuport 24bis, as these became available. Due to a shortage of the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a the squadron retained its Nieuports until April 1918, becoming possibly the last operational unit to operate “vee strut” Nieuport fighters. At this time the squadron finally received the S.E.5a, which it retained for the rest of the war.
The award of a Victoria Cross
— the highest award for valour "in the face of the enemy" in the British Empire — to Captain James McCudden
of 29 Sqn was gazetted on 2 April, 1918, for McCudden's "conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance and a high devotion to duty", between August 1917 and March 1918. By the time of his death a few months later, McCudden had 57 official victories in air combat.
October 1918 was a bitter month for the squadron; four of its more notable members died within a fortnight. Claude Melnot Wilson
was the first to fall, on 14 October.
Roderic MacLean collided with Lieutenant Henry Coyle Rath
on the 26th, with MacLean dying that day and Rath lingering until the next. Even as Rath was succumbing to his injuries, Guy Wareing
was shot down on the 27th.
After a short period with the army of occupation in Germany, the Squadron returned to the UK in August 1919 and was disbanded on 31 December 1919.
The squadron ended the war having claimed 385 victories. Apart from those already mentioned, the 26 aces who served with the squadron included:
s. These were replaced with Gloster Grebe
s in January 1925, In turn, these were replaced by the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin
III A in March 1928 and Bristol Bulldog
s in June 1932.
In March 1935, nearly twenty years after it was first raised as a single seat fighter squadron, the squadron received two seater Hawker Demons, which it operated until 1938. This included service in Egypt from October 1935 to 1936, during the Abyssinian crisis. The squadron also operated a few old Fairey Gordon
s for night patrols in Egypt.
As part of the Royal Air Force’s modernisation and expansion in the late 1930s, No. 29 received Bristol Blenheim F.1
heavy fighters in December 1938.
squadron, receiving some of the first Beaufighters
in November, though it was February 1941 before the squadron was fully equipped with the new fighter.
Various marks of the de Havilland Mosquito
were flown by the squadron from May 1943 culminating in the Mosquito NF30. From the middle of 1944 most of the squadron’s missions took it over the continent.
s in August 1951. In November 1957 these were superseded by Gloster Javelin
s.
In January 1957 the squadron moved north, first to Northumberland and then in July 1958 to Scotland, conversion to Javelins taking having taken place in November 1957. In February 1963 No 29 moved to Cyprus
and in December 1965 went to Zambia
for nine months on detachment during the Rhodesian crisis
.
From 1967 the squadron operated the English Electric Lightning
F3 at RAF Wattisham
until 1974 when they equipped with the F-4 Phantom and moved to RAF Coningsby
. A detachment was provided for the defence of the Falklands in August 1982, after the Falklands War
, and following repairs to the airfield at Stanley
. In 1987, 29 Squadron was one of the first units to receive the Tornado F3; deploying to Saudi Arabia
after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and participating in Operation Desert Storm
. No. 29 flew the Tornado until disbanding in 1998, as part of the Strategic Defence Review
.
). Since this closely resembles the Roman numeral for "29" (XXIX) there is a "traditional" belief among current squadron personnel that this originated as a "misspelling" of the Roman numeral.
Although various versions of the tradition are put forward, the most common explanation is that a mis-understood instruction to ground crew to paint "2 X's in front of the roundel
and IX behind it" meaning "X,X,(roundel), and 'IX' or 'one-X')" resulted in "XX(roundel)'one times' X".
In fact, the marking was always applied as "XXX(roundel)XXX" (as illustrated at the head of this article) - or as "XXX(roundel)" on smaller types, such as Siskins - unfortunately, neither lends much support to the "tradition".
It seems probable that the original adoption of "XXX" for the 1930s squadron marking was nothing to do with Roman numerals, but was a reference to the brewers mark for "extra strong", frequently applied to kegs of beer
, and that it is only a coincidence that this resembles the numeral for "29" (XXIX). It should be noted that the use of Roman numerals for numbering RAF units is a relatively modern development - in any case it was certainly not the practice in the RAF in the 1920s. Nor, so far as it is known, has 29 squadron ever been officially referred to as "XXX squadron" - or as "XXIX squadron" for that matter.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
was first raised in 1915, and is one of the world's oldest fighter squadrons. The second British squadron to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole combat aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of three companies: EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems; working through a holding company, Eurofighter GmbH, which was formed in 1986...
