No. 138 Squadron RAF
| No. 138 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 30 Sep 1918 - 1 Feb 1919 25 Aug 1941 - 1 Sep 1950 1 Jan 1955 - 1 Apr 1962[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Fighter Special Operations Bomber |
| Motto | For Freedom[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A sword in bend, the point uppermost, severing a reef knot[2] |
| Squadron Codes | NF (Aug 1941 - Mar 1945, Apr 1947 - Sep 1950)[3][4] AC (Mar 1945 - Apr 1947)[5] |
No. 138 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force that served in a variety of roles during its career, last disbanded in 1962. It was the first 'V-bomber' squadron of the RAF, flying the Vickers Valiant between 1955 and 1962.
Contents
History
Formation in World War I as fighter squadron
No. 138 Squadron RAF was originally to be formed as a fighter unit on 1 May 1918, but formation was suspended[6] until officially formed on 30 September 1918 as a fighter-reconnaissance squadron at Chingford, and was disbanded there on 1 February 1919.[2][7][8]
Special Duties in World War II
During World War II, it was reformed in 1941, from No. 1419 Flight, as No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron.[2] It was based at RAF Tempsford, and was tasked with dropping agents and equipment of the Special Operations Executive inside occupied territory. It carried out this role until March 1945 when it was reassigned to Bomber Command, operating under No. 3 Group.[9] It was disbanded on 1 September 1950.[2]
V-Bomber squadron post-war
Vickers Valiant B.1 XD818 - photo taken at RAF Museum Cosford, just prior to going on display with two other 'V bombers', the Handley Page Victor and Avro Vulcan in the Cold War Jets Collection
On 1 January 1955 the squadron was reformed as the first squadron to be equipped with the Vickers Valiant strategic nuclear bomber, based at RAF Gaydon and later moving to RAF Wittering. It flew them from Malta during the Suez Crisis of October 1956, and was finally disbanded on 1 April 1962.[2]
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1918 | Feb 1919 | Bristol F.2 Fighter | F.2b |
| Aug 1941 | Mar 1942 | Westland Lysander | Mk.IIIa |
| Aug 1941 | Nov 1942 | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley | Mk.V |
| Aug 1941 | Aug 1944 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.II |
| Jan 1943 | Aug 1944 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.V |
| Jun 1944 | Mar 1945 | Short Stirling | Mk.V |
| Mar 1945 | Sep 1947 | Avro Lancaster | Mks.I and III |
| Sep 1947 | Sep 1950 | Avro Lincoln | B.2 |
| Feb 1955 | Mar 1962 | Vickers Valiant | B.1 |
| Mar 1956 | May 1961 | Vickers Valiant | B(PR).1 |
| Mar 1956 | Aug 1961 | Vickers Valiant | B(PR)K.1 |
| Jun 1956 | Apr 1962 | Vickers Valiant | B(K).1 |
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937-56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
- Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
- 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, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). 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.
- Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 2nd edition 1976. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
- 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.
- Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (2nd edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
External links
- No.138 Sqn at RAF History
- RAF History Section - 138 Squadron
- Squadron history at RafWeb's Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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