No. 262 Squadron RAF was an anti-submarine patrol squadron of the Royal Air Force between 1942 and 1945.
| No. 262 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 29 September 1942 – 15 February 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | anti-submarine patrol squadron |
| Part of | RAF Coastal Command |
| Flying Boat | Consolidated Catalina |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | No badge authorised[1] |
| Squadron Codes | TR (1944) The same combination is also mentioned for 265 Squadron, in both cases it is not confirmed.[1] |
History
editThe squadron was officially formed on 29 September 1942[1][2][3] at RAF Hednesford, although this was a paper exercise as the squadron personnel and equipment were at that moment in transit to Congella in South Africa. It did not start to operate as a squadron until arriving in Durban on 5 November 1942, arriving at Congella a week later,[1] but still had to wait until February 1943 before their first Consolidated Catalina aircraft arrived. It began to operate long anti-submarine patrols over the Indian Ocean. From November 1943 it started to training crews from the South African Air Force with a detachment at Langebaanweg in the Cape Province, it still carried out anti-submarine patrols but began to restrict those patrols to within the South Africa Defence Area. On 15 February 1945 the squadron was disbanded when it was renumbered as 35 Squadron South African Air Force.[1][2][3]
Aircraft operated
edit| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | 1945 | Consolidated Catalina[1][2][3] | Mk.Ib |
| 1944 | 1945 | Consolidated Catalina[1][2][3] | Mk.IVb |
See also
editReferences
editNotes
editBibliography
edit- 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.
- Jefford, C.G. 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.
- 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.
- Spring, Ivan. Flying Boat: The History of 262 Squadron RAF and the origins of 35 Squadron SAAF. Johannesburg, South Africa: Spring Air, 1995. ISBN 0-9583977-2-4.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985), Orbis Publishing, UK.