, it is currently the Operational Conversion Unit
Operational Conversion Unit
An Operational Conversion Unit is a unit within an air force whose role is to support preparation for the operational missions of a specific aircraft type by providing trained personnel. OCUs teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and...
(OCU) for the RAF's newest fighter.
Service in World War I
This unit was first raised as a reserve squadron, initially equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c, in November 1915. In early 1916 however No. 29 became the fourth squadron to receive the Airco DH.2Airco DH.2
|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...
"pusher"
Pusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
fighter, and was posted to France in March 1916 - helping to end the Fokker Scourge
Fokker Scourge
The Fokker Scourge was a term coined by the British press in the summer of 1915 to describe the then-current ascendancy of the Fokker Eindecker monoplane fighters of the German Fliegertruppen over the poorly-armed Allied reconnaissance types of the period....
and establish Allied air superiority in time for the Battle of the Somme.
By late 1916 the DH.2 was outclassed by new German fighters
Albatros D.I
|-See also:...
, but No. 29 kept its pushers until March 1917, when it was re-equipped with Nieuport 17
Nieuport 17
|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
s. These were replaced with later Nieuport types, such as the Nieuport 24bis, as these became available. Due to a shortage of the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a the squadron retained its Nieuports until April 1918, becoming possibly the last operational unit to operate “vee strut” Nieuport fighters. At this time the squadron finally received the S.E.5a, which it retained for the rest of the war.
The award of a Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
— the highest award for valour "in the face of the enemy" in the British Empire — to Captain James McCudden
James McCudden
James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
of 29 Sqn was gazetted on 2 April, 1918, for McCudden's "conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance and a high devotion to duty", between August 1917 and March 1918. By the time of his death a few months later, McCudden had 57 official victories in air combat.
October 1918 was a bitter month for the squadron; four of its more notable members died within a fortnight. Claude Melnot Wilson
Claude Melnot Wilson
Lieutenant Claude Melnot Wilson was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Military service:Wilson transferred from artillery to the Royal Flying Corps, and was assigned to 29 Squadron on 4 May 1918. He used a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a for all his victories. He scored his...
was the first to fall, on 14 October.
Roderic MacLean collided with Lieutenant Henry Coyle Rath
Henry Coyle Rath
Lieutenant Henry Coyle Rath was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.Rath joined the Royal Flying Corps in September 1917. He was assigned to 29 Squadron on 5 June 1918 as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot....
on the 26th, with MacLean dying that day and Rath lingering until the next. Even as Rath was succumbing to his injuries, Guy Wareing
Guy Wareing
Lieutenant Guy Wilbraham Wareing was a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories.Wareing joined the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917. He was assigned to 29 Squadron to pilot a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a in June 1918. On 12 August, he began his victory roll by destroying a German...
was shot down on the 27th.
After a short period with the army of occupation in Germany, the Squadron returned to the UK in August 1919 and was disbanded on 31 December 1919.
The squadron ended the war having claimed 385 victories. Apart from those already mentioned, the 26 aces who served with the squadron included:
- Edgar O. AmmEdgar O. AmmMajor Edgar Oxenham Amm DFC & Bar was a South African aviator who served in World War I and became a flying ace; he was credited with ten aerial victories. He returned to service during World War II. Between the wars, and after World War II, he was a farmer and businessman.-Personal life:Amm was...
- Norman BrearleyNorman BrearleySir Norman Brearley CBE was a commercial and military pilot and one of the pioneers of the airline industry within Australia.-Aviation career:...
(12 victories) an Australian who later became a pioneering airline proprietor - Sydney BrownSydney BrownSydney MacGillvary Brown was an author and associate professor of medieval history at Duquesne University. He originally gained renown as a World War I flying ace. He attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship to earn his Ph.d before going on to a distinguished academic career.-World War I...
- Edgar G. DaviesEdgar G. DaviesLieutenant Edgar George Davies was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Davies left school to join the Queen's Westminsters. From there, he transferred into the Royal Flying Corps on 4 November 1917. He qualified as a pilot at the Grahame-White School on their proprietary...
