No. 288 Squadron RAF

No. 288 Squadron RAF
Active18 November 1941 – 15 June 1946
16 March 1953 – 30 September 1957
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)Honour through deeds
Insignia
Squadron BadgeA running stag
Squadron CodeRP (November 1941 –June 1946)
Military unit

No. 288 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an anti-aircraft co-operation unit in World War II.

History

Formation in World War II

The squadron formed at RAF Digby on 17 November 1941 and was equipped with Lysanders, Blenheims and Hurricanes to provide practice for the anti-aircraft defences in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire by towing targets and conducting simulated attacks. The squadron then moved to Wellingore, Church Fenton and Hutton Cranswick with detachments at other bases and operated other aircraft types before it was disbanded at East Moor on 15 June 1946.

Postwar

The squadron reformed at Middle Wallop on 15 March 1953 and operated Spitfire and Balliol target aircraft before it disbanded again on 30 September 1957.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 288 Squadron RAF[1]
From To Aircraft Variant
Nov 1941 Feb 1942 Bristol Blenheim IV
Nov 1941 Mar 1942 Westland Lysander II, III
Nov 1941 Mar 1942 Lockheed Hudson III
Nov 1941 1944 Hawker Hurricane I
Mar 1942 Apr 1943 Boulton Paul Defiant I
Dec 1942 June 1946 Supermarine Spitfire VB,IX
Mar 1943 May 1945 Airspeed Oxford
July 1943 ? Miles Martinet
Mar 1944 Nov 1944 Bristol Beaufighter VI
Mar 1945 Jun 1946 Vultee Vengeance IV
Mar 1953 May 1953 Supermarine Spitfire LF 16E
Apr 1953 Sep 1957 Boulton Paul Balliol T.2

References

  1. ^ C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links

  • History of No.'s 286–290 Squadrons at RAF Web
  • 288 Squadron history on the official RAF website
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