No. 62 Squadron RAF
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| No. 62 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1916 - 1919 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Motto | Insperato Latin: "Unexpectedly" |
No. 62 Squadron RAF was formed on 8 August 1916, at Filton from No. 7 Training Squadron. In May 1917 it equipped with the Bristol F2B, before being posted to France in January 1918. The squadron operated as fighter-reconnaissance unit until disbanding on 31 July 1919.
On 3 May 1937, the squadron was reformed at Abingdon from 'B' Flight of No. 40 Squadron, equipped with Hawker Hinds. In February 1938 the squadron re-equipped with Bristol Blenheims. The squadron was posted to Singapore in August 1939, moving to Butterworth, Malaya in December 1941. In January 1942 the squadron re-equipped with Lockheed Hudsons and moved first to Sumatra, and then Burma where it absorbed the remains of No. 139 Squadron.
The squadron withdrew to India in May 1943 and re-equipped as a transport unit equipped with the Douglas Dakota. The squadron disbanded on 15 March 1946 at Mingaladon.
It reformed again, as a Dakota squadron, at Mingaladon on 1 September 1946, when No. 76 Squadron was re-numbered No. 62. The squadron moved to India and disbanded on 10 August 1947. The squadron reformed at Waterbeach on 8 December 1947 to assist in the Berlin Airlift. The squadron remained operational after the Berlin Airlift, until disbanding on 1 June 1949.
From 1 February 1960 to 31 January 1963, the squadron was based at Woolfox Lodge as a Bristol Bloodhound equipped missile unit.
The squadron was disbanded on the 30 September 1964.
[edit] Aircraft operated
- 1917-1919 Bristol F2B Fighter
- 1937-1938 Hawker Hind
- 1938-1942 Bristol Blenheim I
- 1942 Lockheed Hudson III
- 1942-1943 Lockheed Hudson III
- 1943 Lockheed Hudson VI
- 1943-1946 Douglas Dakota
- 1946-1947 Douglas Dakota
- 1947-1949 Douglas Dakota
- 1960-1964 Bristol Bloodhound I
[edit] References
- http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn061-65.htm
- http://www.apw.airwar1.org.uk/no62sqn6.htm
- G G Jefford, RAF Squadrons, second edition 2001, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