- Francis James DaviesFrancis James DaviesCaptain Francis James Davies was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories during this war. He would return to his country's service during World War II.-World War I service:...
- Thomas Sinclair Harrison
- D'Arcy Fowlis HiltonD'Arcy Fowlis HiltonLieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was an American World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Early life:D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was the son of Francis Alfred and Isabel...
- Ernest Charles HoyErnest Charles Hoy-Websites:...
- Arthur G. Jones-WilliamsArthur G. Jones-WilliamsCaptain Arthur Gordon Jones-Williams was a World War I flying ace originating from Wales. He was credited with eleven aerial victories. In 1929, he made two attempts at setting a nonstop flight record.-World War I service:...
- Camille LagesseCamille LagesseCamille Henri Raoul Lagesse DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 20 victories.-Distinguished Flying Cross:"Lt. Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse....
- William MolesworthWilliam Molesworth (aviator)Major William Earle Molesworth was a World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.Molesworth attended Marlborough College from 1908 - 1912. He then moved on to RMC Sandhurst from 1912 - 1914. On 8 August 1914, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He went...
- James Dennis PayneJames Dennis PayneCaptain James Dennis Payne was a World War I flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories.-World War I service:On 10 July 1915 Sergeant Payne was awarded flight certificate No. 1415 on Maurice Farman Biplane from the Military School in Birmingham....
- Arthur ReedArthur Reed (aviator)Lieutenant Arthur Eden Reed was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories.He began his service with the army in German East Africa between June 1915 and August 1916. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in April 1917. He was posted to duty to fly RAF SE.5as with 29 Squadron...
- Charles G. RossCharles G. Ross (aviator)Brigadier Charles Gordon Ross was a career soldier who served in both the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. He was a quadruple ace, being credited with 20 victories during World War I....
- Reginald H. RusbyReginald H. RusbyCaptain Reginald Howard Rusby was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Rusby was appointed Second Lieutenant from Flying Officer Observer on 16 September 1916. However, his seniority dated from 29 September 1916...
- Alfred ShepherdAlfred ShepherdAlfred Seymour Shepherd DSO, MC, was an Australian flying ace from World War I. He was credited with 10 aerial victories.-Early life and ground service:...
- Christoffel VenterChristoffel VenterMajor-General Christoffel 'Boetie' Venter CB, DFC with bar, was a South African military commander. He served in the Royal Air Force in World War I, being credited with 16 aerial victories, and joined the South African Air Force in 1922....
, a South African and future Major General of the South African Air Force - Walter Bertram WoodWalter Bertram WoodLieutenant Walter Bertram Wood was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen confirmed aerial victories.-Early service:Wood was the younger son of a magistrate....
"Inter-war" years (1923-1939)
The squadron was reformed on 1 April 1923, initially equipped with Sopwith SnipeSopwith Snipe
The Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe was a British single-seat biplane fighter of the Royal Air Force . It was designed and built by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War, and came into squadron service a few weeks before the end of that conflict, in late 1918.The Snipe was not a fast aircraft...
s. These were replaced with Gloster Grebe
Gloster Grebe
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* James, Derek N. Gloster Aircraft since 1917. London: Putnam and Company Ltd., 1987. ISBN 0-85177-807-0.* Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918-57. London:Putnam, First edition 1957....
s in January 1925, In turn, these were replaced by the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin
The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin was a British biplane single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1920s produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. The Siskin was one of the first new RAF fighters to enter service after the First World War; it was noted for its aerobatic qualities.-Design and development:The...
III A in March 1928 and Bristol Bulldog
Bristol Bulldog
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. The Bristol Bulldog . Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1965.* Barnes, C.H. Bristol Aircraft Since 1910. London: Putnam, 1964....
s in June 1932.
In March 1935, nearly twenty years after it was first raised as a single seat fighter squadron, the squadron received two seater Hawker Demons, which it operated until 1938. This included service in Egypt from October 1935 to 1936, during the Abyssinian crisis. The squadron also operated a few old Fairey Gordon
Fairey Gordon
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
s for night patrols in Egypt.
As part of the Royal Air Force’s modernisation and expansion in the late 1930s, No. 29 received Bristol Blenheim F.1
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
heavy fighters in December 1938.
