No. 281 Squadron was a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue squadron during the Second World War.
| No. 281 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 29 March 1942–22 November 1942 22 November 1943 – 24 October 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | air-sea rescue |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Volamus Servaturi ("We fly to save") |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | The head of a St. Bernard's dog affrontée, pendant from the collar a barrel shaped flash[1] |
| Squadron Codes | FA (Mar 1942 – Oct 1945) |
History
editNo. 281 Squadron was formed at RAF Ouston, England on 29 March 1942[2] as an air-sea rescue squadron. The squadron was equipped with the Supermarine Walrus, a British single-engine amphibious biplane, and the Avro Anson, a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. The squadron disbanded on 22 November 1942 when it was absorbed by 282 Squadron.[1]
The squadron reformed at RAF Thornaby on 22 November 1943[2] equipped with Vickers Warwick, a multi-purpose twin-engined aircraft. The squadron moved to Tiree in February 1945 to provide air-sea rescue cover for Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
At the end of the Second World War the squadron disbanded at RAF Ballykelly on 24 October 1945.[1][2]
Aircraft operated
edit| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1942 | Jun 1943 | Boulton-Paul Defiant | Mk.I |
| Feb 1943 | Nov 1943 | Supermarine Walrus | Mks.I, II |
| Apr 1943 | Nov 1943 | Avro Anson | Mk.I |
| Nov 1943 | Oct 1945 | Vickers Warwick | Mks.I, IV |
| April 1944 | Oct 1945 | Supermarine Sea Otter | Mk.II |
| Sep 1945 | Oct 1945 | Vickers Wellington | Mks.XIII, XIV |
Notes
editReferences
edit- Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force and 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. ISBN 1853100536. (second revised edition 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.)
- 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.
External links
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