No. XI Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 11 or XI Squadron is a Royal Air Force
fighter squadron. The squadron operated the Tornado F3 until 2005 when it was disbanded. It was reactivated in 2006 to operate the Typhoon F2, receiving its first aircraft (serial number ZJ931) on 9 October 2006.
was formed at Netheravon
in Wiltshire
on 14 February 1915 for "fighting duties", receiving two seat pusher Vickers Gunbus fighters in June, and deploying to France on 25 July 1915. Since all previous squadrons (Royal Flying Corps or other nations) were reconnaissance
or army co-operation units, 11 can make a claim to be the oldest dedicated fighter squadron in the world. The squadron has had the honour of having two Victoria Cross
winners serve in the unit.
The squadron's Gunbuses were soon pressed into service, with Second Lieutenant
G. S. M. Insall
of the squadron being awarded a Victoria Cross
for an action on 7 November 1915 in which he forced down and destroyed a German Aviatik observation aircraft. The Gunbus was already obsolete however, and was replaced by Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2
fighters of similar layout, but higher performance, in June 1916. These in turn were traded for Bristol Fighter
s in August 1917 these being used both for offensive patrols over German held territory and for ground attack for the remainder of the war. The Squadron was disbanded at the end of 1919.
No. 11 Squadron numbered 19 flying aces in its ranks during the war. Among them were Victoria Cross
winner Lionel Rees
, as well as
Andrew Edward McKeever
,
future Air Commodore
John Stanley Chick
,
Eugene Coler
,
Albert Ball
,
Frederick Libby
,
Ronald Maudit,
John Quested
,
Herbert Sellars
,
Donald Beard
,
Stephen Price
,
Hugh Hay
, and
Thomas Frederick Stephenson
.
The twin Eagles on the Squadron's crest, awarded in May 1937, represents the two-seated fighters operated in the First World War.
in January 1923 as a day bomber squadron equipped with Airco DH.9A
s, quickly moving to RAF Bircham Newton
in Norfolk
. In April 1924, these were replaced by the Fairey Fawn
despite the fact that they offered little improvement in performance over the DH.9A, moving with them to RAF Netheravon in May that year. The unpopular Fawns were replaced by Hawker Horsley
s in November 1926, keeping these until December 1928, when it handed the Horsleys to 100 Squadron
and was posted to Risalpur
in India (now in Pakistan), flying Westland Wapiti
s in Army co-operation and carrying out punitive air raids against rebelling tribal forces. It replaced its Wapitis with Hawker Hart
s in February 1932, operations continuing as before. It received Blenheim I
monoplane bombers in July 1939, moving to Singapore
the next month, just before the outbreak of World War II
in Europe.
, at the outset of the East Africa campaign
, then on to Colombo, Ceylon
, in early 1942, where it was involved in a number of unsuccessful attacks on Japanese ships. During 1943, the Squadron re-equipped with Hurricanes
and moved to Burma
in the ground attack role, supporting the 14th Army.
during October 1949, they flew Mosquitos
, Vampires
and Venoms
. The Squadron again disbanded in 1957, but reformed in January 1959 with Meteor
night fighters
. Javelins
replaced the Meteors three years later and the Squadron remained with this type until another disbandment in 1966.
Reforming in early 1967, No. 11 Squadron spent the next 21 years flying Lightnings
, until May 1988, by that time one of the last two squadrons equipped with this aircraft and was based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire.
The squadron operated the twin seat Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leeming
between August 1988 and October 2005.
In February 2003 it was announced that some of No. 11 Squadron's Tornado F3s had been modified to carry the ALARM
missile (as EF3s) to widen their capabilities to include suppression of enemy air defence SEAD
. The logic of this is clear, as Tornado GR4s are required to carry large offensive payloads while in recent conflicts the requirement for air superiority fighters has been limited.
Following the publication of the Future Capabilities study on 21 July 2004, XI(F) squadron disbanded in October 2005. The RAF announced that 11 Squadron would be the second front line squadron to re-equip with the Typhoon
but would now be based at RAF Coningsby
. The Squadron stood up at Coningsby on 29 March 2007, dropping the (F) designation in recognition of its new tasking as the Royal Air Force's lead Typhoon multi-role squadron.
In March 2011, 11 Sqn (assisted by some 29(R) squadron personnel and additional aircraft supplied by 29(R) and 3(F) Sqns) deployed to Gioia Del Colle, Bari, Italy, to help police the no-fly zone imposed by Resolution 1973 over Libya.
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...
fighter squadron. The squadron operated the Tornado F3 until 2005 when it was disbanded. It was reactivated in 2006 to operate the Typhoon F2, receiving its first aircraft (serial number ZJ931) on 9 October 2006.