Second World War
No 29 began the Second World War with its Blenheims, which at the period operated as day fighters – especially on convoy protection patrols. From June 1940 it became a night fighterNight fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
squadron, receiving some of the first Beaufighters
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
in November, though it was February 1941 before the squadron was fully equipped with the new fighter.
Various marks of the de Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
were flown by the squadron from May 1943 culminating in the Mosquito NF30. From the middle of 1944 most of the squadron’s missions took it over the continent.
1945 to 1998
During the immediate post-war years the squadron remained a night/all weather fighter unit. The Mosquitoes continued to serve until replaced by Gloster Meteor NF11Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
s in August 1951. In November 1957 these were superseded by Gloster Javelin
Gloster Javelin
The Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
s.
In January 1957 the squadron moved north, first to Northumberland and then in July 1958 to Scotland, conversion to Javelins taking having taken place in November 1957. In February 1963 No 29 moved to Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and in December 1965 went to Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
for nine months on detachment during the Rhodesian crisis
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (Rhodesia)
The Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia from the United Kingdom was signed on November 11, 1965, by the administration of Ian Smith, whose Rhodesian Front party opposed black majority rule in the then British colony. Although it declared independence from the United Kingdom it...
.
From 1967 the squadron operated the English Electric Lightning
English Electric Lightning
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
F3 at RAF Wattisham
RAF Wattisham
RAF Wattisham was a Royal Air Force station located in East Anglia just outside the village of Wattisham, south of Stowmarket in Suffolk, England. During the Cold War it was a major front-line air force base...
until 1974 when they equipped with the F-4 Phantom and moved to RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby , is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England. It has been commanded by Group Captain Martin Sampson since 10 December 2010.-Operational units:...
. A detachment was provided for the defence of the Falklands in August 1982, after the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, and following repairs to the airfield at Stanley
Stanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley is the capital and only true cityin the Falkland Islands. It is located on the isle of East Falkland, on a north-facing slope in one of the wettest parts of the islands. At the 2006 census, the city had a population of 2,115...
. In 1987, 29 Squadron was one of the first units to receive the Tornado F3; deploying to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and participating in Operation Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. No. 29 flew the Tornado until disbanding in 1998, as part of the Strategic Defence Review
Strategic Defence Review
The Strategic Defence Review was a British policy document produced by the Labour Government that came to power in 1997. Then Secretary of State for Defence, George Robertson, set out the initial defence policy of the new government, with a series of key decisions designed to enhance the United...
.
The current squadron
The squadron was reformed in 2003, this time as the Typhoon operational conversion unit (OCU). This is its current role.Squadron markings and the "Misspelled Roman numeral" tradition
Since the late 1920s, the squadron marking has been three (red) Xs (XXXXXX
XXX may refer to:* The number 30 in Roman numerals* The year 30 AD* Games of the XXX Olympiad, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England* Super Bowl XXX, held on January 28, 1996* A mark indicating "extra strong"* Alcoholic beverages...
). Since this closely resembles the Roman numeral for "29" (XXIX) there is a "traditional" belief among current squadron personnel that this originated as a "misspelling" of the Roman numeral.
Roundel
A roundel in heraldry is a disc; the term is also commonly used to refer to a type of national insignia used on military aircraft, generally circular in shape and usually comprising concentric rings of different colours.-Heraldry:...
and IX behind it" meaning "X,X,(roundel), and 'IX' or 'one-X')" resulted in "XX(roundel)'one times' X".
In fact, the marking was always applied as "XXX(roundel)XXX" (as illustrated at the head of this article) - or as "XXX(roundel)" on smaller types, such as Siskins - unfortunately, neither lends much support to the "tradition".
It seems probable that the original adoption of "XXX" for the 1930s squadron marking was nothing to do with Roman numerals, but was a reference to the brewers mark for "extra strong", frequently applied to kegs of beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
, and that it is only a coincidence that this resembles the numeral for "29" (XXIX). It should be noted that the use of Roman numerals for numbering RAF units is a relatively modern development - in any case it was certainly not the practice in the RAF in the 1920s. Nor, so far as it is known, has 29 squadron ever been officially referred to as "XXX squadron" - or as "XXIX squadron" for that matter.
Summary of aircraft operated
- Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c 1915-1916
- Airco DH.2Airco DH.2|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...
