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No. 520 Squadron RAF

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No. 520 Squadron RAF
Active20 September 1943 – 25 April 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Rolemeteorological
Part ofHQ RAF Gibraltar, Coastal Command[1]
Motto(s)Tomorrow's Weather Today[2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA dove holding in the beak an olive branch[2]
Squadron Codes2M (Sep 1943 – Apr 1946)[3][4]

No. 520 Squadron RAF was a meteorological squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

History

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The squadron was formed at RAF Gibraltar on 20 September 1943 from 1403 Flight.[5][6] Equipped with Lockheed Hudsons, it was tasked with collecting meteorological data from both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. In February 1944 it was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifaxes and these were supplemented by Supermarine Spitfires, although the Spitfires were replaced with Hawker Hurricanes a few months later. In September 1944 the squadron absorbed 1500 (BAT) Flight and its Miles Martinets, which were used for target towing.[2] The squadron also operated the Hudson again and also the Vickers Warwick. The squadron continued to serve for a while after the war was over, and was even given an air-sea rescue task,[2] using the Warwicks, but was disbanded at Gibraltar on 25 April 1946.[5]

Aircraft operated

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Hawker Hurricane IIC
Aircraft operated by no. 520 Squadron RAF, data from[2][5][7]
From To Aircraft Variant
September 1943 March 1944 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III
September 1943 June 1944 Gloster Gladiator Mk.II
February 1944 June 1945 Handley Page Halifax Mk.V
February 1944 June 1944 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb
June 1944 April 1946 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc
September 1944 December 1945 Miles Martinet Mk.I
January 1945 October 1945 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III
April 1945 April 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.III
August 1945 April 1946 Vickers Warwick Mk.I
October 1945 January 1946 Lockheed Hudson Mk.VI

Squadron bases

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Bases and airfields used by no. 520 Squadron RAF, data from[2][5][7]
From To Base Remark
20 September 1943 25 April 1946 RAF Gibraltar already in use with 1403 Flight since 6 March 1943[6]

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Delve 1994, pp. 64, 73.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Halley 1988, p. 398.
  3. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 75.
  4. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 56.
  5. ^ a b c d Jefford 2001, p. 97.
  6. ^ a b Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 120.
  7. ^ a b Rawlings 1982, p. 254.

Bibliography

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  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)
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