World War 1
No. 11 Squadron of the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
was formed at Netheravon
Netheravon
Netheravon is a village and civil parish on the River Avon, about north of the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire.-Notable people:The writer Frank Sawyer , although born in Bulford, spent most of his life in Netheravon as river keeper River Avon and died on the banks of the river near the parish church...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
on 14 February 1915 for "fighting duties", receiving two seat pusher Vickers Gunbus fighters in June, and deploying to France on 25 July 1915. Since all previous squadrons (Royal Flying Corps or other nations) were reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
or army co-operation units, 11 can make a claim to be the oldest dedicated fighter squadron in the world. The squadron has had the honour of having two 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....
winners serve in the unit.
The squadron's Gunbuses were soon pressed into service, with Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
G. S. M. Insall
Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall
Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall VC MC was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
of the squadron being awarded 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....
for an action on 7 November 1915 in which he forced down and destroyed a German Aviatik observation aircraft. The Gunbus was already obsolete however, and was replaced by Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2
Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2
The Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 was a two-seat pusher biplane that was operated as a day and night bomber and as a fighter aircraft by the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War...
fighters of similar layout, but higher performance, in June 1916. These in turn were traded for Bristol Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
s in August 1917 these being used both for offensive patrols over German held territory and for ground attack for the remainder of the war. The Squadron was disbanded at the end of 1919.
No. 11 Squadron numbered 19 flying aces in its ranks during the war. Among them were 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....
winner Lionel Rees
Lionel Rees
Group Captain Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees VC OBE MC AFC RAF was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, as well as
Andrew Edward McKeever
Andrew Edward McKeever
Andrew Edward McKeever DSO, MC & Bar, DFC was a Canadian World War I two-seater flying ace who, in conjunction with his gunners, was credited with 31 victories...
,
future Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
John Stanley Chick
John Stanley Chick
Air Commodore John Stanley Chick, MC, AFC , began his aviation career as a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories.-World War I service:...
,
Eugene Coler
Eugene Coler
Lieutenant Eugene Seeley Coler was an American World War I flying ace who served in the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. He was credited with 16 aerial victories.-Early life and service:...
,
Albert Ball
Albert Ball
Albert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC was an English fighter pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British or Commonwealth armed forces...
,
Frederick Libby
Frederick Libby
Frederick Libby was the first American ace of World War I, and of all time, achieved while serving as an observer in the Royal Flying Corps.-Early life and service:Frederick Libby was born on 15 July 1891 in Sterling, Colorado...
,
Ronald Maudit,
John Quested
John Quested (aviator)
Major John Bowley Quested was an English World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories, the most notable of which was over Gustav Leffers.-World War I service:Quested was commissioned in November 1914...
,
Herbert Sellars
Herbert Sellars
Lieutenant Herbert Whiteley Sellars was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Reference:...
,
Donald Beard
Donald Beard
Lieutenant Donald Wainwright Beard was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Service through end of World War I:...
,
Stephen Price
Stephen Price (aviator)
Major Stephen William Price was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories....
,
Hugh Hay
Hugh Hay
Captain Hugh Allport Hay was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Hay had already earned a Military Cross serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment when he joined No. 11 Squadron in early 1918. He flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter to five wins between 7 April and 6 September 1918...
, and
Thomas Frederick Stephenson
Thomas Frederick Stephenson
Sergeant Thomas Frederick Stephenson was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Stephenson was a sergeant pilot in 11 Squadron . He was teamed with 1st Air Mechanic Sydney Platel as his observer/gunner in a Bristol F.2 Fighter. The duo garnered five victories together between...
.
The twin Eagles on the Squadron's crest, awarded in May 1937, represents the two-seated fighters operated in the First World War.
Between the Wars
The Squadron reformed at RAF AndoverRAF Andover
Andover Airfield is a former Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force station. The ICAO code for the airfield is EGWA and the IATA code is ADV...
in January 1923 as a day bomber squadron equipped with Airco DH.9A
Airco DH.9A
The Airco DH.9A was a British light bomber designed and first used shortly before the end of the First World War. Colloquially known as the "Ninak" , it served on in large numbers for the Royal Air Force following the end of the war, both at home and overseas, where it was used for colonial...
s, quickly moving to RAF Bircham Newton
RAF Bircham Newton
RAF Bircham Newton was a Royal Air Force airfield in the west of the county of Norfolk in the United Kingdom, eight miles west of Fakenham.-History:...
in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. In April 1924, these were replaced by the Fairey Fawn
Fairey Fawn
|-See also:...
despite the fact that they offered little improvement in performance over the DH.9A, moving with them to RAF Netheravon in May that year. The unpopular Fawns were replaced by Hawker Horsley
Hawker Horsley
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Jarrett, Philip. "By Day and By Night: Hawker Horsley part 1". Aeroplane Monthly, Volume 21 No 10, Issue 246, October 1993. pp. 32–40....