1916-1917 - Nieuport 17Nieuport 17|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
/24bis 1917-1918 - Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Although the first examples reached the Western Front before the Sopwith Camel and it had a much better overall performance, problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S...
a 1918-1919 - Sopwith SnipeSopwith SnipeThe Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe was a British single-seat biplane fighter of the Royal Air Force . It was designed and built by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War, and came into squadron service a few weeks before the end of that conflict, in late 1918.The Snipe was not a fast aircraft...
1923-1925 - Gloster GrebeGloster Grebe-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* James, Derek N. Gloster Aircraft since 1917. London: Putnam and Company Ltd., 1987. ISBN 0-85177-807-0.* Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918-57. London:Putnam, First edition 1957....
1925-1928 - Armstrong Whitworth SiskinArmstrong Whitworth SiskinThe Armstrong Whitworth Siskin was a British biplane single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1920s produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. The Siskin was one of the first new RAF fighters to enter service after the First World War; it was noted for its aerobatic qualities.-Design and development:The...
III a 1928-1932 - Bristol BulldogBristol Bulldog|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. The Bristol Bulldog . Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1965.* Barnes, C.H. Bristol Aircraft Since 1910. London: Putnam, 1964....
1932-1935 - Hawker Demon 1935-1938
- Bristol BlenheimBristol BlenheimThe Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
1939-1940 - Bristol BeaufighterBristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
1940-1943 - De Havilland Mosquito XXXDe Havilland MosquitoThe de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
1943-1951 - Gloster Meteor NF11Gloster MeteorThe Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
1951-1958 - Gloster JavelinGloster JavelinThe Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
1957-1967 - English Electric Lightning F3English Electric LightningThe English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
1967-1974 - McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2F-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
1974-1987 - Panavia Tornado F3Panavia TornadoThe Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
1987-1998 - Eurofighter Typhoon F2Eurofighter TyphoonThe Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole combat aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of three companies: EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems; working through a holding company, Eurofighter GmbH, which was formed in 1986...
2003-
List of Commanding Officers
| Rank | Name | Date Assumed Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | Dawes, L | 7 Nov 1915 | |
| Major | Conran, E L | 25 May 1916 | MC Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... |
| Major | Gratton-Bellew, W A | 5 Sep 1916 | MC |
| Major | Champion de Crespigny, H V Hugh Champion de Crespigny Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny CB MC DFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer who commanded British Air Forces in Iraq during World War II.-RAF career:... |
22 Mar 1917 | MC |
| Major | Chapman, C M B | 21 Jul 1917 | MC |
| Major | Champion de Crespigny, H V Hugh Champion de Crespigny Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny CB MC DFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer who commanded British Air Forces in Iraq during World War II.-RAF career:... |
04 Oct 1917 | MC |
| Major | Dixon, C H | 20 Nov 1917 | MC |
| Major | White, H G | 1 Apr 1923 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Twistleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, The Hon L J E | 12 Aug 1923 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Neville, R H G | 12 Aug 1924 | MC |
| Sqn Ldr | Taylor, M L | 10 Aug 1927 | AFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Scott P E | 06 Dec 1929 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Routh, E J D | 09 Jun 1930 | |