s in November 1926, keeping these until December 1928, when it handed the Horsleys to 100 Squadron
No. 100 Squadron RAF
No. 100 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, UK, and operates the Hawker-Siddeley Hawk.-World War I:No. 100 was established on 23 February 1917 at Hingham in Norfolk as the Royal Flying Corps' first squadron formed specifically as a night bombing unit and...
and was posted to Risalpur
Risalpur
Risalpur is a city in Nowshera District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on the Nowshera-Mardan Road. It is nearly 45 km from Peshawar and 15 km from Mardan and is located at 34°4'52N 71°58'21E. In a basin some 1014 feet above sea level, it is bounded on the south and west by the Kabul and...
in India (now in Pakistan), flying Westland Wapiti
Westland Wapiti
The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat general purpose military single-engined biplane of the 1920s. It was designed and built by Westland Aircraft Works to replace the Airco DH.9A in Royal Air Force service....
s in Army co-operation and carrying out punitive air raids against rebelling tribal forces. It replaced its Wapitis with Hawker Hart
Hawker Hart
The Hawker Hart was a British two-seater biplane light bomber of the Royal Air Force , which had a prominent role during the RAF's inter-war period. The Hart was designed during the 1920s by Sydney Camm and built by Hawker Aircraft...
s in February 1932, operations continuing as before. It received Blenheim I
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...
monoplane bombers in July 1939, moving to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
the next month, just before the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in Europe.
World War II
The Squadron was first sent to AdenAden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
, at the outset of the East Africa campaign
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
, then on to Colombo, Ceylon
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, in early 1942, where it was involved in a number of unsuccessful attacks on Japanese ships. During 1943, the Squadron re-equipped with Hurricanes
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
and moved to Burma
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
in the ground attack role, supporting the 14th Army.
Since 1945
The Squadron formed part of the occupation forces in Japan from August 1945 to February 1948, when it disbanded. Reforming in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during October 1949, they flew Mosquitos
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"...
, Vampires
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
and Venoms
De Havilland Venom
The de Havilland DH 112 Venom was a British postwar single-engined jet aircraft developed from the de Havilland Vampire. It served with the Royal Air Force as a single-seat fighter-bomber and two-seat night fighter....
. The Squadron again disbanded in 1957, but reformed in January 1959 with Meteor
Gloster 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...
night fighters
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
. Javelins
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...
replaced the Meteors three years later and the Squadron remained with this type until another disbandment in 1966.
Reforming in early 1967, No. 11 Squadron spent the next 21 years flying Lightnings
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 ...
, until May 1988, by that time one of the last two squadrons equipped with this aircraft and was based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire.
The squadron operated the twin seat Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leeming
RAF Leeming
RAF Leeming is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire, UK.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Leeming. The Station Commander is Group Captain Anthony Innes....
between August 1988 and October 2005.
In February 2003 it was announced that some of No. 11 Squadron's Tornado F3s had been modified to carry the ALARM
ALARM
ALARM is a British anti-radiation missile designed primarily to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of Suppression of Enemy Air Defense...
missile (as EF3s) to widen their capabilities to include suppression of enemy air defence SEAD
SEAD
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses , also known as "Wild Weasel" and "Iron Hand" operations in the United States, are military actions to suppress enemy surface-based air defenses , primarily in the first hours of an attack.One fourth of American combat sorties in recent conflicts have been SEAD...
. The logic of this is clear, as Tornado GR4s are required to carry large offensive payloads while in recent conflicts the requirement for air superiority fighters has been limited.
Following the publication of the Future Capabilities study on 21 July 2004, XI(F) squadron disbanded in October 2005. The RAF announced that 11 Squadron would be the second front line squadron to re-equip with the 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...
but would now be based at 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:...
. The Squadron stood up at Coningsby on 29 March 2007, dropping the (F) designation in recognition of its new tasking as the Royal Air Force's lead Typhoon multi-role squadron.
In March 2011, 11 Sqn (assisted by some 29(R) squadron personnel and additional aircraft supplied by 29(R) and 3(F) Sqns) deployed to Gioia Del Colle, Bari, Italy, to help police the no-fly zone imposed by Resolution 1973 over Libya.
Sources of information
- Ashworth, Chris. Encyclopedia of Modern Royal Air Force Squadrons. Wellingborough, UK:PSL, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-013-6.
- Lewis, Peter. Squadron Histories: R.F.C, R.N.A.S and R.A.F., 1912-59. London: Putnam, 1959.
- Guttman, Jon, et al. Pusher Aces of World War 1 Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1846034175, 9781846034176.