| Sqn Ldr | O'Neill, H D | 14 Apr 1931 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Butler, J H | 18 Aug 1933 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Chapman, C | 20 Aug 1934 | DSC |
| Sqn Ldr | Mackay, E P | 10 Dec 1935 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Fleming, D M | 14 Apr 1936 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Lynch, J B | 19 Aug 1937 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Jonas, R C | 17 Dec 1937 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Robinson, M W S | 02 Dec 1938 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Gomez, P S | 13 Feb 1939 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Bitmead, E R | 08 Jul 1940 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Widdows, S C | 16 Jul 1940 | DFC |
| Wg Cdr | Colbeck-Welch, E L | 13 Jun 1941 | DFC |
| Wg Cdr | Cleland, R | 10 Jul 1942 | |
| Wg Cdr | Wight-Boycott, C M Cathcart Wight-Boycott Air Commodore Cathcart Michael Wight-Boycott CBE DSO and bar MA, RAF R’td was a British fighter pilot during the Second World War and a senior Royal Air Force officer during the post-war years... |
10 Sep 1942 | DSO |
| Wg Cdr | Miller, C M | 20 Jan 1943 | |
| Wg Cdr | Mack, R E X | 12 Jun 1943 | DFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Arbon, P W | 23 Feb 1944 | |
| Wg Cdr | Powell-Shedden, G F George Powell-Shedden George Powell-Shedden DSO with bar, DFC was a Royal Air Force Pilot who flew during the Battle of Britain and later went on to operational commands and a British Olympic bobsledder who competed in the late 1940s.... |
29 Apr 1944 | DSO DFC |
| Wg Cdr | Allan, J W | 18 Dec 1944 | DSO DFC |
| Wg Cdr | Wood, T C | 31 Dec 1945 | DFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Hawkins, D | 1 Nov 1946 | DFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Young, M J B | 10 Mar 1949 | DFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Shaw, M | 7 Jul 1949 | DSO |
| Sqn Ldr | Bodien, H E | 15 Aug 1951 | DSO DFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Horsley, B P T | 30 Jun 1952 | AFC |
| Sqn Ldr | Sismore, E B | 11 May 1953 | DSO DFC |
| Wg Cdr | Aiken, J A C John Aiken Air Chief Marshal Sir John Alexander Carlisle Aiken KCB was Commander of British forces in Cyprus at the time of the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.-RAF career:... |
2 Jan 1956 | |
| Wg Cdr | Harbison, W William Harbison -Post-Korean War:After completing his tour in Korea, Harbison was once again flying the F-86 as commander of No. 67 Squadron of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force at RAF Wildenrath in West Germany. In 1956, he returned home to attend the Army Staff College at Camberley, Surrey... |
2 Jan 1958 | AFC |
| Wg Cdr | Gordon-Cumming, A R | 15 Jul 1959 | |
| Wg Cdr | Gardiner, R E | 3 Jul 1961 | DFC |
| Wg Cdr | Jeffery, E G P | 18 Apr 1962 | |
| Wg Cdr | Burge, K | 1 Jan 1965 | |
| Wg Cdr | Neil, R | 23 Nov 1966 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Boyer, L A | 10 May 1967 | |
| Wg Cdr | Phipps, L W | 18 Sep 1967 | AFC |
| Wg Cdr | Carrol, B | 20 Jan 1969 | |
| Wg Cdr | Carter, P | 31 Jul 1971 | |
| Wg Cdr | Hawtin, J D C | 7 Jul 1973 | |
| Wg Cdr | Lavender, B W | 31 Dec 1974 | AFC |
| Wg Cdr | Oakden, D I | 4 Jul 1975 | |
| Wg Cdr | Elworthy, T C | 23 May 1977 | |
| Wg Cdr | Macfadyen, I D Ian Macfadyen Air Marshal Ian David Macfadyen, CB, OBE, RAF , is a British retired Air Marshal who was the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man until 14 October 2005... |
1 Feb 1980 | |
| Wg Cdr | Smith, G C | 17 Dec 1982 | AFC |
| Wg Cdr | Macfadyen, I D Ian Macfadyen Air Marshal Ian David Macfadyen, CB, OBE, RAF , is a British retired Air Marshal who was the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man until 14 October 2005... |
1 Jun 1983 | |
| Wg Cdr | Alcock, A J H | 2 Aug 1983 | MBE |
| Wg Cdr | Sudborough, N J | 13 Nov 1985 | |
| Wg Cdr | Doble, L A | 01 Apr 1987 | |
| Wg Cdr | Trotter, R W D | 10 Nov 1989 | |
| Wg Cdr | Hodgson, P | 24 Jul 1992 | |
| Wg Cdr | Routledge, M J | 20 Jan 1995 | |
| Wg Cdr | Randle, N | 18 Jul 1997| | |
| Wg Cdr | Hitchcock, J J | 1 Dec 2003 | |
| Sqn Ldr | Hargreaves, I J | 5 Nov 2004 | |
| Wg Cdr | Mackay, A J | 1 Apr 2005 | |
| Wg Cdr | Gregory, A J | 6 Jun 2007 | |
| Wg Cdr | Stringer, J J | 7 Sep 2007 | |
| Wg Cdr | Seymour, A J | Nov 2009 |